from 1,111€

Fantastic 4.5rating (100)

Rainforest Lodge

location
3 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

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

Highlights

  • Experience the thrill of staying off the grid, far from civilization, in a serene natural setting.
  • Surround yourself with the beauty and wonder of the rainforest, where every moment brings a new discovery.
  • Learn the art of living simply and fully, with only the essentials, as you connect with nature and local culture.
  • Make a real difference by helping protect one of the world’s most vital ecosystems, contributing to conservation efforts firsthand.

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

Planting trees, maintaining pathways ... horseback riding through the rainforest - doesn't that sound like paradise? You're right in the middle of it!

About the Program

In a dreamlike Eco-Lodge - with an extension of over 2200 acres of primary rain forest - you get to know the rainforest that is home to thousands of animals and plants. 

The lodge boarders directly with 'La Amistad International Park' and is part 'La Amistad Biosphere Preserve', ...

About the program

About the Program

In a dreamlike Eco-Lodge - with an extension of over 2200 acres of primary rain forest - you get to know the rainforest that is home to thousands of animals and plants. 

The lodge boarders directly with 'La Amistad International Park' and is part 'La Amistad Biosphere Preserve', the largest conservation area of Central America, shared by Costa Rica and Panama. It is the most important direct watershed of the Bananito River, which supplies 85 % of potable water to the harbor city of Limon. The income generated by the nature and adventure programs at the lodge, together with our Rain forest Study Programs, significantly support 'Fundacion Cuencas deLimon', -- Limon Watershed Foundation --, which has become a regional leader in watershed conservation in the province of Limon and preserves water for about 70.000 people. 

You will basically learn about the work of the 'guardabosques', the 'forest patrol'. If you love nature, if you are committed to sometimes hard work, if you are interest in adventure tours - horseback riding is useful - and if you are comfortable in a temporary stay far from civilization (the next city is 30 km), then this is a perfect experience for you!

Our Volunteers

Our volunteers should have a love for nature and interest in adventures. They will enjoy communicating with the guests of the lodge. A knowledge of Spanish and English language is compulsory. It is also possible to take part in language classes. 

Your Location 

The lodge is located 35 km southwest of the harbor city Limón, Caribbean, and bordering La Amistad World Heritage Site or La Amistad Biosphere Reserve.



Typical day

Your workday begins at 6 am and you will work about 6 hours - the type of work varies due to weather conditions and actual needs.

Your Tasks

  • Cleaning and maintaining the paths in the forest
  • Developing new trail signs
  • Recollect trash left behind by poachers
  • Planting and watering trees
  • You might also help ...

Typical day

Your workday begins at 6 am and you will work about 6 hours - the type of work varies due to weather conditions and actual needs.

Your Tasks

  • Cleaning and maintaining the paths in the forest
  • Developing new trail signs
  • Recollect trash left behind by poachers
  • Planting and watering trees
  • You might also help in inspections in the forest, inventory of the area - trees, plants, animals, food, putting out cameras for monitoring wildlife - the rainforest is the habitat of jaguars and other wildcats
  • You will be helping in stable maintenance and taking care of horses

Free-time activities

The lodge is in the rainforest - so, in a very, very remote area! There are several tours for the guests of the lodge like hiking, horseback riding, waterfall rappel, tree climbing and a tour with overnight stay in the middle of the rainforest on a platform in a tree ... Just awesome experiences, ...

Free-time activities

The lodge is in the rainforest - so, in a very, very remote area! There are several tours for the guests of the lodge like hiking, horseback riding, waterfall rappel, tree climbing and a tour with overnight stay in the middle of the rainforest on a platform in a tree ... Just awesome experiences, all of them!

You will not be able to spend your evenings in another place. Be prepared for chilling, reading, playing cards etc. with other volunteers, going to bed early and wake up with the sun! :-) Enjoy being far from civilization, TV, noise and emerge into nature. 

You should save your free days for a longer excursion. There are two very nice and popular beaches in the area: Puerto Viejo and Cahuita!


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)

Nationality Restrictions

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

Other Skills

Be prepared for physically demanding work in humid conditions.

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

  • Three meals a day
  • Accommodation
  • We organize the journey to the project and we also do hostel reservations in San José if needed (mostly it is needed!)

Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

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 (around 13 US$ (dorm) and 40 US$ (single/double room).
A staff member of the lodge will pick you up and you will have another 45 min breathtaking trip through nature to get to the lodge!

Accommodation

You will be lodging in one of the wonderful cabinas for guest - if available! If not, you will stay in a simple staff room.

Food & Beverages

You will get three meals a day together with the staff. 

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

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.

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

Program fees

3 weeks (min. stay) 1,111€
4 weeks 1,335€
8 weeks 2,232€
12 weeks (max. stay) 3,129€
Average fees 315€/week

Program fees

315€ per week 3 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

3 - 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, French, English, Spanish

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

Ralph Dreißig rating4.4

2022 at Rainforest Lodge

Supporting the team of the Lodge with different duties. Like caring for the new planted trees, keeping the area of the Lodge in good condition, accompanying the team on onspection tours in the Rainforest. Supporting them with the care for the tourists. Keeping the rainforsest trails in order. The ...
Tami Garbe rating3.8

2019 at Rainforest Lodge

The outward journey was quite adventurous, getting off the bus somewhere in the middle of nowhere, but everything went well and I was picked up by the staff. After a short drive through the jungle, I was already there at the rainforest lodge. I'll summarize it a bit, otherwise I'll write too ...
Alena rating4.6

2015 at Rainforest Lodge

I was lucky to spend three weeks at the Salva Bonito Lodge in the heart of the costa rican rainforest. I chose this program based on my studies to gain some practical experience. Especially the reforestation efforts were important to me, we were planting trees, seeds and worked on keeping the small ...
Marie-Luisa rating4.6

2015 at Rainforest Lodge

My first day at this project was quite a shock for me: a one-hour drive to the next village, no access to internet and nothing but trees around you. But very quickly I started to feel like a part of big family and I was ready to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Although I only stayed for five ...
Sebastián rating4.4

2015 at Rainforest Lodge

It was an incredible experience with so many unforgettable encounters! Everything was perfectly organised and went according to plan, thanks to Angie for being available for us volunteers 24/7! It felt great to spend time without any access to internet and in a very remote place as you can fully ...
Ursula rating4.4

2015 at Rainforest Lodge

I spent three weeks at the lodge and the location was absolutely mesmerising. The next village is a one-hour drive away so around you there is nothing but pure nature. The people were really lovely, although it took me a while to get used to the “tico” mentality. When I first arrived I barely ...

Location


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Contact Sofia
  Very high response rate
German, French, English, Spanish

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