Step 1

Step 3

Step 2

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

Step 2

Step 3

Once your dates are confirmed, pay your program fee—choose to pay in full or in easy installments.

Secure Your Spot

Step 4

APPLY HERE

Rustic off-the-grid bush camp

Up to 8 hours per day
2 days off per week

Waves of Change Program in Costa Rica

Overview

Wildlife rehabilitation and environmental conservation for wildlife release site

Choose from 1 to 12 Weeks

Want to volunteer with rescued wildlife in Costa Rica? Our Travel Roots Waves of Change Project is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature, support ethical conservation, and experience life in one of the most remote and beautiful parts of the country.

Nestled where lush rainforest meets the tranquil coastline of San Josecito Beach, the Waves of Change Project offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to reconnect with nature and make a tangible difference for Costa Rica’s incredible wildlife. Based at a rustic, off-the-grid bush camp accessible only by boat, this immersive experience puts you at the heart of ethical conservation and environmental restoration.

Volunteers play a vital role in the final stage of the wildlife rehabilitation journey. Many of the animals at this site have come from a rescue center, having been injured, orphaned, or trafficked. Your mission is to support their transition back into the wild by providing environmental enrichment, preparing natural diets, tracking post-release behaviour, and helping maintain a pristine natural environment for future releases.

This is far more than a volunteering trip—it’s a chance to live in rhythm with nature, learn sustainable practices, and support an ecosystem that stretches into the heart of Piedras Blancas National Park, a 10,000-acre haven of biodiversity. Whether you're planting in the permaculture garden or reviewing field camera footage of rewilded animals, your time here will leave a lasting legacy.

Key Activities Include:

• Preparing natural diets and collecting native food sources
• Creating enrichment for animals in pre-release habitats
• Beach clean-ups to combat marine debris
• Setting and monitoring wildlife trail cameras
• Harvesting and planting in the permaculture garden
• Reviewing camera footage to monitor released animals
• Assisting with wildlife tracking in Piedras Blancas National Park
• Kayaking, swimming, and exploring the local environment during free time
By volunteering on our Waves of Change Project in Costa Rica, you will:

• Support ethical wildlife rehabilitation in the final phase before release
• Live in a remote, off-the-grid coastal rainforest sanctuary only accessible by boat
• Help prepare rescued animals for the wild by awakening natural instincts and foraging skills
• Monitor post-release behaviour using trail cameras and assist with wildlife tracking
• Gain hands-on experience in permaculture, enrichment design, and environmental education
• Keep San Josecito Beach clean and thriving by participating in regular beach clean-ups
• Immerse yourself in sustainable living and conservation in a globally significant ecosystem
• Build meaningful connections with like-minded volunteers from around the world
• Spend your free time hiking, kayaking, swimming with glowing plankton, or dolphin spotting
What to Expect: A Day in the Life on the Waves of Change Program In Costa Rica

Every day on the Waves of Change Project is a unique blend of coastal beauty, rainforest adventure, and impactful conservation work. You’ll live in a rustic bush camp where the jungle meets the sea, and each day offers a new way to contribute to the protection of Costa Rica’s wildlife.

Here’s what a typical day might look like:

6:00 AM – 7:30 AM: Morning Forage & Animal Feeding
Start your day by collecting wild forest edibles and preparing meals for the animals in the pre-release enclosures.

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Breakfast
Enjoy a hearty breakfast with fellow volunteers, surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest and the view of San Josecito’s pristine beach.

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Environmental Enrichment Activities
Work with your team to design and implement enrichment tools for rescued animals—helping them awaken natural instincts and build survival skills.

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Beach Clean-Up & Swim
Join the effort to keep San Josecito Beach free of floating ocean debris, followed by a refreshing dip in the clear coastal waters.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Trail Camera Monitoring
Check and swap out SD cards from field cameras monitoring animal movements within Piedras Blancas National Park.

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch
Refuel with a nutritious lunch prepared onsite, then relax or journal in the communal area.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Permaculture Gardening
Tend to the permaculture garden—planting, harvesting, or maintaining crops that support sustainability for both humans and animals.

3:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Afternoon Exploration or Conservation Tasks
Choose from optional activities such as:

Kayaking on the Golfo Dulce

Reviewing trail camera footage to monitor post-release animal behaviour

Taking a guided forest walk or beach stroll

Preparing for the next day’s enrichment activities

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Dinner & Community Time
Gather for a relaxed dinner and connect with your fellow changemakers. Evenings may also include sharing stories, reflecting on the day, or stargazing from the beach.

This is a rare opportunity to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with nature, while making a tangible difference in the lives of Costa Rica’s wildlife.
Your Impact as an Intern

Your time on the Waves of Change Project goes far beyond daily tasks—you're actively contributing to the ethical rehabilitation and reintegration of wildlife into one of Costa Rica’s most pristine ecosystems.

Through your efforts, you will:

• Provide rescued animals with essential survival skills through enrichment and diet training
• Support the release process for animals too specialised for typical rewilding centres
• Track and monitor animals post-release to ensure they’re thriving in the wild
• Protect San Josecito Beach from harmful debris and pollution through consistent clean-up efforts
• Contribute to sustainable living and food systems via permaculture gardening
• Help gather vital data on wildlife in Piedras Blancas National Park—one of the most remote rainforests in Costa Rica
• Be part of a team that’s setting a new standard for ethical, off-the-grid conservation work

Every action you take—whether it’s harvesting forest fruits or checking a trail camera—plays a part in a much larger mission: restoring balance between wildlife and wild spaces.
Your Off-Grid Home in Costa Rica

Your stay on the Waves of Change Project is a true back-to-nature experience. Set on the remote San Josecito Beach and accessible only by boat, the project’s rainforest bush camp offers rustic living designed to keep you immersed in the natural environment you’re helping to protect.

Sleeping Arrangements

You’ll stay in shared accommodation within simple, hostel-style cabanas—clean, comfortable, and equipped with beds and linens. Rooms are open-air with views of the beach or forest, offering a unique blend of wild and restful living.

Facilities

• Shared bathroom and shower blocks
• No air conditioning—cooled naturally by strong ocean breezes
• Fans available in rooms if needed
• Mosquitoes and sandflies are almost nonexistent due to island conditions
• All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are included in your stay

This is a fully off-the-grid experience. Wi-Fi is limited or unavailable, giving you the rare chance to disconnect from screens and reconnect with nature.
This program is hosted at one of Costa Rica’s leading wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres, located just outside of San José. Since its founding, the centre has worked tirelessly to rescue, treat, rehabilitate, and, whenever possible, release native wildlife affected by illegal trafficking, habitat loss, and human conflict.

With over 3,000 animals cared for annually, the organisation operates a full-scale veterinary hospital, an intensive care unit, and various specialised rehabilitation enclosures. Their multi-disciplinary team includes wildlife veterinarians, biologists, zookeepers, and educators who are passionate about conservation and animal welfare.

Their mission is to protect Costa Rica’s biodiversity through high-standard veterinary care, public education, and sustainable rehabilitation practices. Their vision is a world where humans and wildlife can coexist in balance—and every action they take moves us closer to that reality.

As a veterinary intern, you become a vital part of that vision, helping restore health and dignity to rescued animals while learning from professionals dedicated to ethical wildlife medicine.
Program Fees & What’s Included

Duration                  Program Fee

2 weeks                  €990

3 weeks                  €1,485

4 weeks                  €1,980

5 weeks                  €2,475

6 weeks                  €2,970

8 weeks                  €3,960

10 weeks                €4,950

12 weeks                €5,940

20 weeks                €9,900

25 weeks                €12,375

What’s Included:

Accommodation in the off-site volunteer guesthouse

Three home-cooked meals per day

Hands-on training from expert professionals

All internship-related materials and resources

Wi-Fi access and common area facilities

Airport pick-up and drop-off (San José area)

Full support before, during, and after your placement

Welcome pack full of useful info and insider tips

Domestic orientation and cultural immersion

100% Money-Back Cancellation Guarantee

So much more!

Your Investment in the Wild Release & Yourself

This Program is a true investment in your conservation journey. You’ll gain practical experience in wildlife release animal monitoring, wildlife behaviour studies, and field research.

Whether you’re pursuing a career in biology or simply passionate about helping wildlife thrive, this opportunity gives you the tools, confidence, and impact to make a real difference.

APPLY HERE

Volunteering Worldwide
Rooted In Purpose
And Connection

Where You'll Be: San José Region, Costa Rica

Your internship takes place at a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre just outside of San José, Costa Rica’s dynamic capital. Nestled in a green, tranquil setting, the centre offers the perfect balance between peaceful immersion in nature and convenient access to city amenities. Within a short drive, you can visit waterfalls, explore nature reserves, or soak in the rhythms of everyday life in bustling local towns.

The centre’s central location also makes weekend adventures across Costa Rica easy and accessible—from cloud forests and volcanoes to Pacific surf beaches and Caribbean coral reefs. You’ll be right in the middle of it all, while staying rooted in a community focused on conservation, learning, and meaningful impact.

About Costa Rica as a Destination

Costa Rica is a country that truly lives and breathes biodiversity. Home to over 500,000 species—including sloths, toucans, jaguars, tree frogs, and tapirs—this tiny Central American nation has become a global leader in eco-tourism and environmental protection. Roughly 25% of the country is protected through national parks and reserves, and its strong conservation culture has made it a hub for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world.

Expect warm tropical weather year-round, rich cultural traditions, and a strong emphasis on sustainability and community well-being. Costa Ricans—or Ticos, as they call themselves—are known for their warmth, friendliness, and the national motto Pura Vida, which translates to “pure life” and perfectly captures the spirit of this inspiring country.

Whether you’re exploring wild rainforests, learning from passionate locals, or enjoying a fresh coconut on a sunny beach, your time in Costa Rica promises to be as enriching as it is unforgettable.

Free time Activities
& Tours

When you're not busy helping animals heal, Costa Rica offers endless opportunities to relax, explore, and immerse yourself in its rich culture and breathtaking landscapes.

Here are just a few ways you can spend your free time: