Combine Volunteering and Adventure Travel in Costa Rica!

  Costa Rica

Arenal,  Coco Beach,  Dominical,  Gandoca,  Golfito,  Guadalupe,  Heredia,  La Fortuna,  La Selva,  Liberia,  Limon,  Manuel Antonio,  Monteverde,  Nicoya Peninsula,  Osa Peninsula,  Puntarenas,  Rural Areas,  Samara,  San Jose,  San Ramon,  Tortuguero

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Programs depart regularly throughout the year

Description: The ISV Costa Rica Program
International Student Volunteers offers you the unique ability to combine meaningful volunteer projects and exciting adventure travel throughout the biodiverse country of Costa Rica. As a developing nation dependent on agriculture and tourism, environmental protection and community initiatives are essential components for the sustainable development of Costa Rica. The majority of ISV's projects are grassroots initiatives, created in direct consultation with local communities for the benefit of the local people. Projects range from sea turtle protection, to dolphin research to organic farming and community art initiatives.

Before your adventure begins, ISV also offers you a five-day course of Spanish lessons in the morning and dance classes in the afternoon. This is a great way to brush up on your language skills you will even stay with a local family.

After your ISV experience, why not take on ISV's incredible trips to the Galapagos Islands or our amazing trek to the ruined Inca city of Machu Picchu in Peru?

About ISV
International Student Volunteers Inc, is a US-based non-profit organization that offers globally minded participants the unique opportunity to combine meaningful volunteer projects and adventure travel. ISV has offices all over the world to look after over 4,000 participants who volunteer with us every year. ISV volunteers come from all countries and you don't have to be a student to participate. ISV offers programs in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Costa Rica, The Dominican Republic, Eastern Europe, South Africa and Ecuador. Because of ISV's strong educational focus, many university students apply to receive academic credit for their involvement in the program.

About Costa Rica
Costa Rica is located in the heart of Central America and contains an incredible diversity of exotic animals. ISV's Costa Rican program enables you to experience the many parts of this amazing country from its dense rainforests to its raging rivers and active volcanoes, incredible tropical beaches and its warm, friendly communities. The national motto of Costa Rica is "Pura Vida," meaning Pure Life. The ISV Costa Rican program emphasizes this sentiment in every way, shape and form. You will be immersed in a culture that embraces life and a sense of community in eye-opening ways that will touch your heart and inspire your mind. You may even come away speaking a little Spanish and dancing a little salsa, too!

Volunteer Projects
Whether you choose to work in one of the communities or conservation projects, you'll no doubt meet new friends for life and really enjoy getting to know what life is really like in a typical Costa Rican community. ISV has projects spread across the country. By volunteering with ISV in Costa Rica you could find yourself assisting in any of these areas:

Animals, Buffer Zones and Natural Reserves: Work alongside community members trying to preserve and protect natural resources and native species!
ISV volunteers will help local residents to protect natural areas such as national parks, beaches and reserves. Primary tasks can include trail building; cleaning and maintenance; monitoring flora and fauna; supporting recycling start-up programs; organic farming; reforestation; waste campaigns; signage; building and painting; English classes with children and community members; and other community initiatives regarding rural tourism.

Community Support Projects: Get 'Hands-on' and Volunteer in a Costa Rican village!
If you volunteer in one of ISV's selected Costa Rican communities, you will become part of realizing the community's vision for their sustainable development. All community support projects involve home-stays which provide for amazing cultural exchanges between you and your host family. All community volunteer projects play an important role by assisting with many tasks such as organic farming, painting murals at schools or local buildings, supporting local product initiatives (such as bananas, medicinal plants, coffee and oranges).

Education, conservation and economic development are highly related in Costa Rica, as these are some of the basic building blocks of sustainable development. You will also take part in teaching English classes and sports, assist local schools, organize river and beach cleanups and reforestation efforts, help the elderly with farming tasks, plant trees, help out in locally owned plant nurseries, and maintain and construct trails.

Art in Communities: Engage, educate and inspire Costa Rican kids through dance, music and theater!
ISV realizes that children are the heartbeat of our communities. This new program will allow local kids and volunteers to explore, learn, and have fun through theater, music and dance. These activities will provide an extended and creative way to increase the children's skills, values and basic understanding of concepts such as recycling, water use, conservation, friendship, respect, motivation and self confidence. Volunteers will creatively use recycled materials to produce instruments, rhythms and dances, teaching kids along the way. This is an amazing opportunity to engage, educate and inspire children and help them reach their potential within their local communities.

You will also take part in teaching English classes and sports, assist local schools, organize river and beach clean ups and reforestation efforts, help the elderly with farming tasks, plant trees, help out in locally owned plant nurseries, and assist with trail building and maintenance.

Animal Conservation, Research and Scientific Monitoring: Be part of researching, data collection and monitoring endangered species!
Costa Rica is known as a country of outstanding biodiversity and natural beauty; Costa Ricans desire to keep their country this way. By volunteering in Costa Rica you will be part of important research which is critical to the success of long-term conservation management strategies. The primary goal of these projects is to obtain scientific data that can then be interpreted and shared with the wider scientific community plus local authorities who manage natural resources.
Tasks will include:
* monitoring dolphin, monkey and frog populations
* beach patrols to protect the nests of leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles
* recording and analyzing data from beach surveys
* construction and monitoring of hatcheries where endangered nests are relocated and beach cleaning.
* ISV volunteers also help support alternative tourism by participating in family home stays
* providing English classes to local Costa Ricans.

Adventure Tour
Participants will travel throughout Costa Rica including the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, discovering primary rainforests, plentiful varieties of wildlife, volcanic landscapes, cloud forests, reefs, national parks, private reserves while staying in some of the best eco-lodges in the country. You will have the opportunity to participate in activities such as:

* Snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean
* Whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River
* Treks through several ecological reserves
* Jungle kayaking in the canals of Tortuguero National Park
* Horseback riding through a typical Costa Rican farm and a private secondary forest with views of the Pacific Coast
* Zip-lining and rappelling in La Fortuna
* Observing two of Costa Rica's many volcanoes
* Tubing on the Negro River
* Getting personalized surfing instruction in Samara
* Exploring the local nightlife in Heredia

Highlights:
Key achievement example from last year:
Over 2, 223 hours of wildlife surveying, research and monitoring efforts, 34 community facilities built or repaired and more than 1, 500 people involved in ISV's Conservation Projects.

Galapagos and Machu Picchu Excursion
After your ISV Program, take on the once in a lifetime six-day adventure exploring the incredible Galapagos Islands. See the giant tortoises, and snorkel with the seals and iguanas as you explore the world's most unique ecosystem! Or perhaps you'd like to spend an incredible week exploring the magical colonial city of Cuzco before we embark on a four-day trek through Incan ruin's and visit the mystical ruined city of Machu Picchu.

Spanish lessons
Before your adventure begins, ISV also offers you a five-day course of Spanish lessons in the morning and dance classes in the afternoon. This is a great way to brush up on your language skills and you will even stay with a local family.

Why travel with ISV?!
* Combine meaningful volunteer projects with exciting adventure travel
* ISV has support offices in every program country we operate in
* Trained staff to guide your project and tour
* Group travel you will make friends from across the globe and not be alone
* Educational learn a lot and possibly receive academic credit (if applicable)
* ISV is not a sending agent we run our own programs with our own trained staff to ensure you have the most amazing experience possible.

Qualifications: No qualifications are necessary; ISV will give you all the training you need. To maximize your experience it is preferable you can speak English fluently. You do not need to speak the language of your host country, as you will have bi-lingual project and tour leaders to guide your experience. Minimum age is 18 years old by the time of departure. This program is open to everyone, not just students.

Cost in US$: Program prices vary. Please visit our website.

The program cost also goes towards the equipment or building materials needed for your projects, your in-country support, your adventure activities, your amazing trained project and tour leaders, AND towards the ongoing sustainability and training of each project. We give you and our projects the support and structure many other volunteer organizations cannot, as we have an office in each country to look after your entire experience and develop lasting relationships with the communities in which we operate.

Cost does not include: passport costs, insurance, international flights, in-country domestic flights (if required), vaccinations, spending money, extra activities on tour (available through Optional Activity Package).

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Despite our name, any person may volunteer with ISV as long as they are over 18 years old. The majority of our participants are 18 to 30 years old, but we welcome anyone who wishes to join us and make a difference. You do not need any special skills to volunteer with ISV. We just ask that you are willing to give back to your host country; you are willing to learn as much as you can about the people, environment and issues facing your host country, and are ready to make the best friends along your adventure of a lifetime.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

International Student Volunteers's Mission Statement: To create an environment that combines conservation, community development, education and recreation into the ultimate adventure travel program for anyone who desires to make a difference by volunteering in local communities abroad.

Year Founded: 1981