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 MoreIsla de Ometepe, Nicaragua. Courtesy of G Adventures.
Explore Central America
Take the road less travelled on the volcano trail in Central America. This trip gives travelers the chance to experience the natural wonders, tropical climate, lush rainforests, and local culture of Central American countries from Guatemala to Costa Rica. Travelers begin in Antigua, a city full of movement with plenty of bars and vibrant marketplaces with views of the nearby volcanoes. From there, the group heads to Honduras to visit the Mayan Copán Ruins and soak in the natural hot springs. Travelers will then cross into El Salvador, visit Suchitoto, and then head to La Libertad Region, an area full of beach towns where the group can relax or take a surf lesson. The next stop in Nicaragua is Granada, a city full of colorful buildings with opportunities to hike and explore, go on a day excursion to Masaya Volcano, or visit Laguna de Apoyo. In Costa Rica, a country known for its biodiversity, the group will visit more beautiful volcanoes and rainforests as well as the Isla de Ometepe, which is known for its petroglyphs and stone idols, and Monteverde’s cloud forests. Travelers can go zip lining, visit a butterfly garden, go horseback riding or take a coffee plantation tour. This trip ends in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, where travelers can explore the city and even go rafting on the Sarapiqui River before departure.
This is a 17-day trip and costs $959. 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. This trip caters to travelers 18 to 30-something with plenty of free time to make new friends and go with the flow.
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 MoreManuel Antonio, Costa Rica. Beth Rankin. CC BY 2.0.
Volunteer in a Costa Rican Animal Shelter
On this trip, volunteers will work to help abandoned animals and wildlife. Volunteers have the opportunity to work in dog and cat shelters to support educational programming about the treatment of animals, veterinary care, obedience training and much more.
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.
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 MoreVolunteer 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.
