Head into the heart of Costa Rica’s lush natural landscape for a unique experience alongside a team passionate about animal welfare. The sanctuary is a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre, located in the Dominical region on the Pacific coast. Every year, it takes in hundreds of injured, orphaned or trafficked animals, with the aim of treating them and releasing them back into the wild. See all our sanctuary placements here.
Wildlife sanctuary in Costa Rica
The partner organisation was founded with the aim of creating a safe and caring sanctuary for wild animals that have fallen victim to poaching, accidents or the rampant deforestation affecting certain areas of Costa Rica. It is one of the few wildlife rehabilitation centres in the south-west of the country, a region where human expansion has significantly reduced natural habitats.
70 animals in long-term care
The sanctuary is situated in a secondary forest, perched on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, near the town of Dominical. It is home to more than 70 animals in permanent or temporary care, including monkeys, toucans, kinkajous, armadillos, iguanas and sloths.
The shelter’s work is based on three fundamental pillars:
- The rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals, with the primary aim of releasing them back into the wild once they are deemed fit to do so.
- Environmental education, through guided tours, awareness-raising activities and hosting international volunteers.
- Research and data collection on local wildlife, in order to better understand the threats it faces and tailor conservation efforts accordingly.
The team also works closely with local authorities, field veterinarians and other rescue centres across the country to ensure that each animal receives the care it needs.
This sanctuary is funded entirely by donations, visitor fees and volunteer programmes: every contribution therefore makes a real difference.
The work of the volunteers
Volunteers are fully integrated into life at the sanctuary, under the supervision of professional carers, biologists and vets. The work is physically demanding, intense and requires stamina, diligence and commitment.
Your day-to-day tasks may include
- Preparation and distribution of animal feed.
- Cleaning of the enclosures and general site maintenance.
- Involvement in educational and awareness-raising projects (depending on the period).
- Assistance with veterinary care or rehabilitation, if your skills allow.
- Strict adherence to hygiene rules and animal welfare protocols.
Direct contact with the animals is strictly prohibited for safety and rehabilitation reasons.
Available work placements
Alturas also offers an internship programme lasting from one month upwards, aimed at students or recent graduates in the fields of biology, animal care or conservation.
An interview is required to apply.
Standard rate for a shared room. You can book a single room or opt for more comfortable accommodation with air conditioning.
|
Length of stay |
Price in US dollars (shared room) |
|---|---|
|
2 weeks |
940 |
|
3 weeks |
1193 |
|
4 weeks |
1406 |
|
5 weeks |
1740 |
|
6 weeks |
2068 |
|
7 weeks |
2388 |
|
8 weeks |
2702 |
|
9 weeks |
3009 |
|
10 weeks |
3310 |
|
11 weeks |
3605 |
|
12 weeks |
3893 |
- Minimum duration: 2 weeks.
- Arrivals are only possible on Wednesdays and Sundays.
- Minimum age: 18.➕ 17-year-olds are permitted only when accompanied by a family member, subject to restrictions (no access to the enclosures).
- Language level required: intermediate English (minimum B1). Spanish is an advantage but not essential.
- No preliminary interview is required for volunteers.
- Maximum capacity: 15 volunteers.
- Firm commitment: no free cancellations are permitted once the booking has been confirmed.
- Good physical fitness is required: the work can be physically demanding, with early morning shifts and hot, humid conditions.
- Overnight stays are possible (off-site accommodation).
Accommodation
Volunteers are accommodated directly on the sanctuary grounds, in simple but functional surroundings, surrounded by nature.
Standard option (house without air conditioning)
- Shared dormitories, single-sex (men and women separated).
- Shared bathroom, fan provided.
- Meals included (lunch or half-board, depending on the package chosen).
- You may request to share a room with a relative (subject to availability).
Comfort option (air-conditioned flat)
- Shared or double room, with air conditioning.
- Limited places available; different price.
- Ideal for couples or those seeking more privacy (please specify when booking).
Food
Shared kitchen available for cooking
Volunteering at this wildlife sanctuary means making a tangible contribution to the conservation of wildlife in one of the world’s most biodiverse countries. You’ll join a caring and experienced team in an exceptional natural setting, safe in the knowledge that your help is having a direct impact on the local wildlife. An unforgettable experience that is both rewarding, educational and meaningful.
About the partner
Our partner is a non-profit non-governmental organisation that has been active in south-western Costa Rica for several years. Its main objective is the conservation of local biodiversity through the rescue, rehabilitation and reintroduction of wild animals. Among the sanctuary’s temporary residents are sloths, toucans, howler monkeys, kinkajous, ocelots and many other species emblematic of the country. The animals are never put on display, and every effort is made to minimise human-induced stress and maximise the chances of successful reintroduction.
For ethical and scientific reasons, volunteers are not permitted to have any physical contact with the animals. The sanctuary also runs education and awareness-raising programmes for local communities, tourists and international volunteers.
