Mini-Adventure in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: All Year Round

Description: Our Costa Rica Mini-Venture provides volunteers fantastic opportunities to be immerged in Costa Rica 's unique culture and intimately involved in one of our social or conservation projects, while at the same time touring this beautiful, tropical country. The Mini-Venture is an excellent alternative to the typical tourist journey and provides participants the opportunity to work in Costa as a volunteer, followed by a 3-day journey exploring the amazing natural beauty of Costa Rica.

At the conclusion of your volunteer work, Global Crossroad will guide you on a sight and sound-filled tour where you will discover the astounding beauty that is Costa Rica relax on sparkling beaches, explore untouched rainforests, all-the-while enjoying the warm, smiling hospitality of Costa Rica's people.

Highlights: Outline of Program

Arrival: Welcome to Costa Rica!
You will be met at San Jose 's international airport by a member of Global CrossroadCosta Rica. From the Airport, you will go to Global Crossroad's office for a brief orientation, and then you will have time to get settled in with your host family and rest.

Day 1: Introduction and Orientation
There will be a full orientation at the GC office and then you will be brought to your project site.

Days 2-11: Volunteer Work
Volunteer work continues for 9 days. Depending on your volunteer project and your own personal preferences, working hours may be in the morning, afternoon, or all day. Though most volunteers work in orphanages, any type of volunteer project can be combined with our Mini-Venture.

Days 12-14: Explore Costa Rica
The last 3 days of your Mini-Venture program will provide you with a well deserved rest from your work while you tour the best parts of Costa Rica .

Day One
We will set out on a half-day excursion to see some of the highlights of San Jose The National Museum, the National Theatre, San Jose 's famous Central Market, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Note that depending on weather, the San Jose City Tour is often replaced by a cultural evening in Old Town including dinner and traditional Costa Rican dance and folklore shows.

Day Two
Begins very early in the morning as we depart by private van for the coast to take the Calypso Catamaran Cruise a one-day boat tour in the calm waters of the Gulf of Nicoya, Once on board the 71-foot Catamaran, we'll cruise past 23 islands on route to Costa Rica's famous Isla Tortuga. At Isla Tortuga you can sunbathe, swim, snorkel, play volleyball, kayak, or just relax in a hammock. A wonderful gourmet meal is elegantly served accompanied by wine and live music. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day Three
We take an awesome tour of Costa Rica 's main attractions. Our full day tour begins with a private van out to Poas Volcano National Park where we will enjoy a cup of authentic Costa Rican coffee and a tropical breakfast and enjoy the view of one of the largest volcano craters in the world. After breakfast, we will make a brief hike to the Botos Lagoon an extinct volcano crater. Next, towards the Caribbean zone, we will stop to discover La Paz Waterfall Gardens , a nature park where a brief hike takes us to Magia Blanca Falls and we'll also visit the world's largest enclosed butterfly observatory. After lunch, we'll visit two more waterfalls including the La Paz Waterfall. We'll then take the van to Puerto Viejo and enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Sarapiqui River to observe the abundant wildlife including monkeys, crocodiles, and numerous bird species. On our way back to San Jose, we'll take a drive through the rainforest of Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of Costa Rica 's most important jungle reserves. Breakfast and lunch included.

Please note that due to weather conditions and availability the itinerary may change without notice.

Qualifications: No qualifications are needed.

Cost in US$: $1499

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 or above

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Global Crossroad's Mission Statement: Global Crossroad offers many remarkable and challenging volunteer, internship, mini-adventure, and cultural immersion opportunities to interested international volunteers in marvelous countries such as India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, Mongolia, Ghana, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Kenya. Our unique programs are creative and exciting, as they engage volunteers in breathtaking journeys. Here, a volunteer can become involved in service projects while they explore remote villages. A volunteer can also learn a wonderful new heritage as the Global Crossroad provides language training courses and cultural tours.

Year Founded: 2002