2 - 12 weeks
from € 1.340
Nicaragua

Volunteer work to protect sea turtles in Nicaragua

  • Directly at the sea
  • Work outdoors
  • Included leisure activities

Dive into the adventure of a lifetime and become part of the volunteer project in Nicaragua! As a volunteer, you can help protect endangered turtle species and ensure their survival. While you are actively committed to preserving these fascinating creatures, you have the opportunity to experience unforgettable moments on the beautiful beaches of Nicaragua. Be there and leave your mark in the fight to protect turtles in Latin America!

Location icon Chinandega
Minimum age icon from 17 years
Icon Duration 2 - 12 weeks / from €1.340
Departure days icon Wednesday
Volunteers collect turtle eggs
SDG 14 - Life Below Water
life under water

Conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Project ID : FA-NI496

As a volunteer
Nicaragua

2 - 12 weeks / from €1.340
to the cost overview

Turtles on Chinandega beach

What's the matter?

The deployment site in Nicaragua has existed since 2019 and takes care of protecting turtle nests. The company was founded and managed by a German-Nicaraguan couple. Between 100 and 200 nests are moved to the hatchery each year. After the baby turtles hatch, they are released straight away. The organization also attaches great importance to educating the population, especially children.

In Nicaragua, turtle eggs are critically endangered due to their popularity as a delicacy, so nests are being ransacked and then sold. At the same time, those who plunder these nests depend on the revenue as poverty is widespread in the country. The rescue site works closely with local people to ensure the continued existence of the turtle population. This includes buying newly laid nests that would otherwise be sold to traders and restaurants. Furthermore, the employees of the operation site patrol the beach to find nests before they are looted.

The plundering of nests and the overexploitation of natural resources are reaching an alarming peak in Nicaragua due to the increasing population. Playa Venecia is one of the last pristine beaches in Nicaragua, with rich natural vegetation and little development. But more and more land is being sold and the organization wants to intervene to ensure development is as sustainable as possible.

The volunteer project in Nicaragua has the goal of protecting the turtle population in the long term, showing the locals alternative income opportunities, promoting sustainable business models and preserving the ecosystem and making it adaptable. "We want to achieve a harmonious coexistence of man and nature," says the local team.

Your tasks as a volunteer

To ensure the protection of the turtles, volunteers are needed for various tasks, including:

  • Night patrols and nest searches
  • Release of the hatched babies and cleaning of the nests
  • Data acquisition and support for studies
  • Beach clean-ups
  • General tasks to maintain and expand the project infrastructure
  • Helping in the garden and protecting the forest
  • Activities with the locals (especially children) at school, on the beach or in the project

As a volunteer, you work five days a week. During the turtle season from August to January it is about 5-7 hours per day and in the low season it is 3-5 hours per day. If you want to help out during peak season, you must be prepared to work primarily at night.

A regular day at the volunteer site looks like this: you have the morning and lunch free or you can do activities alone or with the volunteer group. From 15 p.m. you work in the hatchery or on other tasks that arise. Between 19pm and 5am you either patrol for 3 to 4 hours or monitor the hatchery for 4 to 5 hours. The work takes place in a combination of individual work and teamwork.

Accommodation Catering

Accommodation Catering

During your stay in Nicaragua you either sleep in a rustic wooden hut that can accommodate up to three people. There are a total of three single beds in the cabin and gender does not matter. Alternatively, you have a private tent with a mattress. There are also three of these on the property and they are all close together.

Not far from the sleeping places there is a bucket shower and an ecological toilet. Water for showering and washing clothes is drawn from a well.

There is no electricity in the sleeping areas. It's only available at the rancho. This is a small hut with a palm frond roof, which also houses the kitchen with a gas stove, fridge and running water. Water, tea, coffee and juice are available at all times. There is no WiFi in the entire area. Therefore, it is recommended to get a SIM card with mobile data at the airport.

The volunteers prepare their own breakfast and lunch. However, dinner is served. Vegetarian or vegan options can also be provided.

The accommodation is only a two-minute walk from your workplace. The nearest village is about 15 minutes walk away. There you will find small shops for drinks, snacks or the most important hygiene items. The nearest major city is about three hours away by bus.

The area around the accommodation is considered quite safe, but it is best not to walk around alone at night as there is little street lighting and it is very dark.

Location

Volcano in Chinandega region

Chinandega

Chinandega, a region in northwestern Nicaragua, is a beautiful travel destination that beckons with its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and friendly people.

The Chinandega region is located in the north of the country, directly on the Pacific coast, and is known for beautiful beaches with crystal clear water. In addition to the beaches, Chinandega also offers an impressive natural diversity. For example, the region is home to the San Cristobal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in Nicaragua.

The region is also known for its agricultural production. It is a major producer of sugar cane, bananas, rice and other agricultural products. It is also known for seafood and fish and you should therefore try ceviche at least once.

So if you like having impressive nature and fascinating culture around you, and you don't shy away from simple living conditions, this location is perfect for you!

Free time in Chinandega

Your free time in Chinandega

Chinandega, located on Nicaragua's Pacific coast, is a hidden gem for travelers seeking beautiful beaches and stunning scenery. The region offers a variety of attractions, including the Cosigüina Volcano National Park, where visitors can hike to the top for panoramic views or soak in the nearby hot springs.

Another attraction in Chinandega is Las Peñitas Beach: a long stretch of sand perfect for swimming and surfing. During your stay you can also use boogie boards or book a horseback ride on the beach. Nature lovers also have the opportunity to hike through the mangroves or explore them by boat.

In addition to the natural wonders, Chinandega also offers numerous cultural experiences. You will have the opportunity to explore plantations and learn about the cultivation and processing of local products. Or learn about the history of the city of Chinandega. The city also has a vibrant arts and crafts scene where you can shop for local artwork and handmade souvenirs. You can also admire historical buildings such as the Chinandega Cathedral in neoclassical style.

The project also includes several free leisure activities: take surfing lessons on site, go on short hikes and "fun trips" in the area or implement DIY projects.

Whether it's swimming, surfing, hiking or immersing yourself in the local culture, the Chinandega region has something for everyone!

On-site procedure

Arrival in Nicaragua

The best way to do your volunteer work in Nicaragua is to fly to the capital, Managua. Please note that you should arrive before 14 p.m. You will be picked up at the airport by a team member and together you will drive about six hours to your accommodation.

Once there, you will first get a guided tour of the accommodation, then you can rest and eat something. 

Orientation program in Nicaragua

The orientation program takes place in the first three to four days. During these days you will get a theoretical and a practical introduction. You will also learn a little Spanish and explore the area together. The first joint patrols also take place.

Your first day in the project

On the first day you will be given a tour of the property, a safety briefing and an introduction to geography. You will then be trained in your tasks, so that you can soon get actively involved and start with your regular tasks as a volunteer.

Pricing

  • base fee
    € 1.340, -
    2 weeks of participation
  • extension week
    € 265, - / week
    up to 10 weeks respectively

included
Services

Before departure

  • Individual advice and support from our trained RGV team in Munich
  • Organization including placement in the project and coordination of your stay on site
  • Assistance with preparation: visa, health care, travel insurance, etc.
  • Non-binding flight advice
  • Travel ABC with packing list for your travel preparation
  • RGV t-shirt

On site

  • Orientation program with the team on site
  • Support and guidance from the on-site team
  • RGV 24h emergency number
  • Project t-shirt to wear during on-site activities
  • Airport transfer on the agreed day of arrival
  • Accommodation at the job site
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner; The volunteers prepare breakfast and lunch themselves

After return

  • Participation confirmation of your voluntary commitment
  • Reflection course on your experiences abroad
  • Evaluation sheet and optional feedback discussion
useful additional services

not included
Services

  • Round trip
  • Private expenses on site
  • Excursions with microlight flights
  • Travel and cancellation insurance
  • Visa and Vaccinations
  • All nights outside your agreed accommodation
  • Public transport and extra transfers
  • Airport transfer on departure day

Individual Recommended additional offers
& must-haves

Picture must-haves

Would you prefer to stay in a single room? Are you vegan or do you have special requests for food? Or do you want to do some cool trips with other volunteers in your free time and explore the country?

With us, you benefit from a variety of optional additional services that you can add individually to your booking, depending on your preferences.

Flight booking icon
" Round Trip
Cheap flights with our flight partner thanks to volunteer rates.
Flight offers with maximum flexibility

Would you like to receive a cheap flight offer for your stay abroad that is perfectly tailored to you? After you have successfully registered, you can have a non-binding offer created.

The excellent rates for volunteers, students and young people are a great advantage. Arrival times and flight time changes can also be sent directly to RGV upon request, so that our RGV teams in the destination countries are always informed about your arrival times.

These special tariffs give you special added value:

  • maximum flexibility for rebookings and cancellations
  • generous baggage allowance
  • Additional discounts on one-way flights: The new volunteer tariffs include attractive discounts to reduce your financial burden on one-way flights (e.g. for stopovers, project or country combinations).
Insurance icon
" Insurance
Benefit from the 4 in 1 ERGO travel insurance.
The 4 in 1 insurance cover for volunteers and internships abroad

You can easily book the long-term travel protection of ERGO Reiseversicherung after you have registered. You will receive the links to this automatically after a successful registration.

The following building blocks are included:

  • Health Insurance
  • Comfort protection: accident, liability and interruption insurance
  • Travel insurance

Chinandega Team
site

Daniela is the co-founder and coordinator of the project. She is originally from Germany and also did her Masters in Geography there. Since 2008 she has occasionally helped out as a volunteer in turtle projects. In 2016 she then emigrated to Nicaragua to campaign for the turtles there. She also works as a freelance copywriter.

The co-founder Melvin has lived on the beach all his life and is extremely knowledgeable about turtles. He has been active in environmental protection since 2014 and in 2019 he founded the Turtle Station in Venecia with Daniela.

Portrait team in Chinandega, Nicaragua

RGV FAQ
to the project

What are the project fees used for?

Although we are a non-profit organization, there are costs associated with volunteering abroad. Find out here, why volunteering requires money and what your project fee is used for.

What visa do I need for Nicaragua?

When you enter Nicaragua you will receive a free tourist visa that is valid for 90 days. An extension can be requested from the Nicaraguan immigration authorities.

What language skills do I need for the project?

Knowledge of Spanish and English is an advantage for your stay in Nicaragua and communication on site. However, German is also spoken in the project.

What vaccinations/ health precautions do I need?

If you are traveling from a yellow fever area, you need a yellow fever vaccination. Otherwise there are no compulsory vaccinations.

We generally recommend a consultation in a practice for travel and tropical medicine.

You can get general information about recommended health care and vaccinations online Center for Travel Medicine as well as on the side of Foreign Office.

Are there age restrictions for the project?

Volunteers between the ages of 17 and 70 can take part in this project.

What are the requirements for the project?

No special previous knowledge is necessary to participate. Interest in animal and environmental protection as well as enjoyment of working outdoors are important. Volunteers must also be prepared to work 4-5 hours per night. You should also be “weatherproof”, open-minded and adventurous – i.e. not afraid of mosquitoes, insects and reptiles.

What do I have to bring?

Please bring the following things with you:

  • Headlamp with white and red light
  • Mosquito spray with DEET and long, airy clothes
  • Biodegradable soap
  • sunscreen
  • Rainwear (between May and November)
  • Waterproof protective case for your cell phone

General FAQ about volunteer work

Ready to volunteer in Nicaragua? Start your adventure abroad with Rainbow Garden Village!

Rainbow Garden Village has been offering volunteer work and internships abroad since 1999. What started as a small student initiative in Ghana has now grown into an organization with over 250 projects around the world.

You can be sure that your work as a volunteer will be an unforgettable experience. Bring your commitment and your knowledge to do good locally - and at the same time benefit from the unique experiences that will promote your personal development.

Become part of our RGV community!
We look forward to you.

RGV Your way
to the volunteer

1
Choose your volunteer project and register online.

2
We will review your application and confirm your participation.

3
Prepare for your assignment online or in our preparatory seminar in Munich.

4
Here we go! During your volunteer work, we will support you at any time with our on-site team.

Gallery Impressions &
Impressions

More projects you too might be interested

Are you not sure yet? Think about whether a spontaneous assignment as a volunteer abroad is the right choice for you or whether you would like to Voluntary social year (FSJ) abroad want to decide.

With RGV you achieve flexible volunteer work in different countries worldwide. Maybe there is one too Internship abroad the ideal choice for you to gain valuable experience abroad.

Volunteering Turtles Crete SDG 14 - Life Below Water
Volunteering
Greece | turtles
Volunteer work in the turtle project on Crete
Turtle project in Tanzania SDG 14 - Life Below Water
Volunteering
Tanzania & Zanzibar | turtles
Turtle and Marine Conservation Volunteer in Tanzania
Environmental Education Ecuador Sustainable Development Goal 13 - Measures to protect the climate
Volunteering
Ecuador | environmental Protection
Volunteer work in environmental protection in Ecuador