Orientation
Once you have been met and picked up from the airport, you will be taken to your accommodation to settle in. On your first full day, your co-ordinators will guide you through the project/language school and help to answer any questions you may have in your orientation. Your orientation will cover:
- Local culture - social norms, traditions and culture
- Expected behaviour - dress code at project, school and house rules
- Safety - areas and places to avoid, what to do in an emergency
- Locations of important amenities - banks, hospitals, embassies
- Transportation and travel in Costa Rica - where to go, how to get there
- Volunteer placement - what your project involves, who you need to report to, other volunteers etc
Accommodation and Meals
During your stay, you will be accommodated with a host family from Matapalo village. At the home-stay, you will have a private room, with access to the shared bathroom and kitchen etc. Although the houses are relatively comfortable and the families are from the local working-class, please be aware that living conditions can be of a lower standard than you are used to and Costa Rica is a developing country.
During the low season for the turtle project, it is possible for you to stay at the volunteer house instead.
Free Time
As well as joining the turtle project, there are a lot of other activities that you can do during your free time. Matapalo beach is a long stretch of white sand, that remains fairly deserted and an ideal spot for swimming. In the village, there are a couple of bars and restaurants too.
Matapalo is located about an hour from each of Dominical and Quepos, two of Costa Rica's most popular tourist areas. Dominical has a reputation for having a great surf beach, where there is a couple of surf schools offering lessons and board/equipment hire. It is also possible to go horse riding, nature walking and rafting in the area too. Manuel Antonio National Park in Quepos and Marino Ballena National Park, half way to Dominical, are within short distance from Matapalo, making them ideal weekend destinations.
Project Support
During your programme, you will have the support of our local coordinator, normally one of the schoolteachers. They will provide you with competent field support and assistance, and help you with any questions or support you may need during your stay.
In addition, we will provide you with a 24 hour emergency contact number before you depart, so that you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.
Project Age Limit
Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants’ health.
