Community Projects in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Guanacaste
• Eastern Lowlands: 
Bribri

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 several community projects in Costa Rica. We have two bases where there are several projects. One base is in Hojancha, a small village in the Guanacaste region near the pacific ocean and another is in Bambu an indigenous reservation in the mountains of Talamanca. These projects involve teaching English, volunteering at daycare centers and running community workshops.

Visit our website to take a look at some of our project photos and what our past volunteers have written about their experiences here.

Bambu
Bambu, labeled on traditional maps as Bratsi, is reached by following the Suretka River, about 30 minutes into the reservation from the main indigenous community of Bribri. A good deal of the way as youre passing alongside the river, youll see Panama directly on the opposite side of the riverbank.

One of the main organizations we work with there is the Bambu Cultural Center. A very charismatic and dynamic indigenous man named Danilo Gabb fulfilled a dream recently by building some amazingly beautiful structures using traditional indigenous methods.

The Center hosts groups from around the world, as well as leading tours throughout the indigenous reservation and even into Panama. The best part about this center Danilos dream fulfilled is it directly supports 20 local families through the income it produces through receiving overnight guests, groups and the tours they lead. The families all take turns with Center responsibilities, such as cleaning, cooking, managing guests, leading the tours and performing the necessary maintenance on the grounds.

There are many things our volunteers help with at the Center, including teaching English to the families who work there, children and adults from town, translating for the tours, helping to build marketing material, planting flowers and trees, general maintenance, and the planning & fulfillment of cultural activities.

In the Bambu Indigenous area:
* Teaching in the Bambu School
* Working at the beautiful Bambu Indigenous Cultural Center (teaching local adults and children who visit the center, translating information for tourists, helping with tours and necessary ground maintenance in this wonderful setting)
* Helping at the Bambu retirement home

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 & Nutritional 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.

Please see our website or contact us for more information on any of the above projects.

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 - $995, 2 weeks - $1895, each additional week - $399

*Accommodation in guesthouses and hotels is available at extra charge.

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

Children 12 and under are charged $799 for one week and $999 for two weeks.

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 Worldwide 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 Debriefing Abroad

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