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You’ll be matched with your personal volunteer travel expert who’ll guide you every step of the way.
Meet Your Travel Expert
Receive your welcome pack with everything you need: arrival info, contacts, visa and insurance help, packing tips, vaccines, language basics, and so much more.
Get Ready to Go!
Choose your dream project and apply for free—no commitment, just excitement!
Pick Your Destination & Apply
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Once your dates are confirmed, pay your program fee—choose to pay in full or in easy installments.
Secure Your Spot
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Want to volunteer in Costa Rica and help restore coral reefs?
Our Coral Restoration Program in Costa Rica offers a rare opportunity to actively support the recovery of one of the ocean’s most important and threatened ecosystems. It’s estimated that around 25% of all marine life depends on healthy coral reefs, which also protect coastal communities from storms and support local livelihoods through sustainable tourism. Right now, these reefs urgently need protection.
Based in and around Marino Ballena National Park, this program focuses on restoring coral ecosystems impacted by rising ocean temperatures and coral bleaching events linked to El Niño. When ocean waters warm, corals expel the algae they rely on to survive, causing them to weaken and turn white. To protect these fragile coral genetics, the project is currently prioritising coral preservation and growth within specialised laboratory tanks and coral nurseries.
As a volunteer, you’ll support hands-on coral restoration both on land and offshore. You’ll assist with growing, monitoring, and maintaining coral fragments in controlled lab environments before they are gradually reintroduced into the ocean. Once ready, corals are first acclimatised on underwater coral frag trees, allowing them to adjust to open-water conditions, before being transplanted onto nearby reef structures and closely monitored.
This project also places a strong emphasis on education and community involvement. Volunteers help support public awareness initiatives that bring marine conservation to life for locals, school groups, and visitors. Through aquarium displays, guided visits, and virtual reality experiences, the project helps people connect with marine life they may never otherwise see — building long-term investment in reef protection and ending harmful practices of the past.
Key Activities:
Assist with coral restoration by caring for, monitoring, and maintaining coral fragments in laboratory tanks and nurseries
Help prepare and manage coral frag tanks used to preserve vulnerable coral genetics during bleaching events
Support offshore restoration work, including acclimating corals on underwater coral trees
Assist with coral transplantation onto reef structures and ongoing health monitoring
Support basic marine conservation research and observation recording
Take part in community outreach and education initiatives focused on reef protection and climate awareness
Help engage the public through aquarium centres, guided visits, and virtual reality education tools
Work alongside local conservationists, park partners, and community groups to promote long-term marine sustainability
This is more than a marine conservation project — it’s a race to protect biodiversity, strengthen coastal resilience, and inspire lasting change through science, education, and community action. Every coral fragment you help grow brings Costa Rica’s reefs one step closer to recovery.
By volunteering on our Coral Restoration Program in Costa Rica, you will:
Support the protection and recovery of coral reefs that are essential to marine life, coastal protection, and local livelihoods.
Gain hands-on experience in coral restoration through lab-based coral care, nurseries, and offshore reef work.
Learn how coral frag tanks, coral trees, and transplantation techniques are used to restore damaged reefs.
Contribute to real conservation action during coral bleaching events caused by climate change and El Niño.
Take part in marine education and community outreach, helping locals and visitors understand the importance of reef conservation.
Work alongside passionate marine conservationists, park partners, and community groups.
Develop transferable skills in environmental monitoring, teamwork, and sustainability-focused problem solving.
Experience Costa Rica’s rich marine environment while making a measurable, long-term impact.
Whether you’re passionate about marine life, climate action, or hands-on conservation, this program offers a rare chance to protect coral reefs while becoming part of a global movement to restore our oceans.
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Coral Restoration Volunteer
Every day on our Coral Restoration Program in Costa Rica is a balance of hands-on marine conservation, learning, and meaningful community engagement. Tasks may vary depending on weather, ocean conditions, and project priorities — but here’s a realistic picture of what a typical day might look like:7:00–8:00 AM – Morning Routine & Breakfast
Start your day with breakfast at the accommodation, prepare your gear, and get ready for a day focused on coral conservation and learning.
8:30 AM – Daily Briefing & Project Planning
Meet with the project team to review the day’s activities, safety guidelines, and objectives. This may include lab work, offshore tasks, or education-focused activities.9:00 AM – Coral Lab & Nursery Work
Mornings are often spent supporting coral restoration in the laboratory and nursery facilities. Tasks may include cleaning tanks, monitoring coral health, assisting with coral fragmentation, maintaining water quality, and preparing coral fragments for future transplantation.12:30 PM – Lunch Break & Rest
Enjoy a shared lunch and some downtime to recharge, reflect, and connect with your fellow volunteers.2:00 PM – Offshore Restoration or Education Activities
Afternoons may involve offshore work such as helping acclimatise coral fragments on underwater coral trees or supporting coral transplantation and monitoring at restoration sites inside the National Park. On other days, you may assist with community outreach, aquarium centre activities, guided visits, or virtual reality education sessions for locals and visitors.4:30–5:00 PM – Wrap-Up & Clean Down
Finish the day by cleaning equipment, logging observations, and preparing for the next day’s activities.Evenings
Evenings are typically relaxed and social. Volunteers often cook together, share stories, enjoy the beach, or take part in informal discussions about marine conservation, climate change, and life in Costa Rica.Days Off
Days off give you the chance to explore Costa Rica’s coastline, enjoy local beaches, spot marine wildlife, or simply relax and soak up the pura vida lifestyle.This program offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at real coral restoration — combining science, education, and community action to protect one of the ocean’s most vital ecosystems.
Your Impact as a Volunteer
By volunteering on our Travel Roots Coral Restoration Program in Costa Rica, you’re directly contributing to the protection and recovery of coral reefs that support marine biodiversity, coastal communities, and local livelihoods. At a time when reefs are under severe threat from warming oceans and bleaching events, your role helps safeguard fragile coral genetics and rebuild reef systems for the future.Your work supports both immediate conservation action and long-term change — from growing healthy coral in lab and nursery environments to helping reintroduce it back into the ocean, and inspiring others through education and community outreach.
You will:
Help preserve and restore coral reefs that are essential to marine life and coastal protection.
Support coral breeding, care, and monitoring in laboratory tanks and nurseries.
Contribute to offshore restoration by helping acclimatise and transplant coral fragments.
Strengthen reef recovery efforts through ongoing monitoring and observation
Help educate local communities, students, and visitors about coral conservation and climate impact.
Play a role in changing attitudes and reducing harmful practices through awareness and engagement
Every coral fragment you help grow increases reef resilience. Every conversation you support helps build a community that cares. Your impact extends far beyond your time in Costa Rica — helping protect oceans, coastlines, and marine life for generations to come. This isn’t just volunteering — it’s actively giving coral reefs a second chance.
Your Home in Matapalo
Settle into a peaceful lodge nestled between the beach and the jungle—your home base in Matapalo, a coastal town that feels like a step back in time. With unspoiled beaches, laid-back charm, and tropical gardens all around, this is the perfect place to recharge after a rewarding day of teaching.
Our volunteer rooms are designed for comfort and simplicity, blending naturally with the surroundings while offering everything you need for a restful stay.
What’s Included:
Comfortable rooms with double, twin, or bunk beds
Private bathroom in every room
Air conditioning and fans to keep cool
Fresh linens and towels provided
Evenings are spent catching blazing sunsets, relaxing with fellow volunteers, or gathering around a beach bonfire as the moon rises over the ocean. Life here is calm, connected, and close to nature.
Bring light summer clothes, sunscreen, insect repellent, swimwear, and a flashlight or headlamp—this is tropical living, pure and simple.
Meals & Nutrition
You’ll be served three delicious, healthy meals a day, made with locally sourced ingredients. Our kitchen is known for variety, freshness, and flexibility—we cater to all dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Sample Menu:
Breakfast: Fresh fruit, toast or cereal, eggs, cheese
Lunch: Chicken or eggplant sandwich with local veggies
Dinner: Pasta salad with ham or garlic mushroomsYou’ll also have access to fruit, tea, coffee, and drinking water throughout the day.
Internet Access
Wi-Fi is available at the volunteer lodge, with good access for planning lessons, connecting with loved ones, or sharing your experience online.
History
This project is hosted by one of the most dynamic grassroots initiatives on Costa Ricas Pacific coast. The team was born from local passion and international support, aiming to bring sustainability into daily lifenot just for tourists, but for the community that calls Matapalo home.
By combining ecological goals with long-term social change, they've launched reforestation zones, organic gardens, and community education that truly lasts. The organisation is known for welcoming volunteers as family and giving them tools to contribute in lasting ways.
Mission & Vision
Their mission is simple: to regenerate ecosystems while uplifting communities through shared action, environmental education, and sustainable practices. The long-term vision is a self-sustaining, resilient village where nature thrives and every resident feels
proud to call it home.
Program Fees & What’s Included
Program Fees
Duration Fee (EUR)
1 week €730
2 weeks €1,460
3 weeks €2,190
4 weeks €2,920
5 weeks €3,650
6 weeks €4,380
7 weeks €5,110
Payment Terms
Fees are due 30 days before your start date.
If applying within 30 days of arrival, full payment is due within 48 hours of confirmation.
Whats Included
✅ Comfortable eco-lodge shared accommodation
✅ 3 plant-based meals daily
✅ Airport pick-up & drop-off
✅ Full orientation & cultural introduction
✅ Daily hands-on conservation & community projects
✅ Boat snorkel tour
✅ Surf board rental & surf school
✅ Flexible start dates and free date changes
✅ Expert guidance and training from experienced field professionals.
✅ Welcome pack with all the essential and helpful information
✅ Certificate of completion at the end of your placement
✅ Full support before, during, and after your program
✅ 100% Cancellation Money-Back Guarantee
✅ And so much more...
Your Investment in People, Marine Conservation & Yourself
Volunteering on our coral restoration program is more than an experience — it’s an investment in your future, the health of our oceans, and the power of people working together to protect marine life.
Whether you’re passionate about ocean conservation, eager to gain hands-on marine experience, or simply seeking a deeper connection with the natural world, this program will stay with you long after you leave the reef.
Your program fees directly support:
Coral reef restoration through coral nurseries, transplantation, and reef rehabilitation
Protection and monitoring of marine ecosystems and biodiversity
Environmental education and ocean awareness within local communities
Fair employment, training, and empowerment of local marine conservation staff
Long-term conservation infrastructure that safeguards reefs for future generations
By joining this program, you play an active role in restoring fragile marine ecosystems, supporting coastal communities, and becoming part of a global movement working to protect our oceans.
Where You’ll Be – The Lush Coastal Haven of Matapalo
Tucked along the untouched Pacific coast of southern Costa Rica, Matapalo is a tiny beachside village where the jungle meets the sea, and nature sets the rhythm of the day. With howler monkeys in the trees and sunsets that paint the sky in orange, this is a place that feels both grounded and magical.
Your volunteer base is nestled just steps from the black-sand beach and surrounded by dense tropical forest—one of the most biologically rich environments in the world. The lodge is simple, welcoming, and perfectly placed for early morning beach walks, wildlife spotting, or winding down after a rewarding day of hands-on work.
Although peaceful and remote, Matapalo is just a short drive from the lively surf town of Dominical and within reach of waterfalls, national parks, and local markets. Whether you want adventure, reflection, or connection—you’ll find it here.
Costa Rica – A Beacon of Biodiversity and Balance
Costa Rica is globally renowned for its commitment to conservation, peace, and sustainable living. Though small in size, it holds more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity—making it one of the most ecologically diverse places on Earth.
This is a country that actively protects over a quarter of its land, with national parks, marine reserves, and rewilding zones inviting you to explore and learn. As a volunteer, you’re not just visiting—you’re contributing to the very systems that keep this paradise thriving.
But Costa Rica’s heart lies in its people. Warm, community-oriented, and deeply connected to nature, the Tico way of life is simple, kind, and refreshingly real. Expect friendly smiles, delicious plant-based meals, and cultural richness that flows through everything—from music to storytelling, from farming to fiestas.
The climate is tropical and inviting year-round. Think sun-soaked mornings, the occasional afternoon downpour to keep things green, and cooler evenings filled with the sounds of frogs, waves, and forest creatures.
Whether you come for the wildlife, the people, the mission—or all three—you’ll find Costa Rica gets under your skin in all the best ways.
Free time Activities
& Tours
Your downtime in Matapalo is an adventure in itself—explore the best of Costa Rica’s coast and jungle, all within easy reach.
Surfing in Dominical – 15 mins away
Catch waves at one of Costa Rica’s top surf spots, perfect for beginners and pros alike.
Nauyaca Waterfalls – 40 mins away
Hike through rainforest trails to reach dramatic twin waterfalls with natural pools for swimming.
Marino Ballena National Park – 30 mins away
Discover beaches, rainforest trails, and the famous Whale’s Tail sandbar, with regular wildlife sightings.
Kayaking at Hacienda Barú – 20 mins away
Paddle through serene mangrove ecosystems while spotting birds, monkeys, and reptiles.
Playa Ventanas Snorkelling – 35 mins away
Explore sea caves and tide pools at this quiet beach known for its unique rock formations.
Cooking & Spanish in Uvita – 25 mins away
Join a local cooking class or brush up on your Spanish with fun, interactive lessons.
Manuel Antonio National Park – 1 hour away
Spend the day hiking lush jungle paths and relaxing on postcard-worthy beaches.
Bonfires & Cultural Nights – Onsite
Evenings bring beach bonfires, music, and connection under Matapalo’s star-filled skies.
