Reserva Playa Tortuga
Become An InternDo you want to participate as an intern with us? Here you can find some important points to keep in mind.
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Interning At Reserva Playa Tortuga
What’s Required
The Reserve is committed to supporting the student in terms of logistics, necessary basic equipment and field assistance when required for the execution of their work. If the proposal goes beyond the technical capacity of the Reserve, the student must have his/her own team to do so.
The Reserve will cover the cost of lodging and basic services for the student, but he/she will have to cover the cost referring to his/her food, which is $192 per week.
The student must pay the round trip tickets from his/her country of origin to the Reserve and viceversa.
Are you a University student and wish to do a research project with the Reserve? You can apply directly through the form below:
Interning
Frequently Asked Questions
Lodging
We have a handicap-accessible room, one room with a queen bed, another room has a bunk with a single and a full bed, while all other rooms are singles. All rooms are spacious with quality mattresses and fans. Each room has storage, drawers and screens in the windows to keep out the bugs. All rooms are available on first-come, first-serve basis.
Meals
All food is included in the student fee. Available food may include rice and beans, tortillas, salads, chicken, fish, beef, pastas, soups, cereals, sandwiches, cheese, fruits, veggies and fresh tropical juices. Meals will be prepared on your own with the assistance of the intern coordinator. Additionally, students are responsible for maintaining the kitchen and dorm rooms clean and orderly.
Travel & Visa Info
To work as an intern at the project, you need only have a tourist visa. Most North American and European nationals automatically receive a ninety-day visa upon entering the country and are not required to obtain one in advance.
Nationals from several South American countries, however, are required to obtain a tourist visa from the Costa Rican embassy in their country prior to arrival.
Reserva Playa Tortuga is located just 3.5 hours from San Jose. Please arrange to fly into SJO (Juan Santamaria is San Jose Costa Rica’s International Airport). There are options for all budgets to travel to RPT once in Costa Rica – bus, taxi, private transfer, or short hop flight by air.
Work vs Free Time
RPT requires to work 5.5 days for every week you stay and 6 hours each day. Interns may choose to work more hours and may select which projects they would prefer to work on. Spaces are limited, especially on the turtle project, no more than 8 people may be patrolling at once (Couples may not always be able to work together).
During an interns free time, there are many tours and activities (at intern’s own cost) in the area to choose from: surf lessons, horseback riding, zipline tours, photography lessons, hiking, waterfalls, local beaches, snorkeling and diving among many others.
Packing
What’s Included/What To Bring
What’s Included
LODGING, FOOD, LAUNDRY, WIFI INTERNET ACCESS ARE INCLUDED IN INTERN FEE.
At RPT you will be provided with three meals a day, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks. We have WiFi internet access, so you may wish to bring your laptop. Each week interns are given one free use of washing machine and we have a solar dryer.
What’s Not Included
FLIGHTS, VISAS, TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM RESERVA PLAYA TORTUGA, TOURS OR EXTRA ACTIVITIES, EXTRA MEALS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS.
Suggested Packing List
– Good-Quality poncho- we like ponchos as they are not hot, or a rain jacket.
– BPA Free or Stainless Steel Water Bottle (at least 2)
– Alarm clock
– Waterproof watch
– Binoculars (if you have them- good ones pref. waterproof)
– Flashlight, LED head lamps are ideal w/red light,with rechargeable batteries (we have chargers)
– Quick drying clothing for a warm/hot tropical climate (cotton can a long time to dry) -bring clothes that you are not worried about ruining.
– Black or dark colored clothes for night time beach patrols/walks
– Several t-shirts, shorts, light long pants w/pockets, light long sleeve shirt-enough clothes for a week-we have a washer.
– 2 pairs of sturdy shoes for walking the beach at night (water shoes work great for the beach walks) and hiking in the area (bulky hiking boots are not necessary) day hikers, rubber boots, or tennis shoes.
– Sandals (good ones!), Rubber Boots and or water Shoes.
– Swimsuit(s)
– Insect repellant – (not to be used on the beach with turtles)
– 2 Beach/Bath towels
– Waterproof sunscreen
– Biodegradable shampoo, soaps etc., personal toiletries
– Sunglasses
– Camera. (waterproof is always good).
– 2 Photocopies of your passport.
– Entertainment: books, games, music, guitar, paints, soccer balls, etc