The Rehabilitation Centre's main aim is to return rescued animals to the wild. You'll help improve the lives of animals that have been neglected and mistreated, or that would have died of disease or accident.

The aquarium also aims to educate locals and tourists in the importance of marine conservation.

During the program, you'll work 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.

In the Aquarium, you'll help to clean and feed the marine animals, including docile sharks & sea turtles. You'll get closer to rare marine animals than most people ever do. Not many people can say that they have cleaned a shark!

Day-to-day tasks vary greatly. 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 as well.

Monday to Friday

Your schedule will be flexible, but you should be prepared to be active for 4-6 hours a day. You'll have lunch with your local co-workers and can expect to be occupied between 09:00 in the morning until just before 16:00, depending on your schedule, giving you plenty of time to immerse yourself in the project and to get to know co-workers.

The project site is near the accommodation, on the coast, 100 metres from the sea!

Activities & Events

One Evening per Week - Varying activities, such as dancing lessons, cooking lessons, Spanish lessons or a trip to a nearby town or tourist destination.

One Weekend per Month - An organised trip to a tourist destination - volcano, beach, waterfall, canopy, ziplining, horse riding etc. When there are local events and fiestas we'll make sure that you're involved!

ACCOMODATION:

 

ACCOMODATION:

You'll live in a comfortable volunteer house. Rooms are single-sex with locked doors, bunk-beds, mosquito nets and a fan– maximum 4 volunteers per room. Wifi is available in the house but not necessarily in your rooms.

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.

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.

WHAT TO DO NEXT:
If you'd like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us! If you'd like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we'll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.