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If you are looking to work with children, teach English or help save the environment while being completely immersed in Costa Rican culture, then this project is for you! The program is run in collaboration with local residents to improve the quality of rural community life through activities that support education, environmental conservation and cross-cultural understanding. Genuine relationships and cultural exchange with locals mutually enhance the lives of volunteers and Costa Ricans. We rely on volunteers just like you to make it all happen!

The Hojancha Community Program, a non-profit also known as Vecinos del Mundo, is operated by the Executive Director of Tropical Adventures.

Volunteer Responsibilities

Our volunteers help support ongoing activities that enhance community life in Hojancha, Costa Rica. Typical volunteer responsibilities include:

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  • Teach English to local residents
  • Help with our after-school Youth Program
  • Work with children in our Day Care Center
  • Plan and execute arts & crafts with children based on environmental and cultural themes
  • Organize various activities in Hojancha Senior Center
  • Serve lunch at the local school
  • Plant trees, clear trails and so much more at the Hojancha Botanical Garden
  • Assist a local teacher with his or her class

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Volunteers can adjust the number of volunteer hours (from 1 hour to 8 hours) per day to suit their needs.

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Volunteers will be placed in hand-selected host families. All host families have running water and electricity. Some host families have WIFI and hot water as well. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served by the host family. Typical Costa Rican food includes: gallo pinto, rice, beans, eggs, beef, chicken, pork, fish and fruit. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Living with a host family is a great way to learn Costa Rican culture, build lifelong relationships, learn the language and eat authentic Costa Rican food.

Upgrade options are also available to nearby hotels. One option is to stay at Rio Nosara, which includes breakfast, wifi and access to the pool. Another option is to stay at Dorati Lodge, which includes wifi. Note that for those without a rental car, Dorati Lodge is prefered. Contact us for more information.

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[tab_item title=”Location”]
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  • Hojancha is a beautiful, small town located on the Nicoya Peninsula in the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica. The city is extremely 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.
  • Not to mention, it was featured in National Geographic for being one of the few Blue Zones in the world – areas where people live measurably longer and healthier lives. There are several basic threads that connect the longest-lived: a plant-based diet; regular, low-intensity activity; an investment in family; a sense of faith; and purpose. You will find and enjoy these characteristics among the people in Hojancha.
  • 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.

 

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[tab_item title=”How to qualify”]
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  • Age: There is no age minimum or maximum to participate. However, we request that minors be accompanied by adults.
  • Participants: Individuals, groups and families are welcome. There is no minimum or maximum number of participants. Note that this is a particularly great project for families with young children.
  • Length: Minimum – 1 day; Maximum – unlimited.

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No trip is complete without experiencing the local surroundings. Available excursions for this project include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Campesino Tour
  • Diria Coffee Plantation tour
  • Horseback Riding
  • Monte Alto Natural Reserve
  • Salto de Calvo
  • Spanish Lessons
  • Playa Carillo
  • Barra Honda National Park
  • Playa Tamarindo
  • Playa Samara
  • Apame Eco Park

Contact us for more details.

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[tab_item title=”Pricing”]

$599 USD / one week

$799 USD / two weeks

 

Includes:
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  • Airport pick-up by Tropical Adventures driver / guide
  • One-night stay in a San Jose area hostel (free breakfast and WiFi included)
  • Transportation to bus station
  • Public bus to Hojancha, Costa Rica (our driver will help you get on the correct bus and a staff member will be waiting for you as you get off the bus in Hojancha)
  • Accommodation with a host family
  • 3 meals per day while in Hojancha
  • Bus back to San Jose
  • One-night stay in a San Jose area hostel (free breakfast and WiFi included)
  • Transportation to the airport for your flight
  • Country information and orientation
  • Project training and in-country support
  • Assistance with planning excursions and activities
  • Reference letter of evidence of volunteer service hours
  • 24 hour in-country emergency service
  • Background check for those working in Hojancha with children

 

Options:

  • Upgrade to shared ride shuttle (round-trip) instead of the public bus = add $130
  • Upgrade to Private, English-speaking driver (round-trip) in air conditioned vehicle instead of public bus = add $420
  • Upgrade to a very comfortable 3-½ – star hotel with WiFi, pool, restaurant, bar, tropical breakfast for the 2 nights in San Jose = add $150
  • Upgrade to a really nice 4- star hotel with WiFi, pool, award-winning restaurant, bar for the 2 nights in San Jose = add $379
  • Upgrade to a cabin in Hojancha (no meals included) instead of a host family = add $100 per week

Additional Options:

  • Most of our volunteer individuals, families and groups add on tours and extra days for travel to either one of our beautiful beaches, a volcano area or cloud forest. Our experienced travel coordinators will be glad to help customize the perfect itinerary for you.
  • Please be aware we can combine projects, as well as create specialized itineraries that include less than one week of volunteering – in addition to tours and adventure!

 

Please Contact Us for more information and for your personalized quote!

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Compare costs with other projects here.

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