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About i-to-i What i-to-i trips and TEFL are, how and why we do what we do!
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If you want to immerse yourself in the laidback Costa Rican culture while making a real difference to the lives of local people, this project is just the thing. You’ll have the chance to work closely with Costa Rican families as you help them to build a home that will really improve their quality of life. Hundreds of thousands of people in Costa Rica live in sub-standard housing that doesn't have adequate sanitation or safe weather protection. By working with our partner project you could help our ongoing efforts to help improve this situation and make friends for life in the process.
When you book this trip US$75 of your fee is used to purchase cement bags, a gallon of paint, tools or equivalent through our Big Giving programme.
Fancy learning some Spanish to give you a good start in country? Why not add on two weeks Spanish Language school before you start your volunteering. Call us now to find out more.
You will be met at the airport by a member of our friendly i-to-i Costa Rica team, and taken to the Alajuela Backpackers hostel, where you’ll be spending your first 2 nights in Costa Rica. If you arrive before 6:30pm a tasty welcome dinner is provided, and the rest of your time is yours to spend as you chose – exploring Alajuela’s bars and shops, getting to know your fellow volunteers or catching up on some sleep!
At 8:30am a member of the in-country team will pick you up from the hostel and take you to the i-to-i office for orientation. This will give you a good insight into Costa Rica - the culture, things to do and see, what to do in case of an emergency and much more! It can also be a good way to meet other i-to-i travellers and ask any questions you may have. You’ll then be given some lunch and will have the afternoon free to explore or relax.
Transfer from Alajuela hostel to San Ramón project takes approximately 1 hour, and will normally be on public transport. When you arrive you will be able to settle into your homestay accommodation and get to know your host family. Spending time with a Costa Rican “tico” family will be a great chance to experience a different culture and lifestyle, and a fantastic opportunity to practice your Spanish!
Next an i-to-i representative will accompany you to the building project to meet the builders that you will be working with. You will jump straight into work – so make sure you are ready to get dirty! If you have a particular skill then don’t hide it; any ideas or suggestions are welcome here. You will finish work at approx 4pm (depending on work load and weather!) and head home to your new family for a well deserved shower and dinner!
Now is the time to get stuck into work at your building project! Your work schedule is from 8am to 4pm and you will get involved in all aspects of the building, although this will depend on the stage building is at when you arrive and how long you are staying. You could help build septic tanks (empty tanks, don’t worry!) lay floors, dig trenches, put on roofs, prepare metal ties and metal framework for the foundations, mix cement and concrete and carry materials to the building site. No building experience is needed, although any specific skills you might have would be greatly appreciated! We only ask that you are adaptable and hard working.
It’s the weekend and time to explore! San Ramón is incredibly beautiful and full of things to do. It is also conveniently located to beaches and other tourist-friendly areas. You might like to spend some time on one of the many hiking trails around San Ramón, explore the Farmer’s Market, visit a museum or Butterfly Garden or sign up for an exhilarating, zip-line canopy tour! During the evenings you can let your hair down at a local bar or disco, relax in a restaurant or the park. You don’t need to worry about being bored in San Ramón!
If you are booked for a 1 week placement, Day 8 will be your final day with i-to-i and the day you would vacate your homestay accommodation.
Your week days will be spent working at the project from 8am until 4pm, and your hard work will really make a difference to the local community. If you’re lucky you may be there to see the family move in to their new home which you helped to build! Weekends are yours to spend as you chose, and there are plenty of activities to keep you busy!
Our building projects in Costa Rica work with The Fundación para la Vivienda Rural Costa Rica-Canadá. This foundation was established in 1989 when the Costa Rican - Canadian Rural Housing Programme was founded thanks to a contribution from the Canadian Government. The people from Fundación have become specialised in rural housing and they operate with a network of rural organisations, which are responsible for proposing families for a house, to help them fulfill the established requirements, advise them during the construction process and to collect the monthly loan payments. Therefore it is not a charity giving away homes but a foundation. Each project is a cooperative effort incorporating the home recipient, volunteers from inside and outside the immediate community and the foundation. The labour contributed by homeowners and volunteers, which we call "sweat equity", keeps house costs affordable.
This is the perfect environment for anyone with a love of the outdoors and hands-on work, who wants to immerse themselves in the local community and really make a difference. You’ll be working alongside local people as well as other volunteers, giving you a great chance to experience a different culture and way of life and practice your Spanish!
The work can be very physical and demanding but is 100% worthwhile in the long term. The project does expect you to have a reasonable level of fitness so that you are able to get involved in all areas. Building sites also might not be what you’re used to seeing back home! Sometimes hands are used in the absence of machinery, you’ll be getting hot and sweaty every day but its all good fun and for a good cause so leave the ball gowns at home!
There is a good team spirit whilst working on a building project, the pace of life is slower than what you might be used to and it gets too hot to build around noon so work stops for a long lunch. May to November is the rainy season, so expect interruptions and take a rain coat!
25% of the world lives in inhuman conditions and more than 100 million do not have a house. Sign up for building homes in Costa Rica alongside fellow i-to-i volunteers and the Fundación para la Vivienda Rural Costa Rica-Canadá in order to carry on this work and help to provide homes to the communities where it is most needed. Without the support and hard work of volunteers, work on the new houses would be very slow and laborious.
Beneficiaries are in great need of simple, decent houses but can’t afford extra help to build them. By volunteering at the project you help families provide stability for their children and give them an increased sense of pride and dignity as well as providing a safe, secure home for them.
Your working hours are Monday to Friday, 8am until 4pm with a leisurely break for lunch. It’s a very hands-on project and you will have the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of the building. You could be helping to build septic tanks, digging trenches, mixing cement and concrete, carrying materials to the building site, helping to put on roofs and lay floors or preparing the foundations.
It is important to note that you might not necessarily see a house finished during your time here (but if you do it’ll be a great feeling of satisfaction and pride!) but you can return home or travel onwards on your journey knowing that you’ve contributed your part of an ongoing process; you’re part of something big here.
Evenings and weekends are your free time to spend as you chose. There is plenty to do in San Ramón and our in-country team and your host family will be happy to help and advise you, and make plenty of suggestions as to how you and your fellow volunteers might like to spend your free time.
You should bring some sturdy footwear (Bring wellies/ gum boots in the rainy season. You can purchase these locally for approx $7), and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty! A hat and sun cream is also advisable as you will spend most of your days outside, as is a rain jacket in case of impromptu showers! The project is fairly well resourced but if you would like to bring some donations from home like work gloves or small tools they would be very much appreciated. These things are available to buy locally too, so if you prefer to wait until you get to Costa Rica to purchase them you will also be benefiting the Costa Rican economy.
It may seem like a strange concept to pay for your volunteer experience. You'd be right if you think you shouldn't and the truth is you actually don't! Your placement is free; it's the benefits around it that you pay for. It's important to note that i-to-i is a travel company and not a charity. We provide a professional travel service. We are responsible for finding and assessing worthwhile projects across the world, preparing you fora the volunteering experience and supporting you whilst you're there.
Here’s some more information about what your placement fee covers….
We work with hundreds of locally run partner projects around the world and are constantly sourcing new opportunities. We visit all projects to check that they are worthwhile and legitimate and we also conduct a thorough safety assessment before we'll send volunteers there. More
Almost everyone who works for i-to-i has traveled extensively or worked overseas. This means we're a goldmine of information; we're always available to offer support and guidance before, during and after your trip.
Once you book on to a project you'll receive a Welcome Pack that contains loads of general information about volunteering, about your chosen country and how to have fun and stay safe. We'll also give you advice on visas and inoculations.
It can be pretty daunting arriving in a different country for the first time - especially after a long flight! If you arrive on your project start date, there'll be a welcoming face at the airport to pick you up and take you to your accommodation.
Soon after you arrive you will attend a thorough orientation with our in-country team. This is to cover important safety and security information. You'll also get some tips about sight-seeing options for your time off and maybe even learn some of the local lingo!
Accommodation is included with all projects and meals are even included with some. We only use locally-owned and operated accommodation so that part of your placement fee is filtering back into the local economy. Most projects offer homestay, guesthouse or shared volunteer houses as standard accommodation, but some offer the chance to upgrade to a more comfortable living standard. More
Your in-country team will arrange a pick-up for you at the airport and will conduct your orientation upon arrival. All coordination teams are English speaking and are locals of your destination country. They won't be at your project every day, but will be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need them. More
Aside from the local support from your in-country team you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line manned by our response team in case any problem should arise while you're overseas. We also hire crisis management professionals to be on hand in case of a situation that requires additional expert support. More
The safety and security of our volunteers is paramount. For this reason we provide ongoing crisis management and emergency response training to our local teams around the world. We also fly in our in-country coordinators to the UK regularly for thorough training to help them offer the best safety to the thousands of volunteers they support each year. More
We don't fund our projects directly from the project fee that you pay us. Instead we choose to support a number of projects every year through a grant scheme for tangible long-term initiatives. In the last 3 years we have distributed over US$250,000 to our most needy projects to help them in the great work they do.
We make no secrets of the fact that part of your placement fee is reinvested in to recruiting volunteers just like you! The volunteers recruited in one week will typically deliver over 2000 man-days of service. The difference this makes to projects overseas is immeasurable. Many of our overseas projects rely on assistance from international volunteers, so it's necessary for us to put together brochures and websites to find the people who can support them. This recruitment process is vital to ensure programs have a constant stream of reliable volunteers.
Volunteering through a company like i-to-i has a lot of intangible benefits to developing overseas communities and the individual projects that we work with. To find out more about our placements. click here
You will arrive on the Arrival Date - Sunday and will be met at the airport on that day. You will be taken to the Ala juela Backpackers (see address below) where you will have the first day/night to recover from your flight. Dinner is provided on Sunday at 6.30pm if you are arriving in before this time. The hostel is within walking distance from the main shops and access to internet if you wish to have a wander.
The Alajuela Backpackers is located a short distance from bars, restaurants and banks.
Alajuela Backpackers Hostel
Esquina suroeste del Parque de Nios
Alajuela Centro
Alajuela
Costa Rica
Central America
Your orientation will take place the next morning and will introduce you to life in Costa Rica as well as important information about staying healthy and safe and information getting to your project. This is your chance to ask any questions of the team before work. You will be given lunch at the office and then the afternoon to rest or explore Alajuela.
You will stay at this accommodation again on the Monday night before transferring to your permanent accommodation on the Tuesday. This will also be the first day that you meet your project and depending on your arrival time will start working as a volunteer.
It's important that you get adequate travel insurance for your i-to-i experience and as many of you will be working this often means standard policies won’t work. The good news is that no matter where your coming from we have already found a policy to suit you.
The best time to get your insurance is when you book your project as this means you can get a fully tailored policy exclusive to i-to-i, just ask your consultant for further details at the time of booking.
EU Customers – find out more here >>
Australian customers - find out more here >>
All other customers - find out more here >>
As with insurance we advise you get these booked as early as possible to avoid high prices and to make sure you arrive on the right day. The i-to-i team is right up to date with the best deals no matter where you’re flying from; their insider knowledge could save you some time and money.
If you are arriving before your designated arrival date, we can arrange for an extra meet and greet service for you. For an extra supplement we will be there to meet you at the airport and take you to your orientation accommodation. One additional night a
The cost of this Early Pick-up service is US$ 46.00
During your time with i-to-i you will be staying with a Costa Rican family in home stay accommodation. Most of our home stays are located within a short walking distance of each other and are operated on a shared basis of two people sharing. We have been sending volunteers to these families for many years and all provide clean and safe accommodation whilst being extremely friendly. You will not only be welcomed into their home, but also their family. Although your new family will speak some English, you will find you enjoy your time and get more out of the experience if you try to speak as much Spanish as you can during your time with them. So remember your phrasebook and don’t be nervous about giving it a try!
Depending on the house, you'll have a shared bedroom with another building project participant of the same gender as you. If we aren’t able to place two people together, we’ll make sure you’re as close together as you can be. Each bedroom has two single beds and storage space for your luggage. Basic bedding will be provided but you are welcome to bring a sleeping bag if you plan to go travelling at the weekends. We’d recommend that you bring your own padlock to keep your valuables secure.
There is a shared family living space so you might like to take items such as playing cards or books to bring in to the family space. Your new family will be keen to spend time chatting and getting to know you and we’d encourage you to get as involved in family life as much as possible. The bathrooms will be on a shared basis with the family and have running water, shower and Western style toilet. There isn’t a huge demand for hot water because the weather is already hot, and you’ll find that you won’t miss hot showers all that much!
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included; expect traditional Costa Rican basic food such as: rice, beans, salad, meat, poultry, pasta, fish, etc.
Set in a scenic basin, San Ramón is one of the larger Central Valley coffee towns of Costa Rica. Rolling mountains surround this unique, close-knit town. San Ramón is located in the province of Alajuela, 30 miles north of San José and 28 miles inland from the Central Pacific beaches. This town is ideally located for travel in Costa Rica. So, the distance to other popular tourist locations from San Ramón is relatively short. Apart from its central location, you will find that San Ramón's people are one of the friendliest subpopulations in Costa Rica. The proud people of San Ramón are eager to extend a warm welcome to travelers through casual conversation and a helping hand if necessary. One of the campuses of the University of Costa Rica's is located in town ensuring a vibrant nightlife in San Ramón. You will find numerous cafés, restaurants and traditional bars in town that still serve free bocas (small meals!) when you order.
Depending on which house you are working on, your commute in the morning could take up to 1 hour by public bus. You will be travelling with other participants on the building project and we’d recommend that you budget around $15 per week for this cost.
Costa Rica, dubbed the rich coast by Columbus, was a melting pot of cultural diversity long before the Europeans came, with Mesoamerican and South American groups settling on the land. The area was not defined by one tribe or group but a mix of indigenous people. Faced with Indian resistance and tropical diseases, it took the Spanish around 60 years to colonise the country and Cartago. The central highlands was founded as a colony in 1563. The colony soon diminished in importance, however, as there was not a large Indian workforce to sustain it, it was far removed from major trading routes. Costa Rica became somewhat of a poor relation to other Spanish-seized nations despite the gradual establishment of cities in the fertile central highlands during the 1700s. Costa Rica’s status saw a turnaround in the 19th century as it gained full independence (1838) and achieved economic growth through coffee exports. Today it has a healthy economy driven by its growing industries that include tourism and electronics, and is the most affluent country in Central America.
A peace-loving and forward thinking nation, Costa Rica held its first democratic elections in 1889 and abolished its army in 1948 to invest in the country’s social and cultural needs. Despite a brief dictatorship and a six week civil war in the first half of the twentieth century, Costa Rica has achieved political stability and has managed to escape military dictatorships and violence that has befallen its neighbours.
Costa Rica is like Dr. Who’s tardis: it’s a small country but there is a vast array of species and natural beauty residing within its borders. It contains round 5 per cent of the world’s biodiversity and a quarter of the country is designated a national park or reserve. With 26 national parks, Costa Rica is renowned for its progressive approach to conservation and ecotourism. Parque Nacional Corcovado boasts the largest primary rainforest on the American Pacific coastline and is home to around 140 mammal species including the endangered Baird’s Tapir, jaguars and howler monkeys, as well as crocodiles and sharks on the coastal track of the park. The country’s turtle haven, Parque Nacional Tortuguero, lies on the Caribbean coast and its where Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Green and Leatherback turtles lay their eggs. Getting to the park is an adventure in itself since it can only be reached by sea or air.
To get closer to the clouds, Costa Rica’s volcanoes provide the perfect vehicle. The country houses around 100 volcanoes with only a handful active. Volcán Irazú, the country’s highest volcano at over 3400m, is active and its last major eruption was in 1963. It makes for a worthwhile trek to the summit where it’s possible to see the Pacific and Caribbean on rare clear days. For night owls, the active Volcán Arenal is best viewed from afar when the sun goes down for a chance of seeing it spouting spectacular explosions of hot orange lava. The Arenal Hanging Bridges, which consist of 15 suspension bridges in front of the volcano, provide great views of the volcano and the surrounding rainforest. Close to the volcano is Laguna de Arenal, the largest lake in Costa Rica, often hailed as one of the best windsurfing spots in the world. White water rafting, horse back riding and fishing are also popular activities in the area.
With an abundance of wildlife, rainforests and natural wonders to choose from in Costa Rica, it is also worth exploring the acclaimed Monteverde cloud forest. Lauded for its enormous range of plant and wildlife species, it’s a full on jungle experience with muddy trails and thick clouds hovering overhead. Adding to the area’s uniqueness is the Quaker community which settled close by in a town also known as Monteverde in the 1950s.
Sandwiched between the Pacific and Caribbean, Costa Rica has no shortage of fine beaches, whether white or black sand, tranquil or high spirited. On the pacific coast, Domincal is a cosy beach community and popular surfing destination with various national reserves and parks within easy travelling distance. One of the highlights on the Caribbean coast is Punta Uva which is picture postcard personified. The Nicoya Peninsula, meanwhile, is among other things, a hub for idyllic beaches from the secluded charms of Mal Pais to surfers’ paradise Santa Teresa.
If you come across random large stone spheres, these are just another of country’s unexpected and unique features. The existence of the spheres, which range from a few centimetres to 2 metres in diameter, were discovered in the 1930s and it’s not known why, what or who, but they are believed to have been made around 200BC to 1600 CE. Around 300 have been found so far in various part of the country.
It’s simple: dry, hot weather is like honey to a bee for tourists, but during the rainy season, you’ll find less crowds and usually cheaper hotel rates. To avoid the crowds and also a chance of dry weather, late April and May along with mid October to mid December are the best bet since the dry season tends to run from late December to mid April. The rain may hamper sunbathing but it doesn’t take away from the natural diversity of the country. Easter week is one of the busiest times especially in and around beach resorts. It’s hot year round with the coast boasting the hottest temperatures, averaging 89ºF (32ºC), while the highlands are relieved by cooler temperatures at night.
Like most Latin American countries, if you want to get around, bus is the way to go. Since the population is largely concentrated to the centre of the country, this is where roads and buses are most abundant. San Jose is the main departure point and depending on where you want to travel to and from, it is sometimes easier to return to San Jose to take the next leg of your journey. Buses vary from crowded old school buses to air conditioned luxury. But you get what you pay for and for long distance journeys on direct buses will get you to your destination an hour or two earlier than the cheaper corriente or normal variety that stop on demand. Buses are at their most crowded during major holidays, especially Easter, and at weekends and on Mondays and Fridays. In San José the majority of buses leave from what is commonly known as Le Coca Cola, the former site of the bottling factory and most services stop at 10pm.
Car rental is a popular option but it can be expensive and you need to be prepared to deal with unruly drivers and the occasional potholed roads. For long journeys, flying is good way to get to your destination quicker and domestic airlines like Nature Air and Sansa offer good rates and fly to cities as well as remote destinations.
Taxis are a good way to get to remote areas and around towns and cities. Agree on a fare before you set off, and for shorter journeys make sure the metre is switched on. It’s worth noting that taxi drivers tend to identify areas by landmarks rather than by address so it helps if you know what your destination is near.
The cosmopolitan bustle of capital city San José is far removed from the natural wonders of Costa Rica, but with most journeys beginning and ending in the city it’s a good place to while away a few days. Although there are few reminders of its colonial past what with skyscrapers, department stores and fast food chains dominating the city skyline, its museums, plazas and surrounding areas provide an alternative look at Costa Rican life. Museo de Jade, one of the country’s most renowned museums, offers a look at the world’s largest collection of American jade, together with various archaeological exhibits. Built in 1897, Teatro Nacional, the national theatre, is one of the city’s most striking buildings with marble staircases and gilded ceilings. For immersion in city life, the main market, Mercado Central, is good way to meet locals and find a bargain, while for people watching, head to the parks such as Parque Nacional and Parque Central.
San José is also the country’s transport hub and is the best base to explore from. Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo is a the closest national park to the city, less than an hours drive away, and amongst its lush vegetation it’s possible to capture the sight of quetzals, eagles, jaguars. You can also view the park from the comfort of cable cars and see flora and fauna that would otherwise go unseen by taking the hiking route. La Paz Waterfall Gardens is a nature park one hour from the city that features five waterfalls and a butterfly observatory. Also within striking distance of the city is one of the oldest national parks in the country, Parque Nacional Volcán Poás, with this being Costa Rica, an active volcano is the main attraction.
www.lonelyplanet.com
Lonely Planet are leaders in the travel guide sector and their website is a great source of travel information.
www.fco.gov.uk
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s website provides up-to-date political news, travel advice and information on visas.
www.natureair.com
Airline Nature Air offers domestic flights, as well as services to Nicaragua and Panama.
www.flysansa.com
Domestic airline Sansa has flights to major and remote locations and the site also has links to domestic airlines for Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.
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We work in partnership with hundreds of established projects that are run by local communities. The information on our website comes directly from the projects and we work with them to ensure this information is as accurate as possible. However, due to the very nature of the projects themselves the exact details of what happens on a daily basis can change with little or no notice. If you have travelled with us and have any updates to this information, please let us know.
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