Frequently asked questions

We don't have a preferred airline or broker ourselves, but we mostly search for tickets on portals such as Student Angency and Pelikán.cz. Mommondo, Skyscener, Google flights and the like often offer cheaper tickets, but at the final price the price does not correspond to the beginning, at least in our experience. It's a good idea to look for flights well in advance, at least 6-4 months in advance.
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If the tickets are at an acceptable price for us, feel free to buy them. We have experience of such. Normally, flights to Costa Rica are in the price range of really 13 000 - 15 000 CZK (without luggage). But most likely you will find a ticket for 15 000 - 18 000 CZK and with luggage up to 21 000 CZK.

It could be said that tickets up to 20,000 - 22,000 with luggage are still acceptable.

Your departure location is up to you and should be based on convenience and your available options. For some, Vienna might be ideal, while others may prefer Berlin or Frankfurt. Prague often has expensive air tickets.

In our experience, we mostly fly from Vienna, choosing routes based on ticket prices, sometimes with layovers in Zurich, Madrid, or the US.Always ensure you have enough time to catch connecting flights.

We strongly advise against scheduling layovers of less than 4 hours in the US or Canada. Additionally, for connections in these countries, you will need a transit visa, which can be arranged in a few minutes but must be done at least 2 weeks in advance.

The visa is typically valid for a year or more, depending on the country. For EU connecting flights, a layover of 1.5 hours is usually sufficient.

Arriving after the designated deadline is acceptable, provided arrangements are made in advance.

Late arrivals or early departures can be accommodated, and the price will be adjusted accordingly. However, early arrivals may pose a challenge, as we are not always available due to obligations such as checking photo traps across Costa Rica between programs.

Despite this, with prior arrangements, combining consecutive program dates is also possible.

Costa rica does not require any vaccinations. While typhoid and hepatitis vaccinations can be useful anywhere, being careful can prevent many issues. Costa rica is not a country with a malaria concern, so anti-malarial medication is unnecessary.

Similarly, rabies vaccinations are not needed, as there is no risk of close contact with wild animals. rabies concerns typically involve domesticated animals, but you will not interact with them during the program.

Potential complications are minimal. volunteers receive a comprehensive briefing on the first day as part of their training.

Yes, currently the program is always combined, allowing you to experience both the rainforest and the ocean.

It also includes helping out in a national park we partner with. This way, you will explore several ecosystems and the diverse landscapes of Costa rica.

You do not need to speak English or Spanish to participate in our programs, as the team in charge speaks czech. however, knowing english is very helpful when traveling by plane, and in many places in costa rica, spanish is the only language spoken. If you plan to stay longer in Costa rica, at least basic english is necessary.

Transportation is provided by a shared minibus at a specific location and time.

Alternatively, volunteers can use local transport based on our recommendations. whether the program starts by the ocean or in the rainforest will be confirmed about 2 weeks in advance.

Monitoring with the ocean eye takes place on the research and conservation motor yacht, the spartan. this vessel is 11.75 meters long and 4.7 meters wide, accommodating 6-8 crew members for multi-day monitoring and up to 10 for single-day trips. During the cruise, we use a hydrophone to listen to and record whale sounds.

We navigate Santa Elena bay on either a small or large circuit, with each crew member assigned specific tasks. These tasks include observing the ocean, reporting whale or dolphin sightings, taking photos of whales if equipped with a telephoto lens, assisting in the galley, and managing the anchor. monitoring also involves eating, swimming, and snorkeling.

A stay in the green life biosphere reserve forest involves monitoring wildlife with photo traps and participating in day and night photographic expeditions.

Expect rain, especially in july and december, though weather patterns are unpredictable. the driest months are january to march and august to september. Prepare for physically demanding activities like hill climbs, muddy trails, and stream wading. there are spiders and snakes, but they are manageable and rare. Nuisance insects like flies and mosquitoes are present, but repellent is effective.

The rainforest is cool with daytime temperatures of 20-25°c and nighttime temperatures of 16-18°c, dropping to 12°c in the dry season. cold showers provide a refreshing experience.

The rooms are simple and clean. volunteers take turns cooking vegetarian and vegan meals, creating a fun cooking experience. nights are peaceful, with occasional animal sounds and cicada concerts. the facilities include a relaxing terrace with a beautiful view of the rainforest, undisturbed by human activity.