With lush rainforests, white sand beaches, and an abundance of wildlife, Costa Rica is a nature lover’s paradise. However, as a major coffee exporter, the agricultural sector is undergoing rapid change, with industrial farming posing environmental threats through air and water pollution. On this trip, volunteers will support farmers who focus on sustainable farming practices, working in every step of the coffee farming and production process. Volunteers will help with weeding, planting shade trees, and roasting and packaging coffee while educating communities about responsible farming and reforestation. Volunteers will either work in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, a rainforest region known for its lush vegetation and adventure activities, or in the Brunca region of the Talamanca Mountains, located in the south of the country and home to La Amistad National Park. Costa Rica is filled with parks and nature reserves that provide activities such as hiking, river rafting, ziplining, and cave tubing. During their free time, participants can engage in outdoor activities in the region or connect with local communities to learn about their culture and daily life. On weekends, participants can travel to destinations such as Arenal Volcano and the town of La Fortuna for adventure activities, Manuel Antonio National Park to spot wildlife, or the surf towns of Tamarindo or Samara.
This is a minimum 1-week and maximum 4-week trip that costs $845 for one week, led by Maximo Nivel, a Latin America-based travel company that offers volunteer travel opportunities, Spanish immersion, study abroad and gap year programs in Peru, Costa Rica and Guatemala.