Volunteer at one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries to support wildlife in Costa Rica.
If you're looking to invest your time meaningfully, learn more, and contribute to caring for Costa Rica’s exotic animals, NATUWA welcomes you — where your efforts will make a positive impact on the ecosystem.
🌟 About the Program (please read)
There are two types of programs:
1. Standard Volunteer Program:
Work hours: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Daily routine:
• 6:00 – 8:00: Morning feeding (supervised) – animals are most active
• 8:00 – 8:30: Breakfast
• 8:30 – 12:00: Daily tasks
• 12:00 – 1:00: Lunch & rest
• 1:00 – 3:00: Afternoon feeding
• 6:00: Dinner
2. Veterinary Internship:
Work hours: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Designed for vet students to apply their skills in a real environment
• 7:00 – 8:00: Morning rounds
• 8:00 – 8:30: Breakfast
• 8:30 – 12:00: Treatment & lab work
• 12:00 – 1:00: Lunch & rest
• 1:00 – 4:00: Feeding, lab work, enrichment activities
• 6:00: Dinner
Requirements:
✔ Intermediate English
✔ Spanish is a plus
✔ 18+ years old
✔ Individuals and couples accepted
Volunteers will help with:
✔ Watering plants
✔ Preparing animal food
✔ Rehab & release
✔ Health checks and treatment
✔ Annual check-ups
✔ Lab testing (feces, blood)
✔ Behavioral enrichment
✔ Feeding baby/orphaned animals
Minimum stay: 1 week
Maximum: 1 month (extendable in special cases)
• No smoking anywhere on or near NATUWA property
• No talking to animals to avoid human attachment
• No feeding outside of scheduled times
• No flash photography
• No drug use
• No alcohol
• Respect staff (no harassment, racism, or discrimination)
• No bringing outsiders to the sanctuary
• Shorts not allowed during work
• Safety gear required (gloves, helmet, goggles, shoes, pants)
• No electronic devices during work
• No insect repellent with DEET
• Airport: Juan Santamaria (San José, Costa Rica)
• The project is 2.5 hours away by car
• Arrival should be on the same day the program starts (preferably during daylight)
• Sanctuary shuttle available for $120 one-way (cash only – don’t leave the airport until you see someone holding a sign with your name wearing a NATUWA shirt)
• Alternatively, rent a taxi or take a bus (at your own risk)
• Shared container rooms with ceiling fans and forest views
• Social space with chairs, tables, and 2 hammocks
• Some rooms have private bathrooms/showers, others use shared ones
• Showers are cold — refreshing after a hot day
• Bring your own mosquito net
• 3 traditional meals a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Tea, local coffee, and fresh juice served with each meal
• Free time after 4:00 PM
• One day off weekly (coordinate with staff)
• Nearby store (15 min walk)
• Nearby river for swimming (20 min walk)
• Weekly cultural day: group trip (with sanctuary vehicle – extra fee)
📌 It’s recommended to stay in groups and inform staff before going out
Average temperatures: 24°C–29°C
Coastal areas are warmer – highlands are cooler
Currency: Costa Rican Colón – $1 ≈ ₡500
• Cards and Apple Pay are accepted
• ATMs and currency exchange at the airport
Not mandatory, but recommended.
See your doctor or travel clinic for advice. Mention your trip is to “The Garden Route – Costa Rica.”
The program runs all year (flexible date selection).
[Full date list removed for brevity – can be added if needed]
Click the booking button and enter your basic information. After registration, you will be redirected to the payment page
You will be redirected to the deposit payment page. A payment link will also be automatically sent to your email
After paying the deposit, the program leader will contact you to complete the remaining details such as flight booking and additional information related to the program
After paying the deposit, you will be contacted to complete the remaining details and pay the remaining amount before the trip
In this type of travel, you’ll head out alone from your home country without a group or a team leader — but it won’t be a lonely trip. Instead, it’s a rich and vibrant experience surrounded by volunteers from all over the world.
🔹 You’re not alone out there!
Although you’ll begin the journey on your own, you’ll join a group of volunteers from diverse cultures and backgrounds. You’ll live, work, and learn with people who share your passion for personal growth and positive impact.
🔹 The ideal duration? At least two weeks
Participation length varies by program, but it typically requires a minimum of two weeks. The longer you stay, the deeper and more transformative the experience becomes on a personal level.
🔹 An experience that will change your life
We believe this kind of journey is one of the most powerful ways to invest in yourself, face your fears, and break away from societal routine. That’s why we wholeheartedly encourage you to take the leap — your life before and after the experience will never be the same.
🔹 We’re more than just a travel platform
From the moment you sign up to the moment you return, we’re with you every step of the way: offering emotional and logistical support, preparing and guiding you throughout your entire journey.
💡 Important note:
If you’re feeling hesitant or afraid to take this step, you’re welcome to join a personal, motivational workshop led by project founder Yazan Badarna — specially designed to help you overcome fear and doubt and take that first step.
✨ Thousands have gone before you
Hundreds of people have already taken part in this journey with HomeAwe — and each one returned with a unique story, a stronger heart, and a renewed outlook on life.