Costa Rica Volunteer Vacation

  Costa Rica

• Central Pacific Coast: 
Puntarenas

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Dates: Year Round

Description: El Sur is a small village with less than 30 residents located in a mountain valley about 30 minutes from the central pacific coast. Traditionally the town is agriculture-based with the majority of residents working as farmers. 15-20 years ago government officials established laws to prevent resident farmers from hunting small animals that were eating their crops. This was due to the close proximity to and border the village shares with Carara National Park. As a result almost two thirds of the town's population was forced to leave in search of work elsewhere.

El Sur is currently working towards the development of a rural community-based tourism program. This program will allow tourists to visit the small village to experience traditional food, horseback riding, hikes to rivers and waterfalls, as well as cultural activities like traditional sugar cane processing. The project will also allow current residents to have work through the services they offer. The goal here is sustainable tourism, a system that will provide a source of employment for the community so that they can maintain their traditional way of life, while preserving and protecting the surrounding environment for future generations.

Currently volunteers are needed to spend time in the village working on projects that build tourism infrastructure. Volunteer projects include:

* Trail maintenance
* Teaching English in the local school
* Helping local youth with their organic garden
* Maintenance of public areas
* Work closely with EcoSur, the resident organization in charge of volunteer activities and sustainable tourism   in El Sur to develop new ideas and programs for the future.
* Guide for tourists visiting the town

Volunteer work is usually done from 7-12 daily. The rest of the day is focused on cultural activities to enhance your experience of living in a traditional Tico village. These activities include milking cows, making cheese, coffee tasting, cooking lessons, sugar cane production and more.

In the afternoon you will have a few hours of scheduled free time before dinner. During this time you can visit the river and waterfall nearby for a refreshing swim, enjoy a soccer game with the local team, horseback ride to hidden waterfalls in the rainforest, take a nature hike, or just rest and relax in a hammock.

This program is highly structured and you will be provided with a detailed itinerary upon registration. Costs include transportation to and from the village, 3 meals per day, cultural activities, leisure activities, and volunteer project costs. Bilingual volunteer coordinators are provided for groups of 5 or more.

Highlights:
* Discover a natural paradise with a warm and welcoming community located near the central pacific coast of the country.
* 25-30 hours of volunteer work per week
* Cultural activities included (cow milking, sugar cane processing, cooking lessons...)
* Leisure activities available (swimming, horseback riding, nature hikes...)
* 3 meals per day shared in the homes of local families.
* Optional day trips to Bijagual Waterfall or Jaco Beach

Cost in US$: $850

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 5-15

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment