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Discover Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches through this eco-volunteering programme, which gives you the chance to make a positive impact by cleaning them up! All the projects in Costa Rica can be found here
Plastic: a scourge on our beaches
This eco-volunteering programme takes place in Costa Rica, a small country situated between the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, boasting countless idyllic beaches. From tranquil coves to crashing waves, and from palm-fringed beaches to rocky coastlines, Costa Rica is one of the most popular tourist destinations. However, this little paradise is not immune to man-made problems. Indeed, plastic and other rubbish are a real scourge on its beaches.
Collecting plastic and rubbish from beaches and rivers
Beach clean-up expeditions are at the heart of this eco-volunteering trip to Costa Rica. Beach clean-ups take place daily at various locations across the country. The aim is to collect as much plastic and rubbish as possible from the beaches and rivers. Volunteers from all over the world are supporting the mission to rid the coastline of plastic waste, whilst having fun.
Protection of artificial coral reefs
One of the cornerstones of the project is the protection of the artificial coral reefs within a marine reserve. Rounded structures have been built to encourage coral growth and thus provide shelter for fish and other marine species. Volunteers gain valuable experience by building these artificial reefs and observing them in the surrounding ocean waters. This project is relatively new, but it has yielded astonishing results, as fish and corals have already colonised these ‘spheres’. Volunteers are the driving force behind this wonderful ecological project. Thanks to their enthusiasm and environmental awareness, they are helping to reduce plastic pollution in our oceans.
An active role in beach clean-up campaigns
Eco-volunteers play an active role in beach clean-up expeditions. To fully understand and support the mission of the environmental protection project, volunteers do not simply take part in beach clean-ups, but are also involved in the recycling process. This involves sorting waste and plastic for recycling.
As walking along the beaches every day can sometimes be exhausting, volunteers can also take part in other environmental projects such as:
- Maintenance work (cleaning of work equipment, painting, maintenance tasks)
- Social projects involving the local community, such as environmental education with school classes or the installation of recycling bins in neighbouring towns.
Dates
Minimum 2 weeks, all year round
Prices
Application fee: €150
Programme fee: €800 (for a minimum stay of 2 weeks)
Additional week: €350
Each additional week from the 4th week onwards: €315
Included in the price
- Shared room in the volunteers’ house
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Professional advice in English
- Translation of your application documents
- Volunteering placement in Costa Rica
- English-speaking support within the country
- Costa Rica Handbook
- Intercultural Guide
- 24/7 emergency number
- Information on suitable travel insurance
- Certificate of attendance
Not included in the price
Flight tickets and travel insurance
Accommodation
Volunteers stay in shared rooms at the volunteer camp, which is situated in a beautiful beachfront resort surrounded by lush tropical forest and stunning beaches. Volunteers can use the resort’s facilities, such as the walking trails, swimming pools, hot tubs, gardens, restaurants, mini-markets and the activities organised by the resort. The programme includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Volunteers are given vouchers which they can use in the resort’s restaurants. The volunteers’ house has electricity, running water, Wi-Fi and good mobile phone reception.
Location
Situated in the heart of Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, this volunteering project is surrounded by lush greenery and magnificent beaches, and is close to rivers and waterfalls. The volunteer camp is located near Jaco Beach and is just an hour and a half from San José.
In their spare time, volunteers can enjoy a wide range of activities* such as snorkelling, birdwatching, hiking, kayaking, beach volleyball, mini-golf, beach football, yoga, tennis, board games, table tennis, waterfall tours, zip-lining, boat trips and, of course, surfing. ….
Jaco Beach is an ideal holiday destination. It’s a popular spot for surfing, with picture-perfect beaches and a laid-back lifestyle. It’s the perfect place to volunteer whilst enjoying the country’s natural beauty and the ‘pura vida’ way of life.
*Activities may incur an additional cost.
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The partner agency
The partner is an intercultural agency founded in 2003 by Marion, a German national living in Chile. Marion specialises in organising solidarity-based and participatory trips, eco-volunteering placements, as well as language courses and educational programmes throughout Latin America. This agency offers placements in Chile, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Ecuador and more. Whether you are a student, a professional or a retiree, these trips are designed for those who want to experience Latin America in a way that goes beyond simply being a tourist.
