Orphanage 1-Week Itinerary with Host Family
7 days / 6 nights
$1,115 USD*
Includes:
- 7 days / 6 nights
- All transportation
- 6 nights of lodging with Host Family
- 12 meals
- 4 Great Tours
- 5 days of volunteering with the kids in the orphanage
- Reference letter / evidence of volunteer service hours
- 24-hour in-country emergency services
- Background check
Day One
Upon arrival one of our representatives will be waiting for you at the airport holding a sign with your name on it. After the meet and greet, you will be transferred to the La Fortuna / Arenal Volcano area where you’ll be staying with one of our amazing host families. The air conditioned drive will take about 2 hours. Your host family is located in the center of town, close to many restaurants and shopping. An amazing tropical breakfast and delicious dinner are included each day.
Day Two
After your delicious breakfast, you’ll be picked up and will head directly to the “Hogarcito” Orphanage to work with the young kids there. The orphanage has 17 young kids, ranging in age from newborn to 10 years old. While at the orphanage this week you’ll help out with daily chores, light maintenance as needed, and most importantly – playing with the kids. It’s tough for the small staff to be able to spend a lot of time with the kids and we greatly appreciate all the help we can get! Then at about 1pm we’ll head back to the hotel to rest and prepare for your afternoon tour, the Arenal Volcano Hike with a trip to the Baldi Hot Springs. Dinner included.
Day Three
Today after breakfast you get to go horseback riding! On this horseback ride to the La Fortuna Waterfall and Replica Indigenous Village, you will see the spectacular Arenal Volcano and dormant Cerro Chato Volcano off in the distance with gorgeous green countryside all around. The horses are sturdy and friendly bred for tourism and are well adapted to the wet, jungle environment of Costa Rica. This is a slow and easy ride up to the waterfall, so it is perfect for first-time riders, families, or people who really want to soak in the surrounding natural beauty. Throughout your 1-hour hike through the rainforest and trails, your guide will point out wildlife, and you will get to see beautiful views of the green countryside and the breathtaking Arenal volcano. When you reach the entrance to the waterfall, you will “park” your horse and head with your guide down to the La Fortuna Waterfall. There are 300 steps to get to the famous La Fortuna Waterfall and 300 to get back up! When you reach the bottom, you’ll have an opportunity to take lots of pictures and swim in the cool waters of one of the largest waterfalls in Arenal. When you’re ready, take your time as you head back up the staircase where your horses will be waiting to take you back to the ranch. On your way back, you’ll stop by a little thatched-roof cabin to learn about the Maleku, one of Costa Rica’s few remaining indigenous tribes that originates in the Arenal area. You will get to see their traditional handicrafts and learn about their culture and language. You might want to bring a little extra money to buy some authentic Costa Rican souvenirs! What a perfect way to see the beautiful nature and culture of Costa Rica! Later we return to the orphanage where we’ll spend some more time with the children. Tonight you’re on your own to explore!
Day Four
Today is our only full day in the orphanage. It’s the perfect day for you to take some of the kids on a field trip, to play soccer or buy some ice cream cones!
Day Five
We head out after breakfast on a bit of an adventure this morning. You’ll be enjoying a Tram Ride over the jungle and a Canopy / Zip-line Tour! Then as usual we head to the orphanage for the afternoon.
Day Six
This morning we’ll a sweet treat. We head out for an 8am Chocolate Tour! In this 2-hour “hands on” program, you will have the opportunity to learn interesting aspects of cocoa and chocolate, from its origin and history, participating in all the production process, from the harvesting of the fruit, drying and grinding of the seed, also the developing of the traditional drink of our ancestors, and of course enjoying a high quality organic chocolate.This afternoon we’ll spend our last few hours with the kids in the orphanage. 
Day Seven – Departure Day
Sadly, this morning we say goodbye to Costa Rica. After our included breakfast we head to the airport for your flight back home.
*$1,115 Per person double occupancy. Single supplement – $321. Children between 12 and 15 – $599. Children 12 and under – $560.