Costa Rica Teaching & Community Development

Costa Rica

From £1,795

Program Capacity: 20 Program Focuses Will get involved in a variety of activities such as:

Teaching health, wellness and sports at a high school

Teaching English and/or math at a high school

Teaching English at an Elementary School

Potential adult English classes

Working with a Women's Entrepreneur group (meetings biweekly)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. This program contributes to the following goals

Itinerary
Itinerary

Teach English, learn Spanish, and explore the Costa Rican town of Cimarrones. Contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal UN SDG, #4, Quality Education and, in your free time, spot unique species in the nearby mountain areas or enjoy exploring one of the nearby volcano national parks.

Need to Know 10 hours Spanish Lessons Required (additional cost) for all participants who are not fluent!

BASIC OVERVIEW OF LOCATION, PROVINCE AND PLACES OF INTEREST:

Cimarrones is a small, rural town in Cartago, nestled in a valley between 2 national parks with beautiful mountains. The economy is largely agrarian and the surrounding area is home to some of Costa Rica’s finest coffee bean farms. It is approximately 3 hours driving from San Jose International Airport.

Cartago, Costa Rica is a small and peaceful province located in the central valley of Costa Rica, bordering the provinces of San José and Limón. It is a visually stunning province with a cool climate and 8 cantons teeming with vast sugar cane fields, extensive coffee plantations and rich farm lands.

Cartago was formerly the capital city of Costa Rica until 1823, when the capital was changed to San José, making it the wealthiest province in colonial tradition.

The province of Cartago is also famous for its beautiful Basilica of our Lady of the Angels, an amazing Byzantine style church where, according to Costa Rica’s religious community, an image of the Virgin Mary miraculously appeared to a young girl in 1635. Each year on August the 2nd, thousands of people, not only from Costa Rica but from around the world, still peregrinate to honor the virgin of ‘Los Angeles’ and to render homage to wishes answered and unanswered.

Other locations in the province of Cartago that are well worth the visit are the ruins of the old “Parroquia” in downtown Cartago. These ruins are surrounded by a nicely conserved park in the middle of town, the city market, with all its delicatessens on display, and the weapon’s barrack, best known as the ‘Cuartel de Armas’. The province of Cartago is known for its historical significance, and for being the country’s religious shrine, as well as for its captivating natural beauty.

Research Partners 1) Liceo Rural Nairi Awari (high school): 44 students but only 1 teacher. Our participants will assist with English language lessons, mathematics/numeracy, computer skills (contingent on them getting funding for some computers in the next few months), and sports/wellness/wellbeing. This school supports the Cabecar indigenous community.

2) Escuela de Cimarrones (elementary school for grades 1-6): participants will assist with English language lessons for the students, and ideally with English lesson planning/instruction for the teachers as well if capacity allows.

3) Amicreo: A women's business group: local entrepreneurs who will need assistance with English language content for websites, assistance with marketing plans, business plans, growth plans, e-commerce setups and a number of other business needs.

4) Asociación Mar a Mar: a non-profit association focused on the development of small rural businesses. We’re also working with them on garbage cleanups along their cross country walk (Camino de Costa Rica) as well as trail building and reforestation. In addition, we're also working with them to develop cultural activities and various workshops for the local indigenous community.

Orientation and Training

There are a number of national parks nearby and other outdoor activities available during leisure time, so please keep this in mind with regard to fitness levels. The project work itself (elementary school and women's group) is within 500m of accommodation, so walking will be likely, and the High School is about 17k away, which we will provide transport for.

Free Time

Joining a program not only allows participants to collaborate with communities or work toward preserving unique ecosystems but it also offers plenty of opportunities to explore the surrounding area or travel further to see what other parts of the region have to offer.

Long term field staff are a great source of advice, and have helped us put together the following information on local travel options. Many decide to travel before or after their experience (subject to immigration restrictions), solidifying the lifetime friendships established on program. Please note that the below suggestions are not included in the program fee, and are for the individual to organise at their own expense.

Main Attractions, Activities and Nature:

Irazú Volcano National Park (Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú): This popular destination is situated in the Cordillera Central 31 kilometers northeast of the city of Cartago, and is part of the Prusia Forest Resever. The Irazú Volcano is the highest active volcano in Costa Rica, and has several craters, one of which contains a green crater lake of variable depth. This beautiful national park is about a 1 hour and 30 minute drive from the capital city of San José and is visible on a clear day.

Tapantí National Park (Parque Nacional Tapantí): This highly visited national park is located in Paraíso de Cartago (Orosi district), Tapantí National Park is one of the rainiest places in Costa Rica and probably one of the most significant as well, when it comes to flora and fauna abundance.

Guayabo National Monument (Monumento Nacional Guayabo): This park is located in Turrialba 19 kilometers northwest from Turrialba’s city center. It’s the biggest and most important archeological site in the country and it is believed that it was influenced mostly by South and Middle American cultures.

Turrialba Volcano National Park (Parque Nacional Volcán Turrialba): Turrialba volcano is a large, densely forested, active volcano. Described by many as Irazú’s twin volcano, Turrialba has unique natural attractions such as hiking along the trails, which allows visitors to witness several lava flows, evidencing the once flowing rivers of hot magma.

Death’s Hill (Cerro de la Muerte): Death’s Hill is a 50-kilometer stretch of the PanAmerican highway that gives visitors a glimpse into Costa Rica’s highlands, flora and fauna.

Lankester Botanical Gardens (Jardín Botánico Lankester): This internationally recognized garden located in Paraíso, Cartago, was established in 1973 as a center for the exhibition, conservation and research of tropical plants. Lankester is home to a wide collection of plants such as orchids, bromeliads, cacti, heliconias, bamboos and palms.

Orosi Valley & Cachí Reservoir and Dam:Beautiful Orosi Valley is less than a 1 hour drive from the capital city of San José. The town of Orosi is home to Costa Rica’s oldest church, which is still in use by faithful locals.
Trip Overview

Trip Overview

Visa Information You will need a 90 Day Tourist Visa for this Program. Field staff advise that you enter the country using a 90 day tourist visa. Requirements are dependent on your citizenship, for most nationalities this does not need to be arranged in advance. Check with the immigration authorities of the countries you intend to visit, or see www.cibt.com. Ensure you are given enough days to cover your stay.

Communications You will have daily access to long-distance communications whilst on the project, but storms and power outages may make contact somewhat unreliable. So, make sure friends and family know how often they can expect to hear from you, and that there may be times when the internet connection is faulty. Participants can purchase a relatively cheap cell phone while in Costa Rica which can be used with prepaid minutes, available for purchase in town, but most stay in touch through Skype and calling cards. These cards are readily available in Siquirres shops.

Physical address: (Delivery of lost luggage only) Rio Hondo. De la plaza de fútbol. 150 norte, 150 este sobre el ferrocarril. Después puente del ferrocarril. Casa blanco con verde de madera. Lado izquierdo

CRB / Police Clearance needed
What's Included?

What's Included?

Program Logistics Arrival Information Most volunteers arrange international flights to arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose (IATA code: SJO) at least one day before the project starts. On your project start date you GVI staff will accompany you to our base in Cimarrones which is an approximately 2 hour journey by bus. If you are arriving earlier than the allocated pick up window, you are welcome to wait for our staff to arrive at the airport or you can arrange your own transport to Casa Colon. Official airport taxis are orange, and cost approx US$30 to the hostel. Alternatively, you can arrange an airport pick up with Casa Colon for about $25 or you can get a bus from outside the airport (approx. US$1, every 20-30mins).

Gaudy's Backpackers Avenida 5, entre calles 36-38, casa #36-36 Directions to give to your taxi driver: From Banco Costa Rica on Paseo Colon 200meters North and 150meters East Directions in Spanish: Del Banco de Costa Rica en Paseo Colon 200 metros Norte y 150 metros Este San Jose, COSTA RICA www.backpacker.co.cr gaudysbackpacker@gmail.com (+506) 2248-0086 In your reservation email state that you are with GVI. Gaudy's will require credit card information to hold the reservation but will not charge you on it.

Accommodation is in shared, mixed sex dormitory-style accommodation with shared bathrooms, running water (please note: no hot water on base), and basic amenities. There is a shared kitchen and living area where volunteers can plan lessons and enjoy free time. This is a Central American country and the standard of living is different. Bearing this in mind, accommodations are quite comfortable.

Food will be cooked in traditional local style (lots of rice and beans) and vegetarians can be accommodated. Everyone makes their own breakfast with the products in the house provided by GVI and will be mainly porridge, bread or cereal with fresh fruit and coffee or tea. During project days, lunch is prepared by a community partner and dinner is prepared at the house by a local cook. This usually consists of the popular Gallo Pinto (rice and bean mix) accompanied by salad, pasta, potatoes, plantain, yucca or other seasonal vegetables and fruit. Out of environmental considerations, we provide meat or chicken twice a week. On the weekends and during low season, volunteers are responsible for cooking for themselves with the ingredients that are available in the kitchen. Electricity Supply: 120V or 240V 50Hz Sockets: US style is most common

Side Trips You will be based in Rio Hondo, which is in the Siquirres area located in the province of Limón on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and working in the region. Travelling around the local area is relatively easy. There are buses for 600 colones (~1 USD) or taxis can be hired for about 5,000 colones (~8 USD) to get to Siquirres where there are bus terminals to all the main attractions nationally. Rio Hondo is small and safe to walk around, however, it is rural and there are not many places to go. There are two local stores that sell snacks, but otherwise, prepare to go to Siquirres for any needs. Street addresses are not really used in Costa Rica so landmarks are important to notice and remember. In your downtime, you will be free to travel following COVID restrictions. There are hikes around Rio Hondo and Cimarrones. Additionally, you may be able to arrange visits to the local fincas. Limón is about an hour away by bus which travels frequently between Siquirres and Limón. There, you can visit beaches, national parks, enjoy outdoor recreational sports, take a connecting bus to Puerto Viejo, or just enjoy the city. If you would like to travel to the other side of the country or visit the beautiful North of Southern parts, we recommend you to take a few days before or after the program as you may not have enough time to do so just during the weekends
Pricing & Availability

Cost for additional weeks:

4 week total: £2245.00

6 week total: £2695.00

8 week total: £3145.00

10 week total: £3595.00

12 week total: £4545.00

For extra info please contact:

Email: info@whereaboutsholidays.com Phone: 0161 703 8161

Date From Date To Price
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