Costa Rica Beach and Forest Conservation

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Alajuela

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks and 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Description: When planning any life-changing experience, every traveller is faced with the most difficult question: Should I go to the beach or the mountains? Well why choose just one when you can do both? With this fantastic conservation programme, you have the opportunity to help projects on the sandy coasts and in the luscious, mountainous regions of Costa Rica. You will be working side by side with Costa Ricans as you help construct trails, develop education programmes and maintain the overall beauty of these exquisite environments.

*Project details:
For your first two weeks you will be working at either Manual Antonio or Cabo Blanco National Parks on the Pacific coast. These national parks are both located right on the beach and house hundreds of species of vegetation. Hurricanes over the past decade have taken their toll and you will be involved in the effort to regenerate these areas. The next two weeks will see you cooling down in the mountains of Las Heliconias where you will be helping out with a variety of conservation projects. Depending on when you arrive you may be working on trail maintenance, eco-tourism development or agro-forestry.

*Why the project needs volunteers:
One hundred years ago 14% of the world's surface was rainforest, now this is around 7%. In Costa Rica the remaining tropical forest is disappearing by at approximately 520 square kms per year. However, about one-quarter of the country is under some form of official protection with the help of many volunteers each year.

Itinerary:

You will need to arrive into San Jose Santa Maria (SJO) airport on your arrival date.

*Day 1: Sunday: Alajuela
You will be met at the airport (SJO) and brought to your orientation accommodation in Alajuela

*Day 2: Monday: Alajuela
Orientation.

*Day 3: Tuesday
Travel to your project on the Pacific Coast (either Romelai Reserve or Manuel Antonio) and enjoy the fresh ocean breeze.

*Day 4 - 6: Wednesday - Friday
Conservation work at the project. You will help keep the park beautiful by getting involved in a number of conservation activities including trail and infrastructure maintenance.

*Day 7 - 8: Weekend
You will work on Saturday morning and then have Saturday afternoon and Sunday free to explore the area.

*Day 9 - 13: Monday - Friday
Conservation work at the project.

*Day 14 - 15: Weekend
You will work on Saturday morning, leaving you with Saturday afternoon and Sunday free to say your goodbyes to the coast as you prepare for your trip to the mountains.

*Day 16: Monday
Travel to Las Heliconiasor Kekoldi Indigenous reserve.

*Day 17 - 20: Tuesday - Friday
Conservation work at Las Heliconias or Kekoldi. You will work to help conserve the nearby forest and surrounding areas by getting involved in a number of projects which may include trail maintenance, working in the tree nursery and maintaining existing facilities.

*Day 20 - 21: Weekend
You will work on Saturday morning and then have Saturday afternoon and Sunday free to explore the area.

*Day 22 - 26: Monday - Friday
Conservation work at the project.

*Day 27: Saturday
Relax and enjoy a much needed day of rest after all your hard work over the past few weeks.

*Day 28: Sunday
Return to Alajuela and reminisce on the life-changing experiences you have enjoyed over the month past.

*Day 29: Monday
Pack your bags and board the plane home, confident that you have done your part to help preserve some of Costa Rica's national treasures.

Highlights:
* Get the best of both worlds - beautiful beaches and incredible forests
* Playing your part in the conservation of very distinct but equally important environments
* Soaking up the laid back lifestyle of Costa Rica

Qualifications: What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project:
You must like the outdoors and be happy without any luxuries! You must be prepared to get involved in any of the activities required to the best of your ability and be prepared for some physically challenging work.

Your role as a volunteer:
As a volunteer in the national parks you could be involved in maintenance work, reforestation, community farming initiatives, and clearing trails amongst others.

Cost in US$: USD 2195.00 for 4 weeks

* Accommodation: Dependent on location; shared accommodation in hostels, homestays and lodges
* Food: All meals
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation
* Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 17-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994