Community Projects in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Guanacaste
• Central Pacific Coast: 
Cartago

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Any day of the year

Description: We have two community projects in Costa Rica: one in La Flor, a small mountain village in the Central Valley, and one in Guanacaste, just near the Pacific ocean. These projects involve teaching English, volunteering at daycare centers and running community workshops.

La Flor

La Flor is a peaceful, quiet place situated on the side of a mountain overlooking the Orosi Valley and the Tapanti National Rain Forest. Though remote, it is still only about 30 minutes away from the town of Paraiso where our headquarters is located, and a one-hour bus ride away from the capital city of San Jose. Also nearby are an amazing zip line tour, the tallest volcano in Costa Rica (Irazu), white water rafting and many more cultural activities.

La Flor is a very small town of about 250 families located about an hour east of San Jose. Because it's located in the Central Valley, the weather is amazing year-round. La Flor as a community has decided to open themselves up to volunteers. This is important to note. It's a much different experience "going where you are invited."

Its sister town, El Yaz, is situated right along side and is part of the same project. Both are agricultural communities and you'll find that all your meals are made fresh from the food grown in your backyard from organic vegetables you may have never heard of, such as chayote and yuca.

Some of our volunteers have taught basic computer skills, women's health classes, English and environmental / recycling education, while others work in the elementary school teaching English, art tutoring and working in the school medicinal garden.

These communities are very open to meeting, working with and learning from others. If you have a special skill - or just time to pitch in - the La Flor and El Yaz communities would love to have you as their guest.

Volunteers here will generally:

- Teach English in the La Flor and El Yaz elementary schools
- Teach adult and adolescent English night classes
- Work in the community garden
- Lead workshops if they have some special skills to share (i.e., sports activities, young women's activities, arts & crafts, health education, etc.)
- Assist in continuing education about the environment and recycling

Hojancha

Hojancha is a small town located in the Province of Guanacaste. In pre-Columbian times the territory that now is the canton (county) of Hojancha was part of one of the provinces of indigenous people called Chorotegas, located on the Nicoya peninsula, whose domain extended all the way to Lake Nicaragua. It consisted of several towns and manors. Electricity wasn't installed until 1972.

The origin of the name Hojancha comes from a tree located in the region, which the Indians called broad-leaved, because of the very special characteristics and the size of their leaves. The county of Hojancha is located along the route of the Tempisque River and has several areas of tourist interest. Local production focuses on forestry, coffee and cattle. Almost all the inhabitants were born in this region, though the last 20 years has seen an increase in population by people originally from the Central Valley areas of San Ramon, Palmares and Grecia.

Because Hojancha is a small town, it's easy to start meeting people and to make new friends. Our volunteers are welcome in town and are taken care of very well by our host families and community members.

Those who have traveled to other parts of Costa Rica are often impressed by the fact the town is so sparkling clean, well-organized and well maintained. Residents there take a lot of pride in their town -- and it shows. It's still one of the safest towns in the country: there are yet to be found many bars on the windows and many residents still leave their doors unlocked day and night.

Whether you choose to work in one of the elementary schools, the daycare center or on some general community development projects, you'll no doubt meet new friends for life and really enjoy getting to know what life is really like in a typical Costa Rican community.

Highlights: Life-changing experiences, unrestricted glimpses of the Costa Rica most visitors don't know, and a way to have a positive and lasting impact on a community are all major components of a volunteer vacation with Tropical Adventures.

Live among locals, learn from them and share talents that can make a difference in a society often forgotten. Take advantage of the Spanish immersion program to enhance communication during the project work.

The vacation is not all work; plenty of play is available as well. Build bridges, literally and figuratively, and return home fulfilling a community's hopes and feeling fulfilled.

Qualifications: We are seeking volunteers who have the ability to impact the community in a positive way. Prospective volunteers should have a good work ethic, a friendly attitude and be willing to immerse themselves in another culture.

Cost in US$: 1 week - $699, 2 weeks - $1395, each additional week - $245

Spanish language lessons, excursions and cellphone rental are available at an extra cost.

Children 5 and under are charged $250 for two weeks. Children aged 6-12 are charged $500 for two weeks. We offer a family discount of 10% off total base price.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: The typical volunteer at Tropical Adventures is someone who wants to experience the rich bio-diversity of Costa Rica, while learning Spanish and sharing their time, skills and love. Our volunteers like to work hard and play hard. They work well with others and enjoy submersing themselves in a different culture. Typical volunteers are college students, families or retirees.

Age Range: 16+ unless with guardian.

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Tropical Adventures's Mission Statement: The Tropical Adventures Foundation is a resource for empowering individuals and communities inside and outside of Costa Rica. Our goals are to: Support the inherent value of the individual, reduce poverty and injustice, help communities achieve sustainable growth, create safe environments, promote international learning and cooperation and foster personal and worldwide peace. Every community around the world faces the fundamental challenge to create social and economic systems that promote peace, human welfare and the sustainability of the environment on which life depends. We meet this challenge by supporting and encouraging initiatives by those living and working closest to where the problems are located. We promote collaboration among diverse individuals, nonprofit organizations, government and businesses from the local area and around the world, as well as from every level of society. Our experience shows such activities help build common understanding, bring forward and reinforce the inherent value of the individual, strengthen a sense of local and worldwide community, and ultimately enable people to improve their lives and reinforce their commitment to society.

Year Founded: 2005