Intern­ship Abroad Costa Rica: Forest Conser­va­tion

Yes, to join as either a research intern or independent researcher, it is required that you have academic or practical experience working with flora or fauna research. You must submit an application with your CV and two references. Independent researchers must additionally submit a brief (one-page-long) research proposal. If you plan to publish your research in a peer-reviewed journal, you will need to let us know at least six weeks before your departure so that your research permit can be arranged. Participants must be at least 20 years old, be physically fit (lots of hiking on steep terrain involved), be responsible and motivated and be able to work well in a team and live in a close-knit community.

Natucate will support you throughout your internship experience, from organising the logistics of your stay, to assisting with flight reservations and guiding you through the visa processes. During your stay, you will be lodged in a shared dorm room and have access to all reserve facilities. Our partner staff will be there to support you 24/7 while in Costa Rica, and Natucate is also reachable at any point during your stay abroad if you have questions. Visa fees, flights and meals are not included in the project costs.

The risk of infection is unlikely, given the high altitude of the reserve, but tropical diseases such as dengue fever, malaria and zika are present in other areas of the country. Always consult your doctor before travelling abroad, and check your country’s travel advice for Costa Rica to inform yourself about vaccination recommendations.

There are two types of venomous snakes at the reserve, although they are rarely spotted, and there are no records of anyone being bitten. There are also wild pigs called peccaries, which have also never attacked anyone on the reserve, but they are known to charge when startled. Before arrival, all information about flora and fauna to look out for at the reserve will be provided to you.

Yes, travel insurance is a must. We can assist in finding one for you.

It is recommended that you bring your laptop and working gloves. For independent researchers, please let us know what equipment you will need for your data collection so that we can communicate with our partners and let you know what will be available during your stay.

You will receive a detailed packing list before departure. Generally, hiking boots, quick-dry clothing, a hat and a rain jacket are imperative. You should pack a small first aid kit, environmentally friendly hygiene items, as well as any necessary medication.

Research interns must join for a minimum of 10 weeks, and independent researchers for a minimum of 12 weeks. If our project partner approves, you can stay for as long as you like.

You are responsible for arranging your flight into San Jose and making your way by public transportation to the town of San Gerardo, where a staff member will pick you up and drive you to the reserve. You will receive extremely detailed arrival instructions to assist you and be in contact with the reserve staff to arrange your pickup. We recommend arriving in San Jose at least one day before the project start date because the journey from San Jose to San Gerardo can take up to 6 hours or more.

You will arrive around 4 pm, just in time to get settled into your room, meet your roommates and get a brief tour of the facilities before preparing yourself some dinner and getting some rest before the work week begins.

After breakfast, research interns meet with staff members and other participants to begin work. After lunch, everyone has free time, and there are generally one or two more activities in the afternoon before dinner time. Weekends are free for participants to use as they please.

Research interns will assist researchers with fieldwork activities, take comprehensive notes and assist with data input. Independent researchers will work primarily independently during their stay at the reserve, although the staff is always happy to help with background knowledge, guidance and access to available resources. Independent researchers are expected to work one day of the week on the general activities of the reserve.

Generally, between researchers and volunteers, there are around 6-14 participants. There are often more visitors during Costa Rica’s dry season (January-August).

Accommodation is simple and cosy. You will sleep in a dorm room of 4-8 interns and volunteers and share a bathroom/shower and a large kitchen. Bed linens and towels will be provided for you and will be washed for you every two weeks free of charge. Extra blankets are available if you need them. You will be assigned a drawer and a storage bin for your belongings. Along with properly storing your belongings, it is crucial always to keep the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen clean to support a peaceful and respectful shared living space.

You are responsible for preparing all of your own meals. Staff members will go every Wednesday morning to town to pick up groceries for participants. You will be given a list of available items to make your selection and pay in advance (make sure you bring enough cash with you to the reserve). You can buy some fresh produce and basic items as well as eat at a local restaurant or pick up some treats at the artisanal bakery in San Gerardo, but walking takes about 1-1.5 hours there and back.

As you are cooking for yourself, any dietary needs can be met. It is essential, however, that you properly stock up on dietary staples that might be more difficult to find, while you are in San Isidro.

English is the common language given to the international community at the reserve. However, we recommend you pick up some basic Spanish skills before your project starts to provide you with an even more enriching experience.

Research interns will work about 30 hours a week (6 hours per day, M-F). On weekends, you will have plenty of time to explore beyond the reserve.

Free time during the week can be spent exploring the reserve, relaxing in one of the many hammocks with a book, playing games or sports with other interns and volunteers, etc. On the weekends, you can arrange excursions alone or with other participants. Some favourite spots to visit are Manuel Antonio National Park, Playa Dominical, and Cerro Chirripó, Costa Rica’s highest peak.

You will always have reserve staff as well as other volunteers and interns around you for 24/7 support.

You will need to pay for the initial transportation from San José to San Gerardo and to return to San José on your final day. Additionally, you will need to buy groceries weekly, which must be paid for in cash. You can withdraw money in San José and San Isidro, but there are no ATMs in San Gerardo, so please plan accordingly.

The reserve has Wi-Fi in the classroom area, but it is limited in the sleeping area. During the day, it can be overwhelmed with so much use and be relatively slow. It is important not to stream movies or TV shows during the day, when people need the internet to work. After 7 pm, there is no restriction on internet use. There is no landline at the reserve, and the phone signal is spotty at best. There are a few areas around the reserve with better signal, but if you really need to make a phone call, you can use the hotel payphone 15 minutes away from the reserve. Internet-based calls, for example, through WhatsApp, can be made without issue using Wi-Fi.

Up at the reserve (1,550-2,600 m elevation), the weather is generally cooler than the rest of Costa Rica and is pretty comfortable for most. Days are around 25-30 °C and nights around 15-20 °C, but sometimes as cold as 10 °C. Days are typically clear and sunny, and if it rains, it is almost always confined to the afternoon. The rainy season is from May to December.

Drinking is permitted in moderation. It is absolutely prohibited to go into the field while intoxicated or to drink at any point in excess.

Our partner will provide you with a comprehensive emergency procedure handbook upon arrival which covers everything from a scrape to an earthquake. They always have trained staff on-site and make sure that all participants are well-informed so that, in the case of an emergency, everyone knows the proper procedures.

Upon request, you may receive a certificate from the partner as well as from Natucate after your completed participation. Independent researchers will be asked to give a short presentation to the reserve staff toward the end of the stay and to submit a detailed research report, including a section on applied methodology. As a condition of being given access to conduct independent research at the reserve, it is required to upload a copy of any and all raw data obtained at the reserve onto a shared Google Drive, so that your data contributes to and benefits the larger body of research.