The Romelia Wildlife Refuge is located near Montezuma, on the Nicoya Península, Puntarenas, and it was created on November 24th, 1998 as a result of the initiative of Albert Ingalls and Gitza Gatti, and is part of the biological corridor of the Tempisque Conservation Area, (Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve, Curu Mixed Wildlife Reserve, Karen Morgensen Reserve, Nicholas Wessberg Reserve and the Romelia Mixed Wildlife Refuge).

The beachfront property is approximately 224 Ha 8349 m2 (SINAC, 2011) and it has primary and secondary forest, riparian forest and gallery forest.

Among the species found here are 57 bird species, 13 species of reptiles, 7 amphibians, 26 species of mammals, including 11 types of bats.

The mission of the Romelia Wildlife Refuge is of course the protection of the flora and fauna found within its territory and with this purpose in mind they carry our several conservation and protection programs; the mammal project which includes beach cleanings and trail maintenance, and the sea turtle protection and monitoring program which is run from June through December. It is precisely for this program that they require volunteers to assist in the release of newborn turtles, night patrols to protect the turtles that come to the beach to lay their eggs; and hatchery shifts.

“Our Montezuma volunteer program is for environmental enthusiasts who are inspired by experience through hands-on conservation initiatives and who enjoy being surrounded by exotic nature”, explains the refuge’s website.

If you wish to register as a volunteer send an email to: [email protected]