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Ecological Reserve Bataán de Matina, Costa Rica
Join us to monitor Animals, save Sea Turtles & Reforest the place
What you offer
20h
- Hours per week
- Help out and collaborate with your host only a few hours 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
- This host charges a fee in addition to the cost of the Worldpackers annual plan.
Additional fee required
This host charges an additional fee to the cost of the Worldpackers annual plan for the sustainability of the project and the quality of the experience for volunteers. Learn more.
Amount
- US$ 39
Per day
Fee pays for
- Benefits for travelers
- Materials for volunteer activities
Description
This is a non profit organization so fees are used for : - maintain the camp and houses - buy food and cook meals - buy material for the activities (gloves, bags, binoculars, GPS, gardening material...) - pay local people working for the project
What you get
2
- Days off per week
- Have some time off for yourself, go explore the city or rest for a while.
- 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.
- Basic Internet Access
- Basic speed internet for you to work remotely
- Discounts on Tours
- Get discounts for tours and excursions around town.
- Support
- Get help from the Worldpackers support team in case you need it, at any point of your trip.
- Verified Host
- This host has been verified by our team before joining the community.
- WP Safeguard
- Did something not go as planned? Contact our team.
- Learn more
Availability
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
- Stay at least
- 5 days
The Experience
Laguna Urpiano Wildlife Refuge is a flora and fauna Conservation project located close to Puerto Viejo (Limón), Costa Rica. Our emblematic animal is the leatherback sea turtle, but from July we also have few green and hawksbill turtles. We have many other species to preserve (sloth, monkeys...) so we want to observe them and do reforestation. The project started in 2014 with Johnny, the owner of the refuge, who is a native of these beaches.
Learn moreRequirements
- Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers
- Travel insurance
What's not included
Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa
Talk to those who have lived the experience
In our community, you can talk to worldpackers who have already collaborated with this host and get your questions answered directly.
You can ask things like:
- a) How was your experience with this host?
- b) How was your day-to-day routine?
- c) How much did you spend on this trip?
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UN Sustainable Development Goals
Join the host in pursuit of these goals and contribute to building a better and more sustainable future for all.
15 Reviews
Host & Team
Hours & Tasks
Ecological Reserve
Learning & Fun
How this experience will transform you
- 15 Get in touch with nature
- 14 Developing environmental awareness
- 12 Meeting locals
- 11 Practicing Spanish
- 8 Learning about sustainability
- 8 Meeting international travelers
This host contributes to Sustainable Development Goals
- 13 14. Life below water
- 10 15. Life on land
- 7 13. Climate action
Lilly
United Kingdom
I had the best 17 days at the reserve! The work during the day and night was incredibly rewarding. This project is so so ethical, there is massive respect for not only the turtles but also the surrounding nature. Each member of staff is so careful and gentle with the turtles and very educational. The work during the day is enjoyable and every meal is so enjoyable shared with everyone. I want to say thank you so much to Johnny for creating such a welcome space, you really will have an amazing experience here.
14 days ago
Emma
United States
This was some of the toughest, yet rewarding work of my life. We were able to save many nests during my stay and were fortunate enough to witness many turtles laying eggs. I learned so much every day, the staff was incredible, welcoming, and worked extremely hard to maintain sustainability and save the nests. I was so impressed by this experience and hope to return.
16 days ago
Demetria
United States
The reserve was such an incredible experience! The home we stayed in was simple and sustainable. Our day to day included helping to keep the beaches clean, swimming and relaxing at the beach, lots of card games and coffee, 3 delicious meals cooked for you every day, and last but not least patrolling for turtle eggs!!! I was able to learn so much about sea turtles and how important it is to help protect their eggs, as well as how we can make a positive impact in being sustainable with our own actions even after we leave. I'm so grateful to have been able to immerse myself in their culture
20 days ago
Nicole
Canada
I had such an amazing time at the reserve, it is an absolute paradise. Johnny was a wonderful host, always making sure I was taken care of. On the day of my arrival, I was so tired that I left my suitcase on the bus, but Johnny drove me to the next town and made sure I got it back, much to my relief. The rest of the staff was so welcoming and patient with my horrible spanish, and everyone was so fun to work with. I learned so much about the turtles, and helping take notes, measure them, and even release one of the nests of babies, was an unforgettable experience. Muchas gracias a todos!
about 1 month ago
Johnny replied
Thanks a lot Nicole! We would be glad if you come back ;)
Hannah
United States
I had an amazing time with Johnny and his team at the Refuge! I met life long friends and the work was so rewarding!! I saw more than 10 turtles and I was there a week! I would recommend doing this to everyone I know and want to come back soon!
about 1 month ago
Johnny replied
Thanks a lot Hannah!
About the host
- • Recently Online
Hosted by Johnny
-
Top Host
- This host receives a lot of worldpackers and has a high average rating.
- Response Rate
- This host usually answers to 100% of the messages
- Response Time
- This host usually writes back in A few hours
- 1 published videos
- This host has 1 published videos showing a little bit about their place
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Academy
How to become an outstanding Worldpacker
Understand how the volunteer experience works, what hosts value in exchange and what it's like to live collaborating with people from all over the world!
Academy
Eco Certificate for Volunteers: Basic Concepts
Learn about ecological projects and travel with purpose. Receive a certificate of completion for this course, increase your chances of acceptance by hosts, and expand your volunteering opportunities, contributing to a positive impact on the world during your travels.
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