Volunteer at a Natural Reserve in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Guanacaste

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Any day of the year

Description:
We have two volunteering opportunities at natural reserves in the Guanacaste area - Barra Honda and Monte Alto.

Barra Honda National Park

As a volunteer at Barra Honda National Park you'll assist with trail maintenance, tourists assistance, fire control, sign creation and maintenance, environmental education, meal preparation, building maintenance and construction or general cleaning and maintenance.

Barra Honda National Park is located in the Province of Guanacaste about 15 miles northeast of the city of Nicoya. The average temperature there is 28º C (82º F) year-round. It was established in 1974 for the purpose of protecting a major limestone system.

Barra Honda is a very unique park in Costa Rica where you'll find deep, subterranean caverns. Though there are other parks in Costa Rica where you'll find caverns, Barra Honda is unique because of the types of formations found here. Barra Honda is also famous for having the best views in the whole Province of Guanacaste.

Observed here year-round are many diverse species of fauna, especially birds. Though you'll also likely see pizotes, raccoons, guatuso, white-tailed deer and anteaters. We're happy to say that the animal life here has increased quite a bit in the last several years, thanks to our programs of Fire Control and Protection.

Right now only the Terciopelo cavern is open to the public. Its conditions are perfect for decent and experimentation. It's ideal for adventure tourism, yet it's relatively undiscovered. They are currently receiving over 2,000 visitors to the park each year.

Please note that this national park is a bit remote. There is a restaurant with a pool just outside the gates. But other than that, there is not a whole lot in the area. This is a perfect project for someone who wants to commune with nature, meditate, hike, practice yoga and meet like-minded people. If you're looking for action, parties, restaurants and lots of tours outside the park, please consider Monte Alto, which is also a beautiful national park -- but happens to be close to a town.

Monte Alto Natural Reserve

Volunteers at the Monte Alto Natural Reserve will help maintain trails, protect animals, endangered plants and flowers, build and maintain signs, fight fires, assist tourists, teach environmental education, and teach English classes in a nearby elementary school.

This nature reserve will leave you breathless. The community runs this center for the purposes of protecting the water sources of all nearby towns and protecting all the biodiversity of the area. At the same time it functions as an educational center for locals and tourists about the environment. The park in general is just beautiful and it's a great place to relax and enjoy nature and some peace and quiet. But you won't feel totally isolated. Right nearby is the town of Hojancha, which is quite enchanting. It's like a page out of the 50's or 60's in North America. It's very well cared for - it's the kind of safe place where people still leave their doors unlocked and you'll find all the residents to be extremely friendly and welcoming.

The facilities here at the park include shared rooms with each room having its own bathroom. There are many rooms, so sharing is not always necessary and is usually reserved for couples, groups and families or when reservations are tight. There are also some really great sleeping areas outside under cover and which have mosquito netting. It's truly an amazing experience to be in the fresh air, under the moon and stars and to be able to hear the jungle and forest night sounds. This is always a favorite option of our volunteers.

The park also boasts an observation point offering views of the Gulf of Nicoya, five kilometers of hiking trails, an orchid trail, two amazing waterfalls (one 1200 meters tall), and a traditional sugar mill that was once in production in this very spot to produce traditional meals.

Highlights: Life-changing experiences, unrestricted glimpses of the Costa Rica most visitors don't know, and a way to have a positive and lasting impact on a community are all major components of a volunteer vacation with Tropical Adventures.

Live among locals, learn from them and share talents that can make a difference in a society often forgotten. Take advantage of the Spanish immersion program to enhance communication during the project work.

The vacation is not all work; plenty of play is available as well. Build bridges, literally and figuratively, and return home fulfilling a community's hopes and feeling fulfilled.

Qualifications: We are seeking volunteers who have the ability to impact the community in a positive way. Prospective volunteers should be physically fit, have a good work ethic, a friendly attitude and be willing to immerse themselves in another culture.

Cost in US$: 1 week - $699, 2 weeks - $1395, each additional week - $245

Spanish language lessons, excursions and cellphone rental are available at an extra cost.

Children 5 and under are charged $250 for two weeks. Children aged 6-12 are charged $500 for two weeks. We offer a family discount of 10% off total base price.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: We are seeking volunteers who have the ability to impact the community in a positive way. Prospective volunteers should be physically fit, have a good work ethic, a friendly attitude and be willing to immerse themselves in another culture.

Age Range: 16+ unless with guardian.

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Tropical Adventures's Mission Statement: The Tropical Adventures Foundation is a resource for empowering individuals and communities inside and outside of Costa Rica. Our goals are to: Support the inherent value of the individual, reduce poverty and injustice, help communities achieve sustainable growth, create safe environments, promote international learning and cooperation and foster personal and worldwide peace. Every community around the world faces the fundamental challenge to create social and economic systems that promote peace, human welfare and the sustainability of the environment on which life depends. We meet this challenge by supporting and encouraging initiatives by those living and working closest to where the problems are located. We promote collaboration among diverse individuals, nonprofit organizations, government and businesses from the local area and around the world, as well as from every level of society. Our experience shows such activities help build common understanding, bring forward and reinforce the inherent value of the individual, strengthen a sense of local and worldwide community, and ultimately enable people to improve their lives and reinforce their commitment to society.

Year Founded: 2005