Spend a half day learning about local wildlife and conservation during this once-in-a-lifetime Costa Rican volunteer opportunity. Enjoy the lush landscapes just outside La Fortuna and have the chance to observe some of the country's most exotic species. Prepare food, and help maintain the grounds as you learn about local wildlife from area experts. This 3.5-hour tour of the property is sure to be a memorable part of any Costa Rican adventure!

Close encounter with wildlife
Small-group tour
Informative, friendly and professional guide
Enjoy a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city
Family friendly

Operated by:

What's Included

Brunch
All Fees and Taxes
Naturalist Guide

Transportation to/from attractions
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Proyecto Asis
141, Provincia de Alajuela, San Carlos, Costa Rica
You can also type Proyecto Asis on Google Maps

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Wheelchair accessible
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately (closed shoes)
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation

Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travellers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveller Photos

Traveller Tips

Slightly further from La Fortuna town than I had thought but well worth the taxi fare

Reviews

5.0

108 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 108 reviews

MUST DO Experience!!!!

HeatherFukuchi, July 2022

This was the second time I have done this tour. Carlos was amazing and I learned so much! This is a must do activity for any age!

Amazing Experience!

Kevin_H, July 2022

This was a highlight in La Fortuna. Our kids aged 3-7 loved it also. The staff walked through and explained each animal and their hopes to release them back into the wild. We then got to prepare their food and then go back and feed each animal which the kids loved. It was truly a unique experience with animals that are local to Costa Rica. Wonderful friendly staff.

Highly recommend!

Anne_H, July 2022

My family and I had a wonderful experience. Our guide Carlos was very knowledgeable and he shared his compassion and empathy for the rescue animals and all wildlife.

Just wow!

Annie_C, Mar 2020

A great activity for the whole family. My three children loved it! Carlos was so funny and passionate about his job. Thank you for this wonderful time!

Excellent

Helena, Feb 2020

One of the best things we did in costa rica! We saw and learnt a lot and our guide was excellent ! Slightly further from La Fortuna town than I had thought but well worth the taxi fare

Fun for all

KC_S, July 2019

We did the half day tour and feeding. On the tour we met all the caged animals that are either former pets or recuperating from trauma. They treat and release as many animals as they can, but some will live out their life at the center. We learned about birds, monkeys, peccaries, and other animals. The next part had us chopping up food for the birds, monkeys, and others. We prepared the bananas, corn, oranges, etc. Next, we get to feed them, which was super fun. The center is about 30 minutes from La Fortuna. For us it was cheaper to rent a car for the day rather than taxi to and from so keep that in mind. If this sounds fun, do it. I loved it.

This was an amazing experience, the...

Carolyn_T, May 2018

This was an amazing experience, the guide really took the time to explain the history of each animal and how it came to be in the sanctuary and what the chances were of re-introducing in the wild. It rained while I was trying to take photos, but still had a really memorable time getting to know the animals of Costa Rica.

We loooooved this day. Probably one...

Christine_G, Mar 2018

We loooooved this day. Probably one of best experiences we had in CR and we had plenty. I thought my 14 yo maybhave thought it too kiddish as there were several younger families. He didn’t The only issue we had was in directions. We didn’t have FPS and directions anywhere in CR were bad, no sign

The tour was amazing! Our guide...

Joellen_O, Mar 2018

The tour was amazing! Our guide Carlos was fantastic, and taught us so much. This was the highlight of our time in La Fortuna!

Wonderful tour to see some animals...

Justine E, Feb 2018

Wonderful tour to see some animals up close. We had a couple of animal interactions too. My mom and I loved that the rescue focused on rehabilitation and releasing back in the wild. Would recommend to everyone.

Great staff, knowledgeable and...

lynn_l, Feb 2018

Great staff, knowledgeable and caring. They seem to be doing the best they can getting the animals back into the wild. We were glad to support them because of the education they are doing to their community and environment. The environment was lacking for some of the animals but they are working on improving the pens as they get funding. You really will get to prepare and feed the animals which was great fun. The station was a bit out of the way for us but worth the drive. We left with warm hopeful hearts for the future of the animals in Costa Rica..

YOU NEED TO DO THIS!!! My husband...

serenawainwright, Dec 2017

YOU NEED TO DO THIS!!! My husband and I are wildlife enthusiasts and had the honor to be part of the volunteer program at Wildlife Rescue Center in Costa Rica. The program is well thought out, the experience is authentic and true, and our guide, Carlos, is well informed and passionate about his work. Highly recommend this tour and feeding experience for all ages and abilities. Thank you so much for your wisdom and work ethic Carlos. I'll be passing the card you gave us at the end of out tour to my grand daughter in the hopes she'll be able to come and work with you. Thank you a million times over, what a highlight to our trip.

This should be the first thing you...

Chad T, Aug 2017

This should be the first thing you do when you're here. You learn about the animals then get to prepare their food and feed them. Monkeys, birds, hogs, raccoons, and caymans. Awesome time and learned so much!

This tour was an education once in a...

David H, July 2017

This tour was an education once in a lifetime experience. Carlos was our guide, quick witted and passionate about the animals.The animals in the rescue center are being well taken care of by a staff that has a love for the natural world around them.

This should be mandatory for all...

scott w, June 2017

This should be mandatory for all first time visitors to Costa Rica !!! We had an amazing time and learned so much about the wildlife. The hands on expense was so amazing. Our guide Carlos was informative, entertaining and passionate. This is a must!

Can't say enough good things about...

Penne C, Mar 2017

Can't say enough good things about our afternoon of volunteering. This was the highlight of the visit. Carlos is high energy, funny and totally dedicated and knowledgeable about the animals. He gives everyone equal time to learn about each one and if ok, to pet each one. Feeding time was a blast. We were 2 adults in the middle of 3 families with kids and everyone had a blast. I do recommend if you have children that they be at least 7-8 yo or older. anything younger will become tired and bored and will interrupt everyone else in the group. This is worth the time and effort to participate. It is about a 25-30 min cab ride 40SD from downtown LaFortuna and worth it!.

Amazing, a dream come true for a...

Emilio G, Mar 2017

Amazing, a dream come true for a father son adventure, really passionate people working for the program. Highly recommend it!

A MUST!!! Our guide Carlos was...

Michal A, Feb 2017

A MUST!!! Our guide Carlos was absolutely wonderful. We learned a lot about the animals and truly enjoined feeding them. One of the most memorable experiences of our trip.

This was a great guided tour. Fun...

Suzanne G, Jan 2017

This was a great guided tour. Fun for our kids ages 10 and 13 and fun for us. My only complaint was that our group was too large. There must have been at least 20 people on the tour, so when we stopped at an animal's habitat to talk about it and learn about them, you sometimes couldn't see the animal through the crowd of people. A larger group also is less personal and my kids didn't feel comfortable asking questions. For this price I was hoping for a group of maybe 10-12 people max.

Thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Staff...

David J, Sept 2016

Thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Staff were very informative and helpful and we got to see a broad range of animals and birds.