Enjoy a wonderful experience on the beaches of Playa Hermosa and Punta Mala. You’ll be helping to protect three endangered species of sea turtle. See all the turtle missions here.
Protection of the ecosystems of the OSA Peninsula
Welcome to one of the world’s most biodiverse regions: the Osa Peninsula, in south-western Costa Rica.
Our partner is a foundation that has been active for over 20 years, working to protect threatened ecosystems through conservation, environmental education and the involvement of local communities.
The foundation’s main activities:
- Conservation: reforestation, species monitoring, anti-poaching measures.
- Educational programmes in rural schools and for families.
- Responsible tourism and training in agroecology.
- Protection of sea turtles at Playa Hermosa – Punta Mala.
- Creation of wildlife corridors on communal land.
- Fair access to nature for isolated communities.
Each volunteer placement is supervised by an experienced team comprising biologists, educators and local community members. Volunteers are immersed in a real, meaningful and transformative local ecosystem – far removed from mass tourism.
Volunteer work with turtles
On the beaches of Playa Hermosa and Punta Mala, within the wildlife sanctuary, you will help protect three endangered species of sea turtle: the olive ridley, the Pacific green turtle and the leatherback turtle.
The foundation works here to provide a sustainable alternative to poaching, combining ecotourism, education and direct conservation.
Your actions
- Night-time patrols (attaching tags, relocating nests, collecting data)
- Watching hatchlings and releasing baby turtles
- Monitoring of nursery nests
- Raising awareness among local communities and assisting with camp development
- Other activities: beach clean-ups, gardening, construction, local events
- Open from July to December
- At least 2 weeks
- Arrival on Tuesdays only
Prices: $45 per day.
Included in the price: accommodation, equipment, 3 meals a day
Not included in the price
- Flight tickets and travel insurance (compulsory)
- Internal transport (domestic flight or bus + boat, depending on the location)
- Personal expenses
- Airport transfer (to be arranged with the team)
- Open from July to December
- Check-ins are accepted on Tuesdays only
- Physical work, sometimes at night, in a hot and humid climate
- One day off per week
- Accommodation 50 metres from the beach, in separate dormitories (men/women), no Wi-Fi
- Traditional dishes prepared on the premises
- An experience in extraordinary natural surroundings
- Your actions have a real impact on the protection of sea turtles
- The opportunity to visit a country that is leading the way in biodiversity conservation
About the partner foundation
The partner is a foundation established in 2003. This foundation is one of Costa Rica’s most respected environmental organisations. Based on the Osa Peninsula — a region recognised as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots — it has been working for over 20 years to preserve wildlife and flora and to build the resilience of local communities. Its projects are supported by national and international partners and have the approval of the Costa Rican environmental authorities. Its work is part of a rigorous approach to citizen science, community development and environmental education.
