Volunteer Abroad Costa Rica: Forest Conser­va­tion

You must be 18 years or older and have sufficient English skills to apply for this project. You should be healthy and physically fit to work in the Costa Rican climate. Self-motivation, good timekeeping and the ability to meet realistic deadlines are required.

You will be living in a close-knitted community and should be comfortable with that, and you must be able to fund your food and keep your accommodation clean for the duration of your stay.

You will need a passport to enter Costa Rica. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Furthermore, you might need a Visa for your volunteering work. Depending on the duration of your stay and destination, the requirements might vary. You will be responsible for renewing your visa if necessary. You might check out the foreign department’s website for the Visa standards, or ask the Natucate team directly.

Before you start your journey to Costa Rica, we will support you in organising your volunteer stay and help you arrange flights as well as the visa application. During your time in the project, you will be accommodated in a dormitory with bunk beds, shared bathrooms and shared kitchens. There are project staff members in Costa Rica who will support you, and you can also contact Natucate 24/7 if you have any questions. Flights, visa fees and meals are not included in the project fee.

While very unlikely at this altitude, there have been cases of tropical diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and zika virus elsewhere in the country. You should consult your doctor regarding your medical needs and check your country’s foreign affairs office for any necessary vaccinations before booking.

There are fewer snakes and insects at this altitude compared to the rest of Costa Rica, but there are some. There are a few species of venomous snakes at the reserve. However, they are shy, and we have no records of anyone being bitten. There are mosquitoes and other biting insects, such as chiggers and ticks, although none have life-threatening bites. Insect repellent is recommended if you are sensitive to insect bites. We recommend you bring diphenhydramine or another antihistamine in case of an allergic reaction.

Yes, you need travel insurance. We can help you find one.

It is recommended to bring your laptop if you want to use one. A shared laptop is available for work if you do not have your computer. There is no camera at the reserve. Bringing your camera or your phone since there is plenty of photo options. Binoculars can help you observe wildlife in your free time. Working gloves are obligatory.

We will provide you with a detailed packing list. In general, quick-dry fabrics that can become dirty and stained are strongly recommended. Hiking boots, a rain jacket and a sun hat are exemplary components of the packing list, along with your clothing, environment-friendly hygiene items and medications you need.

The usual stay is 4 - 12 weeks, although some have stayed much longer. Feel free to talk to your Natucate-Consultant about a more extended stay if you wish.

You have to organise your travel to the reserve by yourself. When arriving in Costa Rica by plane at Juan Santamaría International Airport or Tobías Bolaños International Airport , most volunteers stay one extra night at their own cost in San Jose or Alajuela (a suburb of San Jose near the airport) before continuing the journey to the reserve. This way, your arrival will be less stressful. We will provide you with a list of recommended hostels and hotels.

Bus schedules, Taxis and Ubers are readily available in most of Costa Rica. Do not hesitate to contact us if you want us to help coordinate a taxi ride to San Gerardo.

We recommend taking a taxi from the airport or your accommodation to San Jose Central. This journey takes about 30 minutes, but it can easily take an hour if there is a lot of traffic. So better be sure to take off in good time. From San Jose Central drives a 3-hour bus to San Isidro de General. You must book this bus ticket online in advance. We will provide you with a link to the webshop. Once you arrive, you can take a taxi to San Gerardo de Rivas. Like the first one, this trip takes about 30 minutes under good traffic conditions. If you arrive here before 5 pm, our project partner can pick you up, if this has been arranged in advance. Alternatively, you can walk 30 to 45 minutes to the reserve. You can calculate about 100 € for both taxis and the bus. However, local suppliers may change their prices, and the exchange rate may vary. Therefore, there is no guarantee on this amount.

After being picked up at the meeting point in San Gerardo de Rivas, you will get a first orientation tour of the reserve. Your room, the kitchens etc. will be shown to you. The staff of the reserve will welcome you, and you will get a detailed introduction in the first days on-site.

You will be assigned daily chores for the common spaces: kitchen, bathrooms, and classroom. Those take about 45 minutes. Volunteers take turns at the welcome centre. The reserve is open from 06:00- 18:00 every day. Shifts are 7:00--12:00 and 12:00-17:00. Here, you will be welcoming guests, providing them with information and showing them hiking trails on the map. If you work with a staff member, you usually will have our self-prepared breakfast around 06:30 am and work from 07:00 on maintenance tasks. Likewise, the schedule may be different, if you are supporting researchers.

A typical day’s tasks may include working on reforestation, assisting a researcher, helping with construction or taking a shift at the “welcome centre” for guests.

Among others, you will be planting seedlings throughout the reserve and working in the tree nursery. When assisting a researcher, your task could be supporting fieldwork, lab work or data entry. Building and maintaining trails, buildings and furnishings is an ongoing process you might be assigned to. Greeting and helping educate guests of the reserve will also be a common activity.

The number of volunteers and researchers at the reserve fluctuates quite a bit, but a typical range is 6 to 14. There are usually more volunteers and researchers during the dry season and fewer in the wettest months (September through December). Volunteers and researchers come from around the world (26 countries so far!), but typically from places like Germany, Canada, USA, France, the U.K., the Netherlands, and Australia.

Housing is provided and includes Wi-Fi, showers, a shared bath, and a shared kitchen. Most people stay in shared rooms, although some private rooms with queen beds may be available (subject to current occupancy) for an additional fee.

Food costs and cooking are the responsibility of the individual volunteer, most of whom can eat a basic, mostly vegetarian diet for around 5 € per day. Most things can be bought locally, and our partner provides transportation to the next bigger city once a week for shopping. There are several restaurants within walking distance offering national and international cuisine. We will give you a detailed list.

The drinking water comes from pure mountain springs with no treatment other than a filter. Most people have no issues with the water.

A plant-based diet is encouraged at the reserve.

The common language is English. However, most locals (Ticos) speak only Spanish, including several workers. A basic understanding of Spanish is helpful and encouraged, but it is not required.

If you are interested in learning some Spanish during your stay, we can put you in contact with a local teacher. Costs and schedules are discussed directly with the teacher.

Volunteers typically work 6 hours a day, five days a week, with weekends off.

Within the reserve, you can explore the waterfalls, go for a walk, bird and animal watching, or swim in the cool river on a hot day. Outside the reserve, you can go to the next village for local shopping, a meal, some local beer, music and talks with locals. If you are looking for a challenge, you can hike. If you want relaxation after a busy day, you can use the nearby thermal springs to ease your muscles.

On the weekends, many people will go on a trip to the beach or other destinations in Costa Rica.

On-site, you will work with other volunteers, researchers and staff members. Please tell the Reserve Manager or Scientific Coordinator about any medications you are taking, as well as any medical conditions or allergies you might have.

A basic, primarily vegetarian diet costs around 5 € per day.

Life is easiest in Costa Rica if you have cash (Costa-Rica-Colones and US dollars), an ATM card, and a credit card (Visa is best). Most local businesses take Visa if you run out of cash.

Wi-Fi is available in the Learning Centre and the cabins. There is limited connectivity in the dormitories. This makes it possible to use services like WhatsApp, Skype, FaceTime, etc.

There are no phones at the reserve. Cell phone reception is limited and is usually only accessible from a few places. The nearest public phone is approx. a 10-minute walk from the reserve, which requires a phone card to operate.

Stamps are available only at the post office in San Isidro.

Daytime temperatures typically reach 25-30 °C (77-86 °F) in the afternoons, while nighttime temperatures range between 10-20 °C (50-68 °F). Throughout the year, mornings are typically clear and sunny. If it rains, it almost always rains in the late morning or afternoon. During the dry season (December through April), temperatures are usually slightly warmer and very little rain falls. In the rainy season, from April through December, it rains in the afternoons almost every day for about 4 hours, starting any time from midday to early evening.

While drinking is permitted, please consume in moderation. Excessive consumption of alcohol, or disruptive drunken behaviour, can result in you being asked to leave. It is strictly forbidden to go into the field after consuming alcohol.

We encourage you not to smoke, but if you are a smoker, you can only do so in designated smoking areas. Smokers are expected to clean up all cigarette butts and keep the smoking areas clean.

Illegal drugs are forbidden. Anyone for of taking or in possession of illegal drugs will be asked to leave immediately. Marijuana is illegal in Costa Rica.

Natural disasters are extremely rare, but it is good to be prepared. The classroom is a relatively safe place during a major earthquake or severe storm. There is a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and rental cabins. If you are out during a storm, come back immediately or seek shelter if this isn’t possible. Costa Rica is in an earthquake zone. Whilst there are many recorded earthquakes annually, only a handful can be felt. Should a strong one occur, doorways or under tables are good spots to wait it out.

First aid kits can be found in the lab and rental cabins. Accidents should be recorded in the logbook. For medical services, such as a GP, dentist or tests, there’s the Servicio Médico Coopeagri.