Volunteer at this wildlife sanctuary in Costa Rica and aid the conservation of a range of endemic wildlife species as you help to protect these amazing animals from the dangers of deforestation.

Located in the rainforest of Costa Rica, the Sloth Conservation and Wildlife Experience has an incredibly unique and inspiring backstory. The project began back in 1999 when two young girls decided to make their mutual vision of saving the rainforest a reality. The duo began by selling handmade crafts on the side of the road to raise money towards rainforest protection, and eventually, their hard work paid off, with their little dream evolving into something much greater: a wildlife sanctuary!

Today, the once-humble wildlife sanctuary now helps countless animals throughout Costa Rica, taking in various wildlife species (such as monkeys, anteaters and exotic birds), and providing them with the care that they need. Whether working to rehabilitate the animals, preparing them for release, or creating a permanent home for those that can no longer survive in the wild, the Sloth Conservation and Wildlife Experience is a shining example of Costa Rica’s overall conservation efforts.

As a volunteer on this project, you will play a crucial role in contributing to the conservation of Costa Rica’s most exciting and diverse wildlife, including the beloved sloth. Your assistance with activities such as enrichment, food preparation, reforestation and maintenance will be crucial in helping the centre to run smoothly, ensuring that it can continue caring for the wildlife in the region for years to come.

Activities

Please be aware that this project is based at a wildlife sanctuary, and while sloths are resident here, there are numerous species of animals which also require care. You will spend time volunteering with a variety of animals (such as monkeys, anteaters and birds), so please come with an open mind and a willingness to work with a range of species and not just sloths.

Enrichment at the Sloth Conservation and Wildlife Experience

Enrichment You will complete a variety of enrichment activities which help to exercise the animals' wild instincts and give them the skills they need to survive in the wild. These can be both environmental and nutritional. For the environmental enrichment activities, you will head into the rainforest to find the leaves of native trees and palms to make the animals’ enclosure as close to their natural habitat as possible. For nutritional enrichment, you will come up with a variety of ways to teach the animals to forage for their food, much as they would in the wild. This is a crucial and exciting activity that gives you the chance to show your creative side!

Preparing Food at the Sloth Conservation and Wildlife Experience

Food Preparation & Distributing You will spend time collecting, preparing, and then distributing food and water to the animal residents at the sanctuary. You will do this alongside a trained animal caretaker who will ensure that you approach the enclosures in the correct manner and have prepared the correct food for the right animal. This is vital as certain animals will be on special diets and so the correct nutrition plan must be followed.

Cleaning an Enclosure at the Sloth Conservation and Wildlife Experience

Enclosure Cleaning To ensure that all the animals at the centre have a suitable environment in which to live, you will help to clean their enclosures on a regular basis (typically once a day). You will carry out this activity under the guidance of an animal caretaker, who will ensure that the correct procedures are carried out for the safety of both yourself and the animals.

Rescue at the Sloth Conservation and Wildlife Experience

Rescue & Release With almost 200 animal rescues and releases taking place each year, the sanctuary team certainly have their hands full! When either of these events takes place, you may have the chance to join the team and witness them in action. This could be anything from rescuing a monkey that needs medical attention to releasing a sloth back into its wild forest home!

Boot Camp at Sloth Conservation and Wildlife Experience

Boot Camp & Nursery A visit to the on-site ‘boot camp’ and sloth nursery is an excellent opportunity to learn about the vital work being undertaken at the sanctuary, right from the rescue of the little ones through to the rehabilitation of injured or habituated sloths. This is your chance to see these animals up-close and improve your understanding of what it takes to truly aid their conservation.

Marina Visit - Sloth Conservation and Wildlife Experience

Extra Activities One day a week, you and your group may opt to visit the local marina. Here, you can enjoy a delicious meal by the ocean, spend time checking out local shops, or simply enjoy a stroll along the boardwalk! (Please note that this is not a guaranteed part of your itinerary; similarly, you are able to opt-out of this excursion if you wish.)

Free Time Each week you will get one day off. You can spend your day relaxing by the onsite pool, exploring the local area, or, if you are feeling more adventurous, you could organise a day trip kayaking, parasailing, zip-lining or visiting the local national park (although these will come at an additional cost).

Itinerary

Below is an example of a 2-week itinerary. As this project is based at a wildlife sanctuary, the daily itinerary can often change depending on the sanctuary's needs and the animals present at any given time.

For families, it is possible to join this project for 1 week. Please enquire for more information.

Day 1 - The Adventure Begins: After arriving at the project site, you will be given time to settle in and meet the other volunteers. Depending on your arrival time, you may also take a tour of the wildlife sanctuary and facilities, including the pool, restaurant and laundry room. In the evening, you will enjoy a delicious meal and spend your time getting to know your fellow volunteers!

Day 2-14 - Project Days: Each day, you will take part in two different activities. Your first will begin after breakfast at 8:00am and take you all the way to lunch. After having lunch as a group you will then take part in your second activity, usually between 1:30pm and 4:00pm. Each evening you will then have time to relax after a day's work with the rest of your group and enjoy dinner. During this time you will also have a day off where you can explore the local area and also a day where you will visit the local marina with your group.

Day 15 - Fond Farewells: Today is your final day on the project, which sadly means it is time to bid farewell to your fellow volunteers, the staff and all of the animals at the sanctuary! You will have a lovely send-off with time to share any favourite memories or photographs with your group, and of course enjoy a delicious meal before transferring back to the airport (either by taxi or by bus).

Durations & Prices

To secure a place on this project, a deposit of $245 is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due 60 days before your start date.

Flexible Payment Options: If you select a start date more than 3 months in advance, we offer convenient payment plans, allowing you to pay off your balance in instalments.

Tip: You can join on any day of the year, so if your preferred date is not listed, please get in touch with our travel team to book an alternative.

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Accommodation

Volunteer Accommodation

During the project, you will be assigned a bunk bed in one of two dorm rooms at the volunteer house, where you'll stay with up to 12 other volunteers. Whenever possible, the floors are separated by gender. The volunteer house offers shared facilities, including showers with a rounded stone-wall partition and curtain, as well as similarly separated toilets. There is also a kitchen with a dining table, a fridge for drinks and snacks, and lockers to store valuables.

Additionally, there is a separate room with a bunk bed and an en-suite bathroom set aside for couples or parents with children. This room is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Accommodation Upgrade

You can upgrade to stay in one of three on-site private cottages for an additional cost of $188 per cottage per night (subject to availability). Each cottage has two double beds and private bathroom facilities and can accommodate up to 4 people. They are situated close to the project's restaurant area and swimming pool, and are a great option for couples or families looking for an added level of comfort and privacy.

Meals & Beverages

Three meals a day are provided for you whilst on the project. Breakfast includes a variety of cereals, toast, fruit and fruit juice. Lunches and dinners are buffet-style and will typically consist of rice, beans, salad, and vegetables, with the other parts of the meal changing on a regular basis.

Clean drinking water and a variety of juices are also available to drink throughout the day, and you can purchase soft drinks on-site. We can cater for vegans, vegetarians, and for those with food allergies.

Project Details

When Is The Best Time To Volunteer?

As this project is predominantly based on the rescue and rehabilitation of animals year-round, there is no preferred time to volunteer when it comes to the animals you see. Certain animals will reside at the centre for life, and new animals arrive on a regular basis, so you’re guaranteed to see an array of species!

However, the weather can have an impact on both your involvement with and the visibility of wild animals. The dry season runs from January through to the middle/end of April, and throughout this time the forests will be slightly barer due to a lack of rain, meaning fewer wild animals may be seen in the region. The rainy season in Costa Rica runs from May until December, and this is when the forests in the region really come to life. It will still be very warm during these months, with the rains typically falling in the afternoons or evenings, therefore, you may find it preferable to volunteer between May and December when the forests are at their fullest.

Average Monthly Weather in Quepos, Costa Rica

The rainy season is also the most likely time for reforestation activities to take place, so if this is an activity you would like to take part in, we advise travelling between May and December.

Getting There

You will need to arrive into San Jose Airport in Costa Rica, located approximately 3 hours from the project site. Transfers are not included in the cost of the project but can be arranged at an additional cost of $225 each way. If you need a transfer from a hotel/accommodation in San Jose as opposed to the airport, this can also be arranged but the transfer fee is $250 (single journey).

Alternatively, there is a regular bus service between San Jose (bus station) and Quepos, which is close to the project site. This service usually takes between 3-5 hours and costs approximately US$10. Upon arrival in Quepos, you would need to take a taxi to the project site, which will cost an additional US$20. Please contact us for further information on scheduling and pricing.

Where possible, it would be better if you could arrive into San Jose before 12pm; this way you will arrive at the project site before it gets dark and will be able to enjoy dinner with your fellow volunteers! If this is not possible, you must arrive by 3pm if you wish to take a transfer to the project site.

Visa Requirements

Most nationalities, including British and American citizens, do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica but will need to provide evidence of onward travel plans such as a flight ticket or bus ticket exiting the country. We do, however, recommend checking with your local embassy regarding visa requirements.

Fitness & Skills

There are no specific skills needed to take part in this project, but you do need to be passionate about animals and willing to get involved in a variety of activities. You will spend a lot of time on this project on your feet, walking from location to location and possibly carrying moderately heavy objects, so you will need to have a good level of fitness. It can be very humid in Costa Rica, so please bear this in mind when deciding if this is the project for you. If you are offered the opportunity to take part in reforestation, please be aware that this involves a lot of walking on uneven ground, as well as up and down quite steep terrain. In the rainy season, this land overall can be quite treacherous, so be sure to take the correct footwear, as well as consider your own physical capabilities.

Vaccinations

To take part in this project, you must be vaccinated against Tetanus and provide proof of this prior to arrival. Other vaccinations will depend on your medical history, and we recommend consulting your GP/Doctor regarding your own needs. Please note that volunteers with Measles or the Herpes Simplex Virus (with active sores) will not be able to work with the monkeys as the animals are very susceptible to viral infections.

No Contact Policy

We are often asked whether or not volunteers will have the chance to touch or hold the sloths whilst on this project. Our answer to this question is, and will always be no, and this is for good reason.

We always need to keep the best interest of the animals in mind and human contact can have a harmful effect on sloths as well as other wildlife. Touching and holding sloths is detrimental to the possibility of their release and increases the risk of infections. The No Contact Policy also stands to protect these animals from accidental injury from inexperienced handlers. By having this policy, the sanctuary avoids unnecessary captivity and demonstrates respect for the wild nature of these animals.

Although you will not have hands-on contact with the sloths, you will still be able to observe them regularly and see how your contribution to their husbandry and enrichment makes a real difference in their lives!

Videos

Sloth Conservation and Wildlife Experience Project Video

Discover the Sloth Conservation and Wildlife Experience

Join a life-changing volunteer experience in Costa Rica, where you'll help care for rescued wildlife, support rehabilitation efforts, and enjoy unforgettable adventures in a tropical paradise.

Sloth Conservation and Wildlife Experience - Review Video

Volunteers Share Their Experiences

Hear from Kaitlyn and Bryan as they discuss their time on the project, from being involved in hands-on conservation work to actively participating in a sloth rescue, as well as their unforgettable free time adventures.

Sloth Conservation and Wildlife Experience Veterinarian Interview

Protecting Costa Rica’s Wildlife

Valeria, one of the team's dedicated vets, explains the threats Costa Rica's wildlife face, and how volunteers can work as part of the team to help secure a safer future for them.

Meet the Founder of The Sloth Conservation and Wildlife Experience

The Origin of The Sloth Conservation and Wildlife Experience

The Sloth Conservation and Wildlife Experience has a wonderful back story of two young girls who wanted to save the rainforest. We sat down with the founder of the project, Jennifer for a chat about their incredible history and what volunteers experience whilst on the project.

Gallery

News & Stories

6 Fun Sloth Facts for International Sloth Day 2024

NEWS | Oct 2024

International Sloth Day is all about celebrating the importance of sloths in the wild. Learn 6 fun sloth facts, explore their role in rainforest conservation, and find out how you can help protect their future!

Read Now

Snack Time for Sloth’s Izzy and Fozzy!

UPDATE | Oct 2024

Today, two-toed sloths Izzy and Fozzy enjoyed some delicious hibiscus flowers as part of their daily enrichment. At the sanctuary, each animal receives unique enrichment every day to keep them mentally stimulated and thriving.

Meet Some of the Faces at the Sloth Conservation & Wildlife Experience

ARTICLE | Sep 2024

Join us as we showcase the incredible work of the Sloth Conservation & Wildlife Experience by introducing you to some of the beloved sanctuary residents and their inspiring stories.

Read Now

Reviews

Richard Howard, 2024

This was a fantastic experience for our family! (Especially my two daughters) The project is doing some fantastic work, rescuing and caring for many injured animals. We spent a week at the sanctuary and got involved in many different tasks with the team, who were all very welcoming. The surrounding scenery and nature is amazing - we saw so many wild animals including monkeys, birds, reptiles and insects. The accommodation is really nice and there is a large swimming pool to cool off in at the end of the day.

Leonille Beck, 2024

I started the trip with a friend. We arrived at the sanctuary the very next day - we were now in the middle of the jungle near Quepos, so it was very humid. We received a friendly welcome and were shown around the entire facility. After moving into our rooms, we got to know all the animals. In the sanctuary there were sloths, parrots, monkeys, pigs and much more. It was our first day of two weeks at the sanctuary. It was two weeks full of fun, fascination, and a lot of work. We made friends with the other volunteers, but also with the animals. We would do it again any time. Lauren was a great help to us in advance, a big thank you to her again. Pura Vida! Leonille

Inge Westerlinck, 2024

Pura Vida! I have never been to a place more alive or more green in my life and I have travelled a lot! The sanctuary is absolutely brilliant. Amongst other things, I was also able to help out on one of their castration campaign days where we neutered and spayed 25 dogs and cats in a local village. It was a wonderful experience to see the impact this had on the local community and hopefully also on future wildlife. Less dogs on the beach equals less turtle eggs eaten, so was great to be part of this. I arrived in a staff transition period so the first few days were a little bit confusing but once that was sorted, it was great. One of the volunteers showed me the ropes on how to feed the animals in the sanctuary and clean their enclosures. The staff looked after us and made sure we had a fantastic experience. On one of our volunteer days they took us for surf lessons on a beautiful local beach where I learned to surf at the age of 55, amazing experience! The shared accommodation was more than adequate and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.