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Stati Uniti

5

I enjoyed this experience a lot, the location is gorgeous and the work is not too difficult it is manual labor but not for long hours. Come prepared for rice and beans every day, very basic living conditions, and bug bites but in my opinion, it was worth it. It is a great opportunity to meet new people and connect with nature.

quasi 2 anni fa

Spagna

4

Manuel y Alba son muy apasionados y saben como transmitir la necesidad y la importancia de este proyecto a lxs voluntarixs :) Aunque hay muchas horas libres, es un muy buen sitio para desconectar de todo y conectar con la naturaleza y con unx mismx. Paciencia! Porque las tortugas no siempre salen, pero por eso hay que ayudar más que nunca!

più di 1 anno fa

Cile

1

Por loemos mi experiencia no fue nada agradable ni cómoda. Era un proyecto por el cual esperé mucho tiempo y con ansias, el cual resultó lejos de mis expectativas. Para nuestra mala suerte cuando llegamos al lugar ya no habían tortugas (algo que esta lejos de ser controlado por el equipo), pero el trabajo que realizamos no era nada relacionado con estas, nos tuvieron haciendo un hoyo para un futuro baño y limpiando el jardin. Por otro lado en el lugar daban la electricidad 2 horas al dia, puesto que llega a ser sumamente peligroso para el tema de los alimentos, por su cadena de frio.

quasi 2 anni fa

ACOTPRO ha risposto

Hi Sofia. We're obviously disappointed that you and Nicolas (not a member of the Worldpackers community) didn't enjoy the activities as much as the other volunteers, many of whom have left 4 or 5 star reviews here for the same period.

In rural Costa Rica, many projects do not have any electricity at all, and we managed the project since 2006 without the need for a refrigerator. We are blessed that we have a generator, and as it says clearly in the volunteer manual, the electricity is available for 2 hours per day. Most volunteers are appreciative of this.

The volunteer manual also makes clear when the nesting and hatching seasons are, and what kind of work we do outside of the turtle season. We greatly appreciate the effort that are volunteers make in helping us to expand and maintain the infrastructure that we need in order to protect the turtles and deter illegal egg poaching. Our volunteers are normally very happy support is with this work.

We would recommend that next time, when you work at a Worldpackers project, that you read the volunteer manual prior to arrival, and that you come with an open mind and ask yourself: how can I help this community?, rather than just thinking about what you should be entitled to.

We wish you the best of luck, and pura vida!
ACOTPRO

Paesi Bassi

4

This experience was amazing. I had the best 4 weeks here in Costa Rica with the other volunteers. What I do have to say, is that the volunteers make the experience. The host didn't know our names and weren't very engaging. The first week of my stay was fun because the last nest hatched. It was very interesting to get to know everything about the turtles. After the first week we only worked for a short time in the day. It was mostly manual labor, like pulling weeds out of the ground and raking. If you are planning on staying here, be prepared to eat rice and beans everyday the whole day.

quasi 2 anni fa

Stati Uniti

4

I really enjoyed my time at ACOTPRO! However, this was primarily due to the other wonderful volunteers that I met, as well as the access that we had to incredible nature and unique sea turtle experiences. When we first arrived, some of my fellow volunteers and I struggled with the lack of communication and instruction given to new volunteers by the program coordinators. However, we gave feedback to those in charge, and saw some improvement in the organization over time. We also had some uncomfortable encounters with male staff, but also saw some improvement when we brought the issue up.

quasi 2 anni fa

Regno Unito

4

I had a great time here, the volunteers really make the experience for me. Before you come, you must really read the description to be prepared. The food is basic and so is the accommodation. Rooms don't have flooring and not all beds had mosquito nets provided. The work was very fair as only 2 hours a day but turtle season was at the end. Very interesting learning more about the turtles and doing exhumations of the nests. I could see they were already making improvements around the camp for facilites (more hammocks needed!). But GREAT beach location, kind hosts & cute dogs/cats!

quasi 2 anni fa

Stati Uniti

1

Be ready to have unseasoned rice and beans for every meal. When you do get pancakes there's sand cooked into them and ants in the syrup. The host always has creepy friends over that make unwanted sexual comments. If u want to leave early you get no refund. The volunteers you're here with 100% make your experience especially seeing as they tell you what to do and give u the tour. It was amazing releasing turtles however sad to learn they cut many corners just to get more money from the turtles. Supposedly there's 3 hours of power but their generator runs out of power 5 times per night.

quasi 2 anni fa

ACOTPRO ha risposto

Hola Hannah. We're very sorry that your experience at ACOTPRO didn't live up to your expectations. It's clear that some things you mention were one-offs (we don't always put sand in the pancakes :p) but we have taken on board all of your comments and we intend to make changes to the project to address them, especially with regard to unwanted comments being made to girls at the project. That is totally un acceptable, so rest assured that action is being taken to end that. It was lovely to have you at the project and we wish you the very best! Pura vida!

Stati Uniti

3

I'm very happy I saw lots of turtles and I met some really cool people. That made the whole experience. However this is not a great place to be if you are vegan or even vegetarian. They don't feed you enough to begin with, and about half of it was safe to eat because the cooks have no idea what vegan means. They also have a dog they keep chained up all day and pigs in awful living conditions, I woke up one morning to what sounded like a pig dying. There are local guys coming and going all day long and nobody knew who they were, it felt like they were there to see women in bikinis.

quasi 2 anni fa

ACOTPRO ha risposto

Hola Shauntae! We're sorry that your experience with us wasn't as good as you'd hoped. We are trying to improve the management of the kitchen with regard to vegan and veggies restrictions, which is obviously not straight forward for community-based projects in rural areas where the cuisine is quite traditional. But the kitchen staff are working hard to diversify what they produce to cater for these diets, so we just ask for a little patience and understanding while we grow. We're confident that the livestock at the farm are kept in quality and humane conditions, so maybe it's just a question of not being used to the noises that pigs make. We have taken on board all of your comments though, and we intend to make changes to the project to address them, especially with regard to unwanted comments being made to girls at the project. That is totally un acceptable, so rest assured that action is being taken to end that. It was lovely to have you at the project and we wish you the very best! Pura vida!

Austria

5

I had a wonderful time ACOTPRO. The whole team welcomed me with open arms, I learned a lot about sea turtles and our shocking impact on their life and got to meet the most loveliest people from all over the world. Life there may not be the most luxurious but every day is a little adventure. Working there was pretty easy and every afternoon we were free to do whatever we wanted. I'm already sad that my stay is over - totally recommend going there

quasi 2 anni fa

Stati Uniti

5

My stay at ACOTPRO was one of the best decisions I have come to make when traveling. Don Johnson is an incredible man and loves to show you around Drake Bay. Rob is also a wonderful resource for help! The experience and the wonderful people you have the opportunity to meet is nothing short of life changing. My advice is to be social and enjoy yourself there to the fullest extent, you won't regret it! (A tip for first time travelers: Book a hostel before making the bus ride and boat ride to Drake Bay, also be prepared for paying for taxis to and from, it will make everything easier!)

quasi 2 anni fa

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