Orientation
On Monday you will have a comprehensive orientation meeting. This will cover all essential topics such as banks and money, transport, places to see, safety precautions and work ethics. In this first meeting, you will also have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you wish. In the afternoon there will be time for a salsa class and a chance to use the facilities at the project office.
Please note that smoking is strictly prohibited on the programme and no chemicals (perfumes, sun cream etc) should be used while on the project as this harms the sloths.
Accommodation and Meals
Volunteers will be staying in shared rooms where there are single beds and bunk beds. There is a bathroom and a shower for the volunteers to share. The accommodation has electricity and drinking water.
Meals
Three meals a day are included during your time on the project:
Breakfast
Breakfast will generally consist of bread, cheese, eggs, jams and cereals. You will be able to prepare your own breakfast to suit your taste.
Lunch
Your midday meal will be the heavies of the day and based on typical Costa Rican foods including rice, beans, salads, beef, chicken or fish. Potatoes or pasta will occasionally be served instead of rice and beans. We are able to cater for vegetarians but please inform a travel adviser of this before you start the programme.
Dinner
Dinner will be left in the refridgerator for you to warm up whenever you would like to eat in the evening. Alternatively, you can choose to make your own sandwiches with ingredients in the refridgerator.
Free Time
You will have one day off per week, which can be negotiated with the centre's administration. It is possible to use the telephone with a telephone card and to use the Internet during your day off, or you can go to Cañas to use the facilities there.
The nearby communities of Cahuita and Puerto Viejo have all the services and comforts that you could wish for during your day off. Cahuita is a typical Caribbean style village, well known for the beaches suitable for surfing, snorkelling and swimming. Its National Park boasts beautiful beaches, a coral reef, and a coastal rainforest where many kinds of birds and other animals can be spotted. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a town in southeastern Costa Rica, popular among tourists for surfing, snorkelling, reggae and calypso music.
Project Support
Throughout your stay you will have the support and guidance of a volunteer work coordinator and their team. They will be able to help you with any questions or advice you may need during your time on the project.
In addition, you are able to contact our UK staff 24 hours a day should you need to, via our emergency contact number.
Project Age Limit
Minimum age 18, maximum decided on potential participants’ health.
Project Requirements
To participate in this project, it is better that volunteers have a basic knowledge of Spanish. Project co-ordinators at the school do speak English and some staff members at the rescue centre also speak English.
Please note that smoking is strictly prohibited on the programme and no chemicals (perfumes, sun cream etc) should be used while on the project as this harms the sloths.
