Profile information
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Host rating
100 %
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Last replied
1 Aug 2026
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Reply rate
82.6 %
Usually responds within 22 days
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Feedback
5
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Email verified
Country info
Badges (2)
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Min stay requested: at least 1 month
Details
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Description
Dreaming of waking up to the sounds of the jungle, living minutes from Caribbean beaches, and making a life-changing impact on animals in need? Your tropical rescue adventure starts here!
About Us
Hi! I’m Marlies. For the past 7 years, I’ve been running the very first cat & dog sanctuary deep in the lush jungle of Cahuita, Costa Rica. What started as a solo mission has grown into a vibrant safe haven for around 85 cats and 7 dogs. Now, we are opening our doors and inviting passionate international volunteers to become a core part of our rescue family!
🏡 What’s In It For You?
In exchange for your dedication, you’ll get your very own private accommodation—a cozy jungle house equipped with all the essentials you need to live comfortably in paradise.
✨ The Volunteer Experience & Schedule
We believe in a healthy balance so you can truly soak in the Pura Vida lifestyle!
⏱️ Light Workload: Just 4 hours a day, 5 days a week (Enjoy 2 full days off every week!).
🐾 Hands-On Care: Cuddle, play with, and socialize our furry residents, assist with feeding, keep their spaces fresh, and help administer basic medicine.
🚨 Rescue Missions: Get front-row access! You’ll have the unique chance to join real-life animal rescue missions in the local community.
🏝️ Live Where Others Vacation
Nestled in Cahuita, our sanctuary is surrounded by incredible wildlife (sloths, monkeys, toucans!) and just a stone's throw from world-class Caribbean beaches. Whether you want to surf, hike, or relax on white sand, your free time is yours to explore!
Who We’re Looking For:
We welcome energetic, self-motivated, and passionate animal lovers (solo travelers, couples, or friends!) who can commit to a minimum stay of 2 weeks -
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Light gardening
Animal Care
Help with Computers/ Internet
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Interests
Nature
Beach
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Pets
Farming
Charity work
Animals -
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Join our diverse and passionate team at our cat rescue, where we care for 91 kittens and cats. Volunteering with us offers a unique opportunity to learn valuable skills in animal care, including administering medications and providing daily support.
Our team consists of members from all over the world, offering you the chance to learn new languages and experience different cultures. Living and working in the jungle, you will also gain insight into the local wildlife and understand the interactions between domestic and wild animals. -
Help
Join our dedicated team at our cat rescue, home to 91 kittens and cats. We're looking for compassionate volunteers to help us with essential tasks, including cleaning and disinfecting cages to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our feline friends.
Your role will also involve giving much-needed love and attention to the kittens, helping them to socialize and feel secure.
If you have a passion for animal welfare and want to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can provide these cats with the care and affection they deserve.
*Volunteer Responsibilities:*
- Clean and disinfect cages and living areas
- Provide love, attention, and socialization for the kittens
- Assist with general care tasks as needed -
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Dutch: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information. -
Accommodation
We offer a two bedroom house, with 2 bunkbeds in total :) It's a fully equided house, with a kitchen, kitchen applies, a livingroom, a shower and bathroom.
The house shares the laundry area with the rescue -
What else ...
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is one of the most beautiful areas of Costa Rica. Some of the most famous surfing spots of the world are in this area. The beaches are endless. There are national parks, surfing spots, snorkeling, tours.
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A little more information
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Internet access
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Limited internet access
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We have pets
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We are smokers
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Can host families
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Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
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How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
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My animals / pets
Zoe
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (3)
It was nothing glamorous, a lot of cleaning and feeding the cats, but I felt like I actually did something meaningful. The cats were all wonderful❤️
I stayed there for a few weeks. Honestly I would have stayed longer, but the accommodation was very remote and there was no wifi, and I didn't … read more
Marlies is a very caring and hardworking woman that gives everything to help the cats, I already miss working with her and will never forget the time in Puerto Viejo.
I will … read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
It was nothing glamorous, a lot of cleaning and feeding the cats, but I felt like I actually did something meaningful. The cats were all wonderful❤️
I stayed there for a few weeks. Honestly I would have stayed longer, but the accommodation was very remote and there was no wifi, and I didn't … read more
Marlies is a very caring and hardworking woman that gives everything to help the cats, I already miss working with her and will never forget the time in Puerto Viejo.
I will … read more
