The Story of Carrot and Jupiter
May 3, 2024
Volunteer Blog: Alyssa
August 10, 2024
My name is Anthony and I am from Portland, Maine. After watching an episode of PBS's Nature about Ara Manzanillo, I was immediately captivated by their work. Their website quickly confirmed their need for volunteers, and I eagerly applied.
Volunteering at Ara Manzanillo was not only my first time working with macaws, but also my introduction to Costa Rica. From the moment I arrived to my last morning, the Great Green Macaws stole the show! Witnessing these critically endangered parrots soaring freely through the jungle was truly remarkable.
Daily operations at Ara Manzanillo involved a variety of tasks and projects, including gathering almonds for the macaws, maintaining the grounds, and cleaning the aviaries. The workload was pleasantly light, and the pace never felt too intense. There was always ample time to relax and enjoy a delicious homemade lunch. The full-time staff, Duaro and Marcelo, were incredibly friendly and always willing to help. Their vast knowledge of the macaws and the jungle made them a tremendous resource. Erin, Ara Manzanillo's operations manager, was extremely helpful in getting me settled and acclimated during my first week. Her bilingualism was a lifesaver!
Anthony's amazing photos!
One of the highlights of my day was photographing the macaws alone every morning during their supplemental feeding. These quiet moments were the most rewarding part of my entire stay.
A couple of things to consider if you're interested in volunteering at Ara Manzanillo: The southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is hot and humid, and adjusting to the climate can be challenging. Staying at the field station truly immerses you in the jungle, and encountering wildlife (harmless, of course!) inside your bedroom or kitchen is a common occurrence.
However, I found working with Erin to create a unique volunteer experience to be incredibly rewarding. Stacking my days off allowed me to explore different parts of the country for a few days - something I highly recommend!
If you have a passion for parrots, jungle ecology, or Costa Rica, I wholeheartedly recommend volunteering a month of your time at Ara Manzanillo! My six weeks there were truly impactful and rewarding.
More flight pictures
