With this program, volunteers will help to keep such farming sustainable and will get to work with local coffee growers. Volunteers will experience each step of the coffee farming and production process and help with weeding, planting shade trees, and roasting and packaging the coffee while working to educate communities about responsible farming and reforestation.
Read MoreYosemite National Park. Edward Stojakovic. CC BY 2.0.
Roadtrip California and Experience Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park set the model for all national parks in the United States. Known for its giant Sequoia trees, Yosemite covers an area of more than 750,000 acres and almost 95% of the park is restricted as wilderness and home to a large variety of plants and animals. In addition, the park is home to one of the tallest waterfalls in North America: Yosemite Falls, reaching 2,425 feet. One of the most popular hikes in Yosemite is the Half Dome Hike, which is a 12-hour, 14-mile round-trip hike with huge elevation gain, cables, and exposed terrain. In Santa Monica, everyone can cruise the shoreline and shop at the local farmers’ market (for some last-minute necessities). Highway 1 has a lot to offer for everyone, including the sights of Santa Margarita, Carmel, Monterey, and Santa Cruz. After a visit to San Francisco, everyone will go to the main event. Upon visiting Yosemite, travelers can purchase produce in the central valley. Once in the park, everyone can hike to Tuolumne Grove, home of the iconic Sequoias. Everyone will be in the park for about three days. This gives the group a chance to see sights like El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, the Half Dome, Nevada Falls, and more! Departing Yosemite, everyone will go back to SoCal to relax at Hermosa Beach. The trip ends upon arrival in Los Angeles.
This is a G Adventures 18-to-Thirtysomethings trip catering to 18–39-year-old travelers. All G Adventures trips are led by a local guide, a CEO, Chief Experience Officer, and trip revenue is driven to help the local community. Starting at $2106 per person, this experience lasts over the course of 9 days. Transportation between destinations, some meals, and accommodation will be included.
Volunteer to Help With Costa Rica’s Dental Care
International volunteers can become a tremendous benefit to local dental professionals that work with limited resources, funding and support staff. Participants can assist dentists and dental hygienists during consultations, cleanings and treatments.
Read MoreAdventure in Alaska
Alaska, the last frontier, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, including vast glaciers, towering mountains, diverse wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes. It's a top destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The 49th state is also home to rich Indigenous cultures, like the Aleut, a rich history, and prime spots to witness and experience Northern Lights. Travelers will arrive in Anchorage and get acquainted with each other and their leaders. The journey begins with a drive through the iconic Seward Highway on the Kenai Peninsula. In Kenai Fjords National Park, travelers will hike the Harding Icefield Trail and enjoy a scenic boat cruise through the fjords to see glaciers and marine life. In Talkeetna, participants will learn about local flora, take a scenic flight over the area, and visit the Iditarod Sled Dog Museum. Denali National Park offers stunning sights, including moose, bears, and caribou. Before departing from Anchorage on the final day, travelers can join the group for a farewell dinner.
This is an eight-day trip and costs $1,934. This trip is led by the sustainable travel company G Adventures. All G Adventures trips are led by a local guide, a CEO, Chief Experience Officer, and trip revenue is driven to help the local community.
Joshua Tree National Park. Konstantinos Dafalias. CC BY 2.0
Experience the Joshua Tree and Southwest National Parks of USA
Here, travelers will get to enjoy an included pizza dinner while looking out onto the Grand Canyon and will have the opportunity to go on a helicopter tour or enjoy the scenic views of the Colorado River—which flows throughout the canyon—on a hike.
Read MoreChichen Itza. Duane Storey. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Experience the Ruins and Mayan Riviera in Mexico
Today, many ruins in southern Mexico are open for travelers, including Coba, Becan, Calakmul, Palenque, Tulum, and Altun Ha. These sites are in Yucatan, Campeche and Quintana Roo. Many of these ruins have been designated as World Heritage sites. Travelers will start their adventure in Mexico City and can arrive anytime.
Read MoreSanta Teresa surfing. Courtesy of G Adventures LTD.
Experience the Coastlines and Cloud Forests of Costa Rica
Travelers will start their journey in San Jose and arrive at any time. On the way to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, everyone can enjoy the scenery and tropical seascape. Then, everyone will travel north to San Juan for a local homestay, which includes meals.
Read MoreCourtesy of G Adventures
Explore the Beaches and Rainforests of Costa Rica
Costa Rica has long been recognized as one of the most stunning and essential destinations in Central America, and for good reason: its tropical beaches, lush rainforests and abundance of dazzling wildlife make for an unforgettable travel experience. On this trip travelers will be able to immerse themselves in both the culture and natural beauty of Costa Rica while journeying from Liberia to Tamarindo. The trip will begin in the city of Liberia, the largest city in the Guanacaste Province and known as a gateway to the pristine shores of the Pacific coast. Here, travelers will spend a day exploring the city before visiting Poza Los Coyotes, a natural park filled with turquoise pools and beautiful caves. After swimming, tubing and hiking through the park, travelers will spend the night in the beach town of Nosara before visiting Playa Guiones, one of the most scenic beaches in Costa Rica. With an average water temperature of around 82 degrees Fahrenheit, the beach is perfect for surfing, swimming and boogie boarding. The next day, travelers will stop at Guaitil, where they will learn about the small village’s unique Chorotega-style pottery. This form of pottery was devised by the Chorotega Indigenous tribes, and involves mixing clay and sand from iguana nests and paints made from minerals. The final day will be spent in Tamarindo, where travelers can participate in a surf lesson before venturing off to try a range of activities, including snorkeling, zip-lining, kayaking or relaxing on the local beaches. Known also for its vibrant nightlife, with an array of bars and restaurants, Tamarindo is the ideal place to spend a final night before returning home.
This 6-day G Adventures Roamie trip starts at $412 and includes accommodations, five meals, transportation, and various activities. G Adventures partners with Hostelworld to organize Roamies, which are flexible small-group trips for travelers ages 18-35, who stay in hostels and receive an immersive travel experience. All G Adventures trips are led by a local guide called a CEO (Chief Experience Officer), and the company focuses on investing revenue back into local communities.
G Adventures is a sustainable, small-group tour company that has been leading travelers for 35+ years. They have been pioneers in community tourism and their trips directly benefit the local communities they visit. They have a responsible travel effort called G For Good and partner with the nonprofit Planeterra, dedicated to ensuring communities touched by tourism benefit from it. They were rated one of CATALYST PLANET’s 8 Best Sustainable Travel Companies.
A volunteer at a Guatemalan construction site. Courtesy of Maximo Nivel.
Help Construct Community Buildings in Guatemala
This volunteer construction project has a significant positive impact on local communities and helps residents gain better access to education and healthcare.
Read MoreCourtesy of Máximo Nivel
Volunteer in Sustainable Farming in Guatemala
Guatemala, the most populous country in Central America, is endowed with an abundance of rich ecosystems and fertile land. However, almost half the population cannot afford the cost of the basic food basket, while food insecurity remains a pressing issue in the country. In recent years, sustainable agriculture has seen a sharp rise in popularity as it simultaneously tackles environmental issues and poverty-induced challenges. However, the introduction of these newer farming practices has also generated a demand for more hands in the field to maintain optimal production. Through this project, volunteers will be able to work with local farmers just outside of Antigua, where they can learn about the sustainable farming of coffee and macadamia nuts and participate in every step of the production process, from picking to weeding, planting, processing, and packaging. At the same time, volunteers will gain a deeper understanding of traditional agricultural techniques that have been practiced for centuries. This project also offers participants the chance to immerse themselves in local Guatemalan life and learn more about the rich history and culture of the region.
This minimum 1-week experience starts at $665 per person and includes airport pick-up, host family accommodations, meals, and 24/7 emergency support. Volunteers will work for 3-4 hours per day from Monday to Friday.
Uplift Local Communities in Costa Rica's Orosi Valley
Costa Rica has implemented a range of environmental policies and initiatives to promote sustainability, including reforestation programs, wildlife protection laws, and incentives for renewable energy development. Volunteers can help contribute to these developments in the remote community of El Yaz.
Read MoreCourtesy of G Adventures
Adventure Along Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula
The Yucatán Peninsula, lying between the Gulf of Mexico to the west and north and the Caribbean Sea to the east, is renowned for its lush rainforests, tropical beaches, and ancient Mayan ruins. On this experience, travelers will hop from one hostel to another as they journey from Mérida to Tulum. To start off their adventure, the group will explore some of the many cenotes – enormous sinkholes resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock – in Mérida; travelers can hop on a bike to cycle between a few of them and then swim in the turquoise waters to evade the heat. From there, the group will head into the jungle to take a guided tour of the Chichén Itzá, one of the most famous ancient Mayan ruins in the world, home to a number of architectural and natural wonders, including the Temple of Kukulcán and the Sacred Cenote. Then, at Tulum, the site of an ancient Mayan port city, travelers will be able to explore and admire some more majestic Mayan ruins before heading to the beach to relax. The final day will be spent in Tulum, where a variety of activities will be on offer, including snorkeling at the natural waterpark of Xel-Há and visiting some more cenotes.
This 6-day experience starts at $443 per person and includes accommodations, transportation, and 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner. This trip is part of G Adventures’ and Hostelworld’s Roamies collection: a series of immersive small-group trips for 18 to 35-year-old travelers.
Volunteer in a Costa Rican Animal Sanctuary
Volunteers will work with a team of experienced veterinarians in addition to the thousands of volunteers from around the world who have helped over the past 10+ years.
Read MoreBe a Human Rights Activism Intern in Costa Rica
This internship will place individuals, based on their personal interests, with different NGOs, social organizations and government agencies to be a part of a community and work alongside social workers and other experts.
Read MoreEmbrace Sustainability in Tropical Costa Rica
This Costa Rican adventure offers a strong mix of activity and relaxation, requiring moderate physical activity. Travelers can choose from plenty of other adventures: hiking, surfing, zip-lining, and rafting, experiencing the best Costa Rica has to offer. With 25% of its land protected from development, Costa Rica's dense rainforests provide the perfect backdrop for this journey. The “Costa Rica Extended” trip includes staying at an eco-lodge, hiking through jungles, eating organic meals grown on-site, relaxing in natural springs, and experiencing impressive waterfalls.
Under30Experiences brings together thirty people looking to learn about themselves and the world through a shared experience that builds lifelong friendships. This Costa Rica trip is a 2-in-1 affordable, diverse, and epic adventure. Participants will enjoy the country's best beach and immerse themselves in the rainforest, staying at a famous eco-lodge where food is grown on-site.
Travelers should expect to be on their feet for three to four hours most days, so an active lifestyle is helpful. The trip lasts for nine days, with a cost of $1,495 for early sign-ups and $1,695 for regular sign-ups.
