There are a lot of hungry birds here and preparing all their food can get repetative.
They can also make a lot of mess that you will be involved with helping us clear up.
It may not be just macaws - dogs, need to be fed and cleaned out too.
The hours - we work 7am to noon and 3.30pm-5.30pm, except Sundays which are 7am - noon and 5pm - 5.30pm
Six days a week. Weekends off are not an option

Charges

We make a small charge of $4 a day to volunteer with us, this helps us to feed the birds and keep our project going. This charge is payable when you arrive and is not refundable.

Practical Information

Costa Rica is one of the safest Central American countries, there hasn't been any political turbulence since the army was given up over 50 years ago. For more practical information on the country, it is a good idea to buy a guide to Costa Rica, but here is some general information to get you started...

Vacinations
You will need to talk to your doctor about what vaccinations to take, but you will probably need Yellow Fever, Rabies, Hepatitis A, Polio and Tetanus. Malaria is not a big problem here, but you should talk to your doctor about whether to take tablets or not.

Visas
Most nationalities do not require a specific visa to enter Costa Rica as a tourist, the tourist visa issued upon arrival usually only applies for three months, please check this in your own country before you leave. After this most volunteers just leave the country for at least 72 hours, and visit neighbouring Panama or Nicaragua every three months, before re-entering Costa Rica.

US citizens can claim tax back on money spent here, but there may be additional taxes, e.g. airport taxes, you will have to check this out before coming.

Things you will need

Some of these items you can obtain locally.

If you're still interested after all that, and would like to apply, send an e-mail to Marti, with a CV and the contact details of two referees.
In your e-mail, please state your reasons for applying, your avicultural experience, when you will be available to join us, and for how long

With gardens, the finca and maintenance…

We are always in need of volunteers to work on the finca.
If you know anything about gardening, please come and help out.
We always need help with paving, paths, hedging and general organization in the garden.
We also need help on the finca with banana trees, planting crops and tending for ongoing plants including sugar cane, sunflower, sweet potato, maize, peanuts, carrots etc. So come and work with the local workers, experience the ‘real’ Costa Rica, and help your Spanish along too.

We are also in desperate need of a Handyman - do you have experience in fencing, carpentry, plumbing, welding, repairs or general maintenance - HELP!

With education…

We are always looking for a volunteer student/teacher/teacher on holiday - who would like to come and start an education program at The Ara Project.

You will need to speak Spanish, and be able to commit for at least two months. We have produced a series of quiz sheets, fact sheets, coloring books, etc that form a complete "schools pak". We would like to use this pack for children in the local schools.

We visit schools and take our presentation pack, talk to the children and school about our work, what we do and how and why. How they can help.

We also have facilities to talk to children here at The Ara Project and offer them a tour of our breeding centre/refuge and we show them the nursery and babies if there are any at the time of the visit.

We hope that these vital teaching aids will enhance the understanding of children to the plight of birds in Costa Rica. By answering some serious and important questions, we hope to show the children how they can help, how their choices for the future can affect Costa Rica, what they can do to help now.

We also hold crayoning, coloring and essay competitions for some schools and are often amazed at the standard of work. We believe this encourages the children to think further about the macaw plight.

We are always open to suggestions for our education program, and welcome any school who would like to book in here at Amigos de las Aves for a visit.

If you think you can help and have some bright ideas? Then come and join us.

The Homestays

 

We have three homestays available to the Breeding Centre, all within five minutes walking distance

Daisy's homestay has three large self contained rooms with their own bathroom, and if you like privacy and relative peace and quiet - this is the one for you. Also the best opportunity to practice your Spanish here. You will be part of the family home and you eat with the family. Three meals a day are provided. The cost is $18 a day (you might need to share) or $20 for your own room.

For non volunteers to book, phone: Daisy & Leo Chaves - (506) 2440 6445/8842 4651

 

At Elizabeth's homestay, you will be part of the family. She sometimes has language students staying with her, so your chance to practice your Spanish. Single and double rooms at $18 a day for three meals and laundry. Relax and enjoy the comfort of a real homestay.

For non volunteers to book, phone: Elizabeth - (506) 2441 7291

At Margarita's homestay you will be living within her large family - children included, she provides warm hospitality to all. You may be sharing a room if there are lots of volunteers, but the price includes three good meals a day and laundry too. The cost is $18 a day for volunteers and $20 a day for non volunteers.

To book for non volunteers, phone: (506) 2430 3074/ 2441 1464

 

With Funding...

If you think you have a flair for raising funding - then as a non profit organisation, we could really do with your help.

Our project is a very emotional one - animals usually are - and we hope to see all our hard work and hours of donated labour end in tears of joy - with our very own parent reared babies flying free, in their own environment and in their own country. We want this project to be the first successful re-introduction of Macaws! But to continue this, we need ongoing funding...

It's a never ending story……. we are always in need of something…. food, locks, computer supplies, veterinary supplies, fencing, security lights, wiring, welding facilities, mowers, staff, tools, wiring, pumps…. the list is endless ……