Finca_fotoVolunteers working with the indigenous women’s group in Shiroles have the choice of staying with a host family, or on this beautiful educational farm. Finca Educativa was built and founded by another NGO called ANAI, which has been working on sustainable development in Costa Rica since 1978.

ANAI typically only stays in one area for a certain period of time, helping locals to become self-sustaining. After many years in Shiroles, they donated this land and educational farm to the local residents, who formed their own non-profit association to run this educational training facility.

In addition to training, the farm provides private lodging in a hostel-type setting, as well as meeting space and three traditional, delicious meals per day. The staff is delightful and the setting is beautiful. You’ll be surrounded by many species of tropical birds, plants and flowers, as well as iguanas, raccoons, reptiles, sloths and countless other animals. The farm is located directly across the street from the ACOMUITA offices on the Talamanca Indigenous Reservation.