Costa Rica: Volunteer Vacation Costa Rica’s diversity attracts families of all shapes and sizes to its shores. This paradise of verdant jungles is home to unique species of flora and fauna for family travelers. Journey through this vibrant land and encounter the kind-hearted people thorough volunteer activity while having fun and learning about volcanoes, fabulously colored toucans, the acrobatic monkeys, butterflies and cloud forests.  Rich in culture and tradition, Costa Rica is a refuge for man and animal.

DAY 1 — WELCOME TO COSTA RICA! Arrive at San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport where our local representatives will escort you to your San Jose Hotel. Tonight, meet your group leader and learn about the exciting details of your Costa Rican adventure. D

DAY 2 —IMBIO PARK & VOLUNTOUR ACTIVITY. This morning you will head to IMBio Park to gain an overview about Costa Rica’s biodiversity. We will learn how Costa Rica is collects and categorizes all the species of living things through interactive exhibits, multimedia, audiovisuals and interpreted natural trails. After lunch we will spend the afternoon in a family-friendly volunteer activity wrapping presents with a local Costa Rican group. B,L,D

DAY 3 — RAFTING ON SARAPIQUI AND LA FORTUNA. This morning head to the Sarapiqui River for two hour rafting trip (Class III – suitable for ages 8 to 65), an adventure a filled with fun and excitement ideal for rafting lovers and first-time rafters with more more than 20 rapids in a spectacular setting within the tropical rainforest. Due to its shape, flow and topographic conditions, the Sarapiquí river offers maximum security to its visitors. The sections are clearly defined and travel parallel the main road. After lunch we will head for La Fortuna for a two-night stay. B,L,D

DAY 4 — ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK AND ECOTERMALES HOT SPRINGS. Visit Arenal Volcano National Park for a discovery walk to the lava site - an area formed from the 1968 eruption. Undisputedly one of Costa Rica's foremost tourist attractions, Arenal Volcano is the center piece of the national park and currently one of the world's most active volcanoes. Its periodic eruptions of ash and molten rock, accompanied by thundering sonic blasts, are an unforgettable experience anytime, but become extremely spectacular after dark. Inspect the view of the forest canopy via an aerial Sky Tram. End the day at, Ecotermales Fortuna, the Hidalgo Family Farm and Hot Springs for a dinner specially prepared by a Costa Rican family. B,L,D

DAY 5 — BOAT TRIP ACROSS ARENAL LAKE AND MONTEVERDE. After breakfast, take a leisurely nature walk over local suspension bridges. Next enjoy a scenic boat trip across the Arenal Lake to Rio Chiquito and then continue up into Monteverde. Monteverde is a peaceful community made up of dairy farmers, naturalists and tourism service providers who have joined together to create a model for sustainable development and protection of the environment that is becoming known throughout the world. Founded in 1954 by a group of Quakers searching for a peaceful place to live, it is the home of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the Children's Eternal Rain Forest, and the Santa Elena Reserve. This evening you will enjoy a lecture by a local naturalist speaker. B,L,D

DAY 6 — CERO PLANO SCHOOL, SELVATURA PARK AND FROG POND. Today begins with a volunteer activity at the Cerro Plano School where you will help painting and cleaning up the school grounds with members of the community. You’ll learn about their life in Costa Rica and they will want to hear from you about your life at home and everyone will enjoy a picnic lunch. Visit Selvatura’s Park - walk through tropical jungle on a trail system that features seven suspension bridges that criss-cross deep canyons at treetop level. Later in the afternoon visit the Frog Pond, with over 20 species of frogs and other amphibians. Learn about species that are unique to the tropics of Costa Rica. B,L,D

DAY 7 — FINCA ECOLOGICA, SARCHI AND SAN JOSE. Begin the journey back to San Jose with a visit to "Finca Ecologica La Trinidad". Plant your own tree and support a conservation program which aims to encourage farmers to return farmland to its original state and gradually recover some of the Tropical Dry Forest on the central pacific coast of Costa Rica. Planting a tree is a very meaningful experience for the younger generations and provides everyone the opportunity to leave their mark in conservation. Lunch en route and then visit the artisan's town of Sarchi - home of the colorfully painted oxcart that former coffee growers would use to transport the coffee beans from the central valley region to the ports. Visit the artisan’s cooperative, an ideal location to get some souvenirs and woodcrafts, before you return to San Jose Farewell Dinner! B,L,D

DAY 8 — TRANSFER OUT & DEPART SAN JOSE. Adios y gracias for visiting Costa Rica with us! B

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