Conservation - COSTA RICA Daily Life

Daily Life of a Conservation Volunteer in Costa Rica

From Monday to Friday we have a set schedule at Barra Honda National Park, with everyone getting out of bed at around 7:00-7:30am for breakfast which is always provided by Meicel, usually consisting of Gallo Pinto (a local dish made up of beans, rice and egg), although she always tries to provide different dishes with pancakes, fruit salads or bread, sausage and egg on the menu as well..

Work always begins at 8:30am, so there is plenty of time to wake up and have breakfast before the main day's activity starts. This activity is usually something based further into the park, working with our automatic camera system to monitor wildlife, working on the restoration of the two tourist caves which have been badly treated over the years, clearing fire breaks and trails, checking the butterfly traps stationed around the park or taking part in a number of maintenance projects around the park.

The work is always varied and the conservation staff will organise many different activities for you during the week. At 12pm we usually get back to the main camp, although sometimes it can be later. You can shower then settle down for lunch, which can be anything from pasta to meat stew to mixed rice dishes. We then usually have time free until 3pm, usually spent playing cards, watching movies, listening to music or reading, anything that isn't too strenuous due to the heat!

At 3pm, just as the temperature is beginning to drop again, we start our afternoon activity which is usually based closer to the camp. It could be working in the native tree nursery garden, maintenance and improvement of the park's community football field, walks to local communities to view scarlet macaws and try a local wine and many other projects that come and go depending on the season.

We generally finish our afternoon's work by about 6pm, with enough time to shower and change again before dinner. After which we have time to look over the next day's work plan which is posted by the conservation manager just before dinner, talk about the work we will be doing and answer any questions. In the evening we have time to socialise by playing cards, chatting, watching movies or visiting the local bar for a few drinks. Most people are generally thinking about going to bed by about 9pm, although there is no problem if you want to stay up a little later as long as you keep noise to a minimum as other people may be sleeping near you.

On Fridays we always have a progress meeting between the volunteers and the Projects Abroad staff, which helps make sure everyone is happy with the work, the food and every other aspect of life in the park.

Saturdays and Sundays are always free, which means that you have time to visit local beaches or other parks in the area. You could also go to the local town, Nicoya, where you can shop, use the internet, rent movies and generally make sure you don't loose touch with civilisation!

Once back at the park on Saturday afternoon there is the option to go for walks around the park, visit the bar's swimming pool or just relax and re-energise for the next weeks work!