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 and in the evening experience its vibrant nightlife, with an array of bars and restaurants.

This 6-day G Adventures Roamie trip costs $412. 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. 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.

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Dune Buggies to Sandboarding on the Coast of Peru

On this trip, the group will journey along the Peruvian coast, discovering small coastal towns, desert oases, islands and bustling bohemian neighborhoods along the way. Starting off in Lima, a capital city with a UNESCO World Heritage Site at its center and a vibrant nightlife, travelers will get the chance to explore independently and roam the romantic plazas of this coastal center.  In a small fishing town, travelers will experience a fresh seafood lunch and learn how Peruvian ceviche is prepared. Heading into the Peruvian desert, the group will have the chance to zoom around the sand dunes on dune buggies, try out sandboarding, take a sunset swim in an oasis,  take a kiteboarding class, and visit a pisco distillery. In the Ballestas Islands, see a unique pantheon of fauna from penguins to flamingos, to sea turtles on a boat excursion.

This is a 5-day trip and costs $439. This trip is a G Adventures Roamie trip, a hostel-based trip style geared towards 18-35 year olds looking to explore iconic destinations through an immersive and wallet-friendly experience. 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.

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Volunteer With Marine Conservation in the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef, located just off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is considered to be one of the most diverse and spectacular marine features in the world. However, it is also under immense threat. Climate change is threatening the future of the reef and the species that call it home. On this trip, volunteers will work on a marine conservation project in collaboration with oceanographic organizations to collect data and support reef protection. Staying in Cairns in northern Queensland, volunteers will monitor the reef by snorkeling and collecting species data, as well as analyzing marine debris data for conservationists. This trip is ideal for travelers seeking an immersive experience in marine conservation and oceanographic science. On weekends, volunteers will have time to explore the region's landscapes and coastline, including visiting beaches, snorkeling, diving, and surfing, as well as adventure activities such as whitewater rafting, gorge swimming, and bungee jumping. 

This is a minimum 2-week and maximum 3-week trip that costs $1,037 per week, led by IVHQ, a volunteer travel company with 338 projects in 50 countries, rated #1 Volunteer Travel Company by Go Overseas 7 years in a row. It is a cost-effective option with some programs as low as $20 per day with accommodation and meals included. They are a Certified B Corporation, 100% carbon neutral and every project aligns with a UN Sustainable Development Goal.

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