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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 Wildlife Hospital Rehabilitation Internship in Costa Rica offers an opportunity to support the recovery and rehabilitation of rescued wildlife within a clinical environment.
Based in the veterinary hospital, this program focuses on assisting the veterinary team with the day-to-day care of animals undergoing treatment and rehabilitation. The centre receives a high number of wildlife cases, and this role plays an important part in ensuring animals receive consistent care throughout their recovery.
As part of the team, you will support a range of tasks including assisting with new animal arrivals, helping during routine checks and clinical procedures, and contributing to the daily care of hospitalised animals. This includes preparing food, maintaining clean enclosures, and ensuring animals are monitored closely throughout their stay.
You may also assist during surgeries and support the veterinary team in treatments and rehabilitation processes, gaining valuable insight into how injured and orphaned wildlife are cared for before being released back into their natural environment.
This internship is suited to students or individuals with a background in veterinary science, animal care, biology, or related fields. Due to the nature of the work, applicants must meet specific requirements and will go through an interview process prior to acceptance.
A trial period is in place at the start of the program to ensure suitability for both the volunteer and the team.
By volunteering on our Wildlife Hospital Rehabilitation Internship Program in Costa Rica, you will:
✅ Support the care and recovery of wildlife within a veterinary hospital setting
✅ Assist with new animal arrivals and ongoing patient care
✅ Gain insight into clinical procedures and rehabilitation processes
✅ Support feeding, cleaning, and daily care of hospitalised animals
✅ Assist veterinary staff during routine checks and treatments
✅ Be part of the rehabilitation and release journey of rescued wildlife
✅ Work alongside a professional veterinary and conservation team
✅ Develop practical experience within a structured clinical environment
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Hospital Rehabilitation Intern
Your experience is centred around supporting the daily operations of a professional wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre. Each day is structured around the needs of the animals and the ongoing work required to maintain a safe, clean, and well-managed environment.
A typical day runs from around 7:30am to 3:30pm and is divided into three main work periods, with a morning break and a lunch break in between. While the structure of the day remains consistent, the specific tasks and responsibilities can vary depending on the needs of the centre at that time.
Work is structures, practical, and guided by experienced staff. You will be supporting a range of essential activities that contribute to animal care, enclosure maintenance, food preparation, and the overall running of the facility. Every task plays an important role in ensuring the wellbeing and rehabilitation of the animals.
This is a physically active role that requires a strong work ethic, adaptability, and attention to detail. The focus is always on animal welfare, and volunteers are expected to follow guidance carefully and maintain a high standard of responsibility throughout their time on the program.
To ensure the highest ethical standards are upheld, direct contact with wildlife is managedi strictly by trained professionals only. This approach prioritises the animals’ natural behaviours and long-term rehabilitation success.
Time Off & Daily Rhythm
Outside of working hours, you will have time to relax, connect with other volunteers, and enjoy your surroundings. Volunteers receive two days off per week, which are selected on-site and may vary from week to week.
This flexible structure allows you to balance meaningful conservation work with time to rest, recharge, and explore the local area.
Your Impact as a Volunteer
As a Wildlife Hospital Rehabilitation Intern, your role directly supports animals during one of the most critical stages of their recovery.
By assisting with daily care, maintaining clean and safe environments, and supporting the veterinary team, you help ensure that each animal receives the attention and consistency required for recovery.
Your contribution supports the rehabilitation process, helping animals regain strength and health before being released back into their natural habitat whenever possible.
You also play a key role in supporting the wider veterinary team, allowing them to focus on specialised treatments and urgent care. This strengthens the overall impact of the centre and contributes to ongoing wildlife conservation efforts.
At the same time, you gain valuable experience within a clinical wildlife setting, building skills and knowledge that can support future careers in veterinary care, conservation, or animal welfare.
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
4 Weeks €813Accommodation 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.
Requirements 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
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
✖️ Visa costs (if required)
✖️ Meals
✖️ Transfers/Transportation to wildlife rescue centre
✖️ Travel insurance
✖️ Personal expenses
✖️ Additional tours or activities
✖️ Vaccinations (if required)
Your Investment in Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Yourself
Joining our Wildlife Hospital Rehabilitation Internship in Costa Rica is far more than just a travel experience — it’s a meaningful investment in wildlife rescue, veterinary rehabilitation, and your own personal and professional growth. Working alongside experienced wildlife professionals, you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience supporting the treatment, recovery, and care of injured, orphaned, and displaced animals native to Costa Rica.
From assisting with animal rehabilitation and enclosure maintenance to supporting daily hospital operations, your contribution plays a direct role in giving wildlife the best possible chance of recovery and release back into the wild.
Your program fees directly support:
• Veterinary treatment and rehabilitation of rescued wildlife
• Daily feeding, care, and enrichment of recovering animals
• Ethical wildlife rescue and rehabilitation operations
• Local employment, training, and conservation education
• Improvements to medical facilities, equipment, and animal enclosuresThis internship gives you the opportunity to develop practical conservation and animal care skills while becoming part of a passionate mission to protect and rehabilitate Costa Rica’s incredible wildlife.
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
