The rustic camp is made up of two mixed dormitory-style cabins with 8-10 volunteers per cabin, staff cabins, a communal kitchen, a chill-out area and a garden area with fruiting trees, a small greenhouse and a chicken coop. There is basic solar electricity and WiFi on the project, as well as Western toilets and clean drinking water. The trees above the buildings are regularly used as monkey crossings or perches for birds, and the river behind the property is full of small mammals and amphibians. There are lots of areas to explore in search of wildlife!!
Included Transportation
From San Jose to Puerto Jimenez: the public bus is around 8 hours, and departs from San Jose at 12:00.
From Puerto Jimenez to the project, the collectivo departs at 13:30 and it takes around 2 hours.
The return transfer at the end of your stay from the project to Puerto Jimenez is at 08:30.
Arrival Package
You can book an arrival package including transfer from the airport to your accommodation in San Jose, one night's accommodation in San Jose in either a private room at Hotel Aranjuez/Fleur de Lys (including breakfast) or a shared dorm at La Capital Hostel San Jose, and a public bus transfer from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez. You need to make your own way from your accommodation to the bus station in San Jose.
Departure Package
You can also book a departure package, the colectivo from the project to Puerto Jimenez is included, you then switch to a public bus transfer from Puerto Jimenez to San Jose, one night's accommodation in San Jose in either a private room at Hotel Aranjuez/Fleur de Lys (including breakfast) or a shared dorm at La Capital Hostel San Jose, and a transfer to the airport the following day. You need to make your own way from the bus station in San Jose to your accommodation.
You can also book a combination of both Arrival and Departure packages.
3 meals a day, mostly vegetarian, are included. Breakfast included in San Jose only with private rooms at Hotel Aranjuez/Fleur de Lys if you include the arrival/departure packages.
What to do in your free time
There are a lot of different activities around the Osa Península.
- Corcovado National Park
- Surfing in Matapalo
- Horse-riding
- Chocolate tour
- Whale and dolphin tour
- Waterfall hike
- Guided gold-mining tour
- Plus a lot of free activities: night walks, jungle walks, beach cleans, game and movie night, pizza nights, etc.
Swimming is not permitted at the beach next to the camp, however you can enjoy activities such as beach playing games, looking for animals or taking in the awesome views.
Volunteers are also welcome to use the pool at a nearby lodge for a small fee.
What to bring
- Small backpack (for turtle patrols/day bag, preferably a dry bag backpack)
- Drybag (especially important in wet season, can be a smaller size to keep your electronics in if you already have a dry bag backpack)
- Hat and sunglasses
- Water bottle (at least 1L capacity)
- Wash kit:
• Toothbrush (2), toothpaste, hairbrush
• Tweezers, small scissors, nail file
• Sanitary products (a menstrual cup/reusable pads are preferred to reduce waste)
• Talc powder (very important to keep your feet dry during rainy season)
• Antibacterial soap, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant (all shampoos/soaps etc. must be fully biodegradable)
• Natural insect repellent (must be DEET-free)
• Suncream (factor 50+), after sun/moisturizer, aloe vera/coconut oil (both very useful as after sun, for mosquito/sandfly bites)
- Headtorch WITH RED LIGHT FUNCTION (in all night patrol work we use red light only, rechargeable’s preferred and if you are staying for a long period, it’s a good idea to bring a spare) and its batteries
- Waterproof wristwatch
- Medical kit
- Travel documents (passport, copy of medical insurance, personal medication information, vaccine card)