Marine Conservation and Animal Rescue in Costa Rica, Esparza

You will be involved in rescue and rehabilitation, as well as working behind the scenes in the aquarium, cleaning and feeding animals, including docile sharks & sea turtles. You will get closer to rare marine animals than most people ever do.

Your Role
You will be working with local staff as they clean, feed and give medical attention to animals at the marine park, both in the aquarium and in the rescue centre. On site training will be given.

Larger marine animals need to be scrubbed periodically to remove algae, and temperature and pH levels in tanks need to be monitored. Glass tanks and enclosures need to be cleaned, and all the animals fed.

If funds allow, you may be involved in constructing new enclosures for the rescue centre.

Trip Objectives
The main objective of the rehabilitation centre is to return animals to the wild. You will be involved in improving the lives of animals that have been neglected and mistreated, or that would have died of disease or accident. The aquarium aims to educate locals and tourists in the importance of marine conservation. Volunteers are needed to keep the programme running smoothly in the face of government budget cuts.

Example Itinerary
Monday to Friday
A portion of your first day will be spent with an introduction to local staff and facilities, as well as the animals and rules and regulations. Your schedule will be flexible, but you should be prepared to be active for 4-6 hours a day. Your day will start with breakfast in the volunteer centre at 7:30am, followed by transport to the project. The project site is nearby, only 100ms from the sea. You will have lunch with your local co-workers and can expect to be occupied between 9:00am in the morning until just before 4.00pm, depending on your schedule, giving you plenty of time to immerse yourself in the project and to get to know co-workers. Dinner will be between 6:00pm and 8:00pm.

Weekends
Weekends will be free, with brunch at 10:00 and dinner between 6:00pm and 8:00pm.

Conservation Gap Year, Summer Holidays and Career Breaks in Costa Rica.
If you are thinking of taking a gap year or career break in Costa Rica and have a love for the natural world then this placement is ideal. Even if you are shorter on time and are visiting Costa Rica on holiday then come and take part in this rewarding animal rescue and marine conservation project from 4 weeks or more.

Start Dates
Our projects start on a Monday so you are free to arrive over any weekend of the month and we can pick you up from the airport or agreed meeting point if you are travelling overland.

Note that during some national holidays there may be disruption to your placement as follows:
Easter Holidays – many children travel to visit relatives. Limited training opportunities
First two weeks of July – school ‘winter’ holidays – limited morning sessions
Mid Dec to 1st week of Feb of following year – school ‘summer’ holidays – limited morning sessions

Arrival Notes
We require you to arrive at SJO (Juan Santamaría) international airport on a Saturday or Sunday, otherwise there might be an additional charge to support your arrival. If you are arriving overland, then please contact us to arrange a meeting point.

Additional charge per person of USD80 for transport transfer outside standard collection time.

Visa
British nationals don’t need a visa to enter Costa Rica. You can stay as a visitor for up to 3 months/90 days, although the exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival. If you plan to stay for a longer period or work, check entry requirements with the Costa Rican Embassy.

Location
Esparza is a medium-sized agricultural town nestled amongst the mountains above Rio Barranca, in the Central Pacific Coast area of Costa Rica. The area was first settled by the Chorotega and Huetar peoples. The Chorotega people fled from Mexico 1,500 years ago and brought their traditions with them. This is a possible reason why there are Mexican words which jump several countries and turn up again in Costa Rica.

The Spanish town was founded in 1577, making it the second oldest in the country. It has a rich history which includes legends of hidden pirate gold. Esparza is the second largest cantón in the province of Puntarenas, covering an area of 216.80 km², and with a population of approximately 35,000.

Social Life in Esparza and Costa Rica
Your placement will keep you busy during the week, but you will generally have your evenings and weekends free to get to know Esparza, Costa Rica, and of course your fellow volunteers. Esparza is a largely rural community, and off the tourist track, which means you can experience genuine Costa Rican culture. The pace of life is relaxed, and it is not unusual to see horses being ridden in the street. Our in-country team will organize a weekly evening activity, such as dancing lessons, cooking lessons, Spanish lessons or a trip to a nearby town or tourist destination. Every month, on a weekend, there will be an organised trip to a tourist destination – volcano, beach, waterfall, canopy, ziplining, horse riding etc. When there are local events and fiestas we will make sure that you are involved.

Accommodation
Your new home will be one of two eco houses in our centre in Esparza: Jaguar House and Toucan House, sleeping 22 people max. Rooms are single gender occupancy, and sleep a maximum of 4 people in bunk beds. We have two private rooms available for those travelling as couples. Each house has two western style WC/shower rooms with cold water, which is refreshing in the heat of Esparza. Rooms are equipped with mosquito screens and 2 fans. All doors are lockable.

Washing facilities are provided, and there is a large dining hall/games room/communal area shared by both houses, with free WiFi, TV and table tennis, plus a large garden of tropical plants, including coconut palm, papaya, banana, and citrus.

With the environment in mind, all volunteers are asked to be sensitive with the resources they use, in regards to water, paper and electricity.

Facilities
There are shops within 300 metres of the centre, and bars, restaurants, and an excellent public pool within 15 minutes walk. There is an ATM within 1km and more ATMs in town, about 2kms. Buses into town and further afield leave from within 300ms of the centre.

Esparza and the surrounding area has plenty of shops, bars and restaurants within easy reach.

Travel and Adventure in Esparza and Puntarenas
Esparza and Puntarenas have plenty to offer for weekend activities, including horse riding, watersports (surf is huge), game fishing, canopy tours, Puntarenas Marina, National Parks, hotels to suit all budgets, and some of the best scenery in the world. Puntarenas is also ideally suited to take a scenic ferry to the Nicoya Peninsula and its many secluded beaches.

Beautiful beaches for surf and relaxation are a short bus journey away from the centre, and Esparza has its own secluded waterfall with legends of buried pirate treasure.

Esparza is on the Panamerican Highway, so access to the rest of Costa Rica and the rest of the American continent is at your doorstep.

Accommodation
Your home will be one of two eco houses in our centre in Esparza: Jaguar House and Toucan House, sleeping 22 people max. Rooms are single gender occupancy, and sleep a maximum of 4 people in bunk beds. We have two private rooms available for those travelling as couples. Each house has two western style WC/shower rooms with cold water, which is refreshing in the heat of Esparza. Rooms are equipped with mosquito screens and 2 fans. All doors are lockable. Laundry facilities and a kitchen are provided, and there is a large dining hall/games room/communal area shared by both houses, with free WiFi, TV and table tennis, plus a large garden of tropical plants, including coconut palm, papaya, banana, and citrus.

Food
Three meals a day on weekdays (two on weekends) are included during your stay. The meals will mainly be a mix of traditional and modern Costa Rican food, so you may experience the Costa Rican take on foods you will be familiar with. Most meals will include either fish, chicken, pork or beef, but vegetarians can be catered for. Tea and coffee making facilities are provided in the kitchens.

Airport Transfer
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the accommodation.

Airport Pick-Up
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the accommodation.

Training
An orientation and induction to the local area will be provided in your first few days helping you settle in and adjust to your new surroundings.

Support
Our in-country team also operates an informal help desk during working hours for any feedback and questions from our participants.

Flights, Travel Insurance, Visas, Vaccinations (rabies recommended), Spending money, In country travel, Laundry detergent, Toiletries, Soft drinks and alcohol, Extra activities not on itinerary. Return transport to airport but we will assist.

Preferred Duration
The longer the better but 8 to 12 weeks is usually a good amount of time.

Typical Hours
Working Monday to Friday for 4 to 5hrs a day. There maybe additional work depending on needs at the time so please be open to this.

Pre-requisites
Basic Spanish language required. You will need to have a keen interest in animals and conservation. You will also need to be of reasonable fitness and cannot be allergic to seafood. You will need to send us a CV highlighting any relevant experience you may have as well as your interest in doing the placement.

Ideal For
Gap Year and Career Break Work With Animals; Student Holidays; Conservation Projects Abroad; Animal Rescue Work Experience in Costa Rica

Suitable for ages 20 to 70

Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community.