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Two decades turning a passion for nature into a network of volunteering, education and conscious tourism.
Discover meaningful travel experiences, stay with us on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, learn about sustainability and tropical biodiversity, and become part of our conservation and community projects. Explore educational programmes, family adventures, school trips, retreats and hands-on workshops—or discover our handmade products crafted from recovered beach plastic.
Travel with purpose. Learn by doing. Leave a positive impact.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Limón, Costa Rica
9°38′ N, 82°44′ W (opens the hostel in Google Maps, in a new tab)
Right now over there:
Costa Rica is home to more than 5% of the planet's biodiversity, and in Puerto Viejo we work to protect this natural paradise.
Join our community and live the whole experience: we offer accommodation, meals, tours and workshops while you leave your mark working with children, looking after local wildlife and protecting our beaches.
Volunteers, neighbours and the team tell what brought them to the South Caribbean and why they stayed. Filmed here, in Puerto Viejo.
More videos on our channel: Planet Conservation Intro (opens in a new tab) World Environment Day 2020 (opens in a new tab)
Beate and Federico
who we are
More than twenty years ago, Beate and Federico fell in love with Costa Rica. They started by taking groups of young people to the Osa Peninsula to work hand in hand with local communities, and that is how Planet Conservation was born.
They still lead every project, from the hostel in Puerto Viejo to the houses in Cahuita, together with a local team and volunteers from all over the world.
What you'll do
Beach clean-ups along the Caribbean coast, followed by sorting and washing the plastic collected (bottle caps, PET) so it can be recycled or turned into community art and eco-bricks.
What happens here
Our community house, where local children and volunteers come together for social circus, music and art workshops: a space built on trust with local families.
What you'll do
Night patrols on the beach to monitor nesting females, protect the nests and move them to the hatchery, and release the hatchlings safely into the sea.
What you'll do
Hands-on building and repair work alongside local families: we build playgrounds, shared spaces and the small works communities really need.
You can go straight to what you're looking for from the menu. If you'd rather we lead the way, this is the order: at the end of each page the next stop is waiting for you.
first stop: the stay
We're in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a few minutes' walk from Playa Cocles, and also in the village of Cahuita: bioclimatic cabins and fibre internet under the jungle canopy of the South Caribbean.
See the stayThe coastline is hand-drawn; the dots mark exactly where we are.
second stop: education
An intensive experience of learning, nature and action. Three days to discover the principles of sustainable living, conservation and regeneration.
third stop: the experiences
We design experiences that connect people with nature, communities and real conservation projects.
Explore the experiencesfourth stop: the marketplace
Every Marketplace piece starts as bottle caps and plastic recovered from Caribbean beaches. Creativity can turn an environmental problem into something you enjoy using.
See the whole MarketplaceReused plastic
A symbol of marine conservation: a light accessory with a story of positive impact behind every piece.
Before US$20Now US$15
Reused plastic, with a cloth bag
Pieces made from plastic recovered from the beaches, in many colours, with a cloth bag that doubles as the board.
Before US$35Now US$30
Reused plastic
Handmade from discarded caps. Unique styles inspired by the animals of the rainforest and the corals of the Caribbean Sea. From US$8 each when you take 2 or more; a single one is US$15.
US$8each, minimum 2
Order on WhatsApp Jungle and Sea keyrings (opens in a new tab)Reused plastic, UV protection
One-of-a-kind pieces made from plastic bottle caps in different colours. Style with purpose.
Before US$70Now US$55
Woven or beaded, adjustable
Hand-woven or made with beads from recycled caps: elegant, in sea tones or multicoloured.
Before US$12Now US$10
Reused plastic
Light earrings with beads made from the plastic we recover in beach clean-ups. Every pair is unique.
Reused plastic, set of 6
Recycled plastic hexagons that protect the table or come together on the wall as a mosaic.
US$10set of 6, assorted colours
Order on WhatsApp Coasters and mosaic tiles (opens in a new tab)With the Caribe Libre de Plástico design
Bottles to refill again and again, with the turtle of the Caribe Libre de Plástico campaign or with your company's logo.
Real reviews from guests and volunteers in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.
5,0
14 reviews, ranked 35 of 142 places to stay in Puerto Viejo
Stayed several months and felt part of the community. The food is always super and filling! Staff speaks English, Spanish, and German.
KrystalLyn H., May 2021
Lived there three months. This place was a fantastic place to live. Loved the hammocks and being just 15 minutes walking from the beach.
Abby B., May 2021
Found a great community and welcoming hosts. The Caribbean cuisine by Marlene is absolutely top-notch, set in a jungle location near beautiful beaches.
MOR, September 2022
Great! A beautiful and clean hotel with super friendly, helpful staff and an excellent location. Ask about the language school and volunteer work!
Jessica Rojas, August 2019
4,9
49 reviews, host since 2021
What an amazing place they have here! Everyone feels like family and they do such amazing work for the environment and the local community!
Katie, United Kingdom, 2026
The experience was incredible, I learnt so much about sustainability. The hosts are the most kind and giving people.
Emily, United Kingdom, 2026
I felt instantly welcome and at home at Planet Conservation. Beate was such a warm, engaging host with a passion for sustainable practices.
Teresa, United States, 2026
This is a true home away from home. Beate and Fernando were incredibly welcoming and genuine in having our group stay with them in Puerto Viejo.
Abigail, United States, 2026
Planning your stay with us? Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your experience in Costa Rica’s beautiful Southern Caribbean.
We offer a variety of options to suit different travelers, including single beds in our hostel, private hostel rooms, a private jungle bungalow in Cocles/Puerto Viejo, and then also our casitas in Cahuita. Breakfast is included in selected offers, and half-board or full-board meal plans are also available.
Both locations are surrounded by lush jungle and approximately 900 meters from the beach. We are about 3 km from Puerto Viejo town center, while our Cahuita location is around 1 km from Cahuita National Park.
You can reach us by bus, taxi, or Uber. Many guests rent bicycles directly from us for US$8 per day or US$25 per week. Quad bikes and motorbikes are also available from nearby rental providers.
There’s plenty to explore! At our Puerto Viejo location, we offer yoga and Latin dance classes, as well as access to activities such as horseback riding, kayaking, and snorkeling.
You may spot monkeys, sloths, butterflies, and hummingbirds right in our garden!
You can also support local wildlife projects through guided tours or apply to participate in a conservation project, which requires a minimum commitment of four weeks and a strong work ethic. We also offer conservation courses, guided day and night excursions, and sustainability workshops.
We offer breakfast and, depending on your program, dinner or full-board meal plans. We have extensive experience catering to vegetarian, vegan, and other special diets, as well as food allergies. Please let us know about any dietary requirements in advance.
Absolutely! We’re happy to help arrange your transfer for a smooth arrival. Simply send us your flight details, and we’ll help organize your journey to us.
Sustainability is part of our everyday life. We use rainwater for many activities, including bathing, toilets, washing, and cleaning, and provide drinking water through a double-filtration system. We use biodegradable cleaning products, plan meals carefully to reduce food waste, compost kitchen scraps, and prioritize plant-based meals and locally sourced or seasonal ingredients.
We also encourage reusable shopping bags, provide free coffee and reusable mugs, organize weekly beach cleanups, separate waste, host recycling workshops, and support the local recycling facility.
Pack light and prepare for both tropical sunshine and rainforest rain! We recommend bringing:
We also recommend avoiding leather products for your time in the rainforest.
Please contact us directly to make your reservation. Booking procedures and cancellation policies may vary depending on your program, the season, and whether you are traveling individually or as part of a group. We’ll be happy to provide the details for your specific stay.
Our region is home to a rich mix of cultures, especially Afro-Caribbean traditions and the Indigenous Bribri communities.
We highly recommend visiting a cacao farm to discover traditional chocolate-making methods and joining a Caribbean cooking experience to learn more about local food and culture. We’re also happy to share an up-to-date list of our favorite local restaurants when you arrive.
We offer fibre-optic internet access and a separate working space for those who need to stay connected.
We look forward to welcoming you and helping you experience the nature, culture, and community of Costa Rica’s Southern Caribbean!
Volunteering, stay, courses, dates, how many people are travelling. Write to us and we'll put your experience together with you.
