Description

Volunteer with rescued wildlife in La Fortuna

Spend up to 2.5 hours at Proyecto ASIS, combining an expert-guided sanctuary tour with a hands-on volunteering session alongside our animal care team. You’ll prepare species-specific diets, build enrichment toys, and see exactly what daily care looks like in a wildlife rescue center in Costa Rica. You’ll leave knowing the animals by name, having done something meaningful for conservation.

A wildlife tour — and a real conservation experience

Most wildlife tours let you watch. Our Tour + Volunteer lets you contribute. You’ll spend up to 2.5 hours at Proyecto Asis combining an expert-guided wildlife tour with a hands-on volunteering session alongside our animal care team. You’ll leave knowing the animals by name, understanding what it actually takes to care for them, and having done something meaningful for wildlife conservation in Costa Rica.

Google Reviews and Photos from our visitors.

Part 1 — The wildlife tour

Your visit begins with an educational guided tour through our rescue sanctuary. One of our trained naturalist guides will introduce you to each animal — their species, how they arrived at Asis, and what their life looks like here. You’ll learn why conservation matters, how rescue and rehabilitation work, and what impact human activity has on Costa Rica’s wildlife. This portion follows the same itinerary as our Wildlife Regular Tour, with the same depth of storytelling and the same stunning photo opportunities.

Part 2 — The volunteer experience

After the tour, you join our team for the volunteering component. This is where it gets hands-on:

• Diet preparation — you’ll learn how to prepare the specific diets for each species, understanding the nutritional needs that support animal welfare and recovery
• Enrichment toy making — you’ll build enrichment toys designed to stimulate each animal’s natural behaviors, encourage exercise, and give them agency over their environment. Enrichment is as essential to animal welfare as proper nutrition and veterinary care
• Feeding observation — in line with Costa Rica’s Ministry of Environment guidelines, only our trained staff carries out the actual feeding. You’ll observe from a respectful distance — close enough to watch the animals respond to enrichment and enjoy their meals

It’s a behind-the-scenes look at what a real wildlife sanctuary runs on every single day.

Animals you’ll work with

Proyecto Asis is home to over 30 rescued species. The animals present in the volunteer program include:

• White-faced capuchin monkey (Cebus capucinus)
• Spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi)
• Scarlet macaw (Ara macao), Great green macaw (Ara ambiguus), Blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna), and hybrid macaws
• Parrots and parakeets
• Collared peccary (Pecari tajacu)
• Margay (Leopardus wiedii)
• White-nosed coati (Nasua narica)
• Great curassow (Crax rubra)
• Kinkajou (Potos flavus)
• Spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus)
• Turtles and boat-billed heron (Cochlearius cochlearius)

Which animals are present on a given day may vary based on the sanctuary’s care schedule.

What to bring

Comfortable clothing you don’t mind getting dirty, closed shoes (flip flops are not permitted), and bug repellent. No prior experience or fitness level required — this program is designed for everyone.

Tour details

Duration: Up to 2 hours and 30 minutes. Schedule: Monday to Saturday, 8:30 am & 1:30 pm. Price: Price: $60 USD per adult · $35 USD for kids aged 5–9 · Free for children under 5. Language: English or Spanish (groups are not mixed — please specify when booking). En Español debe programarse al menos 24 horas antes, por favor contactarnos para organizar: WhatsApp. Includes: Guided wildlife tour, full volunteer session, and coffee break.Please arrive 15 minutes early to check in. We cannot wait for latecomers as it delays the experience for the whole group.Cancellation policy:We understand that unexpected situations may arise and sometimes plans need to change. Our cancellation policy is designed to offer flexibility while allowing us to properly plan our tours and activities:* More than 72 hours before your scheduled activity: 100% refund. * Between 24 and 72 hours before your scheduled activity: 50% refund. * Less than 24 hours before your scheduled activity or in case of a no-show: No refund.We appreciate your understanding, as your reservation helps us plan our operations and continue supporting the care and conservation of wildlife at our Sanctuary.All cancellations must be acknowledged by Proyecto Asis.

Frequently asked questions

What does the volunteer work involve?

The volunteer component has two parts: first you prepare the specific diets for each animal species, learning about their nutritional needs, then you build enrichment toys designed to stimulate natural behaviors and improve animal wellbeing. In line with Costa Rica’s Ministry of Environment guidelines, feeding is carried out by our trained staff only — you observe from a respectful distance.

Which animals will I work with during the volunteer experience?

The program includes white-faced capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, scarlet macaws, great green macaws, blue-and-yellow macaws, hybrid macaws, parrots, parakeets, collared peccaries, margays, coatis, great curassows, kinkajous, spectacled caimans, turtles and boat-billed herons. The specific animals present may vary by day based on the sanctuary’s care schedule.

How is the Tour + Volunteer different from the regular Wildlife Tour?

The Tour + Volunteer includes everything in the regular Wildlife Tour — the guided walk, animal introductions and conservation education — plus a hands-on volunteer session where you prepare animal diets and enrichment toys alongside our care team. It runs up to 2.5 hours, compared with about 1.5 hours for the regular tour, and costs $60 USD per adult rather than $40 USD.

Do I need previous experience to volunteer?

No. The program is recommended for all ages and is especially popular with families. No prior experience with animals or volunteering is required, and there’s no fitness requirement. The activity involves light hands-on tasks such as preparing food and building simple enrichment toys. Children aged 5 to 9 pay $35 USD and children under 5 are free.

Will I get to feed the animals directly?

Direct feeding is carried out by our trained staff only, in accordance with guidelines from Costa Rica’s Ministry of Environment. During the volunteering session you prepare the diets and observe the feeding from close by — you’ll see the animals respond to the enrichment and enjoy their meals.

How much does the Wildlife Tour + Volunteer cost?

$60 USD per adult, $35 USD for children aged 5 to 9, and free for children under 5. The price includes the full guided wildlife tour, the volunteer session with diet preparation and enrichment, and a coffee break. Reservation in advance is required.

How long is the Wildlife Tour + Volunteer?

Up to 2 hours and 30 minutes. Sessions run Monday to Saturday at 8:30 am and 1:30 pm. Please arrive 15 minutes early to check in.

Can I volunteer long term at Proyecto ASIS?

Yes. Beyond this half-day program, Proyecto ASIS runs long-term volunteer programs for those who want a deeper commitment to wildlife conservation. Contact us for dates and details.

Is the experience available in Spanish?

Sessions are guided in English. Spanish is available with at least 24 hours’ notice — please contact us to arrange yours. En Español debe programarse al menos 24 horas antes, por favor contactarnos para organizar: WhatsApp.

Where is Proyecto ASIS located?

In La Fortuna de San Carlos, Alajuela, Costa Rica, near the Arenal Volcano area. Search “Proyecto ASIS” on Google Maps or Waze.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel more than 72 hours before your session for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 72 hours in advance are non-refundable.