Puro Caribe - Caribbean Life

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Fantastic 4.5  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Escape the tourist crowds and fully immerse yourself in the vibrant, laid-back Caribbean lifestyle.
  • Experience the heart of daily life on organic farms and learn the traditional ways of fishing, farming, and family life firsthand.
  • Surround yourself with lush landscapes, pristine beaches, and wildlife, letting nature take your breath away every day.

Highlights

  • Escape the tourist crowds and fully immerse yourself in the vibrant, laid-back Caribbean lifestyle.
  • Experience the heart of daily life on organic farms and learn the traditional ways of fishing, farming, and family life firsthand.
  • Surround yourself with lush landscapes, pristine beaches, and wildlife, letting nature take your breath away every day.
  • Feel the true essence of Costa Rica’s "pura vida" lifestyle, where simplicity, joy, and connection to nature are at their peak.


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Living in a remote Caribbean village at the beach and sharing daily life with a costarican family!

    About the Program

    Immerse yourself in Costa Rican life away from tourism! On the Caribbean coast on the border with Panama is a small village where care is taken to maintain a functioning village life, a relaxed, quiet and safe environment, and the best possible organic and local food. There are no ...

    About the program

    About the Program

    Immerse yourself in Costa Rican life away from tourism! On the Caribbean coast on the border with Panama is a small village where care is taken to maintain a functioning village life, a relaxed, quiet and safe environment, and the best possible organic and local food. There are no hotels, bars or souvenir stores here but plenty of friendly people who also have cell phones and use the internet but are not looking to funnel masses of tourists through their village, instead opting for regenerative tourism. The village has limited capacity for volunteers and the essential goal is cultural exchange, appreciation and care of the surrounding nature and exchange of ideas.

    You will live with a host family and according to your abilities, needs and desires you can participate in their daily life and work. Many families have a small organic farm or fish and you can help there as well as learn a lot. You can also get involved in village life by getting involved in local primary or secondary school projects or helping with beach cleanups. Various turtles arrive at the beach to lay their eggs and there is also a turtle station in the village where you can help out.

    You should bring

    • Willingness to live in a remote village with no infrastructure (bus, stores) - in case of possible need for medical care, the trip to the nearest doctor or hospital will take ... minutes.
    • Willingness to live in simple conditions. The rooms are rustic but clean. There is of course clean running water and electricity. In the families there is usually also WiFi.
    • Openness, interest, serenity and friendliness. It's about cultural exchange - not evaluation.
    • Basic knowledge of Spanish is very helpful as most families only speak Spanish. All families are very patient with language beginners and a few families are bilingual. You can book a language course with first hand in advance.


    Typical day

    Volunteers are expected to volunteer in the morning for work either for the family, for the village community or for the school. This work varies depending on the host family or special requests of the volunteer and will be discussed and determined during the registration process.

    The afternoon is ...

    Typical day

    Volunteers are expected to volunteer in the morning for work either for the family, for the village community or for the school. This work varies depending on the host family or special requests of the volunteer and will be discussed and determined during the registration process.

    The afternoon is usually at your free disposal. 


    Free-time activities

    In your free time the surrounding area offers a lot of possibilities for relaxation as well as for tours in the breathtaking nature. Besides the beach, where highly endangered turtles - the green turtle and the hawksbill turtle - arrive, the village borders the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge ...

    Free-time activities

    In your free time the surrounding area offers a lot of possibilities for relaxation as well as for tours in the breathtaking nature. Besides the beach, where highly endangered turtles - the green turtle and the hawksbill turtle - arrive, the village borders the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge with primary rainforest and wetlands to the north and a lagoon with mangroves and lots of wildlife to the south. The following tours and activities are possible - depending on the season and weather conditions: 
    • boat tour on the lagoon, 
    • hike in the rainforest, 
    • visit to the turtle project, 
    • cacao tour, 
    • horseback riding tour, 
    • surf lessons, 
    • dolphin tour on the sea, 
    • fishing, 
    • coconut oil workshop. 
    The prices for these tours can be found out on the spot.

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level) or Spanish (basic level)

    Required Documents

    health insurance (valid for Costa Rica)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by first hand Costa Rica

    • Accommodation
    • 3 Meals a day
    • We provide airport pickup
    • We organize the journey to the project and we also do hostel reservations in San José if needed (mostly it is needed!).
    • And, if you will combine projects, we will also organize the transportation between the projects. You will have to pay the cost for the pickup and the transport.

    Accommodation

    Your room will be simple but clean and usually you will have a room of your own. 

    If you come with a group or friends you might share a room with bunk beds. 
    We chose the family according to your special interests.

    Food & Beverages

    You will get three meals, prepared by the family - breakfast, lunch, dinner - based on the typical costarican cuisine: rice, beans, vegetables, meat and fruit. 

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    This program is available all year. It starts every Monday. Please arrive at least one day before the programs starts. 

    You will be picked up at the airport by our driver with a sign with your name and you will directly get in contact with your german, english, spanish speaking coordinator via phone. The driver will drive you to the reserved hostel (if necessary), give you the bus ticket (he will buy a ticket in advance to reserve you a seat in the bus), pick you up at the hostel the day of your journey to the project and bring you to the bus. 

    The cost will be around 70 US$ plus the hostel night - between 13-15 US$ (dorm) and 45 US$ (single/double room).

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    2 weeks (min. stay) 918€
    3 weeks 1,150€
    4 weeks 1,382€
    6 weeks 1,845€
    8 weeks 2,309€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 3,237€
    Average fees 364€/week

    Program fees

    364€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    2 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with first hand Costa Rica during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    first hand Costa Rica

    Fantastic 4.5 rating (100 reviews)

    Agency - founded in 2006

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Very high response rate

    Coordinated by

    Sofia

    Spoken languages: German, Spanish, English, French

    About the project

    We offer you to immerse in the daily life of costarican families and work routines of teaching and conservation projects. These new found knowledges teach you a lot.

    Meet your organization

    In 1994 we at first hand moved to Costa Rica and everything started when my son went to a little elementary school near Sámara: 11 children, 6 degrees, one classroom and one teacher. We started bringing volunteers to this little school and 'poco a poco' other schools addressed us with interest of having volunteers and families offered themselves for having volunteers in their house.

    Since then a lot has changed and developed at first hand – we started many new teaching programs and conservation projects all over the country – but one thing is still the same: we have a very personal and very close contact to all of our schools, guestfamilies and projects. We live in Costa Rica and we will be there when you need us!

    First hand offers volunteer opportunities in schools, kindergarten, music schools, turtle camps, animal reserves, macaw stations, farms and in the rainforest.

    We, the agency for volunteer work first hand, are in direct contact with schools and environmental conservation projects planning, organizing and joining our volunteers during this unforgettable and worthy experience!

    We have 20 years experience of living in Costa Rica and feel commited to the people, comunitary help and sustainable ecological development. Through the 'Asociación Intercambio Cultural ALEGRIA - AICA', a non-profit organization, we have been promoting intercultural exchange in all areas of artistic expression and organizing festivals and benefit events. 

    First hand offers projects almost everywhere in Costa Rica. San Jose, Islita, Buena Vista, Manzanillo, Drake Bay, Mata Palo...just to name a few!

    Our Vision

    first hand wants to contribute to a sustainable development and mutual respect by intercultural exchange and learning from each other.

    Why volunteering with first hand?

    Your contribution makes the difference in educating children, preserving marine turtles or other animals and protecting the rainforests of Costa Rica. You live and work with locals and you get to learn the real life of Costaricans. Every day you deal directly with opinions, lifestyles and routines of a different culture. These new found knowledges teach you more about yourself! You learn or improve your spanish skills. Language is the key to understanding the values of a different culture. Work experiences in foreign countries are indispensable in times of globalization. A volunteer based commitment will open many doors for you.

    About Costa Rica

    Costa Rica is a little tropical paradise between two oceans. Hardly any other country has such an abundance of plants and animals on such a small terrain. 25% of it's area is protected by national parks. Active volcanos, hot springs, rain and cloud forests, mountain rivers, spectacular waterfalls, subterranean caves, coral reefs, mangroves, amazing caribbean and pacific beaches and a fascinating animal world invite you to discover and enjoy.

    Costa Rica has the oldest democracy in Latin America, a working social system, responsable environmental laws and is the only country in the world that has no army. The relaxed 'pura vida' lifestyle of the 'ticos' and their hospitality towards visitors make it one of the safest top destinations in Latin America.

    100 reviews · rating4.5

    Beate Flatjord rating4.8

    2024 at Animal Rescue & Release Center

    Working with animals at the rescue center. Get to work close with the animals. Cleaning enclosures, feding and a lot of other differente tasks. Really fun to get to see the animals up close and work with them. Also a lot of nice and fun people. Fun activities and things to see on your free ...
    Laurence Bouchayer rating4.4

    2024 at Save Turtles in Montezuma

    I had a great time in ASVO. Such an experience. You should communicate more about the conditions there, night shifts and very basics conditions of staying in the house. ..
    Lynn Moeller rating3.6

    2024 at Save Turtles and Sloths

    Die 2 Wochen waren wirklich sehr schön! Die Schildkröten sind so süß und es richtig spannend das alles so mitzuerleben! Was meine 2 Wochen aber vorallem so toll gemacht hat sind all die Menschen die man dort trifft! Der staff war sehr nett und es sind super viele Volunteers aus der ganzen Welt ...
    Bianca Reis rating4.6

    2023 at Animal Rescue & Release Center

    I had a great time at the Animal Rescue Center in Puerto Viejo. I worked five days per week and had two days off. Every day there are three different tasks you can do, such as cleaning the enclosure, feeding the animals etc. You will work with many animals like sloths, baby monkeys, birds, macaws. ..
    Mélina Valloir Cherki rating4.4

    2023 at Support Children in Schools in Beach Villages

    This has been the best trip of my life. This experience was incredible on all levels. First of all the family that hosted me were very kind, very welcoming and very present when I needed help. Secondly, in regards to the school that I helped out in, everyone there was extremely nice to me and made ...
    Julia Roth rating4.8

    2022 at Save Turtles and Sloths

    It really was an unforgettable time, lots fun and I met many nice people there. What we experienced while working was incredibly interesting and exiting. In our free time, too, we visited many different, great places or went to the sea. A wonderful ...

    Location


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    Contact Sofia
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    German, Spanish, English, French

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