Program Reviews

My husband and I, along with our two kids (ages 7 and 9), spent an incredible week in Sri Lanka volunteering through GoEco’s Family-Friendly Sea Turtle Program. It was an experience unlike any other, blending meaningful conservation work with plenty of family bonding and adventure.

We started our journey with a smooth pickup at the airport, which took us to Unawatuna, a small coastal town where the program is based. Our accommodation was simple but just right for our family: an en-suite room close to Unawatuna Beach, with the added bonus of a pool at the main volunteer house. This made it easy to relax after our shifts. The meals provided were delicious, offering a variety of Sri Lankan dishes, and we were just a short walk away from restaurants where we could try both local specialties and more familiar options like pizza and pasta.. perfect for the kids!

Our daily schedule included a mix of activities, with at least two shifts a week dedicated to working at the sea turtle hatchery. This was the centerpiece of the program, and it quickly became the highlight of our trip. We were involved in feeding the turtles, cleaning their tanks, and even releasing baby turtles into the ocean—a truly unforgettable moment for our family. The kids especially enjoyed “spa day,” where they helped scrub the turtles’ shells using toothbrushes. It was a simple task but one they took seriously, and it gave them a hands-on way to connect with marine life.

Beyond the hatchery, the program also introduced us to other meaningful conservation work. One day, we joined a lagoon clean-up by canoe, collecting over 80 kg of trash in a single shift. Seeing such an impact firsthand was eye-opening for the kids, and it sparked conversations about how we can reduce waste. We also took part in a beach clean-up and had a chance to break from the hard work with a surfing lesson. To my surprise, our kids picked up surfing quickly and had a blast riding the waves!

The program wasn’t all about volunteering, there were plenty of opportunities to experience Sri Lanka’s culture and natural beauty. We visited a Buddhist temple with the guidance of local staff, giving us a deeper understanding of the country’s traditions. Another highlight was a jungle bike ride through rice paddies and scenic countryside, where the kids loved spotting wildlife along the way. Our trip ended on a high note with an elephant safari at Udawalawe National Park. Watching elephants in their natural habitat was a magical experience that we’ll remember for a long time.

This program was a perfect balance of work, exploration, and family time. It allowed us to contribute to important conservation efforts while also discovering the rich culture and natural beauty of Sri Lanka. For families looking for a trip that’s a little different—one that’s both rewarding and memorable—I can’t recommend this program enough. It’s a great way to create lasting memories while making a meaningful impact.

The program overall was excellent. The 5-week program began with culture week in Kathmandu followed by four weeks at Nala Gumba monastery an hour’s drive east of Kathmandu. Culture week was great. Lead by Abhay Shrestha, we got an intro to Nepali history, language, and religion. Several trips in the Kathmandu area for scavenger hunts, landmark searches, and trips to various sites. I arrived at the monastery on Feb 13, but being Tibetan New Year, there were no classes until March 6, and by then my time was nearly over. It didn’t matter to me since I came with my own reading and study agenda (read books, learn Tibetan). But I’d seemed like a funny way to run things. Life at the monastery was great. All the monks from little kids to adults were very friendly and helpful. The provided meals were very tasty and better than I had expected.( no stomach problems the entire 5 weeks). There is a little shop within the monastery which carries an amazing amount of stuff. The accommodations were fine, though you might want to do a little cleaning on your own upon arrival. I had arranged a shared room but due to the New Year holiday, I had my own room for much of the time. Since it was holiday I took off for a week to Dhulikhel and stayed at the Tashi Delek guest house just for a change of pace. The whole week, with meals was $146. With my T Mobile coverage I didn’t need to purchase a SIM card for texts, web pages, and emails, but no YouTube without finding Wi-Fi somewhere. My biggest disappointment had nothing to do with the arrangements, but was in the poor air quality. Never was there any view of the snow-capped Himalayas. The air was often smokey and smelled of burning plastic. When I visited here before in the 1980s is was beautiful and pristine in this area. The dogs at the monastery can be a little noisy at night. “We play all day we fight all night” as Dr. Seuss said. Fortunately I had good ear plugs. Some others indicated they had trouble sleeping. Overall a great experience! Though a Christian, I enjoyed the pujas and tried to make even the early morning ones. A great environment to read my Bible, meditate, and pray. Overall a big thumbs up!

This program is so rewarding and also educational. Learning about the different animals there and being able to spend time and play with some of these animals is a once in a lifetime opportunity. From booking the trip with Goeco to actually spending almost a month at Chipangali, everything was simply amazing. The Wilson family are so passionate and treat you like family from day one. They truly appreciate every volunteer and everything they do. The trip to Victoria Falls was breathtaking and being able to jump into 2023 was an adrenaline rush like no other. So many things to do so if you go make sure it’s at least three weeks.

The program is very well structured with enough room for spontaneity. The support before arriving there is really helpful and once you are there the local team and goeco take great care to make sure you are having a good experience. I loved the project and the interaction i had with sea turtles, I could work so closely to them and truly learn new things. To top it all up, the staff and other volunteers were awesome so managed to make everything so fun, not just volunteering but also hosting parties, taking time to explore and doing weekend trips!

Volunteering at the Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center was the most fun I’ve ever had. I got to spend everyday feeding animals I’ve never heard of until I had arrived. And the other people I worked with were so kind and fun. And almost all of the volunteers were 18-25 years old. The center helped organize trips for us to go out every week (waterfalls, volcanoes, beaches). So grateful!!!
The accommodations were very basic. I would recommend this trip for female travelers as well since 80% of the volunteers were women at the time.

the whoe stay was very unique. the young group of volunteers with us and the staff were truely amazing, and exteremly proffassional.
gave me and the griend that was traveling with me a chance to really get to know the colture, the vibe, and of-course the animals of Costa Rica up close.
i wouldnt recommend more than a week's satey, if you dont have much time to travle in Costa Rica.
would probably do it again, if I ever come back (and I do hope I will...)
all in all, great expirience!

PURA VIDA

You live on a small private island (size of a football field) and dive 3time/day. Great place to learn and get certified or hone in on your skills. You can get your open water or go all the way to master diver.
The diving staff are awesome, very knowledgeable and the focus is to keep you safe and make sure you have a great time. After 2 weeks you will become a pro diver.
We hunt lionfish (invasive) and surveyed for conch and lobster. While diving I have seen turtles, sharks, dolphins, a manatee, and a variety of marine life. I even saw two turtles come up at night to lay eggs.
You spend your rest time play volleyball, paddle boarding, snorkeling, swimming, laying in a hammock, or play card games. There is no internet/wifi which means you spend more time interacting and bonding with others.
The island has it own chef which create delicious and healthy meals. They accommodate to all dietary needs. If you catch enough lionfish they will make ceviche, fish burgers, or fried fish.
Once you stay you don't want to leave.

My experience at the NATUWA animal sanctuary in Costa Rica was amazing! I worked with animals which was like a dream come true, as well as meeting new people who helped me with my Spanish. The bonds I created with everyone will never be forgotten. Zoe and Lorenzo were very helpful with my trip and made sure I was okay every step of the way. I highly recommend this project for any solo travelers looking to have fun and experience working with animals and doing conservation work while learning spanish.

The live-aboard dolphin project in Ischia, Italy truly changed my life. Each day we went to sea and interacted with pods of dolphins and whales, as well as encountered mobula rays, sunfish, and a few species of sea birds. The generosity of spirit and openness to volunteers of all backgrounds made this experience that much more enjoyable. We would end many of our days by going onto the island and getting pizza, gelato, and many other delicious treats. I would highly recommend for any one, families, kids, college students, travelers, photographers - any and all can enjoy!

Can’t recommend Chipangali enough!! Me and my boyfriend went for 3 weeks and we absolutely loved it! The staff, animals & the people you meet are all amazing!! We have made friends for life at Chipangali!

The Wilson family are nothing but welcoming and make you feel comfortable and at home.You experience things you would never think you’d experience in your life! Not many people can say they have stroked a lion or a leopard!

The animals are all treated with love and it was really nice to see how much the animals are looked after. We would return in a heart beat and hope that we can come back in the future!!