Bocas del Toro Spanish Program / Volunteer

At the time of this writing there is only one volunteer opportunity at our partner Spanish language school.

Please note that additional info (prices, activities, etc) are found to the right of this pages.

1. Sea Turtle Conservation Programs in Panama.
With less stringent enforcement of environmental regulations in Panama, much of the turtle conservation work in Costa Rica is being undermined in Panama. The turtle's traditional movements along the coastline bring them also to Panama and research has shown that a huge number of turtles protected in Costa Rica are being killed in Panama.

Work
A normal day of volunteer work starts at 10:00 p.m. You will join a small team that sets out to patrol the beaches for egg laying turtles. Upon contact you will tag, measure and monitor the turtle. Depending on the turtle's location you may also relocate the eggs to a hatchery for a safer location. Depending on the number of turtles, patrols stop between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. A late breakfast allow you to settle down for the rest of the day and relax to the sounds of the jungle backdrop. You might want to use this time to work in your course book from the Spanish language school.

When
March till end of June. You can do volunteer work before or after your Spanish language study. You need to work for at least one week in a row.

Costs
Be prepared to pay $100 per week to the local organization. This includes transportation, food and guidance.

Requirements
No previous experience or foreign language skills are required, but you must be able to work as part of a team, have a strong interest in wildlife and conservation and be respectful to the local community. Conditions are basic. Talk to the School Manager upon arrival to see if work is currently available.