Lodging, Food and Travel
You will be based in the volunteer accommodation within the grounds of the Wildlife Rescue centre surrounded by tropical gardens. You will have a choice between staying in the simple or deluxe rooms.
Simple rooms for volunteers:
Our 3 shared, simple rooms sit near the front of our property. Our Green and Purple Rooms each have a bunk bed and a twin and sleep up to 3 people. They face the ocean and exhibit stunning sunrises during the winter months.
Each of our simple rooms have mosquito nets, fans and share a bathhouse with hot water showers.
Deluxe rooms for volunteers:
Deluxe rooms may be requested as shared or private. Our 4 deluxe rooms contain either a queen and twin bed or 3 twin beds and can sleep up to 3 people. Each contain A/C, private bath, hot water, satellite tv, digital safe and mini fridge as well as boasting pool and ocean views.
If you are coming alone but choosing a shared room, you will be set up with a maximum of 2 roommates. If you come with a friend or two, we can place you in your own room at your request, depending on availability.
This is all set on 5 acres of ocean view property. Same day laundry service is available for a small fee.
When not working with the animals, you can do your own yoga practice or exercises in the Yoga studio, or you can relax in our infinity pool overlooking the ocean or read a book in a hammock in the lounge. Stereos and tv’s as well as playing cards and board games are available in our common areas.
Home Cooked Food
Breakfast
Breakfast usually includes such options as fresh fruit, yogurt, eggs, fruit juices, coffee and toast. The
typical Costa Rican breakfast is Gallo Pinto (rice and beans mixed together with coriander, onions and
Worcestershire sauce). A common variation is gallo pinto con huevos fritos (gallo pinto with fried eggs).
Lunch and Dinner
Volunteers get lunch and dinner served, Sunday through Friday, and it is generally international cuisine. Dishes are mostly chicken, fish, seafood, vegan or vegetarian although special diets may be accommodated with advance notice. On Saturdays, we serve breakfast only and allow our guests to use our kitchen or visit one of the many delicious restaurants nearby. The food is always served with love and is delicious! You also have access to a communal kitchen and fridge.
The cheapest and most authentic restaurants are called “sodas”. Here is where you will find the locals eating their meals. If you decide to eat out and you order a “casado,” you can expect to get a heaping portion of rice and beans served with pork, steak, fish or chicken, a small portion of salad, and fried plantains. You can get all this for around $3-$5 in most of the country (including nearby in Cobano). In Cabuya, this may cost closer to $8-$10.
Medical Information
To work with non-human primates, we ask that you be vaccinated against Tuberculosis (TB) or show proof of a negative TB skin test within the past 3 months. This is a requirement for all volunteers. We also strongly recommend that you receive an updated tetanus vaccine or booster before your trip. We do not require volunteers and interns to be rabies vaccinated, but it is a precaution you may wish to take at your own discretion. In general, be sure to check with the CDC website for all current recommendations regarding shots and vaccinations. We also request volunteers to bring a Covid self-test kit.
Travel to the Wildlife Rescue Centre
There are several options to get the Rescue Centre in Cabuya. The fastest and easiest is to fly into San Jose International Airport (code SJO) or Liberia (LIR) and then get an internal flight with Sansa Air or Nature Air which takes 30 minutes to the Tambor Airport (TMU), 45 mins. from Cabuya. From Tambor, you’ll need a $50, 45 min. taxi. A cheaper option is to fly to San Jose or Liberia and catch a Sunday early morning shuttle direct to the Wildlife Centre, but you will need to arrive the night before, as they leave very early – price ranges from 50 to 60 USD. We can also help if you want us get you collected from the airport on arrival on the Saturday night, transfer you to a hotel near the airport, one night stay plus breakfast and transfer to the Rescue Centre the next morning – this costs 90 to 110 USD depending on time of year and includes hotel to, and taxi from airport to hotel. This is a popular option, as is the early morning shuttle leaving Sunday AM around 6.45-7AM from San Jose/Alajuela. Alternatively, you can stay in your own hotel near the airport and get the early morning shuttle for $50 on Sunday, direct to the rescue centre.
