Costa Rica Care and Conservation

Sample Itinerary
  • Who? Groups of 3 -10 students aged 18+
  • When? Projects have flexible dates and run all year round
  • Where? Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Care and Conservation in Costa Rica
Care and Conservation in Costa Rica

Groups will be based at Barra Honda National Park which is made up of 5,600 acres of dry tropical forest and has a fantastic network of underground caves and caverns. Your group will be given an extensive tour of the area before being provided with a well balanced work schedule. You will become involved in a full range of activities from adventurous trips underground to data collection and park maintenance.

You will participate in conducting wildlife inventories in the form of research walks, fixed point observations and night walks, alongside helping to maintain and restore trails and paths and improve access to the caves. You may also prepare environmental education materials for local children living around the park to ensure local people understand the importance of conservation in their area. During your stay you will also receive a series of lectures from the very knowledgeable staff you will be working alongside on a range of topics from broader conservation issues to specific flora and fauna found in the park.

Costa Rica, in the heart of Latin America, is a country of contrasts and a varied mix of landscapes and cultures. Its fine range of attractions includes volcanoes, tropical rainforests, magnificent waterfalls and beautiful sandy beaches. Your placement will be spent Barra Honda National Park which is about two hours drive from Liberia where Projects Abroad Costa Rica is based. Costa Rica is one of the most stable and well developed countries in Central America, creating a perfect mix for volunteers who want to experience Latin America.

 

Sample Itinerary

* Click on a day to see a relevant itinerary.

  • Day1
    TimeLocationActivity
    Arrival Time: TBD
    Airport to Guanacaste Htl
    Liberia, Guanacaste     		 
    04:00 p.mLiberia TownProjects Abroad Staff takes group for an induction through Liberia Town (walking)
    06:00 p.m.HotelDinner
    07:30 p.m. Dance lessons (Salsa, Merengue & Cumbia)

    Note: If you arrive earlier we can take everyone to visit the Cincenai facilities and start with the care project right away the next day.

  • Day2
    TimeLocationActivity
    08:00 a.m.HotelBreakfast at Hotel
    08:45 a.m. CenaiTransfer from Hotel to Cenai facilities
    09:00 a.m. CenaiIntroduction to Cenai care facility & staff.
    10:00 a.m.  Group will play with children
    11:00 a.m.CenaiTransfer to Hotel
    12:00 a.m. HotelLunch at Hotel
    02:15 p.m. Hotel to CenaiTransfer from Hotel to Cenai facilities
    02:30 p.m. CenaiCare Project... (Potential for group to prepare programming eg. Puppetry unit, arts and crafts...)
    05:00 p.m. Cenai to HotelTransfer from Cenai facilities to Hotel
    06:00 p.m. HotelDinner at Hotel
    07:15 p.m. Hotel to CaféTransfer from Hotel to Café Liberia for Quiz night (Quiz night at 07:30 )
    09:30 p.m. Café to HotelTransfer from Café Liberia to Hotel
  • Day3
    TimeLocationActivity
    08:00 a.m.HotelBreakfast at Hotel
    08:45 a.m.  Transfer from Hotel to Cenai facilities
    09:00 a.m.  Care Project… (Work on group programming)
    10:30 a.m.  Play with children age 5 to 6 yrs. Old (while younger children are eating – Work on group programming)
    11:00 a.m.  Transfer from Cenai facilities to Hotel
    12:00 a.m. HotelLunch at Hotel
    02:15 p.m.  Transfer from Hotel to Cenai facilities
    02:30 p.m.  Care Project… (Work on group programming)
    05:00 p.m.  Transfer from Cenai facilities to Hotel
    06:00 p.m. HotelDinner at Hotel
    07:30 p.m.  Dance lessons (Salsa, Merengue & Cumbia)
  • Day4
    TimeLocationActivity
    08:00 a.m.HotelBreakfast at Hotel
    08:45 a.m. Hotel to Care centre Transfer to "Escuela de Enseñanza Especial" (Special needs children)
    09:00 a.m. Care centreIntruduction to the School facilities and staff
    09:30 a.m.  Care Project...(Work on group programming)
    11:30 a.m. Care centre to HotelTransfer from care centre to Hotel
    12:00 a.m. HotelLunch at Hotel
    01:30 p.m.  Visit a traditional pottery making studio. Volunteers will have the opportunity to craft their own ceramic bowl to take home.
    06:00 p.m. HotelDinner at Hotel

    Note: Children are disabled but they can play with balls, and any other kind of games.They love to share with others once they get to know you. Group games work very well. There are all ages, from school kids to high school kids.

  • Day5
    TimeLocationActivity
    08:00 a.m.Guanacaste HotelBreakfast at Guanacaste Hotel
    09:00 a.m. Hotel to La FortunaDeparture from Guanacaste Hotel to La Fortuna, Volcán Arenal
    11:30 p.m. Arenal Jireh HotelArrival to Arenal Jireh Hotel
    12:00 a.m. HotelLunch at Hotel
    07:30 p.m. Hotel Arenal JirehDinner at Hotel Arenal Jireh

    After lunch Volunteers have the choice of one of the following activities:
    Walking Tour to Arenal National Park
    Includes : Guide and transportation. Pick up at 03:00 p.m. and drop off at 06:30 p.m.
    Canopy Tour
    Includes: Guide and transportation. Last from 1 hour and a half to two hours. Pick up depends on their schedules
    Horse Back Riding
    Inlcudes: Guide and transportation. It lasts around three hours and a half.

    Note: After Lunch they can go on a Walking Tour to Arenal National Park to see the Volcano and at night they can go to the Hot Springs, or stay at hotel swimming pool…

  • Day6
    TimeLocationActivity
    08:00 a.m.HotelBreakfast at Hotel
    09:00 a.m. Hotel to Río CelesteDeparture from Hotel to Río Celeste (one day tour)
    01:00 p.m. Río CelesteLunch at Río Celeste
    04:00 p.m. Río Celeste to Guanacaste Hotel(Liberia)Departure from Río Celeste to Guanacaste Hotel. (Liberia)
    06:00 p.m. Guanacaste HotelDinner at Guanacaste Hotel
  • Day7
    TimeLocationActivity
    08:00 a.m.HotelBreakfast at Hotel
    09:00 a.m. Guanacaste Hotel to Barra Honda National ParkTransfer from Guanacaste Hotel to Barra Honda National Park
    11:30 a.m. Barra HondaArrival at Barra Honda
    12:00 a.m.Barra HondaLunch at Barra Honda
    02:00 p.m. Conservation ParkIntroduction to the Conservation Park
    06:00 p.m Barra HondaDinner at Barra Honda
  • Day8
    TimeLocationActivity
    07:00 a.m.Barra HondaBreakfast at Barra Honda
    08:00 a.m. Barra Honda National ParkExtensive tour of Barra Honda National Park, starting with the Cave
    01:00 p.m Barra HondaLunch at Barra Honda
    02:00 p.mBarra Honda National ParkPreparation of Environmental Education materials for kids at the Park
    06:00 p.m Barra HondaDinner at Barra Honda
  • Day9
    TimeLocationActivity
    07:00 a.m.Barra HondaBreakfast at Barra Honda
    08:00 a.m. Barra Honda National ParkPainting of environmental education centre at the park and the cabins of
    12:00 a.m.Barra HondaLunch at Barra Honda
    02:00 p.mBarra Honda National ParkMaintaining and restoration of trails, paths and signs or environmental
    06:00 p.m Barra HondaDinner at Barra Honda
  • Day10
    TimeLocationActivity
    07:00 a.m.Barra HondaBreakfast at Barra Honda
    08:30 a.m. Barra Honda N.P to AirportDeparture from Barra Honda N.P to Airport
    10:00 a.m.&Arrival to airport