Make a meaningful impact during your tour of Nicaragua's northern coast as you aid in turtle conservation efforts. This coast is ecologically significat as a nesting site for 45% of the worlds population of hawksbill turtles. Work with researchers and biologists to tag an monitor nesting turtles. Also volunteer in a local community and in a mangrove reforestation process. By the end of this short voluneteer project you'll feel like a part of the family.
Highlights
Walk with the conservation staff to tag and monitor nesting turtles
Volunteer to beach clean, assist in local school or community art projects
Be treated to a few meals courtesy of the local community
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Transfer to Padre Ramos this morning from Managua, a trip that takes about three and a half hours. Upon arrival at Padre Ramos, settle in, meet the staff, and dive right into the critical conservation work going on onsite. The nature reserve, a pristine estuary located on Nicaragua's northwest coast, is considered extremely ecologically significant as it a nesting site for 45% of hawksbill turtles in the Pacific. Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Initiative (ICAPO) operates the Padre Ramos site with the help of a team of local researchers and biologists. Together staff and volunteers gather data on these fascinating creatures through nightly patrols, egg protection, and turtle tagging.
This afternoon staff will introduce you to the turtles, the beaches, and the conservation projects you'll be working on. Enjoy a typical, homemade dinner at the lodge before embarking with a staff member on a night patrol that will last from about 7 until 11 pm. The purpose of the night patrol is to tag and monitor nesting turtles in an effort to gather information on nesting patterns, and to protect the hawksbill eggs. After your patrol, head to the hatchery for a well-earned night's rest.
This morning experience beautiful dawn over the estuary as you embark on a 5 a.m. boat survey, recovering and accounting for the nests not encountered during the night patrol. Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast and then take a few hours to rest up after the morning's work. Enjoy an authentic Nicaraguan lunch courtesy of supporting members of the community.
After lunch participate in a mangrove reforestation project that is ongoing at Padre Ramos. Staff will give you a brief introduction to the project and provide you with information about the mangrove forests and their importance to the area. Spend about two hours in the forest gathering "propagules," mangrove fruits, and prepare them for replanting.
Have dinner at the lodge and set out on another night patrol. Enjoy your last night with the turtles before heading back to the hotel.
Day 3: Depart Padre Ramos
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Wake up this morning and head into the village for breakfast at a local restaurant. From there spend a few hours volunteering with a work project in the village community. Common projects include beach cleaning, working on community art projects, or assisting with environmental presentations in the local school.
After enjoying lunch in the village, transfer the three and a half hours back to Managua.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Notes
Select a Date
This Add-on is available only for our travelers extending or customizing their itinerary. Transportation to/from Padre Ramos not included. Contact us for rates based on your Nicaragua tour itinerary.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.