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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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This is a chance to help sustain an incredibly beautiful place, just think of butterflies, rivers, monkeys, and fabulous forest! Having disbanded its military and spent the money on education and social services instead, Costa Rica has escaped the civil wars and dictatorships that have troubled its near neighbours; however it’s natural environment faces a predictable battle for survival. It’s certainly worth protecting though; if you ordered a tropical paradise and Costa Rica came, you certainly wouldn’t send it back! You will be spending your time on a project that is supported by a group of local families that have chosen conservation and eco-tourism as a compliment to their farming, the aim being to protect the forest and nearby areas. Be prepared to get stuck in and get your hands well and truly dirty!
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. After getting stuck into some lunch you’ll have the afternoon free to explore or relax.
By now itching to get stuck into some conservation work, you’ll be whisked off from your hostel on a public bus bound north for Las Heliconias lodge. After an increasingly scenic 4 hours you’ll arrive at you accommodation and will spend the remainder of the day bedding into your new surroundings and meeting your new friends. Dinner is a simple but delicious and suitably energy-fuelled to power you through you’re impending first day of graft.
The time has now come for you to get stuck into the project and there is plenty to get stuck into! The volunteer work that you undertake during the day at Heliconias will depend on what needs doing. Generally you’ll be undertaking reforestation, maintenance, construction and community education work. For instance you may spend time laying the trails with woodchips, varnishing tables in the restaurant, planting new trees, gardening or teaching the local kids about recycling! It is important to be flexible. Small jobs like general maintenance are important to the lodge; always think of the bigger picture!
After breakfast you’ll generally work 4 hours in the morning before a breaking for a much need lunch. You’ve got another 2 hours in the afternoon of working hard on your tasks before finishing for the day to rest up, devour dinner and relax. You can spend evenings in the lodge with the staff and fellow volunteers, all sporting tired but satisfied smiles as a result of their days labour. Alcohol is not permitted whilst on project grounds, which includes the accommodation, but if your gagging for a refreshing beer (and you’ll really have earned it!) there is nothing stopping you taking a trip into town.
There’s plenty to do at the project but you will get one day off a week to spend as you chose and there is a few select ‘not-to-be-missed’ gems for you partake in. Bijagua is the nearest village to the lodge approximately 4kms away and is equipped just enough to spend time grabbing some food or connecting with loved ones back home. If you hanker for something slightly more civillised you can head to Liberia, reached by a single morning bus from Bijagua. Beautifully colonial and sheltered from over development, Liberia is the kind of place you can stroll around at leisure, observing and engaging with local life, taking shelter from the sun beneath the trees of the centrally located city park. You’ll find a wider selection of restaurants, bars, internet cafes and shops in Liberia and is the jumping off point for access to the majestic Rincon de la Vieja National Park, and some of Guanacastes finest beaches!
You can satisfy your adventurous side by visiting the Rio Celeste, located inside Volcan Tenorio National Park. As an extra cost, you can arrange a tour with the staff at Heliconias that winds through the natural splendour of the park, taking in waterfalls, a thermal spring, the Rio Celeste and the “teñideros”- the point at which two streams meet to create celestial turquoise blue water to breathtaking effect. As far as the ‘not-to-be-missed’ sights go, this is the big one!
For the determined beach bums out there, there is the possibility of reaching the coast for the weekend but there’s plenty enough to do in the area without riding out that far.
Before you can finish the last line ‘The Green Green Grass of Home’ it’s time to pack your bags and wave goodbye over breakfast to the staff and new friends you’ve made. After a quick glance around your adopted home to check for any forgotten socks and a proud look at what you’ve achieved during your stay you’ll be taken to the bus for a return journey back to Alajuela Backpackers, where you can grab a warm shower and finally scrub the soil from underneath your nails! Kick back for the rest of the day and enjoy at your leisure.
Return transfer is not included but the in-country team are there to help and advise you if you need them and, if you’re not in an early morning rush, breakfast is awaiting you. We can also offer one free night in the hostel, Alajuela Backpackers, before departure if you require (if your flight leaves early Sunday morning, you can stay in Alajuela on the Saturday night). Alajuela Backpackers also offers transfers back to the airport.
Today is the day to bid a fond farewell to your new friends and head back to the airport or, if you’re lucky, off for further adventures in Central America!
Return transfer is not included but the in-country team are there to help and advise you if you need them and, if you’re not in an early morning rush, breakfast is awaiting you.
We can also offer one free night in the hostel, Alajuela Backpackers, before departure if you require (if your flight leaves early Sunday morning, you can stay in Alajuela on the Saturday night). Alajuela Backpackers also offers transfers back to the airport.
The project was originally developed and owned by 10 local families and in 1985 the land that the project stood on was destined for deforestation in order to distribute land to families in need. A group of twenty three local families then came together to protect the land from deforestation and formed a community association called ABIPA (Asociación Bijagueña de Productores Agrícolas). With their determination and commitment ABIPA was successful and stopped the imminent deforestation of 73 hectares of primary rainforest in 1991. The land was then assigned to ABIPA as a new model of conservation in Costa Rica whereby rainforest is now protected in private reserves and managed by local communities.
The objectives of the project are to conserve the incredible biodiversity in the reserve, improve the quality of life for the members of the local community and to increase environmental education and awareness of conservation in the local community and further afield. They are also aiming to preserve and protect the forest and nearby areas, to attract tourists to the area and also to generate employment.
Are you willing to get down and dirty?! That’s right; this project is all about getting up close and personal with the stunning rainforest and working hard to preserve it from destruction. You must love the outdoors and the idea of being surrounded by lust green forest, feel passionate about nature - and be ready to get stuck in with whatever is needed! That means you’ll definitely get sweaty and probably end the day covered in soil to really reflect the hard work you’ve put in. The demands of the project are varied so be ready to get involved in any activities required to the best of your ability and be prepared for some physically hard work.
The Costa Rican lifestyle is very reliant on a patient and flexible outlook meaning that you’ll have to be ready for things to be done at a slower pace, with a relaxed attitude. They’re no less serious about conservation though, just very serious about enjoying life! Heliconias - the name of the project after the local flower of which you’ll end planting - is a truly amazing and unique project. With bags of enthusiasm and hard work you’ll soon feel at home amongst the locals as well as the monkeys and the trees - and almost certainly never want to leave!
Its all about a numbers game in conservation; the more volunteers that get involved the more of the fantastic work that can be carried out. This doesn’t just mean that more tree planting or forest maintenance takes place; it also allows more time to be freed up to educate and recruit locals to participate in the projects initiatives- essential for the continuity of conservation in the area.
As there are over 80 hectares of forest at the moment the project aims to train the younger members of the community in a wider variety of initiatives. It is hoped that in the future the families will gain a further 110 hectares located adjacent to the Volcan Tenorio National Park.
One hundred years ago 14% of the world's surface was rainforest, now this is about 7%. In Costa Rica the remaining tropical forest is disappearing by at least 520 square kms per year. However, about one-quarter of the country is under some form of official protection with the help of many volunteers each year. The project is in need of your help as it expands and preserves this stunning area for future generations to enjoy and learn from!
How much do you want to do? This project has an endless list of task that need doing so the more you want to give and get involved, the more you can achieve. You’ll be expected to help out on any and all current jobs, be it maintenance of the lodge or replanting deforested areas of Volcan Tenorio National Park. Once you’ve kitted yourself out for the day, the team will direct you to the task most in need of your help. You could be doing such jobs as laying a new path through the forest, maintaining current paths, painting work around the lodge, tree or flower planting in deforested areas, monitoring the environment or supporting the education initiatives of the project. Whatever you’re doing three things are for sure; 1. You’ll never be short of things to do, 2. Your ecology knowledge will shoot through the roof and 3. Costa Rica will grab steal a piece of your heart forever!
On a day-to-day basis there’s an early morning rise for breakfast in time to start working at around 8am. Don’t go putting times into your planner though –like with much of Central and South America, the concept of time is very vague and things will get done when the are done! After a full morning of work, an energising lunch and a sweaty afternoon, your day winds down at around 5pm. After subjecting the shower to your mud and sweat and scoffing down dinner the evening is yours to enjoy, generally a time to relax in your own way, socialise with staff and volunteers and practice your Poker face with a hard fought game of cards.
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.
Picture this: you wake up in the morning, stretch and wander, bleary eyed downstairs to grab a pick-me-up coffee. Warm cup in the hand you wander outside to check on the weather, but instead of being hit with a uninspiring skyline of bricks and mortar your view stretches for miles across the canopy of the purest green rainforest you’ve ever seen. Lake Guatamala glistens in the distance and the coffee suddenly seems completely unnecessary. Welcome to your home in Heliconias.
The accommodation at Heliconias is basic; there are currently 5 rooms with 2 to 4 beds in each. Bathroom facilities consist of a warm water shower (blissful after a hot day in the rainforest!) and a toilet. The bedrooms are located near to the restaurant and bar. You may need a mosquito net especially if you’re thinking of doing any other travel within the country.
The accommodation is situated right next to the trail entrance, allowing you to fall asleep at night to the sounds of the thriving forest! Tranquility at its finest!
You will eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the dining room of the restaurant. Traditionally in Costa Rica we eat rice and beans, often three times a day. So expect a fair amount of rice and beans! Of course there will be other options and any allergies or food no-no’s can be catered for. Best of all the food is all locally produced, fresh and irresistibly tasty.
Available in the lodge is a public telephone, and the reception also has internet access with WiFi.
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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