Community Engagement in Costa Rica

Engage with rural communities in Los Santos, exchanging experiences and working alongside locals on community-driven initiatives. Assess local needs upon arrival in collaboration with community members. Paint at the local school, prepare a garden, restore riverbanks, assist with waste management, or support maintenance efforts in schools or churches. Gain a deeper understanding of life in a Costa Rican rural community through hands-on experiences, fostering mutual learning and meaningful connections.

Glide along the still waters reflecting the perfect cone of Arenal Volcano and the surrounding rolling hills. Lake Arenal, the country's largest, is also among its most scenic, and the area has become popular area to kayak, windsurf, sail, fish, and hike. For safety reasons, weight restrictions apply to this activity.

Let the volcanoes take you away. At Arenal’s hot springs, bubbling lava fields heat the waters to make nature’s own jacuzzi.

Because of its humidity and latitude, the entire city of Monteverde can disappear in a second under a massive cloud cover. Founded by Quakers in 1951, the city boasts the best in Costa Rican creatures. Observe a proud display of howler monkeys, revered quetzals and native frogs in the dense cover of the cloud forest.

Harness in and soar above the jungle canopy on a thrilling zip line tour that takes you through the Costa Rican rainforest. For safety reasons, weight restrictions apply to this activity.

Engage with rural communities in Los Santos, exchanging experiences and working alongside locals on community-driven initiatives. Assess local needs upon arrival in collaboration with community members. Paint at the local school, prepare a garden, restore riverbanks, assist with waste management, or support maintenance efforts in schools or churches. Gain a deeper understanding of life in a Costa Rican rural community through hands-on experiences, fostering mutual learning and meaningful connections.

On the way to San José, travel to Sarchí, a highly artistic city known for its painted designs and brilliantly colored wheels of local ox carts.

Spend some time learning how to paint a national symbol of Costa Rica, the wheel of an Ox Cart. While we are painting there will be contests, games and little dances. All fees and materials for this opportunity are included.

Costa Rica's premiere crafts village provides the perfect opportunity for souvenir shopping. Sarchí became famous in the mid-1800s for its elaborate hand-painted oxcarts, and now its artisans create clothing, shoes, chess sets, and other items all decorated in the traditional manner.

Costa Rica’s culture draws on African, Caribbean, and Spanish roots to create a unique and lively blend. Sit back and surround yourself with this colorful culture during an evening of fine food and fiesta. Brightly costumed locals serve up a typical Costa Rican meal of beans, rice, white cheese, fruit, and a main dish of fish, chicken, or beef, and a performance of traditional music follows.

Engage with rural communities in Los Santos, exchanging experiences and working alongside locals on community-driven initiatives. Assess local needs upon arrival in collaboration with community members. Paint at the local school, prepare a garden, restore riverbanks, assist with waste management, or support maintenance efforts in schools or churches. Gain a deeper understanding of life in a Costa Rican rural community through hands-on experiences, fostering mutual learning and meaningful connections.