Learn & Intern

Explore Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center’s educational programs in Costa Rica — from certified courses and internships to collaboration opportunities for academic institutions.
Gain hands-on experience with wildlife and contribute to real conservation work in one of the world’s most biodiverse countries – home to over 500,000 species.

Explore our unique wildlife opportunities

APPLY NOW · NEXT EDITION
January 13th–February 15th 2027
(3 more dates available)

Certified field training course

in Tropical Conservation and Wildlife Rehabilitation

Take your conservation career to the next level:

Master hands-on techniques with professionals in the field and gain valuable experience
It’s a certified course of a duration of 4-weeks
Only 8 students each edition
Explore one of the world’s most biodiverse regions in Golfo Dulce, Osa, Costa Rica

Veterinary Internship

Veterinary interns work directly with our highly experienced veterinarian and our rehabilitation staff in La Garita, Alajuela, Costa Rica. Over 3,000 animals are admitted to the rescue center on an annual basis and include orphans, injured animals, electrocutions, confiscations and surrendered pets. Additionally, there are over 800 non-releasable wild animals in our sanctuary that require medical management. Veterinary interns assist with with animal intakes, exams, treatments, surgeries, feeding and record keeping.

Wildlife Fieldwork Internship

This internship gives you the unique opportunity to not only see, but to play an active part in what we call: The Road to Freedom. Our Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center receives hundreds of animals that have been rescued from the pet trade, injured, sick, or orphaned. It is at Bosque Escondido on the Nicoya Peninsula that we see the fruition of our team’s hard work, and aid the animals in their release and their second chance at life in the wild, the final step on their Road to Freedom.

Master Thesis Opportunity

Research at Bosque Escondido Wildlife Refuge, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Conduct your master’s thesis project on pre- and post-release monitoring
Data used to evaluate and improve release strategies
The master’s student will mentor interns during the program
Minimum three-month duration, preferably longer

Faculty-Led Programs at Bosque Escondido

For universities and academic institutions
Lead your own course in Costa Rica’s dry tropical forest
Students gain hands-on conservation and cultural field experience in one of the world’s rarest ecosystems—the dry tropical forest of Costa Rica, Nicoya Peninsula, Bosque Escondido.
Ideal for programs in conservation, ecology, and biology

FIELD RESEARCH ASSISTANT POSITION

We are looking for a motivated candidate to join our long-term rehabilitation and release research program at our release site, Bosque Escondido, in the dry tropical forest of the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. This position is designed for individuals who want to gain professional-level work experience to strengthen their CV.

Where are Rescate Wildlife’s Costa Rican volunteer and internship programs located?

Most programs take place at Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center in La Garita, Alajuela. Here you’ll find:

A state-of-the-art Wildlife Rescue Center and veterinary clinic
An Endangered Wildlife Reproduction Center
A 35-acre Conservation Park with lush botanical gardens and over 125 rescued animal species, including birds, mammals, and reptiles.

Many of these animals cannot be released back into the wild due to health or behavioral challenges. They live in large, naturalistic enclosures designed to give them the highest possible quality of life with plenty of enrichment.

In addition to the main center, Rescate also manages two release sites:

Bosque Escondido Wildlife Refuge – 720 hectares of dry tropical forest in the Nicoya Peninsula.
Golfo Dulce Release Site – 37 hectares of tropical rainforest in the province of Puntarenas.

As a volunteer or intern in Costa Rica, you’ll be based at Rescate but may also have the opportunity to assist at our release sites, supporting the release and monitoring of rehabilitated wildlife.

Internships and Volunteering in Costa Rica

Are you seeking a remarkable volunteer experience or searching for an internship opportunity related to wildlife and conservation? Look no further than our awe-inspiring wildlife volunteer and internship programs in Costa Rica.
Whether you’re interested in a short-term volunteer opportunity or require an internship as part of your studies, our programs offer unparalleled experiences. Here’s why Costa Rica is the perfect destination for wildlife volunteering:

Join us in Costa Rica and become part of our mission to protect and preserve the abundant wildlife this country has to offer. Experience the beauty of nature while making a tangible impact on the future of our planet.

Volunteering Opportunities

Embark on an enriching journey with Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center’s unique volunteering opportunities in Costa Rica. Immerse yourself in an exclusive stay, gaining behind-the-scenes insights into our sanctuary’s operations. Forge global friendships while contributing your expertise to vital projects that support our mission. This opportunity is exclusively for experienced individuals in specific fields, committed to shaping conservation. Join our community, united by a shared passion for wildlife. Explore the roles or projects we need help with and become a driving force in preserving Costa Rica’s fauna and contribute in educational projects.