Sea turtle protection internship in Costa Rica
Sea turtle protection internship in Costa Rica
Sea turtle protection internship in Costa Rica

Useful information

Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, and therefore one of the best places in the world to do a foreign environment internship.During this internship, interns will have the opportunity to participate in research conducted by the partner organisation in conjunction with highly regarded conservation organisations such as the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications (MINAET), and Sea Turtle Conservancy.

Turtle research projects take place on beaches during the turtle nesting season and focus on recording data from mother turtles and hatchling success. Interns in the Animal Care Internship will also have the opportunity to enter data into relevant databases and learn more about how these data are analysed.

BSc in Agricultural Business Management
Scientific license
STEM studies
Technical studies
Advanced studies in a relevant field
Veterinary school
Bachelor's/Master's degree in community and sustainable development
Studies in the field of health

IN SHORT

Limon

From
 4  
to
 12  
weeks

English Intermediate

CONTACT US

Program description

Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, and therefore one of the best places in the world to do an international conservation internship. As part of this program, interns will have the chance to participate in research conducted by the partner organisation in conjunction with highly regarded conservation organisations such as the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications (MINAET), and Sea Turtle Conservancy.

Turtle research projects take place on beaches during the turtle nesting season and focus on recording data from mother turtles and hatchling success. Interns will also have the opportunity to enter data into relevant databases and learn more about how that data is analysed.

Not only will this internship provide you with hands-on field experience, but during the program you will also complete the partner organisation’s Biological Survey Techniques program, learning how to apply the best practices of conservation research in a range of ecosystems, giving you the skills necessary to succeed in a conservation research position anywhere in the world. An emergency first aid program is also included to prepare you for the realities of conservation work in the wild.
Since you will be working in a national park on an animal care internship, you will need a special scientific permit to allow you to conduct research. Additional permits are required for turtle research. Processing time for turtle research permits is approximately one month.

Highlights of the course in Costa Rica

– Work in the protected national parks and the most beautiful natural reserves of Costa Rica.
– Integrate into an international community of volunteers and environmental professionals.
– Learn biodiversity survey techniques and gain real-world field experience.
– See Costa Rican wildlife in their natural habitats, including sea turtles on the Caribbean beach, and monkeys, neotropical birds and amphibians in the jungle canopies.
– Undertake turtle nesting surveys and monitor nesting sites during the turtle nesting season.
Read more

Animal care internship

Not only will this internship provide you with hands-on field experience, but during the program you will also complete the partner organisation's Biological Survey Techniques program, learning how to apply the best practices of conservation research in a range of ecosystems, giving you the skills necessary to succeed in a conservation research position anywhere in the world. An emergency first aid program is also included to prepare you for the realities of conservation work in the wild.
Since you will be working in a national park on an animal care internship, you will need a special scientific permit to allow you to conduct research. Additional permits are required for turtle research. Processing time for turtle research permits is approximately one month.

Highlights of the course in Costa Rica

- Work in the protected national parks and the most beautiful natural reserves of Costa Rica.
- Integrate into an international community of volunteers and environmental professionals.
- Learn biodiversity survey techniques and gain real-world field experience.
- See Costa Rican wildlife in their natural habitats, including sea turtles on the Caribbean beach, and monkeys, neotropical birds and amphibians in the jungle canopies.
- Undertake turtle nesting surveys and monitor nesting sites during the turtle nesting season.

Host organization

Our partner organisation works closely with local authorities to collect, process and analyse data on wildlife in Costa Rica.

In partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications of Costa Rica (MINAET), our partner organisation works closely with local authorities to collect, process and analyse data on wildlife in Costa Rica. This information will be used to take national measures to optimise and protect the country’s environment.

In 2015, our humanitarian mission in Costa Rica (educational program with children) was featured on the renowned National Geographic Traveler 50 Experiences list. This project is always very popular with volunteers who want to engage in a sustainable humanitarian mission and learn Spanish at the same time.

For more information, see ’50 Tours of a Lifetime’ from National Geographic Traveler.

Our partner organisation sits on the United Nations International Commission on Sustainable Tourism. All their initiatives and volunteer projects are led by experts in collaboration with the local population and national governments.

As a non-profit organisation, our conservation project is completely transparent. Volunteer contributions are used to cover on-reserve project planning (reconnaissance, team recruitment and logistical support), direct field costs (transportation, lodging, staff meals) and finally to support the project itself. Without the physical and financial help of volunteers, this project would not have been possible.

Read more

In partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications of Costa Rica (MINAET), our partner organisation works closely with local authorities to collect, process and analyse data on wildlife in Costa Rica. This information will be used to take national measures to optimise and protect the country's environment.

In 2015, our humanitarian mission in Costa Rica (educational program with children) was featured on the renowned National Geographic Traveler 50 Experiences list. This project is always very popular with volunteers who want to engage in a sustainable humanitarian mission and learn Spanish at the same time.

For more information, see '50 Tours of a Lifetime' from National Geographic Traveler.

Our partner organisation sits on the United Nations International Commission on Sustainable Tourism. All their initiatives and volunteer projects are led by experts in collaboration with the local population and national governments.

As a non-profit organisation, our conservation project is completely transparent. Volunteer contributions are used to cover on-reserve project planning (reconnaissance, team recruitment and logistical support), direct field costs (transportation, lodging, staff meals) and finally to support the project itself. Without the physical and financial help of volunteers, this project would not have been possible.

Strong points

Work in the protected national parks and the most beautiful natural reserves of Costa Rica
Learn biodiversity survey techniques and gain real-world experience
Observe Costa Rican wildlife in its natural habitat
Undertake turtle nesting surveys and monitor nests during the nesting season

Similar programs