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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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The diversity in Costa Rica doesn’t stop with the animals swinging and jumping around its forests. It has a vibrant cultural life and though its simple charms attract more than 1 million visitors every year, it still manages to keep its relaxed way of life. By working on one of these projects you will be giving much needed care and attention to some amazing children that have not had the best start in life. These children need all the help that you can give so you will need lots of enthusiasm and energy but be prepared to go back to your second childhood in the process!
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!
If you are on a flight departing Mexico on Saturday evening that arrives into San Jose at 00.10am on Sunday morning your airport pick up will be included however you will need to pay for an additional night's accommodation - please arrange this with our office in advance.
As volunteers are not able to check into their rooms before 2pm on the arrival day, anyone arriving earlier than 12 midday that would like to have a room available for them will need to pay for an additional nights fee for accommodation - please arrange this with our office in advance.
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.
After breakfast you’ll transfer from Alajuela hostel to either the project at San Ramon or at Palmares, which usually takes about 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 it’s on to the project to meet the team and most importantly the kids!
Now is the time to get stuck into work at your community project! Your work schedule is from 8am to 4pm and you will get involved in all aspects of the home. You could be playing with the kids, helping them to learn English and with their school work, playing games, singing songs or helping with day to day tasks such as dressing and feeding the kids, or helping keep the centre clean and tidy. No previous experience is needed, although any specific skills you might have would be greatly appreciated! We only ask that you are adaptable, hard working and willing to give 110%! It is important to be flexible and to put the needs of the children and their carers first. You may find that you are doing tasks such as helping to cook and clean - but this is just as important as playing with the children!
It’s the weekend and time to explore! San Ramon and Palmares are very beautiful areas and are full of things to do. They are 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 the area, explore the Farmer’s Market, visit a museum or Butterfly Garden or sign up for an exhilarating, zip-line canopy tour! Whether you are based on San Ramon or Palmares you will be spoilt for choice. During the evenings you can let your hair down at a local bar or disco, relax in a restaurant or the park. You could also take public transport to visit the Arenal volcano or Monteverde rainforest, La Fortuna or Póas. You don’t need to worry about being bored!
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 lives of the children. You'll have time to really bond with these lovely little people, and they will leave their mark on you as much as you with them! Weekends are yours to spend as you chose, and there are plenty of activities to keep you busy!
It's time to bid a fond farewell to your new friends and host family and head back to the airport or off for further adventures! On departure day you will make your own way back to the hostel in Alajuela. Directions for this are given inside the welcome pack you’ll be given in Costa Rica. We also offer one free night in the Hostel Alajuela Backpackers before departure if you require, and the Hostel Alajuela Backpackers also offers transfers back to the airport.
Please note that this project is for female volunteers only
We work with worthwhile projects in San Ramon and Palmares that look after children who have been orphaned, abandoned, neglected or found on the streets. The children are sent to these shelters by Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI) which is a government initiative that looks after vulnerable children and protects their rights. This includes the rights to health care, education, justice, work, culture and recreation, and the right to a safe and healthy family life. There is usually room for 14 around children at each centre, all of whom are aged up to 12 years old.
The projects are perfect for anyone who loves children and wants to help. The centres has 3 dedicated full time staff members and do occasionally receive Costa Rican volunteers, but the help that i-to-i volunteers offer makes a big difference to the centre. By providing love and attention to children who’ve had a difficult start to life you’ll have a big impact on their lives. Volunteers on this project need to be creative self-starters who enjoy working with children. You should be flexible, proactive, have perseverance and be ready to work in a new environment. You should be prepared to handle difficult situations as the children come from very difficult backgrounds and may have been affected by child abuse, or have parents with drug problems or alcoholism. A genuine love for this kind of work is required, but you’ll get back so much love and gratitude from the children that their smiling faces means all the hard work is more than worth it!
The staff at the project are very dedicated to their work, but because of the pressures of household duties and the daily running of the centre they don’t always have as much time as they would to spend with the children, playing games and giving them the love and attention they need. Your extra pair of willing hands will make a real difference to the centre, it’s staff and little residents.
You’ll be needed at the centre from 8am until 4pm each day, with a break for lunch. You will be involved in organising recreational activities for the children and helping them with their homework. Helping them with their basic life skills and giving them the care and attention that they so need is also on the agenda as well as getting involved in any household tasks or cleaning that is needed while the children are at school. Informal English lessons are a great way to have fun so come prepared with any songs or games that will keep the children entertained!
As the project has few resources you may like to bring some money with you as supplies can be bought locally so you can also help the local economy too. This is not expected but would be very much appreciated. Think about games to play that do not need a lot of resources to keep the children amused. Please also note that there are several cultural considerations to consider when working at the centre. We ask you to cover any visible tattoos, piercings and ‘outrageous’ hairdos (we love them, don’t get us wrong, but they don’t tend to fit in with rural areas overseas as much…) and to dress modestly. It will also really help if you can speak some Spanish.
Please note that this project is for female volunteers only
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 an online account 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 through our Big Giving initiative to provide resources to those projects that really need it.
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.
During your time with i-to-i you will be staying with a Costa Rican family in home stay accommodation. All 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!
You’ll have a shared bedroom with another 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.
San Ramon is set in a scenic basin and 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 travellers 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.
Palmares, a small town between Alajuela and San Ramón. Palmares, meaning Palm Grove, got its name from the large number of royal palm trees that were there when the area was first settled. Palmares can be considered a hybrid between the peaceful Costa Rican rural town and the messy city.
This town is very well known for hosting the best fiestas, (the largest in Costa Rica, and takes placed in january!), bullfights (which are still legal in Costa Rica, although its more like running with the bulls, and the bulls do not get hurt - but we understand that this is not to everyones taste! ) and the largest “tope” horse parade in the country! Palmares’ slogan is “a town to make friends” and we’re sure you will!
All of the homestays are within a 15 minute walk or bus ride to the project. There’s a lovely journey in scenic surroundings to wake you up at the start of your day!
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.
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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