Bejuco is our newest project opened in 2016. Bejuco is a small and remote fishing village located right behind the beach. Living conditions here are simple and rustic. The turtle conservation project and the local fishing community are highly linked. We employ 5 locals who help us to monitor the nesting activity on this beach. The beach is primarily an olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtle nesting beach, but eastern Pacific green (Chelonia mydas), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) nesting events also occasionally occur.

Project site

Bejuco beach is 3.8 km and is located between San Miguel and Corozalito beach. The three beaches are separated by rugged hills and the only way to access the beach is through the Bejuco or Pilas village. The Bejuco village has a population of about 50 people. The closest village, Pueblo Nuevo, is about 2 km away. Here there is a small supermarket, a bar and a restaurant.  A small river needs to be crossed in order to get to the beach. When the tide is low it can be easily crossed on foot, when the tide is high a small wooden boat is used.

Volunteer Program

Bejuco does not have a volunteer program. However, we will have volunteer group day visits from the other projects, and Bejuco interns may be required to help manage activities associated with these groups. Interns will also be expected to welcome tourists, explain about the project, and answer general questions. 

You can participate in this project as a Field Coordinator or Research Assistant (June – January).

Accomodation

The station house consist of two simple bedrooms (one with one bunk bed and the other with one bunk bed and a single bed). There’s an outside living area which include the kitchen and dining area.  Bathroom and showers are located next to the bedrooms, these are commonly shared with the families in the community.  The hatchery is found 30 meters from the station house, in the middle of the village. There is internet service at the station, but unreliable. There is no running hot water, but tap water is drinkable.