Costa Rica
Our efforts in Costa Rica focus on animal and environmental rehabilitation and conservation, sea turtle monitoring and protection, and community programs.
Day 1: Arrivals & Orientation
A driver will meet you at Liberia airport (LIR) or Tamarindo airport (TNO) and shuttle you to our hotel in Tamarindo. Once checked in, you can relax or roam around the town until we meet as a group for dinner. You'll get a chance to meet your fellow travelers and trip leaders. A representative from Nourishing Nomads will speak to the group about the work we will do over the course of the week and answer any questions you have. After dinner, the rest of the night is yours.
Day 2: Volunteer day
We’ll spend the full day working alongside a local organization on one of many community projects they have in progress. Examples include beach clean-ups, local reforestation projects, community center general work, after school activities, and more. Lunch will be provided to the group and we’ll take a mid-day break from the sun. We’ll continue our work through the afternoon before returning to our hotel with time to freshen up. The night is yours and your trip leaders will provide restaurant recommendations and fun places to grab a drink if you desire.
Day 3: Cultural day
Today is about experiencing Costa Rican fun! Your trip leaders can help you organize excursions such as a visit with native Guanacaste locals and learn to make Quatil pottery. Or sign up for an adventure day including zip lining and a visit to natural hot springs. Or stay local and take time in the morning to bird watch and listen to the howler monkeys, then surf and explore the town through the rest of the day. Whatever you choose, we encourage our guests to talk to locals, see the surroundings and get a taste of Pura Vida!
Day 4: Volunteer day
If turtles are nesting while we are in Costa Rica, we will participate in sea turtle hatching and protection activities. It’s an early start and a 2-3 hour drive down the Nicoya peninsula to assist in turtle monitoring and protection, egg collection, beach preservation, and incubation pod building. If it’s not turtle season, we’ll spend the day volunteering at a nearby farm, assisting with the maintenance and upkeep, and getting a true sense of Guanacaste life.
Day 5: Volunteer day
We spend the day with a local organization, and depending on the season and number in our group, we’ll participate in one or more of the following: wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, permaculture activities, and cleaning, painting and upkeep of enclosures. After a lunch break, we’ll continue our efforts there or head to a local dog shelter and assist with bathing and walking the dogs or assisting with ongoing projects around the grounds before returning to our hotel in the evening. The rest of the night is yours.
Day 6: Cultural day
After two long days of volunteering, today is about experiencing more of the natural beauty of Costa Rica. As a group, we’ll spend the afternoon snorkeling the pristine waters and getting up close with the marine life. You’ll see how the work you’ve done this last week contributes to the continued health of one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. We’ll head back to the hotel as the sun sets to freshen up before enjoying a final dinner together as a group.
Day 7: Departures
Spend your morning getting last-minute shopping done before checking out and heading to the airport. If you have an afternoon flight, you can leave your bags with the hotel concierge until you're ready to go.
*The itinerary and service activities are subject to change based on the needs of the local communities and other factors (weather, ceremonies, traffic, school holidays, etc). Each trip is unique.
What to expect
The top priority of our trip leaders is to ensure your safety. Besides that, they will help you maximize your time in Costa Rica, so you get to spend your time having fun, not finding the fun.
We cap our Costa Rica group at 14 guests. This gives us just the right amount of people to connect with each other and be a manageable size for the places we volunteer.
Each guest will receive an extensive Costa Rica Information Packet once they’ve registered and paid for their trip. This contains everything needed to prepare for the Service Trip, including a packing guide, money and exchange information, the Customs and Immigration process, useful phrases, and much more. Further, your trip leader will be available to answer any questions you have leading up to the trip.
Inclusions
Airport pickup and drop off (LIR and TNO only)
7 days and 6 nights accommodations
High-speed WiFi Internet access in your room
Daily breakfast at hotel, 3 lunches, and 2 group dinners
Organized group service outings
Transportation to and from scheduled activities
Park and heritage site entrance fees during group outings
Plenty of free time
Additional excursions at extra cost
Laundry service is available at extra cost
Accommodations
Our hotel is in the heart of Tamarindo, close to restaurants, shops, and a short walk to the beach. We’re far enough away from the noise to ensure a good night’s sleep. There is a pool and lobby lounge to enjoy breakfast and refreshments, and provides the perfect place for our group to meet each morning.
Dates
February 3-9, 2024
Program Rates* **
Double Occupancy: $2,350
Single Occupancy: $2,950 (one night shared room)
*If you are participating through your company’s donation matching program, you may be eligible to split the program cost with your company
**Does not include airfare