Zu sehen ist ein Wasserfall aus dem neotropischen Wald in Costa Rica. Aufnahme aus niedrigem Winkel lässt den Wasserfall mächtig wirken und fängt die Sonnenstrahlen, die durch den dicht bewachsenen Wald fallen, ein.

Your trip at a glance

Highlights

  • Receive hands-on training in forest recovery and conser­va­tion
  • Contributing to tackling climate change
  • Living in a fairly isolated reserve with a sustain­able, low-impact lifestyle
  • Working together with volun¬teers and researchers from all over the world
  • Go hiking in the spectac­ular, biodi­verse neotrop­ical forests of Costa Rica
  • As a univer­sity student: Gain practical experi­ence or even write your thesis

Locations

The picture shows a breathtaking view of a step-like waterfall surrounded by green overgrown rocks in Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica. The photo was taken from a hiking trail that runs along the calm body of water where the waterfall ends.
Pérez Zeledón

Plan your trip

  • Included in the programme fee
    • Placement in the programme
    • Assistance with travel arrangements
    • Assistance with selecting travel insurance
    • Assistance with booking flights
    • Risk coverage certificate
Meghan

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Meghan, your travel expert for Costa Rica

Don't hesitate to contact me if you would like to learn more about this journey! I answer all of your questions and assist you before, during and after your adventure abroad.

Das Bild zeigt einen atemberaubenden Ausblick auf einen stufenartigem Wasserfall umrangt von grün bewachsenen Felsen in Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica. Fotografiert wurde von einem Wanderweg aus, der an dem ruhigen Gewässer, in dem der Wasserfall endet, entlang führt.
Zu sehen ist der Kopf eines Pumas mit einem einfarbig hellen Fell, dessen Farbton von gelbbraun und rötlichbraun bis silbergrau variiert.
Eine Gruppierung von vier blühenden, tropischen Cattleya Orchideen aus Costa Rica in Pink-Rosa umgeben von Grün
Die Außenansicht der Unterkunft, in der die Freiwilligenhelfer in Costa Rica übernachten, zeigt ein einstöckiges, beiges Gebäude auf flachen Stelzen mit einer überdachten Veranda und mehreren Eingängen.
Die Nahaufnahme eines einzelnen Farnblattes nah zum Waldboden in dem costa-ricanischem Aufforstungsprojekt zeigt das satte, helle Grün der Pflanze und die vielen, engen Schachtelhalme des Gabelblattgewächses.
Unser Partner in Costa Rica vereint Waldschutz mit Artenschutz und Bionervosität. Daher spielen auch Insekten wie der hierzu sehenden braun gemusterte Schmetterling eine bedeutende Rolle.
Das Foto einer breiten, geteerten, leeren Straßen in San José, Costa Rica, wird geprägt durch die vielen Kabel, die den Himmel durchkreuzen und über einen Strommast den bunten, umzäunten Häusern am dicht bebauten Straßenrand zugeteilt werden.
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Volunteering in Costa Rica

In this project in a reserve in Costa Rica, you can actively contribute to reforestation. At the same time, you will have the grounding experience of a relatively isolated lifestyle that affects nature as little as possible and brings you back to your roots.

Die Luftaufnahme in der Vogelperspektive zeigt San Gerardo vor dem Cerro Chirripo National Park in Costa Rica. Der Himmel ist stark bewölkt. Der Hauptteil des Bildes wird von der grünen, dicht bewachsenen Höhenlandschaft mit mehreren Bergspitzen eingenommen. Die Stadt San Gerardo wirkt relativ klein und isoliert. Besonders auffällig ist hier der grüne Fußballplatz.

Arrival and orien­ta­tion in Costa Rica

After your self-scheduled arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport or Tobías Bolaños International Airport, we suggest you spend one night in a hotel/hostel. Most volunteers travel with a stopover, which makes the journey much more relaxed. The next day, you can take a self-organised combination of cab and bus to San Gerardo, where a staff member will pick you up and bring you to the reserve. The pick-up in San Gerardo is included in your booking. After your arrival, you will be shown your room, the kitchen and the rest of the facilities of the reserve for orientation. You will be included in the weekly schedule beginning the day after your arrival and will receive a complete orientation within the first couple of days after arrival.

11 internationale Freiwilligenhelfer und Mitarbeiter des Reservats in Costa Rica stehen jubelnd um die erfolgreiche Fertigstellung ihrer Tagesaufgabe: die Fertigstellung eines Wanderweges im tropischen Waldschutz Projekt.

Typical activ­i­ties in refor­esta­tion as a volunteer

The focus of this project is reforestation and conservation, along with education and research. This diversity is reflected in the flow of a week as a volunteer. A typical day’s tasks may include planting seedlings or trees, garden and building maintenance throughout the reserve. In a typical week, you spend one day working in the Welcome Center greeting and helping educate guests, two days supporting staff, for example, with the maintenance of trails or construction tasks, and the last two days assisting a researcher with fieldwork, lab work, data entry and other tasks. Volunteers typically work 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, with weekends off.

Der begrünte, kleine Vorhof wird durchkreuzt von einem schmalen Weg zum einstöckigem Gemeinschaftshaus des relativ isolierten Reservats in Costa Rica, in dem Freiwilligenhelfer ihren Auslandsaufenthalt verbringen können.

Accom­mo­da­tion in an environ­men­tally conscious, relatively isolated reserve

You stay in 2 to 8-person dormitories with bunk beds. The shared bathrooms are cleaned daily by staff in the morning. You, like everyone else, will be assigned cleaning jobs and recycling duties. You will be responsible for your food and cooking and can use one of the two kitchens. If you prefer private accommodation for an added fee, there are also two independent little houses with a full kitchen, patio, private shower/bathroom and queen bed. However, availability may be limited.

Dieses Foto eines Kolibris aus San José, Costa Rica, zeigt die volle Farbpracht dieses kleinen, Nektar fressender Vogels mit einem schmalen, flachen, langen Schnabel vor einem unscharfen grünen Hintergrund. Der Kopf des Kolibris ist Braun bis Grün. Die Federn auf dem Körper schimmern von Hellgrün bis Braungelb. Die ausgebreiteten Flügel wirken leicht transparent in Grün bis Hellbraun. Die langen Schwanzfedern sind orange. Der gezeigte Kolibri ist gerade auf einem Ast gelandet, mit seinem Rücken zum Betrachter gewandt.

Close-knitted community

Every Monday is a “potluck” (communal meal), where everyone cooks a dish to share. Most Sunday mornings, the members of the reserve go for brunch in San Gerardo, which you can join if you like. The Learning Centre of the reserve also serves as a common area with tables, chairs, couches, a small book exchange, a research library and Wi-Fi. Outside, there are several hammocks to relax in. All buildings have electricity.

In dem Reservat, in dem Natucate's Freiwilligen-Projekt zum Waldschutz in Costa Rica angeboten wird, befinden sich mehrere Wasserfälle. Dieser hier wirkt wie ein langer, weißer Gardinenschal, der von dem dicht bewachsenen grünen Dschungel umzingelt ist und hervorsticht.

Leisure time as a volunteer

The reserve is relatively isolated, but you can walk to the nearest village. You can have dinner or a drink at one of the local restaurants. In the evening, after dinner, there is time to chat or write e-mails with your family and friends, play cards, watch a film, read a novel or study a nature book from the library – all amidst the noise of the crickets, frogs and the rushing river down below. Weekends you might want to use for trips to the popular beaches. Nature lovers get rewarded with a beautiful view when hiking. You can take a cool swim in the river in the reserve or relax in the hot springs nearby.

FAQ – Learn more about this trip



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  • The picture shows a breathtaking view of a step-like waterfall surrounded by green overgrown rocks in Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica. The photo was taken from a hiking trail that runs along the calm body of water where the waterfall ends.
    1. Pérez Zeledón

    Pérez Zeledón is the nineteenth canton of the province of San José in Costa Rica. The capital of the small agricultural district is San Isidro de El General, which lies 702 metres above sea level. For those interested in nature, hikes through the beautiful highlands and flowering valleys are worthwhile. Many hiking trails lead through the wilderness and offer waterfalls, rivers and stunning views. The steep terrain and high altitude can be physically demanding for most people, especially in the first few days when you get used to the thinner air. But the views, the birds, plants and animals are worth the effort!

Background of the refor­esta­tion project in Costa Rica

Founded in 2002 with the purchase of degraded farmland, our partner’s reserve is dedicated to conservation and reforestation. Beyond this work, they are also committed to environmental education, as well as conducting research on this unique ecosystem and climate change. Its vision is that the NGO will become an international destination known for its thriving learning laboratory and variety of life-shaping, immersive experiences.

Our partner is committed to conserving its property as an invaluable tropical ecosystem for future generations. In the first decade and a half, they have planted over 50,000 native trees and re-established tree cover on most of the reserve’s 700 hectares (1,540 acres). While they continue to reforest areas, they are also focused on conserving their small amount of old-growth forest (the area that has not been harvested since the turn of the 20th century) and protecting areas that have seen great strides in growth.

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