Volunteering

Citizen Science Program in Costa Rica

Join the global citizen science movement and help conserve this rich and remote habitat.

Durations: 1 - 12 weeks
Fieldwork hours35 hrs of fieldwork per week
Participant ratio1:6 staff to participant ratio
GVI experiencesIncludes GVI Experiences
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Travel flexibility, because life happens! Modify your booking, even up to 48 hours before departure. T&Cs apply.

Program information

Across the jungle-lined beaches of the Caribbean coast and high mountains covered in tropical rainforest, Costa Rica is bursting with biodiversity from shore to summit. Join one of our citizen science programs in the Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve, and have a front row seat to all the wildlife, plantlife and marine life that this spectacular and special country has to offer.

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Life on Base
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Program overview

Our Costa Rican research station is located in the Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve, which is known for its dense rainforest. Common mammal species you may encounter include raccoons, sloths, spider monkeys, white-throated capuchins and mantled howler monkeys – not to mention the spectacularly diverse collection of reptile, amphibian, bird and insect species found in the reserve. 

All our citizen science volunteers are joining specific research efforts based on local environmental and conservation needs identified by our community-based partners. In Costa Rica, citizen science is a crucial data collection tool necessary for the preservation of many unique and vulnerable species. All data collected from the Citizen Science program is submitted to iNaturalist.

On a daily basis, you will explore the forest and document your observations. You’ll report your findings across various citizen science data collection platforms. Bird surveys are documented on the eBird platform, while all other animals are recorded on iNaturalist.

You also have the chance to join turtle research, contributing to local conservation efforts. Please note that if you’re not on a specific turtle program, there’s an additional cost for this opportunity in Cahuita, around 20 km from Kekoldi. Working with turtles is an option, but it does involve extra fees.

Highlights

 

 

Become a citizen scientist
Become a citizen scientist
Gain first-hand experience in research techniques and data collection while contributing to citizen science databases.
Feel the rush of the jungle
Feel the rush of the jungle
Live in a protected indigenous reserve, surrounded by abundant wildlife species like jungle cats, monkeys, tropical birds, birds of prey and reptiles.
Be part of the real deal
Be part of the real deal
Contribute to ongoing environmental projects that address critical challenges aligned to the global United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Join ethical initiatives
Join ethical initiatives
Work with local conservation partners and qualified professionals to ensure your efforts are highly ethical, meaningful and sustainable.
Experience unreal adventures
Experience unreal adventures
Venture outside typical travel itineraries to get exclusive access to extraordinary remote habitats, rare species and unique ecosystems.
Make friends for life
Make friends for life
Share epic experiences with like-minded, passionate changemakers from all over the globe.
Enjoy a hassle-free, safe trip
Enjoy a hassle-free, safe trip
With expert staff and 24/7 support at every step – you can relax and enjoy the experience stress-free.
Take a break
Take a break
Disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature, yourself and your purpose.

Activities

Some of the example typical activities you could participate in on this program.

 

Citizen science training
Citizen science training
Be trained in how to collect, record and share data across various citizen science databases used worldwide.
Research planning
Research planning
Develop your research project planning and management skills.
Biodiversity surveys
Biodiversity surveys
Conduct forest biodiversity surveys focused on key plant, insect, bird, mammal and reptile species.
Photography & audio recordings
Photography & audio recordings
Have a front-row seat to wildlife, perfect for honing photography skills. You’ll also learn how to record vocalisations of focus species.
Citizen science reporting
Citizen science reporting
Input, analyse and report on collected data for citizen science databases. Share your observations with participants, staff and community members.

Skills

  • Data collection
  • Population ecology
  • Species identification
  • Survey research
  • Wildlife conservation
  • Volunteering

Partners

Some of the partners we work with on base.

Kekoldi Indigenous Family

Program details

 
Included in your program, at no extra cost.

Make the most of our unique programs with these exclusively curated local adventure and wellness experiences.

Offered once a month, expand your adventure with GVI Experiences. These are just some of the activities offered on your program!
Traditional chocolate workshop
Traditional chocolate workshop
Waterfall hike
Waterfall hike
Moth and butterfly trapping
Moth and butterfly trapping
Sunrise in the rainforest
Sunrise in the rainforest
Conversational Spanish class
Conversational Spanish class
Stargaze in the jungle
Stargaze in the jungle
Wildlife photography workshop
Wildlife photography workshop
Yoga in the rainforest
Yoga in the rainforest
Connect with our alumni
Want to connect with some of our past participants about their adventures? Get in touch with hundreds of friendly ambassadors all over the world who would be more than happy to answer any questions.
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