Experience life in the village of El Progreso (Drake Bay), at the heart of acommunity, and learn about regenerative agriculture. See all biodiversity projects 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, combating poaching.
- 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.
The work of eco-volunteers within the community
At the heart of the El Progreso community, the foundation is implementing a sustainable development model based on organic farming, environmental education and community involvement.
Here, every volunteer helps to restore ecosystems and empower local families.
Your actions
- Creating agroecological gardens, compost, microorganisms
- Reforestation and wildlife monitoring
- Environmental education in schools (creative workshops, languages, sport)
- Community support (intergenerational activities, events, local crafts)
- Open all year round except in October (the rainy season)
- Price: US$25 per day
- Included in the price: accommodation, supervision, meals
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)
- From 2 weeks, all year round except in October
- Basic Spanish recommended (not compulsory)
- 1 to 2 days off per week
- 18 years old (unaccompanied) / 16 years old (with parental consent)
- An experience amidst extraordinary natural beauty. Costa Rica is a biodiversity hotspot
- An immersion in village life
- The opportunity to visit a country that is leading the way in biodiversity conservation
- Accommodation at the Foundation’s Biohostel in El Progreso
- Shared rooms with a shared bathroom
- Vegetarian or locally sourced meals included
- A 20-minute walk to the beach
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.
