 Conservation & Community Costa Rica
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Participate in a unique social and ecological volunteer programme that enables you to create positive change in your life and in the lives of others. |
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Combine monkeys, toucans, parrots, wild pigs, caimans, a nursery for tree seedlings and reforestation, a recycling programme, rural schools, a ten-acre biosphere with native plants and animals, a warm and friendly Costa Rican family, and Spanish language tuition.
Located in Jabillos de San Carlos, about 120km (2.5hrs) NW of San José, between Ciudad Quesada and La Fortuna in the heart of Costa Rica, the project is an oasis of abundant beauty located in a beautiful reserve in the lush tropics.
On arrival, the project director, Alvaro del Castillo (pictured right) or a colleague, will provide a full tour of the facilities and introduce you to your host family.
There are numerous activities for volunteers to assist with including:
- Caring for animals at the Animal Rescue Center: Help build and clean enclosures, feed the animals and assist with basic veterinary activities, whist preparing the animals for release back into the wild.
- Assisting an English teacher in a rural elementary school: Immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture, collect unforgettable memories with children and improve your Spanish skills at the same time.
- Participating in community construction projects: Various construction projects are underway at different times of year.
- Reforestation: Preparing tree seedlings for delivery to reforestation programs.
- Joining a recycling-crafts project founded by a local women's association: Develop the artist's spirit within you!
- If you have any unique skills or interests that may benefit our community, please let us know and we will do our best to put them to good use.
The number of hours you work per day will be dependant on the nature of the work your are undertaking. A typical day may be 4 – 6 hours per day.
If you would like to improve your Spanish while in Costa Rica, the Spanish Programme is designed to assure your success in acquiring a new language. If you choose this option you will receive 4 hours per day semi-private lessons in a registered language school at the project. In order for you to achieve the maximum benefit from your language course, you are requested to complete your course before you start your volunteer programme.
Additionally, there is a wide selection of activities available in the afternoons and on the weekends that can be arranged locally. Visiting local waterfalls, taking a canopy walk through the treetops, exploring caves and visiting local towns are just a few examples.
Staying with a host family is a wonderful cultural and educational experience.
Living with a family is the best way to really understand the Costa Rican lifestyle and to make the most of your experience.
Host families have been carefully selected to support you as you work to improve your language skills and make new friends. Families live with 1–5 kms of the project and transport to the projects provided.
The family provides volunteers or language students with a private bedroom and shared bathroom, 3 healthy meals per day, laundry service, and of course warm hospitality.
With advance notice the host families can also meet special dietary needs, including those of vegetarians.
The standard of living of the host families is considered middle class by Costa Rican standards. In general, students and volunteers find the way of life a lot simpler than that to which they are accustomed.
Both the language and volunteer programmes start every Monday throughout the year.
Minimum durations:
- Volunteer programme = 1 week
- Language programme = 1 week
- International flights are not included.
- As all programmes start on a Monday, please arrive anytime on the weekend before.
- We can arrange a taxi to meet you at the airport in San Jose if required (public transport is also available, please ask for details).
- Transport to and from the project is provided on a daily basis.
- All of Twin’s volunteer placements are in partnership with recognised Charities, Non Governmental Organisations (NGO’s), government ministries or registered agents, giving you the confidence to work with reputable organisations.
- Our local partner provides 24-hour support.
- Comprehensive insurance is available for each of the volunteer placements.
- Minimum age 18 yrs.
- No specific skills are required other than a good sense of humour and an open mind.
- Basic Spanish is required to participate on some of the volunteer programme (eg, teaching).
Please be aware that in addition to covering accommodation and meal costs, your contribution is vital to support the on going efforts of the project. All prices include host family accommodation
| Weeks: |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
Additional 1 week |
| Volunteering: |
220 |
430 |
640 |
835 |
1020 |
1180 |
1310 |
1440 |
165 |
| Spanish: |
235 |
440 |
620 |
800 |
N/A |
180 |
Taxi from San Jose International Airport = £45
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