Wild Sun Rescue Center and Jungle Resort

Wild Sun Rescue Center is a non-profit wildlife rescue in Cabuya, on land bordering Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, that treats injured animals and returns them to the wild. Next to it, the Wild Sun Jungle Resort has rooms around an ocean-view infinity pool, and its volunteers and interns stay on site.

What it is

Wild Sun is two things on one piece of land. The first is a wildlife rescue: a licensed non-profit that takes in animals hurt on the southern Nicoya Peninsula, treats them, and releases them back into the forest when they're ready. Its patients include animals electrocuted on power lines, attacked by dogs, or taken from the illegal pet trade. It also works on reintroducing scarlet macaws and on community education, and says it's permitted by Costa Rica's environment ministry and conservation agency.

The second is the Wild Sun Jungle Resort, a small hotel next to the rescue whose guests share the grounds with the volunteers and interns who help run it. The land borders Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, so wild animals pass through all the time; guests often mention macaws, parrots and monkeys seen from the pool.

The rooms

Deluxe rooms have air conditioning, a private bathroom with hot water, a small fridge and a balcony or patio looking over the infinity pool toward the ocean. There are also shared rooms for volunteers, with fans and shared bathrooms. There's a yoga deck and a pool bar, and volunteers can add meal plans cooked by the resort's chef, with vegetarian and vegan options. Deluxe rooms are booked through Booking.com, which the rescue links to from its site.

Visiting the animals

Wild Sun doesn't advertise walk-in public tours. The animals in its care are being prepared for release, and contact with people is kept to a minimum on purpose. If you'd like to learn more about its work, contact the rescue before you turn up, or stay at the resort and ask there.

Volunteering

Most people who spend real time at Wild Sun come as volunteers or interns. Programs include general volunteering, wildlife biology internships, pre-vet internships and externships for veterinary students. Applications, dates and requirements are on the official site.

Who it suits

Animal lovers who want a quiet base close to Cabo Blanco, people who like the idea that their stay is tied to a conservation project, and anyone thinking of volunteering. It's not a place for a big night out: Cabuya is quiet, and evenings here are about the sounds of the forest.

Getting there

From Super Chicho, the supermarket in Cabuya, go 100 m south toward Cabo Blanco and turn right at the Wild Sun sign, then continue about 700 m. The beach and island cemetery are a short drive away, and Indígena Café & Chocolate is near the reserve entrance. See getting to Cabuya for the journey from San José.