GVI US would be more appropriate.

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Volunteering

Wild jungles. Epic adventures.

Wildlife Expedition in Costa Rica

Contribute to rainforest conservation while living in the heart of the jungle surrounded by Caribbean beaches.

Durations: 2 - 12 weeks
Fieldwork hours35 hrs of fieldwork per week
Participant ratio1:6 staff to participant ratio
GVI experiencesIncludes GVI Experiences
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Travel flexibility, because life happens! Modify your booking, even up to 48 hours before departure. T&Cs apply.

Program information

Join us in the heart of the wild Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve on the beautiful Caribbean coast. Travel to Costa Rica and live in the jungle, touring the local area, and working to monitor species like ocelots, mantled howler monkeys and the keel-billed toucan. Have the adventure of a lifetime with fellow nature lovers from around the world.

Overview
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
What's included
Life on Base
Experiences
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Free time & Cultural Immersion
Reviews
Speak to Alumni
Parent Info
Arrivals & Flights
Your Impact
Publications
Our Ethics
Program Ethics
Qualifications & Training Options
Support & Safety

Program overview

Elusive wild cats. Rare reptiles. Sea turtles and flamboyant birds. Home-brewed coffee. Costa Rican wildlife monitoring. Yoga. Night hikes. Relaxed living. Hands-on conservation. Game nights. Jungle and beach vibes. A group of like-minded people. Excited yet? This is the ultimate Costa Rican wildlife adventure.

This wildlife expedition on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast is the essence of remote exploration. It’s the perfect destination if you have a great sense of adventure, a passion for hands-on conservation work, love wildlife tracking or bird watching, and are looking to immerse yourself in one of the most biodiverse rainforests on Earth.

Live in the middle of the jungle surrounded by the natural beauty of Caribbean beaches. Hike the jungle trails with friends to conduct biodiversity surveys. Check camera traps for footage of elusive wild cats, look out for species like howler monkeys and red-eyed tree frogs, and explore remote streams searching for rare reptiles and amphibians. You’ll also monitor migratory raptors during peak seasons, contributing to local conservation strategies.

This is your chance to build personal and professional skills. You’ll participate in interactive training sessions to master practical techniques in wildlife monitoring and species identification, and immerse yourself in meaningful experiences that enhance your cultural connection. Learn to make traditional chocolate from cacao beans with Bribri family members, practice your Spanish skills with native speakers, and unwind with jungle stargazing, reflecting on your conservation journey.

Highlights

 

 

Experience the rainforest
Experience the rainforest
Live in a protected indigenous reserve, surrounded by abundant wildlife species like jungle cats, monkeys, tropical birds, birds of prey and reptiles.
Learn survey techniques
Learn survey techniques
Learn biodiversity survey techniques for animals in the species-rich Costa Rican rainforest, gaining hands-on field experience.
Be part of the real deal
Be part of the real deal
Contribute to ongoing environmental projects that address critical challenges aligned to the global United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Join ethical initiatives
Join ethical initiatives
Work with local conservation partners and qualified professionals to ensure your efforts are highly ethical, meaningful and sustainable.
Experience unreal adventures
Experience unreal adventures
Venture outside typical travel itineraries to get exclusive access to extraordinary remote habitats, rare species and unique ecosystems.
Make friends for life
Make friends for life
Share epic experiences with like-minded, passionate changemakers from all over the globe.
Enjoy a hassle-free, safe trip
Enjoy a hassle-free, safe trip
With expert staff and 24/7 support at every step – you can relax and enjoy the experience stress-free.
Take a break
Take a break
Disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature, yourself and your purpose.

Activities

Some of the example typical activities you could participate in on this program.

 

Monitor wild jungle cats
Monitor wild jungle cats
Contribute to research by setting up and checking camera traps to monitor the behaviour of wild cats like pumas, ocelots and jaguarundis.
Reptile and amphibian conservation
Reptile and amphibian conservation
Assist in biodiversity studies focused on reptiles and amphibians, including the eyelash palm pitviper, fer-de-lance and red-eyed tree frog.
Survey migratory/forest birds
Survey migratory/forest birds
Assist with research on hawks, kites, vultures and falcons. You’ll also help identify and capture data on forest birds like toucans and trogons.
Fieldwork training
Fieldwork training
Learn how to identify species, collect data and monitor individual animals. You will also receive health and safety training and training on the ethics of conversation work.
Biodiversity surveys
Biodiversity surveys
Conduct forest biodiversity surveys focused on key plant, insect, bird, mammal and reptile species.

Skills

  • Data collection
  • Population ecology
  • Species identification
  • Survey research
  • Wildlife conservation
  • Volunteering

Partners

Some of the partners we work with on base.

Kekoldi Indigenous Family

Program details

 
Included in your program, at no extra cost.

Make the most of our unique programs with these exclusively curated local adventure and wellness experiences.

Offered once a month, expand your adventure with GVI Experiences. These are just some of the activities offered on your program!
Traditional chocolate workshop
Traditional chocolate workshop
Waterfall hike
Waterfall hike
Moth and butterfly trapping
Moth and butterfly trapping
Sunrise in the rainforest
Sunrise in the rainforest
Conversational Spanish class
Conversational Spanish class
Stargaze in the jungle
Stargaze in the jungle
Wildlife photography workshop
Wildlife photography workshop
Yoga in the rainforest
Yoga in the rainforest
Connect with our alumni
Want to connect with some of our past participants about their adventures? Get in touch with hundreds of friendly ambassadors all over the world who would be more than happy to answer any questions.
Connect with us
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Join our Virtual Open Day!

Zoom webinar : Tuesday 15 July 2025 18:00 BST | 13:00 EDT

Join our open days to also get the chance to chat with our alumni. Sign up to book your spot now. We have limited availability.
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24 reviews

Daniel Lake

31 Mar 2025
I had a great time at Kekoldi. Its a special place that provides lots of great sightings found nowhere else in Costa RicaThe staff are incredibly knowledgable and show constant attention to your wellness and wellbeing.Even a 4 or 6 week stay is plenty as well you'll experience so much in that time.

Jake Weighell

5 Aug 2024
When I signed up to GVI Costa Rica, I was excited to see and work with the exotic animals in the rainforest. What I was not expecting was the amazing people that I would be working with, from making close friendships with the other participants, to lifetime bonds with the staff members themselves. This made the experience that much more rewarding and made it a joy to go out on surveys every morning and night to look at wonderful snakes and frogs, with equally amazing people.

Catherine Smith

7 Jun 2024
I have had the most incredible time here with GVI. It was better and more impactful than I ever could have hoped for. I would summarize my journey by saying you come for the conservation and animals, but you stay for the people. It is such a special place.

Lucia Eshleman

26 Apr 2024
I loved my time in Kekoldi! I thought going into it, 6 weeks would be so short but it flew by! I learned so much about tons of different species and my passion for wildlife really grew! I think the staff here is what makes this place so special. They are so kind and make everyone feel so important. Tom, Carlota, and Sandro were all highlights of my trip. I loved getting to know all the other volunteers, playing card games and going out on weekends was soooo much fun. I couldn't have been happier with my time here!! So thankful for these memories.

Joelle Lemoine

21 Mar 2024
Overall the experience met my expectations. The Kekoldi centre is a beautiful place to live in. I learned a lot about this incredible environment through the various training presentations and field experience enlighted by the passionate staff members. I especially enjoyed early morning sounds of nature (Howler monkeys, birds, cicadas). Thanks to this experience, I became even more in love and respectful of nature and the environment.

ANA LUIZA DONHA CARDOSO

15 Feb 2024
It was perfect, loved all the other volunteers and interns, and the staff were amazing, very attentive, great expertise in field and at the base. The place and the family were great and very friendly. I felt very safe and comfortable around everyone, if something were to happen (which didn't), I felt like they would handle it in the best way possible, and that I needn't be too worried about anything.

Serena Churchill

1 Feb 2024
I had an amazing 4 weeks volunteering in the Kekoldi indigenous reserve. The base is in a stunning location from which you can observe many animals in the nearby trees including sloths, toucans and monkeys. The research being carried out is very interesting and the staff are all very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their fields. Every day was different and we saw and learnt about different species each time we went out. The walking was challenging as it is hot and humid but I found that me and the other volunteers soon got used to it and it was well worth it when you saw a snake or a rare bird. I would thoroughly recommend this programme to anyone interested in nature and the rainforest.

Tyson Hone

23 Nov 2023
My experience was short but very worthwhile. Even in just two weeks I got to see so much wildlife and species that I will never see again. It was great to meet people who share a similar interest and it made hanging around the base lots of fun. Living in a treehouse in the middle of the forest took no time to adapt as it was one coolest things you could ever do.

Emma Sønneland Tislevoll

23 Nov 2023
The wildlife here is amazing, and it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to get to live in the rainforest. With that said, I think I came here at the wrong time where things were falling apart (staff-wise). Anyway, I have enjoyed these weeks and it will have a special place in my heart forever.

Jamie Smith

23 Nov 2023
It has been an amazing adventure with a great range of experiences seeing so much wildlife.

Gemma Lupton

30 Oct 2023
I had the best time and learned so much on this trip. I felt looked after the whole time and experienced things that truly are once in a lifetime- migrating birds, big cat camera trap footage, sloths and monkeys right outside base, to name a few! There is also a good mix of downtime as well, with weekends being your time to explore the local area.Be warned that it would definitely be helpful to have a good level of fitness for this as there is a lot of walking (up and down hills and on uneven surfaces) in humid conditions but don’t let that put you off. If you want to learn a lot, meet great people, see animals in their natural habitat and see a beautiful part of the world then don’t hesitate to book this trip!

Edward Sherman

20 Jul 2023
10/10 I loved my time at Kekoldi

Megan Whiddon

22 Jun 2023
My time at Kekoldi was absolutely amazing. I was extremely nervous going into it because I had never traveled on my own before, and I also didn't know any else doing the same program. Once I got onto base, I immediately felt a rush of relief. Everyone was so kind and passionate about conservation work. I truly learned so much and at the same time had so much fun meeting many people from all over the world. I definitely met lifelong friends during my time here. It inspired me even more to go into conservation work whether that be in volunteering or as a career. Waking up surrounded by the rainforest was a magical experience every morning. I will miss this place and these people with my whole heart, and I would recommend everyone who has the opportunity should go!

Drew Juergensen

22 Jun 2023
I loved the experience and the staff. It made me feel like I was part of a family. I loved how passionate people are here.

estefany holmen

1 Apr 2023
This experience was better than I could have ever imagined. I loved all the staff and how welcomed they made me feel. Everything was super organized and I felt safe at all times. If you are looking for a fun adventure I highly recommend GVI. You will meet amazing people and have even more amazing memories.

Søren Ro Danielsen Hansen

16 Mar 2023
It was a great experience, whole new world for me. Just what I wanted. loved the people and the staff was very passionate and helpful.

Gwen Beetham

4 Mar 2023
The experience was a lot of fun, I really enjoyed my time and will treasure it for life. I made so many amazing friends and saw so many amazing species. the base is in a stunning location and everyone was so friendly and welcoming.

Berenice Corona

4 Mar 2023
It is such an incredible experience for anyone who wants to explore the planet and be part of something bigger. The people you meet and the memories you make here will be something you talk about for the rest of your life.

Sheridan Hart

2 Feb 2023
It was really nice to get away from my hometown for a month. I have never left home by myself but this experience made me feel like I had made a completely new home. Everyone was so welcoming and I never felt uncomfortable or isolated.

Dylan Cook

2 Feb 2023
Kekoldi has been an incredible place to live for the past month. The family here has been wonderful, and the projects are interesting and feel good to contribute to. Together with the friendships I´ve made here, what I´ve been able to learn about the natural history of this beautiful place, from the staff, family, and other participants in such a short time, has made this a uniquely rewarding experience in my life. 10 out of ten, would recommend it, sad to leave, and would do it again! - Dylan

Louis Gibbons

17 Nov 2022
GVI Cahuita is an incredible program lead by an amazing team of staff. Whilst it is (currently) early days for the program and it’s been a struggle to change from Jalova to cahuita to wherever next, they have never failed to run the program to the best of their abilities and created an amazing experience for all of their volunteers. If you like wildlife or photography then this is for you. Warning- there’s a LOT of it!

Kathy Dawkins

11 Nov 2022
Spent 8 weeks doing biodiversity studies and enjoyed the experience and the people.

Rhys Williams

14 Oct 2022
The trip has been incredible and the people have been awesome!! I look forward to doing one again :)

Gabrielle Faith Dukes

16 Sept 2022
I am so grateful to have gotten to participate in this program. The people I have met and the things I have gotten to experience have been life altering. I have made lifelong friends from so many different parts of the world and learned about so many different cultures, including the one I got the pleasure of being immersed in.

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