National Wildlife Refuge Camaronal

This Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful coastal area of Guanacaste, visited by a lot of surfers, but mostly has a vital importance for the conservation of marine and some terrestrial species. While the beach can be visited without any problems, is very attractive for volunteers who wish to cooperate in conservation projects for sea turtles.

15 years ago The Camaronal Foundation was created to help support the Camaronal Refuge - a site fully committed to the preservation of natural resources that works hand in hand with SINAC, Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación, a large political and legal system dedicated to environmental issues. Camaronal Refuge is dedicated to the preservation of the flora and fauna of the region and focuses on the protection of the four species of marine turtles that visit Costa Rica: The Leatherback (Dermochelys Coriacea), Kemp´s Ridley (Lepidochelys Olivacea), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys Imbricata) and Black (Chelonia Midas Agassizii). All these species have been declared in danger of extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (UICN) and there is a major worldwide effort for their preservation.

Marine turtles are reptiles and have existed for over 100 million years - they are older than the human being itself. Turtles have survived through dinosaur’s extinction, ice ages and natural disasters. However, they could soon disappear due to the uncontrolled actions of man.

If you are interested in working with the Camaronal Refuge, alongside the professional park rangers and with the backing of the Costarican government, you have an ideal opportunity to learn about restoration of the eco-system and the chance to protect the flora and fauna as part of a highly valued team.

To preserve marine turtles and the future generations we need to begin NOW! It is our responsibility so let´s start here and now.