We have the perfect volunteer project that matches all skills and interests. One of our goals is to make international volunteerism very affordable so more people with good intentions can travel to lend a hand.
As a volunteer you will stay in project station sharing a dorm with other participants, three traditional meals per day (vegetarian available). It is a wonderful opportunity to be immersed in a new culture and to develop Spanish language skills while becoming part of a community.
The project house has personal lockers on the rooms, electricity, fans and mosquito nets in the rooms. If you do not speak any Spanish, no worries, our staff is bilingual and will make you feel at home.
Safe drinking water, coffee and tea are always available at the station. Three full delicious local meals a day are provided daily by our local cooks. Typical dishes include rice, beans, plantains, fish, chicken and fresh fruit. Vegetarian & vegan diets can easily be accommodated.
Free from distractions and the constraints of daily schedules, meals here give us a chance to slow down and enjoy the fresh tastes and local flavours of Nicaragua.
Volunteers applying should enjoy manual work, handling wildlife, and working unusual hours as turtle nesting occurs during the night. No prior knowledge or experience is necessary.
Nicaragua is generally a safe country, but travel to and work in rural areas where medical facilities are limited carries certain inherent dangers. Volunteers are required to sign a waiver to release our organization from responsibility for any illness, accident, or injury incurred during their stay in Nicaragua. It is strongly recommended that volunteers carry valid insurance to cover medical emergencies during travel abroad. We also suggest you bring a personal first aid kit
The idea of working to help save endangered sea turtles can seem like a very romantic getaway. However, the reality can be a quite different experience. When deciding if you want to volunteer, please remember that:
Past comments from turtle volunteers include “The work was too hard”, “There was nothing to do during the day”, “Too many mosquitoes” and “Too hot, couldn’t sleep”.
Working with the turtles is an unforgettable and often a life-changing experience and we really need your help, however the experience is not for everyone.
Please think about these points before applying for your volunteering!
Still want to help us save endangered sea turtles? Download our Volunteer Form and sign up today!
Volunteers are able to join any time all year round.
Generally speaking, you can start our projects on any day. When you apply, you will specify the start and end dates. We will just check availability and inform you as soon as possible.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so there is no firm deadline for applications.
Check our prices & payments page to see discounts according the duration of your volunteering.
You can choose to volunteer from 1 to 24 weeks. Volunteers staying 8 weeks or more have a special condition to work as project interns obtained a special discount.
Plan your dates
The experience of working in a foreign country, and making a meaningful contribution to issues important to you, can invigorate your confidence in your own abilities; likewise, participating in an ongoing conservation program can renew your faith in the capacity of people to work together to make a difference in their lives and their environment. Nevertheless you need to be careful and understand well local cultural codes.
Upon arrival to the project site volunteers will be provided with a brief project orientation and training, before being immediately involved in field activities.
We enjoy sharing our way of life with visitors and firmly believe that both volunteers and local people can benefit by meeting and learning about each others’ lives. You will receive a warm welcome at Casa Carey and in turn we ask that you are respectful of communities, its norms and culture, which may be different to your own. Volunteers are expected to act in a responsible manner, eg. no drugs, and no drunken or overtly sexual behaviour. Please remember that in many ways Nicaragua is still a conservative country and act accordingly.
Field training takes place on the next two days after your arrival.
Be Prepared for the Real Experience
As a future volunteer, your contributions assist in building a sense of local pride and increasing awareness, demonstrating the importance and benefits of protecting sea turtles and marine resources in general. Aside from working directly with the turtles, volunteers also have opportunities to get involved in other local ecological and social issues, providing unique cultural and educational experiences for both volunteers and locals alike.
Depending on the type of work that you are performing, your hours can vary between 4-8 hours in the morning, afternoon, or night, with a minimum of one day off per week. We are flexible with long term volunteers to put together days off and organize some multy-day trips out of the project.
Our program is developing a whole program of conservation that integrates environmental education, community development and investigation enforce the well being of the local people. Our volunteer program is designed to give our volunteers a hands-on experience in sea turtle conservation.
Volunteer activities include:
Free Time:
The activities during your free time will be dependent on your preference. You may decide to take advantage of the local culture and spend time within the community in your days off or explore nearby beaches and towns. We have available a list of local tours (volcano hiking, horse back riding, kayaking ….) that you´d do whenever you want.
* Does not apply if you stay less than 4 weeks
For a modest fee, we offer in-country travel packages that make your arrival and departure simple, safer and more enjoyable. For those with other travel plans or simply looking for a bit more adventure, contact us at info@sosnicaragua.org and we can provide you with directions on getting to the project sites on your own. If you do decide to travel on your own, please be sure to arrive at the project site on the day you are scheduled!
The activities during your free time will be dependent on your preference. You may decide to take advantage of the local culture and spend time within the community in your days off or explore nearby beaches and towns. We have available a list of local tours (trekking, volcanoes, horses, farming, surfing….) that you´d do whenever you want.