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Feedback from Costa Rica Volunteers

Here are some of the emails we have received from volunteers about their experiences in Costa Rica

Hearing only the sound of the ocean when you wake up in the morning, having the chance to see the beautiful sunsets every evening, watching the turtles run towards the sea, waking up at sunrise, walking through the forests, being away from society, away from the city etc. All of this has changed my perspective of life and of the material world. After living there, you truly see how useless all these things are and you never wasn’t to go back to the "civilized" life. I honesty did not want to leave anymore, it was truly a life changing experience and would do it again any time soon with great pleasure.

Thank you GVN for making this possible this was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life, if not the most wonderful. I felt good again about myself, about life in general and people and the world. My perspective of the consuming world has completely turned around and I am glad to know finally we don't need all these unnecessary things, we actually can live without them. I wasn't sure I would be able to survive such a world, but not only did I survive it, I fell in love with it. Thank you for making this a life changing experience I will never ever regret.

Isabelle

I helped with relocating nest, digging nests, counting eggs, measuring and looking for any defects the turtle may have such as a scare or piece missing from her flipper or barnacles on her back. I scanned for ID chips, I recorded the information we were getting, I released babies and made sure they made it to sea.....and as a bonus I got to do all this on beautiful moonlit or totally dark nights with a sky full of stars and shooting stars, while the sound and the sight of luminescent waves were crashing in. Simplicity at it's best what more could a person ask for. Pura Vida is truly the way here.

The accommodations were very rudimentary to say the least but I did not miss one thing from home. I came to experience life here and I did that and I will return.

Lynne

I had an amazing time volunteering in Costa Rica. We spent about 3 weeks in Gandoca and then traveled around the country for another week. It was an experience never to be forgotten.

Lauren

I had an amazing time in Gandoca, I would have stayed longer with no problems. I loved the people, the project, everything. I have to come back!!! I want to do it all over again, it was so fun. I really recommend Maria's house, it was so comfortable there.

Daniela

The program was fantastic. It was very well organized and efficiently run. I was able to experience every aspect of the program and involve myself in all areas. There was a real feeling of helping and wanting to help the turtles. Everyone was excited when we found a turtle, even leaders who had been doing it for years. You were able to get right in; up very close and personal with the turtles and the workload was shared amongst everyone.

The walking and patrolling wasn't as hard as I expected and the actual interactions with the turtles were a hundred times better. You know they are going to be big, but they are massive. Just being so close to the animals was amazing and being able to lay near them and remover their eggs without them knowing. It is a very special thing and knowing that you are doing it to help protect and preserve an endangered species of animal makes it so worthwhile.

The babies were such a positive result of all the work. To see them flipping down the beach towards the sea with all the instinct of a hundred years of past is very moving. One day we had to clean the beach, it was covered in debris and rubbish. As we were working someone discovered 5 baby turtles which had hatched and tried to get to the water through the debris. They didn't make it. It was so sad. They had burned in the sun and died just metres from the water. This was the exact reason we were cleaning the beach. One baby of that group had survived and this was incentive enough to carry on and clear the way for all the babies that would be born in the following weeks.

I was involved in all areas of the program. There were patrols which involved walking the beach at night looking for turtles. It was pitch black a lot of the time; however you became used to the dark, and to discover a turtle track in the dark and follow it up to a mother turtle was excellent, a real sense of achievement. The patrols were tiring and they were physically hard but seeing a turtle made getting up worth it. Even the stars and clear nights and peace and quiet were worth it. I feel my efforts on patrol were really positive. Without the volunteers taking part it makes the job so much harder for the leaders.

Hatchery duty was also part of the program. This involved 'guarding' the hatchery and relocating the eggs from other areas. It was a great time for reflection and another link in the cycle. No job is all romance and fun. This was hard going at night sometimes, trying to stay awake, but it is all part of it and sometimes being rewarded with a turtle emerging from the ocean right at the hatchery where we could watch and absorb nature at its best.

During the day there was lots of basic physical work which was indirect to the turtles. The sorts of thing involved beach cleaning, trail clearing, hatchery construction and sand bagging amongst other things. Much if it was physically demanding and this was great. There was still plenty of downtime to read, swim and relax, but this work allowed you to again feel part of the whole process and see that we were not just there to look at turtles. The physical work made you feel like you had done something for the day, improved your fitness and created a great bond between everyone as we worked as a team.

Hatchling patrol was a high point. Walking the beach and discovering babies struggling up through the sand made your heart leap and you couldn't help but let a sigh out. This part of the work was where you could be particularly hands-on in saving and helping the turtles. It was wonderful that volunteers were able to get in and help the babies out and then release them into the sea later on. To send them into the wide ocean with a wish and a prayer and the hope that the one you let go will be the one to survive is the incentive to do all you can again and again.

I also was involved in some scientific aspects doing exhumations of old nests. This for me was amazing. It was so interesting to see the different stages of development and also to discover the odd baby that was destined to die and we found it and released it. It gave me an insight into the disease and other natural factors that the turtles are up against. They really do have a hard time of it. It was great to be involved in all the aspects as it completed the story for me.

The living conditions were excellent. We stayed with a family and the lady, Maria, was amazing. There was plenty of food and the rooms, although small, were comfortable and clean. It had a relaxed atmosphere and was happy and easy-going. I felt quite privileged to have stayed with them and been part of their everyday family life. It was like we were guests at their house, not paying visitors.

Nicole

Through the work I was able to prove to myself that I was capable of doing so much more than I thought I could previously, and having fun doing so as well.

Kristin

Seeing the turtles had the greatest impact on me during my volunteer time. Absolutely breathtaking… the sheer magnificence of the creatures was startling. The living conditions of most Cost Rican families also left a strong impression, and made me more aware and appreciative of the comforts available in the States. […] My volunteer efforts in Gandoca consisted of patrolling the beaches for 4 hour shifts throughout the night (collecting eggs and moving them to the hatchery or safer locations further up the beach to guard against poachers); monitoring the hatchery for 6 hour shift throughout the day and night; patrolling for hatchlings during the day; and removing debris from nesting sights in the afternoon. […] The scientists, students and volunteers were clearly very passionate and knowledgeable about sea turtle conservation. They adeptly employed locals to help with conservation efforts and worked arduously to achieve their goals. They also made it very clear about their expectations of us as volunteers and provided detailed schedules of our daily duties. The living conditions were a bit stark, but in a way this completed the complete emersion that accompanied the program. I must admit that I was a bit taken aback when I first saw where I would be staying for two weeks, especially when I entered the bathroom. I obviously survived, though and I feel that I'm a better person for it. […] Elizabeth was wonderful. She corresponded with us prior to our trip, had packets waiting for us upon our arrival in San Jose, met us to discuss the program before traveling south to Gandoca and was very receptive when I emailed her partway through the week when I became ill. GVN seems to be a very organized, blossoming organization.

Ashley

Upon leaving the US to a country I had never been before, I felt very comfortable and felt I was in good hands with GVN.

It was absolutely fantastico! I will go back. The accommodations were fine, the food was great, the people on site were so nice. I feel so privileged to have participated.

Take one day at a time. And treasure each and every one of them. They fly by so quickly!

Marilyn

I had an amazing time volunteering in Costa Rica. We spent about 3 weeks in Gandoca and then traveled around the country for another week. It was an experience never to be forgotten.

Lauren

We are on our day off here in Jaco so are catching up on our email. We have settled in nicely at Punta Judas and love the atmosphere. The turtles are very special as are all the people. The turtles are still hatching so we are busy with the releasing, patrols etc. It is truly a wonderful experience.

Donna

Everything is going swimmingly (pun intended). I loved Punta Mala and was very sorry to have to leave there and I absolutely love Tamarindo and will be sorry to leave here as well. I have been very fortunate and have met and worked with some terrific people. The accommodations at Punta Mala were far superior to what I was expecting and it was a delight to be there. Even crossing the river of crocodiles was an adrenaline rush. The turtle project there was excellently run and I learned a great deal. What a terrific feeling to be a part of something global. I am immensely pleased with this entire experience and truly don't want it to end.

Beverly

Punta Mala was a great location and the work was enjoyable and rewarding

Angela

It was simply wonderful at Punta Mala: the work, the people, the surroundings…

Julia

The 2 weeks at Punta Mala were amazing, saw lots of baby turtles, and about 12 or so big mamas. Everyone there was lovely to work with too, and walking down the beach by moonlight on patrol was obviously very cool.

Kelly

"[The partner organisation] did an amazing job. They were always emailing me to make sure I was alright and comfortable with the accommodations. I was very thankful to have them during my volunteer experience."

Rachel