Internships & Volunteering

CPBS hosts both volunteers and interns.

Both types of visitors gain hands-on experience and have the opportunity to participate in all long-term research projects at CPBS. The major difference between interns and volunteers is the time commitment and level of responsibility. 

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or intern at CPBS, please contact our Station Director, Charlotte Foale (station@coterc.org), including your resume and cover letter.

Whether you are considering applying to be an intern or a volunteer, we ask that potential visitors understand the physical requirements of the type of work we require. Both living and working in the rainforest will expose visitors to extreme weather (including thunderstorms, heat, and humidity) and inevitable interactions with wildlife (including spiders, snakes, and biting insects). Many of our projects are physically demanding, and require visitors to walk for hours at a time in extreme heat and humidity, often during heavy rain. Overnight turtle work in particular requires 6+ hours of walking in the dark on the beach, and processing turtles requires the ability to physically engage with a large, wild animal. Working in these conditions requires a level of physical fitness, and should be considered by individuals looking to apply. Though it can be challenging to work in difficult conditions, the benefits of living and working in such a unique environment make up for these challenges.  

Volunteers

Volunteers are required to stay for a minimum of 2 weeks and are welcome to stay as long as they like. Volunteers are not required to have a background in the sciences. The only requirement to be a volunteer is the ability to work long, intense hours and to do so priority at the time of visit.

As a non-profit organization, visitors to CPBS are required to cover their food and accommodation costs.

• Fees can be paid in advance of your trip or upon arrival at CPBS.

• Fees must be paid in USD or CRC

• If you are paying in person, please note there are no banks in the town of Tortuguero. As such, we are unable to accept travelers cheques or credit cards. 

• Costa Rica is very particular about the state of currency - when arranging U.S. cash for your trip, be sure to ask your bank for clean bills, absolutely free of tiny tears, nicks, or writing. Currency seen as damaged will likely be refused in-country. 

Pricing per person per week:

2-3 weeks = USD 310/week

4+ weeks = USD 255/week

Internships:

Though not required, interns often have a background in the natural sciences and use the opportunity to increase their knowledge of and experience in tropical field research. CPBS currently offers 6 types of internships: 

Sea Turtle Intern: 

Time of year offered: May through October

Minimum time commitment: 6 weeks

Requirements: Good level of physical fitness, ability to work as a team, ability to work overnight on the beach 

Cost: Room and board (USD 255/week) 

Work/responsibilities: Sea turtle Interns are primarily responsible for conducting both overnight sea turtle surveys and morning censuses. Interns will be trained on how to conduct all surveys, both in the classroom and the field. Those who excel will have the opportunity to become a patrol leader and will receive additional training to tag turtles

Sea Turtle Research Assistant 

Time of year offered: May through October 

Minimum time commitment: 10 weeks

Requirements: Previous relevant sea turtle conservation and leadership experience, including placement of inconel/monel tags on nesting sea turtles. Good level of physical fitness, ability to work as a team, ability to work overnight on the beach.

Cost: Room and board are covered by CPBS.

Work/responsibilities: Turtle Assistants are responsible for leading night patrols and tagging turtles, providing leadership on and off base, and managing data.

Ornithology Internship:

Time of year offered: All year

Minimum time commitment: 6-weeks

Requirements: Ornithological experience preferred but not required. Good level of physical fitness, ability to work as a team. 

Cost: USD 255/week 

Work/responsibilities: Ornithology Interns primary focus is the great green macaw project. Interns will also participate in bird inventories in the local community. Interns will have the ability to participate in other projects and time permits. 

Mixed Taxa Internship

Time of year offered: All year. 

Minimum time commitment: 6-weeks

Requirements: Good level of physical fitness, ability to work as a team, ability to work overnight on the beach. 

Cost: USD 255/week 

Work/responsibilities: Participation in a variety of long- and short-term research projects as needed.

Lead Community Education Internships 

Time of year offered: All year. 

Minimum time commitment: 3 months

Requirements: Fluency in both English and Spanish. Experience working with elementary school aged children is required. A strong interest in education, sustainability issues, and conservation. The ability to plan and execute environmental education lessons and hands-on learning activities for students in our Conservation Club. 

Cost: Covered by COTERC.

Work/responsibilities: Planning and preparing materials for grade level environmental education lessons. Coordinating with the school and CPBS for the delivery of environmental education classes and other sustainability activities. Coordinating with other local organizations for interactive activities that promote sustainability. Assisting with the mobile library and planning and executing activities which promote literacy, numeracy, and good basic science skills.

Basic Community Education Internship

Time of year offered: All year.

Minimum time commitment: 10 weeks

Requirements: Fluency in both English and Spanish. Some experience working with elementary school aged children is required. A strong interest in education, sustainability issues, and conservation. 

Cost: USD255/week 

Work/responsibilities: Assisting the lead community education intern to deliver environmental education classes and other sustainability activities, assisting with the mobile library, and planning and delivering activities in the community as required.

© Marika Breton