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 Our CEIC-Whale and Dolphin Project is appealing to volunteers with a passion for marine wildlife looking to gain hands-on experience and insights into conservation issues related to cetaceans and the marine environment in one of the most beautiful parts of Costa Rica, Golfo Dulce.

Golfo Dulce is a perfect habitat for cetaceans (whales and dolphins). It still is a pristine area since many tourists who visit costa rica each year haven’t quite discovered its natural treasures yet. This is the reason why it is crucial to investigate what the ecosystem of Golfo Dulce needs to remain healthy. By researching marine top-predators, such as dolphins as model species, it is possible to draw conclusions concerning the over-all health of an ecosystem. By identifying areas that are crucial for the survival of our dolpphins (e.g. resting places, feeding places) and understanding the behaviour and tracking the abundance of the whales and dolphins in Golfo Dulce, we can ensure we have the information we need to best protect Golfo Dulce and all its habitants.

Volunteer Responsibilities

As a volunteer working at our CEIC-Whale and Dolphin Project, you will work side-by-side with the local team of researchers studying the local dolphin populations and migrating humpback whale populations within Golfo Dulce. When surveying for cetaceans, we will work on 10 meter boat from early morning to mid-afternoon for about six to eight hours at a time. You’ll help us carry light equipment to the boat and load it on. Everyone on the boat will have a specific task involving either handling video and photo equipment or recording instrument readings, such as GPS coordinates. We will also make visit adjacent coastal ecosystems and take short hikes.

Typical volunteer responsibilities include:
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• Participation in Photo-ID sessions
• Recording instrument readings, such as GPS coordinates
• Recording of data
• Carrying and maintaining equipment
• Data-base work

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Volunteers can expect to work 6-8 hours per day, 6 days per week.

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“El Chontal” is a locally owned eco-lodge, which provides research facilities, accommodation, and food for the researchers. Most of our volunteers stay on-site in one of our shared volunteer cabins.
Food can be adapted to any kind of diet, as long as it isn’t too special. Vegeterian diet is no problem at all. Three meals a day are always included, where on field days one meal (usually lunch) will be a boxed-lunch consisting of sandwiches and fruits.

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Golfo Dulce is considered a tropical fjord, where attributes and characteristics of both, coastal and oceanic habitats come together. This pristine, small inner sea is located south of the Osa peninsula on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The gulf has been shaped by tectonic forces and has a dominant coastline in the north that has a steep, forested and rocky shore. It is approximately 50 km (31 miles) long and 10-15 km (6 -9 miles) wide. The base-camp of CEIC and the Whale and Dolphin Project-Golfo Dulce is located in Rincón de Osa, in El Chontal, a localy owned eco-lodge, which provides research facilities, accommodation, and food for the researchers and volunteers.

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[tab_item title=”How to qualify”]

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• Age: Minimum age for children not traveling with a parent or guardian is 18 (or 16 with parent permission and an exception from our Director).
• Participants: Individuals, groups and families are welcome.
• Length: Minimum 7 days ; Maximum 13 days

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No trip is complete without experiencing the local surroundings. Available excursions for this program include, but are not limited to, the following:

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• Corcovado National Park (calculate at least 2-3 days)
• Frogs night tours
• Kayaking in mangroves
• Chocolate Tour (Finca Kekölbi)
• Visit of a Wildlife Sanctuary
• Snorkelling inside the Golfo

Contact us for more details.
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Includes:

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• Airport pick-up
• Hostel the first night
• Transportation to the project
• Lodging & Meals 10 nights at project
• 7 Boat Survey Trips (6 to 8 hours per day)
• Transportation back to the airport
• Country information and orientation
• Project training and in-country support
• Assistance with planning excursions and activities
• Reference letter or evidence of volunteer service hours
• 24 hour in-country emergency service

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Click here to compare to other programs and more information about pricing.

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