Tortugas de Pacuare

Wildlife around Turtles and the authentic Caribbean

Why coming as a volunteer to save sea turtles in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica has many of the most important beaches in the world for turtle nesting. The government protects some areas, especially national parks, but many important beaches for turtles are unprotected. For this reason, we started our project Tortugas de Pacuare and with the help of volunteers around the world. We have been working and saving turtles for more than 12 years now! Without the help of the volunteers, protecting these wonderful animals wouldn't be possible.

Our goal is to save turtles, so the fee asked for the stay in the project is very low, this helps us maintain the project and save one of the most amazing animals of the ocean. We want to make your stay with us as enjoyable as possible, excited to share with you. Your help is necessary to maintain the preservation of sea turtles.

What do we do? Patrolling four hours at night looking for turtles, collecting turtles data, each nest we save are brought to the hatchery and here are protected till the babies hatching.
We do social work two hours a day (aprox.), working in the school, cleaning the area, planting in the kitchen garden, or teaching English at the kids from Barra de Pacuare.
Volunteers will work also in the maintenance of the camp, on the beach (to clean it) and in our recycling program.
Our program is a communal initiative. We work closely with the people from Barra de Pacuare, here you will learn lots about our culture because you will share time and will live in the local community. Some locals also offer the opportunity to do fishing tours, kayak, or tours by boat to Tortuguero National Park.

What does a volunteer need to bring to Pacuare?

In the following list, you will find objects that you should take with you in order to make your stay in Pacuare more comfortable. This list is also helpful for travelling around Costa Rica.
- During some hours a day, the wifi is available. However, if you want to assure you an internet access whenever you want, it is better if you by a Costa Rican phone card. Kolbi is the more effective operator on the island, you can recharge it on the island but its efficiency depends on the climatic conditions and the number of devices connected.
- There are no banks on the island, you need cash (colones).
- Put your stuff in plastic bags and remove the air with a straw, it is useful to organize them and if it rains, they will not get wet.
- Black Crocs with socks (comfortable and appropriate for night patrols).
- A soap-dish if you use bars of soap (for hygienic reasons).-
- Mosquito bed net and mosquito repellent (Off or Relec) in the form of spray, bracelet and patch.
- A lot of underwear
- A coat and pants, especially if you come during the rainy season; because, it can be colder.
- First Aid Kit
- Cap
- Padlock
- They do not sell hand rolling tobacco in Costa Rica
- Make a photocopy of your passport and laminate it. Take it with you instead of your passport when you go for a walk or go shopping.
- Also, you cannot stay more than 90 days in the country without a visa. If you want to stay longer, you will have to leave the country during at least 72 hours.

Essential:
- Sunblock
- Dark clothes for night patrols (lght)
- Headlamp with red light (you can put a translucent red paper on it)
- A watch if you are an assistant

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