⚠️  Limited Spots

Capped at just 5 participants per week

Application and deposit completed on one page.

Why Head-Start Conservation Matters

Head-start programs raise young turtles in managed care until they reach a more suitable size for release. This approach can significantly increase survivability during the most vulnerable early life stages—supporting conservation outcomes while providing students with meaningful hands-on experience.

Weekly Schedule (Typical)

• Sunday: Arrival, airport pickup, orientation, local setup
• Monday–Friday: Sea turtle conservation work at Mundo Marino + educational lectures
• Saturday: Departure day (airport drop-off)

Participants staying multiple weeks have weekends off (rest days, travel days, or independent exploration).

What’s Included (Program Fee Covers Everything Below)

Your weekly program fee includes:

• Housing in Rodadero, Colombia (walkable to Mundo Marino)
• Airport pickup and drop-off at Santa Marta International Airport (SMR)
• All program activities Monday–Friday at Mundo Marino
• Educational lectures
• Program T-shirt
• A dedicated bilingual liaison available throughout the program to assist with:
• local orientation (restaurants, groceries, logistics)
• housing support
• communication and general assistance
• Full kitchen access in housing for self-prepared meals

Not included: airfare to/from Colombia and personal meals.

What to Bring / What We Provide

What to Bring

Participants should plan to bring:

• 👟 Closed-toe shoes suitable for daily work
• 🧥 Light rain jacket
• 🚰 Refillable water bottle
• 💊 Any personal medications
• 🛂 Valid passport (required for international travel not expiring within 6 months of the trip)

Optional personal items such as sunscreen, hats, and comfortable work clothes are also recommended.

What We Provide

The program provides:

• 🏠 Housing accommodations in Rodadero, Colombia
• 🧭 Local orientation and on-site support from a bilingual liaison
• ✈️ Transportation to and from Santa Marta International Airport (SMR)
• 👕 Program T-shirt
• 🍳 Fully equipped kitchen for self-prepared meals

Program Location & Arrival Airport

• Location: Rodadero (Santa Marta area), Colombia
• Arrival airport: Santa Marta International Airport (SMR)
  Participants arrive on Sunday; airport pickup is arranged in advance.

Special Event Week: Sea Turtle Release Week

May 24 – May 31 (Extended Week)

This special session includes participation in a large-scale release event:

• Scheduled sea turtle release on May 30
• Approximately 200 turtles released back into the wild (expected; subject to conditions and permitting)
• Departure is Sunday, May 31 (one additional night included)

Fee for this special week: $1,250

If the Release Is Canceled

If the May 30 release cannot occur due to weather, permitting, or circumstances beyond program control, participants will receive a $300 refund (the upgrade portion only). All standard program activities and housing will still be provided.

Pricing

Standard Weeks

• $950 per week
• Deposit: $250 per week to reserve your spot
  (applied to your total)

Sea Turtle Release Week (May 24–May 31)

• $1,250 total - Includes one additional night of housing and the scheduled May 30 release event.
• Deposit: $500 to reserve your spot
  (applied to your total)

All program fees include:
Housing · Airport transfers · Program activities · Lectures · Program T-shirt · On-site support

Refund, Transfer, and Change Policy

To keep scheduling fair and protect limited-capacity weeks:

• Deposits are refundable for 3 days after payment
• After 3 days, deposits and all payments become non-refundable
• Once paid in full, no refunds are issued

If plans change, participants may:

• apply paid weeks to the following year, or
• switch to a different week (subject to availability), or
• apply paid funds toward CMERA programs
• Transfers must be requested in writing and are subject to availability.

Who This Program Is For

This program is a great fit for:

• Marine biology and environmental science students
• Pre-vet and veterinary students seeking wildlife and animal care experience
• Conservation professionals and motivated adult learners
• Participants interested in international field experience and real-world conservation work

No Spanish is required—support is provided by the bilingual liaison.

Additional Program Requirements

Travel Insurance

All participants are required to purchase travel insurance for the duration of the program. Coverage must be active for the full dates of attendance, including travel days.

Travel insurance must include:

• International medical coverage
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Trip interruption or cancellation coverage

Participants are responsible for selecting and purchasing their own policy. Proof of travel insurance will be requested prior to arrival in Colombia.

Motivation Letter

As part of the application process, participants are required to submit a short motivation letter requested by Mundo Marino Aquarium.

The motivation letter should briefly explain:

• why you are interested in participating in the Sea Turtle Conservation Program, and
• what you hope to gain from the experience.

This letter helps Mundo Marino better understand each participant’s interests and motivation for working with the sea turtle conservation team.

Length guideline: approximately 1 page or less.

You can upload this short letter with your application.

How to Apply / Reserve a Spot

Reserve Your Spot

Because the Sea Turtle Conservation Program is capped at just five (5) participants per week, availability is extremely limited. We strongly recommend reserving your week early.

To secure your spot, participants must:

• Select their desired week(s)
• Complete the short application
• Upload the motivation letter
• Submit the required deposit

All steps are completed on a single reservation page.

Spaces are confirmed only once a deposit has been received.

What Happens Next

After reserving your week:

• You will receive an automatic confirmation email
• Our team will follow up with:
• arrival details
• packing recommendations
• housing and airport pickup information
• remaining balance and payment timeline

FAQ

Do I need prior experience?
No. Training and supervision are provided.

Do you provide meals?
Meals are not included. Housing includes a full kitchen, and the liaison will assist with grocery access.

Is airfare included?
No. Participants fly into Santa Marta (SMR). Airport pickup/drop-off is included.

Can I attend multiple weeks?
Yes—enroll for one week or multiple weeks.

Will I work with eggs or hatchlings?
No. Participants work with hatched turtles already in managed care.

Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Travel insurance with international medical and emergency evacuation coverage is required for all participants.

What is the motivation letter?
Mundo Marino requests a brief letter explaining why you would like to participate in the program and what you hope to gain from the experience.

What is the minimum age to participate?

Participants must be at least 18 years old by the start of their program week.

Is local transportation included besides airport pickup?

Yes. Airport pickup and drop-off are included, and daily transportation is not required during the program. Housing is within walking distance of Mundo Marino Aquarium, and the bilingual liaison assists with local orientation, including nearby grocery stores and restaurants.

Is this program appropriate for veterinary or pre-veterinary students?

Yes. This program is well suited for pre-vet and veterinary students seeking hands-on experience with live animals in a conservation setting. Participants gain exposure to:

• animal husbandry and daily care
• health monitoring and growth tracking
• assisting with medicating and treatment procedures (as appropriate and supervised)
• working alongside professional animal care staff