
Finca Exotica
Trip Info
Duration: 1-8 weeks (year-round)
Location: Osa Peninsula, near Corcovado National Park
Difficulty: Moderate (tropical farm work in humid conditions)
Age/Experience : 18+ years; all backgrounds and abilities welcome
Seasonal Considerations: : Year-round; dry season (December-April) ideal for first-time volunteers
Included Services: Eco-lodge accommodation, organic meals, training, guided hikes, community immersion
About Finca Exotica
Experience sustainable living in harmony with one of Earth's most biodiverse regions at Finca Exotica, an eco-lodge and organic farm adjacent to Corcovado National Park on the remote Osa Peninsula. This volunteer program offers a holistic approach to conservation, combining hands-on work in permaculture, organic farming, and rainforest preservation with immersion in a vibrant international community dedicated to sustainable living practices. Your mornings might be spent tending to the organic gardens that supply the lodge's farm-to-table meals, while afternoons could include maintaining jungle trails, participating in wildlife monitoring projects, or assisting with community education initiatives. As the day ends, you'll relax in comfortable eco-lodging surrounded by primary rainforest teeming with wildlife. This program welcomes people of all backgrounds and abilities, emphasizing the connection between sustainable food production, wildlife conservation, and conscious community living.
Facebook
X
Linkedin
What You'll See @ Finca Exotica
Finca Exotica's location on the Osa Peninsula—described by National Geographic as "the most biologically intense place on earth"—offers unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities. The property features accessible primary rainforest with trails where you'll regularly encounter monkeys, coatis, agoutis, and countless bird species. All four Costa Rican monkey species (squirrel, spider, howler, and white-faced capuchin) inhabit the area and frequently visit the farm. Scarlet macaws are daily visitors, often seen in pairs flying over the property or feeding in beach almond trees. The nearby beaches serve as nesting grounds for four sea turtle species during certain months. The organic gardens and food forests showcase tropical permaculture in action, with diverse production areas demonstrating sustainable growing techniques. Volunteer accommodations offer views of the Pacific Ocean on one side and primary rainforest on the other. The farm's sustainable infrastructure includes natural building techniques, solar power systems, rainwater collection, and composting toilets—all examples of practical ecological design solutions.
Itinerary
Daily Schedule (flexible):
6:00 AM: Optional sunrise yoga or meditation
7:00 AM: Breakfast with farm-fresh ingredients
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Morning work session (varies by project)
12:30 PM: Community lunch
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM: Afternoon project work
4:00 PM: Free time for swimming, hiking, or relaxation
6:30 PM: Dinner and evening community activities
Weekly Schedule:
Mondays: Orientation for new volunteers, community meeting
Tuesdays: Garden and food forest maintenance
Wednesdays: Sustainable construction and infrastructure projects
Thursdays: Wildlife monitoring and trail maintenance
Fridays: Community projects and skill-sharing workshops
Weekends: Optional excursions to Corcovado National Park, local beaches, or cultural sites
Monthly Activities:
- New moon and full moon celebrations
- Specialized workshops (natural building, permaculture design, medicinal plants)
- Community volunteer days with local schools
- Farm-to-table cooking classes using harvest
- Wildlife inventory and monitoring projects
6:00 AM: Optional sunrise yoga or meditation
7:00 AM: Breakfast with farm-fresh ingredients
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Morning work session (varies by project)
12:30 PM: Community lunch
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM: Afternoon project work
4:00 PM: Free time for swimming, hiking, or relaxation
6:30 PM: Dinner and evening community activities
Weekly Schedule:
Mondays: Orientation for new volunteers, community meeting
Tuesdays: Garden and food forest maintenance
Wednesdays: Sustainable construction and infrastructure projects
Thursdays: Wildlife monitoring and trail maintenance
Fridays: Community projects and skill-sharing workshops
Weekends: Optional excursions to Corcovado National Park, local beaches, or cultural sites
Monthly Activities:
- New moon and full moon celebrations
- Specialized workshops (natural building, permaculture design, medicinal plants)
- Community volunteer days with local schools
- Farm-to-table cooking classes using harvest
- Wildlife inventory and monitoring projects
Highlights ofFinca Exotica
Finca Exotica's location on the Osa Peninsula—described by National Geographic as "the most biologically intense place on earth"—offers unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities. The property features accessible primary rainforest with trails where you'll regularly encounter monkeys, coatis, agoutis, and countless bird species. All four Costa Rican monkey species (squirrel, spider, howler, and white-faced capuchin) inhabit the area and frequently visit the farm. Scarlet macaws are daily visitors, often seen in pairs flying over the property or feeding in beach almond trees. The nearby beaches serve as nesting grounds for four sea turtle species during certain months. The organic gardens and food forests showcase tropical permaculture in action, with diverse production areas demonstrating sustainable growing techniques. Volunteer accommodations offer views of the Pacific Ocean on one side and primary rainforest on the other. The farm's sustainable infrastructure includes natural building techniques, solar power systems, rainwater collection, and composting toilets—all examples of practical ecological design solutions.
Meeting point:Puerto Jimenez airport pickup or scheduled transport from San José
Tour Guide Expertise
The farm's founding team brings over 15 years of experience developing sustainable systems in the challenging tropical environment of the Osa Peninsula. Resident permaculture designers hold Permaculture Design Certificates and have implemented projects across various tropical regions, adapting techniques to local conditions. The wildlife program is coordinated by biologists with specific expertise in Osa Peninsula ecosystems and species, many conducting ongoing research projects on the property. Natural building specialists demonstrate traditional and innovative construction techniques using locally sourced and sustainable materials. The community includes practitioners of various sustainable living disciplines—from organic farming and seed saving to renewable energy systems and waste management. Several staff members have indigenous heritage and share traditional ecological knowledge passed through generations. The diverse international team brings perspectives and techniques from around the world, creating a rich learning environment where traditional wisdom meets modern sustainability practices.

"Our 8-day tour through Tortuguero, Arenal, and Manuel Antonio exceeded every expectation. The wildlife encounters were incredible—we saw sloths, toucans, and even a family of howler monkeys! Our guide Miguel's knowledge transformed what would have been a good vacation into an unforgettable experience."
Sarah Thompson
Chicago

The Pacuare River overnight expedition was the highlight of our Costa Rica trip. Professional guides, breathtaking scenery, and the perfect balance of thrilling rapids and peaceful floats. Staying at the riverside lodge was magical—falling asleep to jungle sounds is something we'll never forget.
Mark Davidson
ancouver

Volunteering at the Pacuare Reserve for sea turtle conservation changed my perspective on eco-tourism. Two weeks of meaningful work alongside dedicated conservationists was both humbling and inspiring. Explore Costa Rica handled all the logistics flawlessly.
Emma Chen
Sydney

After years of dreaming about moving to Costa Rica, Explore Costa Rica made it happen seamlessly. From finding our perfect home in Perez Zeledon to navigating residency paperwork, their team supported us every step of the way. Six months in, and we're living the life we imagined!
Robert and Linda Gonzalez
Former Arizona Residents
No posts found
