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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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Our Travel Roots Communications & Digital Marketing Internship in Costa Rica offers a unique opportunity to support wildlife conservation through storytelling, content creation, and digital strategy.
Working alongside the communications team, you will contribute to how conservation work is shared with the world — helping raise awareness, attract support, and strengthen the impact of ongoing rescue, rehabilitation, and release efforts.
Throughout your placement, you will be involved in planning, creating, and managing content across multiple platforms. This includes writing captions, blogs, newsletters, and press-style communications, as well as producing visual content such as photos and videos that reflect daily life at the centre.
You will also support ongoing campaigns, including awareness initiatives and online fundraising efforts, helping communicate important conservation messages in an engaging and responsible way. Collaboration is a key part of the role, working closely with veterinary, rescue, and education teams to ensure all content is accurate, ethical, and aligned with the organisation’s values.
The internship follows a structured weekly format:
• 3 days per week focused on communications and digital marketing (8:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
• Optional participation in general volunteer activities on additional days
• 2 days off per weekThis blended approach allows you to not only build practical marketing experience, but also gain a deeper understanding of the conservation work behind the content.
Requirments
This internship requires a minimum commitment of 12 weeks, making it ideal for those looking to gain meaningful, in-depth experience and build a strong portfolio within conservation communications.
This program is well suited for individuals pursuing or interested in careers such as communications, digital marketing, journalism, photography, or media within the conservation and environmental sector.
Required skills
- Minimum 18 years old
- English level B2 (Spanish is a plus)
- Excellent writing skills with interest and basic knowledge in marketing, wildlife, and conservation
- Experience managing social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube)
- Ability to generate creative ideas and adapt content to different platforms and audiences
- Well organized, proactive, and able to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Knowledge of content creation tools: Canva, CapCut, and Adobe Creative Cloud (especially Illustrator, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro)
- Photography and video creation skills with demonstrable experience
- Basic understanding of social media analytics and performance metrics (engagement, reach, insights)
- Familiar with digital tools such as Mailchimp, Gmail, and Google Drive
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Sensitivity and respect when communicating about wildlife rescue and conservation topics
- Interns must bring their own laptop
By volunteering on our Communications & Digital Marketing Internship Program in Costa Rica, you will:
✅ Support real conservation impact through digital storytelling and online engagement
✅ Work alongside a communications team within an active wildlife rescue centre
✅ Plan, create, and publish content across multiple social media platforms
✅ Develop skills in writing, content creation, and digital marketing strategy
✅ Capture and share ethical stories of wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release
✅ Assist with awareness campaigns and online fundraising initiatives
✅ Collaborate with veterinary and conservation teams to communicate accurate information
✅ Build a strong portfolio of real-world conservation media and communications work
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Communications & Digital Marketing Intern
Every day on our Communications & Digital Marketing Internship in Costa Rica blends creativity with purpose, giving you the opportunity to share meaningful conservation stories with a global audience.
Your role is centred around supporting the centre’s digital presence and helping to communicate the impact of its wildlife rescue and rehabilitation work. You will collaborate with different teams on-site to gather content, develop ideas, and bring real stories to life across a range of platforms.
A typical day runs from around 7:30am to 3:30pm and is structured into focused working periods, with a morning break and a lunch break in between. While the overall rhythm of the day remains consistent, your tasks and priorities may vary depending on current projects, campaigns, and the needs of the centre.
You may be involved in content planning, writing and editing copy, capturing photo and video material, and supporting the development of social media, blogs, newsletters, and awareness campaigns. This is a hands-on and creative role, where your work directly contributes to raising awareness, educating audiences, and supporting ongoing conservation efforts.
You’ll also gain insight into the day-to-day operations of a wildlife rescue centre, allowing you to create authentic, impactful content that reflects the real work being carried out on the ground.
This internship requires initiative, creativity, and attention to detail. You’ll be encouraged to bring your own ideas while also working within the guidelines and messaging of the organisation to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Time Off & Daily Rhythm
Outside of your working hours, you’ll have time to relax, explore, and connect with other volunteers. Interns receive two days off per week, which are selected on-site and may vary depending on the schedule at the centre.
This flexible structure allows you to balance creative work with time to experience the surrounding environment and culture of Costa Rica.
Your Impact as a Volunteer
Your role as a Communications & Digital Marketing Intern plays a vital part in supporting wildlife conservation beyond the physical rescue centre.
Through the content you create and share, you help raise awareness of the challenges facing wildlife and the importance of ethical rescue, rehabilitation, and release. Every post, story, or campaign contributes to educating a wider audience and inspiring meaningful action.
Your work also supports the organisation’s ability to grow and sustain its impact. By improving visibility, engagement, and outreach, you help attract future volunteers, supporters, and funding that directly contribute to the care of rescued animals.
By collaborating with on-site teams, you ensure that the stories being told are accurate, respectful, and aligned with the values of wildlife conservation. This helps build trust and transparency, which are essential in the conservation space.
Beyond the immediate impact, you will leave with practical experience, a strong portfolio, and a deeper understanding of how communication can drive positive change for wildlife and the environment.
Your Home in Costa Rica – The Jaguar Inn
Volunteers stay in a comfortable hostel located directly next to the rescue centre, providing easy access to your daily placement while living alongside fellow volunteers from around the world.
Rooms are bright and designed for comfort, typically shared between four people. Each room includes:
• Single beds with quality mattresses and bedding
• Ensuite bathroom with hot showers
• Large storage lockers
• Garden viewsAll rooms are mixed dorm-style, creating a social and community-focused living environment.
Private Room Option
A private room with its own kitchen is available at an additional cost and subject to availability.Communal Living & Facilities
The shared common area, known as “El Rancho”, is a central space where volunteers can relax and connect.Facilities include:
• Comfortable seating areas
• Fully equipped kitchen with stove, oven, and microwave
• Cutlery and cooking utensils
• Refrigerators for food storage
• WiFi accessSeveral supermarkets are located nearby, allowing volunteers to easily purchase and prepare their own meals.
Safety & Security
The accommodation includes WiFi and a night security guard, ensuring a safe and secure environment for all volunteers.Living Guidelines
To maintain a respectful and comfortable environment for everyone, volunteers are expected to follow basic shared living guidelines:• Respect quiet hours, particularly during evenings and early mornings
• Keep shared spaces clean and tidy after use
• Be considerate when using lights and shared facilities at night
• Respect personal space within shared rooms
• Communicate openly and respectfully with other volunteers
• Follow all accommodation rules and guidelines
• Keep personal belongings secure and respect overall safetyThese simple guidelines help create a positive, friendly, and cooperative living environment for all volunteers.
Emergency Contact
For emergencies during your stay, local support is available on-site.
History
Our trusted conservation partner is a licensed wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre based on Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean coast, founded in 2008 in response to increasing numbers of injured, orphaned, and displaced wild animals in the region.
What began as a small, personal effort by two wildlife specialists quickly grew as more animals were brought to them by local communities and authorities. As demand increased, the project expanded from a home-based rescue into a fully established centre, now covering approximately 22,000 square metres and capable of supporting a wide range of native species.
Over the years, the centre has rescued more than 9,000 wild animals, with approximately 48% successfully rehabilitated and released back into their natural habitats. Today, it operates as a critical part of the region’s wildlife response network, regularly receiving animals from local authorities including police, coast guard, and environmental agencies.
Mission & Vision
The mission of this project is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release wildlife while promoting a harmonious relationship between people and nature through education and conservation.
The program focuses on:
• Wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release
• Veterinary care and recovery support
• Primary forest and habitat conservation
• Environmental education and community awarenessThe centre operates under a strict no-contact, welfare-first approach, ensuring that all animals are given the best possible chance of returning to the wild while minimising human interaction.
Guided by science, compassion, and transparency, the project follows internationally recognised standards for animal welfare and conservation, working alongside national authorities, universities, and global frameworks to support long-term biodiversity protection.
The long-term vision is to create a future where wildlife and people coexist in balance, and where every animal has the opportunity to recover and return to its natural environment.
Program Fee
Duration Fee
12 Weeks €1910Requirements for this program
To participate in this program, you must:
• Complete an interview process
• Complete an application form
• Valid medical insurance covering your stay
• Negative tuberculosis test or proof of vaccination• Must sign indemnity/risk agreement before arrival
Accommodation Upgrade Option
For volunteers seeking more privacy, a bungalow upgrade is available:
• €60 per night (1 person approx.)
• €65 per night (2 people approx.)Subject to availability.
Important Things To Note: All programs include a Travel Roots Service & Support Fee in addition to the listed program fee. This helps cover the support we provide before, during, and after your placement, including application guidance, partner coordination, pre-departure preparation, welcome pack support, and ongoing assistance throughout your journey.
Payment Terms
• Program fees are due 60 days before your start date
• If applying within 60 days of arrival, full payment is due within 48 hours of confirmation
What’s Included
Your program fees cover everything you need for a safe, enriching, and impactful experience:
✅ Accommodation at the volunteer hostel
✅ Induction
✅ Official volunteer T-shirt
✅ Volunteer assistance certificate
✅ Full support before, during, and after your program
✅ Welcome pack full of essential and useful information
✅ Domestic transfer guidance and coordination
✅ Expert guidance from experienced on-site professionals
✅ Fair & Flexible Refund Policy
✅ So much moreWhat’s Excluded
✖️ Flights
✖️ Meals
✖️ Domestic transfers
✖️ Visa costs (if required)
✖️ Travel insurance
✖️ Personal expenses
✖️ Additional tours or activities
✖️ Vaccinations (if required)
Your Investment in Conservation Communication, Digital Marketing & Yourself
Joining our Communications & Digital Marketing Internship Program in Costa Rica is far more than just a professional experience abroad - it’s a meaningful investment in ethical conservation storytelling, digital media skills, and your own personal and career development. Working alongside passionate conservation and sustainability teams, you’ll help share impactful stories that inspire global awareness and support for wildlife and environmental protection.
From creating social media content and supporting marketing campaigns to photography, storytelling, and digital outreach, your contribution helps conservation projects reach wider audiences and strengthen their long-term impact.
Your program fees directly support:
• Wildlife conservation and environmental awareness initiatives
• Ethical marketing, storytelling, and educational outreach projects
• Local employment, training, and community development support
• Sustainable conservation campaigns and communication resources
• Improvements to media equipment, digital platforms, and project operationsThis internship allows you to build valuable real-world marketing and communication experience while becoming part of a meaningful mission dedicated to protecting Costa Rica’s incredible wildlife and natural environments through education and awareness.
Where You'll Be: Puerto Viejo
Where You'll Be – Puerto Viejo, Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica
Your volunteer placement is located on Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean coast near the vibrant town of Puerto Viejo — a region known for its rich biodiversity, tropical landscapes, and relaxed coastal atmosphere.
Surrounded by lush rainforest and just minutes from the coastline, this area provides the perfect environment for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. The region is home to an incredible variety of species, including monkeys, sloths, tropical birds, reptiles, and amphibians, many of which are brought into the rescue centre for care and recovery.
Puerto Viejo offers a unique blend of Caribbean culture and natural beauty. The area is known for its laid-back lifestyle, colourful local communities, and strong connection to nature. Unlike more developed parts of Costa Rica, this region retains a more authentic and unspoiled feel.
Costa Rica – A Global Leader in Conservation
Costa Rica is internationally recognised for its commitment to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. Despite covering only a small portion of the Earth’s surface, the country is home to approximately 5–6% of the world’s biodiversity.
The country has made significant efforts to protect its natural environment, with around 25% of its land designated as protected national parks and reserves. These ecosystems range from dense rainforests and cloud forests to coastlines and marine habitats.
Costa Rica’s strong conservation focus makes it one of the most important destinations in the world for wildlife protection and ecological research.
A Biodiverse Coastal Environment
The Caribbean coast offers a unique ecosystem where rainforest meets the ocean. This combination creates ideal conditions for a wide range of wildlife species and plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance.
Within this region, you may encounter:
• Monkeys and sloths in surrounding forest areas
• Tropical birds and reptiles
• Coastal and marine species
• Diverse plant and insect life
The close proximity of multiple ecosystems makes this an exceptional location for conservation work and environmental learning.
A Slower Pace of Life
Life on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast moves at a slower, more relaxed pace. This allows volunteers to disconnect from busy routines and fully immerse themselves in the natural surroundings.
The balance between meaningful conservation work and a peaceful environment creates a unique experience where you can both contribute and recharge.
Free time Activities
& Tours
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On your days off, you can explore the vibrant and biodiverse Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. From tropical beaches to rainforest adventures, Puerto Viejo offers a wide range of experiences that allow you to fully enjoy your time outside of the program.
Whether you prefer relaxation, wildlife exploration, or cultural experiences, there is something for everyone.
• Beach hopping – Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva
• Swimming, sunbathing, and coastal walks
• Surfing at Salsa Brava and Playa Cocles
• Snorkelling, paddleboarding, and kayaking
• Visit Cahuita National Park (wildlife + coral reef snorkelling)
• Explore Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
• Visit indigenous communities (Bribri & Cabécar)
• Chocolate tours (cacao production + tasting)
• Waterfalls and rainforest hikes (e.g. Bribri area)
• River boat tours
• Nightlife, reggae bars, and Caribbean cuisine
• Yoga classes and wellness retreats
