KatherineBookDo you love travel? How about Sea Turtles? Or maybe you love volunteering? Perhaps you love all three!
What to know if you’d like to work with Costa Rican Sea Turtles and how to be prepared. Read on to get insight on what you might expect, including the beauty and the struggles you may encounter!
An inspiration to volunteer
“The magic of heartbreak is that each person’s doorbell rings in response to something specific. What rings your bell? Is it racial injustice? Bullying? Animal cruelty? Hunger? War? The environment? Kids with cancer? What is it that affects you so deeply that whenever you encounter it, you feel the need to look away? Look there. Where is the pain in the world that you just cannot stand? Stand there. The thing that breaks your heart is the very thing you were born to help heal. Every world changer’s work begins with a broken heart.” -Glennon Doyle, Untamed
Travel with a purpose
In August 2022 I had the opportunity to spend an amazing week in Costa Rica! While being able to revisit my love of marine biology and conservation, I volunteered with the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) in Tortuguero with Dr. Roldan Arturo Valverde and his team. The STC allowed me to share this experience. For that, I am honored and grateful.
As volunteers, our role involved assisting the STC team in patrolling the beach at night for Costa Rican Sea Turtle tracks we could follow to locate nesting turtles. Once the nests are located, eggs are counted as they are laid, the laying turtles measured, and nest locations marked. Using this data, researchers track long term turtle progress.
Costa Rica nights and no lights!
A noteworthy observation; no moonlight exists during rainy season Costa Rica nights. Due to this, to minimize disturbing the laying mother turtles, no artificial lights (flashlights, cell phones, etc.) are allowed. Let me assure you, navigating the beach in pitch black can feel treacherous. While walking, washes and driftwood logs along the shore passively attempt to swipe your legs from beneath you. Seriously, I lost count of the shin bustings, lol.
Field work is not easy, friends! During this experience I discovered just how drenched a person can get. My group worked during one of the night shifts (there is more than one night shift). Without proper gear, turtle researchers will be constantly soaked to the bone working during the Costa Rica rainy season. It turns out, I hadn’t fully prepared. For instance, I had packed rain gear, but my raincoat wasn’t black and I wasn’t allowed to wear it. Apparently, light colored clothing, like artificial light, can interrupt the laying turtles. Ultimately, thanks to a fellow volunteer, I was leant a black, long sleeved shirt and had to make do. It was not waterproof.
No rest for the weary…
Sleep doesn’t exist for the night teams. For example, our work would begin at midnight and continue until 4am. Normally, this would have an easy solution, but how could I visit Costa Rica, work at night and just sleep all day? You’re right, I couldn’t! So in addition to cold, wet nights, I also enjoyed wonderful days filled with guided tours and activities. However, at nightfall the count resumed, along with the excitement of seeing the turtles. Sleep became a distant thought
For my part, I found the cold, wet, and sleep deprivation worth it to witness, in person, these beautiful animals laying the groundwork for the next generation! Likewise, I enjoyed the experience of hearing Dr. Valverde share his research and ongoing efforts to understand the effect of climate change on the endangered turtle population.
Sea Turtle 1, Pants 0
I also learned just how strong Costa Rican Sea Turtles are! Let’s just say one’s pants might be torn, their leg scratched and bruised by a turtle flipper. Ok, this only happened to me, but it’s an experience that resurfaces and makes me smile every time I pull on that pair of pants!
A growing love of volunteer travel
This was my third international volunteer trip. During each experience I worked with a different organization and with each organization I served a different role. It is a completely different way to travel and these experiences have taught me more about compassion, life, and the world than I could’ve imagined. I highly recommend you find a movement that matters to you and try volunteer travel for yourself. Not only will you be making a difference, but you will get to explore a location you’ve never been with local experts to guide you.
Holbrook travel handled the details of my Costa Rica experience. I found Holbrook relatively easy to work with. An account is created in which they provide you with all the information you will need. This includes your documentation, immunization, itinerary, emergency contacts, etc. One of the agents even booked the flights.
Typically, you’ll find a cost associated with volunteer travel. Included in our cost was transportation, all meals (3/day), and a fantastic guide who was with us for the duration of the trip. I have shared some photos and highlights below.
The Sea Turtle Conservancy research station in Tortuguero, Costa Rica
The Lodging:
Hotel Arenal Springs Resort and Spa
*OFFERS A VIEW OF THE ARENAL VOLCANO
*FEATURES NATURAL HOT SPRINGS WITH VARYING TEMPERATURES
*SURROUNDED BY LUSH GARDENS
Hotel Bougainvillea
*FEATURES A 10 ACRE BOTANICAL GARDEN THAT IS HOME TO 600 SPECIES OF PLANTS, SEVERAL PONDS, AND ATTRACTS BUTTERFLIES AND BIRDS
*INCLUDES THEIR SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES ON THEIR WEBSITE INCLUDING COMPOSTING ORGANIC WASTE, UTILIZING BIODEGRADABLE DETERGENTS, EFFICIENCY LIGHTING, SOLAR PANELS TO HEAT THE POOL, AND NATURAL FERTILIZERS INSTEAD OF PESTICIDES, HERBICIDES, AND FUNGICIDES
*COMFORTABLE ROOMS AND A RESTAURANT (WITH VEGETARIAN OPTIONS AVAILABLE)
Mawamba Lodge
*LOCATED BY TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK-ACCESSIBLE ONLY BY BOAT OR PLANE, ADDING TO THE PEACE AND ADVENTURE
*ECO FRIENDLY ROOMS
*BEACH ACCESS (ALTHOUGH SWIMMING IS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO THE STRONG CURRENTS)
One of my favorite things about volunteer travel is the people that I’ve met-from all walks of life, different ages, backgrounds, and professions. All of us have something in common, taking action to make a difference for others, whether it’s people, animals, or the planet. As a result, I’ve met some of my best friends on these trips. We arrive as strangers and leave as family.
Due to its forward thinking, conservation efforts and beauty, Costa Rica stole my heart. 99% of the electricity is generated from renewable energy and over 25% of the land is protected for conservation.
Get up and get out there because the possibilities are endless when it comes to volunteer travel!
In Hohoe, Ghana, I was an assistant teacher in a second grade classroom (with the volunteer organization Cross Cultural Solutions).
In the Dominican Republic I helped make water filters, teach sanitation to an elementary school classroom, and deliver the water filters to a village (with the organization Wine to Water).
If you’ve ever considered this type of travel, don’t hesitate. Sign up! You will never forget the memories you make on these trips.
This article is so informative and your photos are amazing