Insider’s Cost Rica
10 Days, 9 Nights
Costa Rica is a tropical Central American country bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Unlike many of its neighbors, Costa Rica has remained democratic and peaceful for much of its history. A significant event that reflects the character of the Costa Rican people is their decision, in 1949, to become the first nation in the world to abolish the military. The country still has no armed forces to this day.
Despite its beautiful and peaceful surroundings, 20% of the Costa Rican people live in poverty. During your time in this amazing country, you will be giving back to the community by engaging in a construction and maintenance project and teaching English to school children. You will also be engaging in some critical conservation efforts, assisting with a program to support the local sea turtle population.
In return for your hard work, there is plenty of time for fun too, visiting the pristine beaches, taking a salsa lesson, viewing crocodiles in the mangrove (from a very safe distance!), and experiencing the local cuisine with a cooking lesson. So prepare yourself for the journey of a lifetime that will stay with you forever.
Day 1: Arrival
Upon arrival, you will be met by your tour guide and taken to the accommodation. The afternoon will be spent on the program orientation and what to expect over the next few days, followed by a welcome dinner.
Overnight: Project Accommodation
Day 2: Project Work - Construction
As a construction volunteer, you will be making a tangible difference in people’s lives by improving local homes, schools, community spaces, and public buildings. The project is tailored to meet the requirements of the community’s needs, and your efforts will help uplift the local community, boosting the morale of the people to build a better tomorrow.
The work involved includes repairs, painting, remodeling, assisting with construction, and maintaining green areas. Alongside helping, you will pick up some useful skills too.
Overnight: Project Accommodation
Day 3: Project Work - Teaching
In Costa Rica, learning English is a highly sought-after privilege that not everyone has access to. The students you will be working with are very eager to learn. Unfortunately, many of the classrooms are overcrowded with only one teacher, which is why your contribution is so important. The opportunity to converse with native English speakers to improve their grammar and conversation skills will be invaluable. As Costa Rica increasingly becomes a tourist destination, these skills will be very important to many of the children in the future.
During your time teaching, you will also get time to play sports with the children, devising interactive games that make the learning experience much more fun.
After a morning with the children, in the afternoon, it’s time to see some of the local wildlife by visiting Heraduravia Bridge, a great place to view crocodiles (from a very safe distance!) in the mangroves below. Then you have the evening to relax and have dinner at the accommodation.
Overnight: Project Accommodation
Day 4: Project Work - Construction and Environmental Class
After a second morning of construction work, in the afternoon you will receive a lesson about environmentalism in the local area. The class will include a walk for an interactive learning experience.
Overnight: Project Accommodation
Day 5: Project Work - Teaching and Salsa Lesson
Another morning to spend with the children, and then in the afternoon, time to learn some of Latin America’s famous moves with a salsa dance lesson, followed by a karaoke session in the evening.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 6: Cooking Lesson and Beach
It is more of a relaxed day today, beginning with the opportunity to extend your culinary repertoire with a cooking lesson. In the afternoon, you get to relax on the beach.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 7: Turtle Conservation
In the stunning but remote area north of the Caribbean province of Limón is a project that has been running for over three decades to protect the critically endangered sea turtles. These creatures are under threat because of human poaching and hunting. Your contribution is vital as it provides an income for the local community, and you will be carrying out essential conservation work.
Your duties will include going on night patrols, searching for nesting females, and collecting eggs to be taken to the hatchery. You will also be collecting data on the number of eggs, nest location, and identification information. At the hatchery, you will assist in relocating nests, taking the temperature and measurements of the hatchlings, and releasing them into the wild.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 8: Turtle Conservation
Today you will once again be assisting with the turtles, perhaps checking them for dehydration or barnacles or perhaps involved in work related to their habitat.
Later this afternoon, enjoy some rest and relaxation at the beach.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 9: Turtle Conservation and Visit a Local Village
On your last full day in Costa Rica, you will spend another morning working with the turtle conservation program.
In the afternoon, you will visit a local village to see how people live in this remote area. There will be time to speak with the people and find out about their way of life. Then it is time for your last evening meal together to reflect on the fantastic experience you have had!
Overnight: Hotel
Day 10: Departure
Time to say adiós to Costa Rica.
Total cost: From $3710
What is included
Activities:
Water sports at the beach
Heraduravia Crocodile Viewing Bridge
Cooking class
Salsa lesson
Karaoke
Accommodation and services:
All meals included
A 24/7 tour manager accompanying you throughout the trip
Private transportation throughout the trip
Project accommodation in Project Center
Post project in 3 and 4* Hotels
Medical up to $50,000 and baggage insurance
Project:
Renovation and construction
Teaching and sports
Not included in this Trip:
International flights not included (we can arrange these for you)
Visas, where applicable
Any vaccination required
Cancellation insurance (Medical insurance up to $50,000 and baggage insurance are both included)