Sea Turtles

In the past seasons the research center has successfully protected over 140 sea turtle nests and released more than 5000 hatchlings (each nest has about 100 eggs). During turtle season, nests are moved to the hatchery where they are observed and constantly protected. The researchers and volunteers collect important data about the biology of the nests and make sure that the hatchlings arrive safely in the ocean.

Mammal Research

Another important aspect of the biological research center is the mammal research project, an important study because these species are important for the dynamic balance of the forest. The reserve around the biological research center has over 11 species of mammals, such as raccoons, coatis, kinkajous, weasels, river otters, tayra and monkeys. The researchers and volunteers collect data on the mammals with camera traps and by studying their behavior, and they constantly collect information about their local distribution and movements.

Caimans and Crocodiles

Another great research project is the caiman and crocodile project, which aims at gathering information about their distribution, their relationship with the environment and human impacts on the ecosystem. The research center wants an initial profile of the population of crocodiles. By adding new information about the crocodiles’ current status, the conservation and management of this species can be improved.

Environmental Education and Butterflies

The butterfly garden of the Biological research center offers visitors to see butterflies and learn about their behavior. The butterfly garden is an educational alternative for tourists, but also for the whole surrounding community. Often school kids come and visit the center, and you can help educating them about nature, butterflies, and conservation. Visitors of the garden can learn more about the butterfly cycle of life, metamorphosis, anatomy, physiology, senses, food, ecologic nice and many more.

Green Life Volunteers partners with the Biological Research Center to provide them with more researchers and volunteers to help with ongoing research projects and also establishing new research.

• Help with ongoing research projects, such as the turtle, mammal, crocodile and butterfly research
• Install cameras in the reserve, check the cameras for activities and replace the batteries of the cameras
• (Nocturnal) monitoring of the animals
• Counting of the animals
• Marking of the animals and their locations
• Capturing of the species
• Help in the hatchery at night and during the day
• Patrol beaches during sea turtle season to collect eggs and bring them to the hatchery
• Release baby turtles into the ocean once hatched
• Other research project help – whatever is ongoing at the biological research center

The Biological Research Project offers shared (separated by gender) dormitory rooms with bunk beds.

You’ll share the accommodation with your fellow volunteers. Food is Costa Rican typical food cooked for you and prepared by a chef.

You’ll all eat together in a common space at certain hours. Breakfast is usually around 6-7am, lunch is around 12pm, and dinner is around 6 -7pm.

The town of Ojochal is really small – but the nearby town Uvita is bigger and has supermarkets, restaurants, banks, pharmacies, a National Park, and more. You can go and visit Uvita in your free time or if you need anything special.

To find out more about our Project Locations read our Locations Page.

The costs for this project are:

• First week’s fee: $US 649
• Every Additional Week: $US 319 (It does not matter many weeks you choose, this fee stays the same)

FEES EXPLAINED: Our organizational fee of around 299$ is included in the first week’s fee and covers the “behind the scenes costs”, such as staff salaries, office space rental, transaction and bank fees, and more. Our weekly fee for additional weeks covers the costs of your host family or project accommodation and food, the local staff on your project, and a donation to help with the daily running costs of the program you will help on.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE FEE: First and last night in San Jose in a hostel, travel to and from the international airport (airport shuttles are around 30$ each way to San Jose – We can set this up for you, just ask us during sign-up), travel to the project site (usually by public buses, which are from around 10-16$ one way), national/ International flights, travel insurance, visa costs, any additional food or snacks besides the host family meals, extra-curricular activities.

 This is the GLV Handbook for the Biological Research Center. This will give you DETAILED info on everything you would need and want to know regarding the project. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to contact us!

To view our handbook in your browser, click on the PDF symbol:

To download and save our handbook on your computer, please click the link below:

Download Our PDF Handbook Here

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  Beach at Ojochal Research Station

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  Turtle conservation

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  Monkey surveying

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  Samantha on amphibian research

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  Hatchery

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  Beach at Ojochal Research Station

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  Hatchery

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  Turtle conservation hatchery

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  Living cuarters Ojochal

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  Researching

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  Bananas

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  Camera Trap study