Peten Volunteer Guidelines
Take your own exploratory trip into Flores and it’s surroundings. As a general rule that we enforce strictly, there is zero tolerance for drugs and liquor in the Rescue Center, so take your opportunity for a one off drink when you are offsite, and remember that the forest is not a safe place for drunken disorder.
PLEASE don’t bring food into your rooms as it attracts rats, ants and other critters which then destroy mattresses, screening and furniture, and in general, make things unpleasant for all concerned.
Don’t waste water! Please try not to waste water as it is a scarce commodity and part of the ARCAS experience is learning to live sustainably within limits.
Volunteer work is a two way street: the project and the wild animals it supports benefits from the assistance of the volunteer, while the volunteer gains valuable knowledge and technical skills. At the Rescue Center, you will have an opportunity to see first-hand the difficulties of conserving endangered species in a developing country and this will help you understand the immensity of the work still to be done. The center may encourage your imagination and creativity in coming up with ideas for better caring for the animals.
How to get there
When you have made your travel plans, please send us a short e-mail letting us know your itinerary.
To get to Peten, take a bus (Linea Dorada, Tel: 2232-9658, 2220-7990, 8hrs, very comfortable luxury buses!) or plane (TACA airlines) Tel: 2470-8222, 2279-8222, 45 minutes) from Guatemala City to Flores.
Unless you are under Reserva or Completo, you are responsible to get to the project site yourself. You can take a taxi boat from Flores over to the center for between Q30-60 depending on the boat driver. You can contact [email protected] if you have any queries regarding how to get there. The Rescue Center is also accessible by car taking the dirt road 18kms past the Villa Maya
Hotel but the taxi could be expensive.
Participation & costs
There are three plans:
Plan Completo: $450 (first week) and $200 for each consecutive week. This includes payment for the first week, the reservation fee, airport pick-up and drop-off at the Flores airport and a two-day trip to Tikal.
Plan Reserva: $250 (first week) and $200 for each consecutive week. This includes the payment for the first week, the reservation fee, airport pick-up and drop-off at the Flores airport.
Plan Mochilero: $200 (first week and each consecutive week). This is for volunteers who do not require a pick up and are more confident finding their own way to the center. This does not include a reservation, and space at the center is not guaranteed.
There is an additional deposit of Q300 (About $40) for your room key and bed sheets, which you will pay on site, and will be returned upon your departure.
Contact [email protected] for payment methods and questions.
For Veterinary Students
Our facility and staff are a great pathway for learning, please check our “Veterinary program“.