We are a private reserve and field station located near Corcovado National Park; on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. For over 30 years; it has served as a nature preserve; education center; and ecotour destination in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Researchers; student groups; and visitors come to experience the remote location; the beautiful scenery; the unique wildlife; and enjoy some of Central America’s last coastal rainforest. Visitors come by boat to stay in the jungle; hike the trails to Corcovado; or take day trips to snorkel near Cano Island. University and school groups often come for weeklong stays and hold field study courses. Campanario has also hosted scientists for many years; conducting research on wildlife; plants; and ecosystem dynamics. Campanario is remote; off the grid with no vehicle access. Visitors arrive by boat or a long walk from the nearest town. Power is provided by solar panels; and water is collected from a nearby stream. While we have a station phone; cell service is intermittent. The buildings include bunkhouses; kitchen/dining area; bathrooms; cabins; and staff housing. The station is right on the beach in a private cove; backed up on 170 acres (69 hectares) of private reserve adjacent to the National Park.
We are seeking volunteers to assist with visitors; station/trail maintenance; and ongoing research projects. Volunteers live and work onsite at the field station alongside fulltime staff. Volunteers and interns are expected to contribute the equivalent of 6 hours of work per day; six days a week. While not working; everyone has full access to the grounds; including the beaches and forest trails. Three meals a day are provided; and everyone is responsible for their own laundry and cleaning personal space. Housing for volunteers includes a bunkhouse room that may be shared during high occupancy. Volunteers pay a fee to cover their living expenses while they are onsite. They are also responsible for their own travel to and from the site; although Campanario staff will help facilitate this. Volunteers are accepted on an ongoing basis; although the facility gets more crowded in the high season December-February. Minimum commitment is 1 month.
Visit our website for more information. Volunteers are accepted year-round. We recommend applying at least a month in advance due to logistics.
Osa Peninsula (near Corcovado National Park)
Year round
1 month minimum
Adults of both sexes 21+
For volunteers; no experience is necessary. However; all applicants must be prepared for living in primitive conditions in a remote location in a foreign country. Specifically: Willingness to stay in a remote area with limited electricity; no warm water; and no internet/cell service. High tolerance for heat; humidity; mosquitoes; and the risk of animals in the living space. Ability to adapt to a foreign culture and navigate language barriers. Ability to stay in shared living conditions for an extended period of time. Good physical condition; can hike several miles uphill with no problems. Valid passport. Valid insurance.
Volunteers pay a fee of US$25/day to cover food and housing. Volunteers must pay a deposit of US$400 prior to the volunteer period. The deposit is fully refunded on completion of volunteer assignment.
