As a volunteer on this project, you will help the rangers at Ranger Stations around Corcovado National Park and Caño Island (a protected marine area and PRIME dive and snorkel spot in Costa Rica). The rangers need your help because there is not enough staff to cover all shifts and for safety reasons it’s best to have always 2-3 people on the site.

Often staff or rangers are alone on the island / ranger station which can potentially be very dangerous if something happens. There is not enough resources form the Ministry of Environment (MINAET) to cover extra rangers.

Green Life Volunteers wants to contribute to the beautiful nature of these sites by helping with the daily tasks of the rangers. During your stay you can also improve your Spanish because the rangers speak and understand little to no English. They really want to learn English, so you can teach each other your languages during your volunteer time.

• Beach clean-ups Patrol on the beach and station
• Volunteer has to help with maintenance work, for example, painting, housekeeping
• Help with tourists arriving at the station (sign up process)
• Help with constructing building
• Help with cooking meals, cleaning, daily tasks at the station
• Teaching English to Ranger Station staff (they usually speak very little English)

 

An ideal volunteer on this project has a passion for nature and also really wants to work with nature and conservation. Furthermore, the volunteer has to enjoy physical labor and being outside.

Volunteers need to be flexible and proactive who do not mind to get their hands dirty and put their own ideas into practice. The volunteer needs to be motivated to help the rangers with their daily duties.

You do not need a degree for this project. You can volunteer on this project if you are 18+ years old.

Please note that you need to be OK with being “out of touch” for a while – there is no cell phone signal in the park, and there is no wifi at most stations.

The project offers shared mixed-gender volunteer rooms with bunk-beds.

Food is made by you – together with the park rangers. They’re not there to cook for you. You’ll help with meals as part of your job duties.

The food/ produce is brought to the ranger stations on a frequent basis.

The locations for the National Park Volunteer project are San Pedrillo Ranger Station in Corcovado National Park, La Sirena Ranger Station in Corcovado N.P., La Leona Ranger Station in Corcovado N.P. and Isla de Cano just offshore from Corcovado N.P.

Corcovado National park boasts 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, and is an extremely untouched and pristine jungle. It’s an extraordinary experience to be living in the park as a ranger – since normally no one is allowed to reside in the park.

La Sirena Ranger station is the only station that allows tourists to stay overnight in the park. Hence it’s also the most popular volunteering station, but often there is limited availability.

Isla de Cano is also absolutely protected and the only structure on the island is the Ranger Station. The island is a marine park, and many tourists go snorkeling and diving there everyday. Marine species that can be seen are white-tipped reef sharks, manta rays, whale sharks, turtles, sting-rays, and all sorts of tropical fish. It’s absolutely paradise !

Unfortunately volunteers CAN NOT choose their ranger station – you’ll be placed depending on what time of year you apply and where the National Park needs most help. We can not guarantee that you can go to a certain station of your choice, but you can let us know during your sign up process which station you’d like to go to!

To find out more on our locations click here.

Please view the Corcovado National Park Map below for the Ranger Stations in Corcovado N.P.

The costs for this project are:

• 2 weeks fee: $ 925.00
• 3 weeks fee: $1,225.00
• 4 weeks fee: $1,525.00
• For placements longer than four weeks, please contact us directly for additional information and a customized price quotation.

What Is Included in Your Volunteer Fee?

Your first week’s fee includes an organizational fee, which helps cover the essential behind-the-scenes costs of running our volunteer programs. These expenses include staff salaries, office rental, administrative expenses, and transaction and banking fees.

Your volunteer fee also covers:

• Accommodation: Your stay at the project site in a basic & rustic shared room, with bunk beds. You need to provide your own bed sheets and pillow for this project! 
• Meals: Food supplies to prepare three meals daily during your stay. You will have to prepare your own meals. 
• Project Support: A contribution towards the daily operating costs of the program you will be supporting. This helps ensure that your participation directly contributes to the continuation of our projects and local initiatives.

What Is NOT Included in Your Volunteer Fee?

Please budget separately for the following expenses:

• First and last night in San José: Accommodation in a hostel before and after your project stay.
• Airport transfers: Transportation between the international airport and your San José accommodation. Airport shuttles cost approximately $35 each way. We are happy to help arrange this for you upon request during the sign-up process.
• Public transportation to the project site: Bus travel between San José and the project location costs approximately $20 each way.
• Flights: International and domestic airfare.
• Travel insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance for the duration of your stay.
• Visa expenses: Any applicable visa or entry-related costs.
• Additional food and snacks: Any food, beverages, or snacks beyond the three daily meals provided.
• Extra-curricular activities: Optional excursions, tours, and recreational activities outside your volunteer project.

 

Here you can see more photos of our project, such as the project accommodations and surroundings.

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  Kitchen at San Pedrillo Ranger Station

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  Isla de Caño Ranger Station

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