Experience the Best of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is renowned for its incredible natural diversity and commitment to conservation.  Explore rainforests, cloud forests, wetlands, and wildlife environments that support over  500,000 species of plants and animals.  Walk through Costa Rica’s protected and preserved natural heritage, where over 25% of Costa Rica’s land area is through national parks, reserves, and wildlife refuges. Travelers will start their journey by meeting their leader and getting to know the other group members. Stop at a local farm to make tortillas before dinner. At La Fortuna, everyone will have time to explore the town before visiting a waterfall. Choose to relax at the hot springs near the Arenal Volcano, kayak Lake Arenal, explore the local trails, or go whitewater rafting. Drive from La Fortuna to Monteverde to experience a cloud forest. Travelers can take a suspension bridge tour while exploring the many different trails in the Cloud Forest. At Manuel Antonio National Park, the group can expect to see monkeys and sloths in their natural habitat. The second-to-last day is filled with exciting activities such as ziplining and rappelling waterfalls. Depart on the final day.

This 9-day trip costs $1,995. The trip is led by Under30Experiences, a trip company that caters to solo travelers and adventurous young adults ages 21-35, but they don’t enforce a strict age limit. They are a small team that loves sustainable travel by supporting local communities in an eco-friendly way. The company was founded 10+ years ago by co-founders Matt Wilson and Jared O’Toole. They were rated one of CATALYST PLANET’s 8 Best Sustainable Travel Companies.

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Hike the Portuguese Way on the Camino

Embark on a transformative journey with AdventureWomen to  hike the final 71.5 miles of the Portuguese Way on Spain’s famed Camino de Santiago. This women-only adventure begins in the historic town of Tui in Galicia, Spain and leads the traveler through rolling countryside, charming medieval villages, and vibrant towns such as Pontevedra and Padron. Pontevedra, brimming with old-town vibes, sustainable lifestyles, and extremely high walkability, is also home to the Church of the Pilgrim Virgin, uniquely shaped like a seashell. Padron, known for its scenic riverside location, is native to Padron peppers, small edible green peppers that are mostly mild, but occasionally give the recipient’s tongue a spicy palette. Legend also has it that the city is connected to St. James, as the body of James was brought by boat from Jerusalem. Along the way, explore ancient roads, centuries-old churches, and local traditions while enjoying regional cuisines and the camaraderie of fellow travelers. Designed for active women, this trip requires good physical fitness, with daily hikes of 10-15 miles over varied terrain including forest paths and cobbled streets. Luggage is transferred each day, so the full experience of the trail can be felt with just a daypack. Stay in welcoming country inns and guesthouses that offer comfort and authentic Galician hospitality. Highlights include soaking in the thermal waters of Caldas de Reis, sampling fresh seafood and Albarino wine, and earning your official Compostela certificate upon arrival in Santiago de Compostela. The certificate, or “pilgrim passport,” written all in Latin, is obtained once the traveler walks the distance to Santiago and collects stamps for it–at least two a day, and then at the end, once presented to the Pilgrim’s Office, the certificate is obtained. With expert local guides, cultural immersion, and AdventureWomen’s signature spirit of connection and empowerment, this journey is more than a hike–it’s a meaningful pilgrimage of discovery, both outward and inward. Step into history, friendship, and personal growth on the Camino de Santiago. 

This 9-day trip is $7,195 per person. The trip is led by AdventureWomen, a women-owned and women-run travel company founded in 1982 by Susan Eckert to create empowering adventure trips exclusively for women. In 2016, the company was passed on to Judi Wineland and her daughters, Erica and Nicole, who today continue the mission of inspiring women through travel and adventure. Today they offer life-changing trips to 60+ countries.

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Help Break the Cycle of Poverty in Romania

Known for its historic folklore, rich history, and beautiful countryside, Romania is still recovering from an oppressive government and adjusting to its recent admission to the European Union. There are still many in the population below the poverty line and high rates of illiteracy. This volunteer project focuses on support for adults on the autism spectrum. These individuals face disadvantages which can be mollified with proper resources, which volunteers on this trip will support. This support will involve renovation and additions to a Center for Autistic Young Persons, where those on the spectrum can get the support they need. Situated in Brasov in Transylvania, home of the legendary Dracula, this trip allows travelers to give back while experiencing this beautiful country. In their free time, travelers can visit the famous Black church, the old city in Brasov, and Bran’s castle, known as Dracula’s castle.

This trip is 8 days and costs  $1,862. Globe Aware is a nonprofit organization that offers international volunteer programs that go beyond tourism. Globe Aware programs promote the immersion of participants in a unique way that also aligns with the United Nations sustainability goals. Volunteers get the chance to experience cultural awareness: acknowledging and celebrating the culture of a community, but not changing it. Participants will also work alongside the host community and help teach and learn skills with the concept of promoting sustainable practices.

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Build a School in China for Children in Need

Despite booming economic development, rapid modernization, and the millennia old legacy of Chinese civilization, China’s migrant population continues to struggle for basic public resources. As cities continue to lure the population from rural towns, permit requirements gone unfulfilled for these moves has created a large migrant population ineligible for public social services including public education. Volunteers on this trip will work in the only truly non-profit middle school for migrant children in the outskirts of Beijing. Tasks may include painting, building furniture, and improving facilities. The specific projects of each volunteer change with the needs of the moment. Participants will stay in the fifth ring of the city where they will experience life in China near to the project site itself, but also in proximity to the impressive modern architecture and bustling spaces of Beijing juxtaposed against the far reaching history present around every corner in its cultural heritage sites. The vibrant setting affords travelers the opportunity to see world wonders like the Great Wall of China and the incredible historic sites like the Forbidden City or the Temple of Heaven. 

This trip is 7 days and costs  $1,797. Globe Aware is a nonprofit organization that offers international volunteer programs that go beyond tourism. Globe Aware programs promote the immersion of participants in a unique way that also aligns with the United Nations sustainability goals. Volunteers get the chance to experience cultural awareness: acknowledging and celebrating the culture of a community, but not changing it. Participants will also work alongside the host community and help teach and learn skills with the concept of promoting sustainable practices.

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