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Join us and get the chance to reconnect with nature!

5.0
(16 reviews)16

The experience

Dive into our Waves of Change project on the shores of San Josesito Beach, where the rainforest meets the sea. Feel the sand between your toes and the warmth of the sun on your skin as you become a champion for Costa Rica's amazing wildlife and coastal waters. Waves of Change project offers a chance to reconnect with nature and escape the concrete jungle in a rustic, off-the-grid rainforest bush camp. Ride the Waves of Change!

What you offer

32 hours of help per week

Animal Care: Help look after and take care of animals.

Farming: Plant crops, sow seeds and help in outside tasks.

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

Additional fee required

Amount: US$ 395 Per week

Fee pays for: Benefits for travelers, Materials for volunteer activities, and Donation to project

Description: Your contribution helps us return orphaned, injured and confiscated animals back to the wild. We are located in on a very remote beach in Costa Rica and it is very costly to bring food and supplies for volunteers.

What you get

2 days off per week

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Free Hiking Tours: We’ll take you on excursions and hikes around town. For free!

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Basic Internet Access: Basic speed internet for you to work remotely

Requirements

Beginner English or Beginner Spanish

Over 18 years old

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

Our Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center in La Garita, Alajuela receives thousands of primates, sloths, wild cats and other animals that have been rescued from the pet trade, injured, sick, or orphaned. The majority of these animals are returned to the wild in Nicoya or Alajuela. But for some with specialized needs, a different path exists. San Josesito Beach plays a critical role. Situated right next to Piedras Blancas National Park, this release site offers access to a vast, undisturbed rainforest – a perfect 10,000-acre expanse of undisturbed tropical rainforest for these specialized creatures. Help us grow a supply of delicious and sustainable food source for rescued wildlife. Ensure that San Josesito Beach continues to be teaming with life and free from pollution. Help confirm that rescued animals are thriving after their return to the wild.

Activities & Shift

Every day is different, but here is a sample of what you might expect:

Every day is different but here is a sample of what to expect:

6:00 am – 7:30 am:
Collect natural foods and prepare diets for the animals in pre-release habitats

8:00 am – 9:00 am:

BREAKFAST

9:00 am – 10:30 a.m.

Create and implement environmental enrichment for animals in prerelease habitats

10:30-12:00

Beach clean-up and swim

12:00-1:00

Check trail cameras and collect SD cards

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
LUNCH

2:00 p.m. – 3:oo p.m.
Plant or harvest in the permaculture garden

3:00 p.m. – 6:oo p.m.

Your choice: Beach break, kayak, review trail camera videos, walk in the forest, beach walk

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
DINNER

Rules

Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints. We are a no-contact wildlife rehabitation center. Volunteers must refrain from touching, talking to, making eye contact with or engaging the animals in the process of release back to the wild.