This project enables artists, musicians, teachers – and those interested in art & music – to volunteer and to join local artists and teachers, immersing themselves in the priceless experience of rural Costa Rica. Our workshops include: painting, paper mache, mixed medium art, exploring local art, sculpting, water coloring, mural art, photography and more.

This is also an incredible family experience! Being an expert in art or music is not a requirement. Many families find that this project in particular has been beneficial in not only exposing their children to the lives of those less fortunate, but also find their children have improved socialization skills, as well as their Spanish language skills. A large number of our volunteers and families return to Costa Rica to visit their new “family” and to help out again.

To view pictures from our Hojancha Community Project, please click below:

Hojancha is a small town located in the Province of Guanacaste. In pre-Columbian times the territory that now is the canton (county) of Hojancha was part of one of the provinces of indigenous people called Chorotegas, located on the Nicoya peninsula, whose domain extended all the way to Lake Nicaragua. It consisted of several towns and manors. Electricity wasn't installed until 1972.

The origin of the name Hojancha comes from a tree located in the region, which the Indians called broad-leaved, because of the very special characteristics and the size of their leaves. The county of Hojancha is located along the route of the Tempisque River and has several areas of tourist interest. Local production focuses on forestry, coffee and cattle. Almost all the inhabitants were born in this region, though the last 20 years has seen an increase in population by people originally from the Central Valley areas of San Ramon, Palmares and Grecia.

Because Hojancha is a small town, it's easy to start meeting people and to make new friends. Our volunteers are welcome in town and are taken care of very well by our host families and community members.

Those who have traveled to other parts of Costa Rica are often impressed by the fact the town is so sparkling clean, well-organized and well maintained. Residents there take a lot of pride in their town — and it shows. It's still one of the safest towns in the country: there are yet to be found many bars on the windows and many residents still leave their doors unlocked day and night.

Whether you choose to work in one of the elementary schools, the daycare center or on some general community development projects, you'll no doubt meet new friends for life and really enjoy getting to know what life is really like in a typical Costa Rican community.

Guanacaste is normally known to be hot. But because the altitude of Hojancha is 1,300 feet above sea level, the weather is quite marvelous year-round. Expect to find temperatures averaging 79 degrees F.