Moe Tamani asked:


Costa Rica is one of the few regions in the world that has an amazing diversity of flora and fauna. Situated in Latin America, Costa Rica has some of the most beautiful and mysterious wild life living in the tropical forests or rain forests. Some of the tropical mammals that you will find here include sloths, monkeys, tapirs, and then there are the wild cats like jaguars. There are over 850 species of birds, 200 species of animals, 35,000 species of insects, 200 species of reptiles, and 9,000 species of plants. 25% of the country landmass is considered as a protected area and there are several national parks like the Rara Avis Reserve, Whale Marine National Park, Santa Rosa National Park, and Corcovado national park among many others.

Why Volunteer In Costa Rica

Volunteering in Costa Rica is a part of a more beautiful experience, one that you can’t compare with any other experience you have had so far. As a volunteer in Costa Rica, you will get to become a part of their vibrant and unique culture, which will provide you with the base for fostering a meaningful working relationship with the local community. Costa Rica offers different types of volunteer projects but a larger number of programs deal are focused on the conservation aspect. As a volunteer in Costa Rica, you will get an opportunity to be a part of their environment and take back home more than just a certificate of completion.

Types Of Projects Available

As a part of volunteering in Costa Rica, you will get to choose the kind of project you are interested in. The different types if projects available include:

• Teaching: There are many schools in the rural areas of Costa Rica who don’t have enough funds or resources to facilitate a good education system. As a volunteer, you will get the opportunity to share your learning over the years with the students of these schools. Subjects can vary from teaching English to science, arts, sports and others. There are plenty of opportunities in far off regions like the Guanacaste province.

• Wildlife Conservation: Wildlife conservation is one of the integral conservation projects in Costa Rica. There are several species of wildlife that are considered endangered including the Jaguar. As a volunteer, you will get an opportunity to work with wildlife rescue centers in the Alajuela or Guanacaste provinces in Costa Rica. Depending on the type of conservation projects, you will get to work on marine turtle research, research on Jaguars using camera traps, research on migratory birds etc. There is no technical experience required. The important thing is that if you love to work with and around animals then you will be fine and might have a better time in the rainforest than in a crowded city.

• Orphans: Working with orphaned children can be demanding as well as satisfying. As a volunteer in Costa Rica, you will get to work with orphaned children and this can include everything from taking care of them to imparting education and take them on an adventure tour.

• Street Children and Youth: There are several youth programs in Costa Rica that you can volunteer for. These programs are targeted at making life better for the troubled youths and the street children who have experienced every form of depravity. As a volunteer, you will be living with these children and share a part of their life. You will help them to change their lives.

Volunteer Requirements

Age: The minimum age for volunteering in Costa Rica should be 18 or older. For conservation projects, the maximum age limit is 50.

Duration: The standard duration of most projects is 5-8 weeks although they can also vary from 1-2 weeks or 9-12 weeks.

Fitness: A high level of fitness is required for working in wildlife and conservation projects.

Fee and Other details

There is a fee attached to each of the projects that you volunteer for. The fee is charged in advance and is charged for the following:

1. Accommodation

2. Emergency evacuation services

3. Food/meals

4. Travel insurance

5. Transportation within the region

6. Emergency support

7. All types of training material

8. Supervision by local staff

9. Orientation on arrival

10. Local sightseeing & recreational activities

Conclusion

Volunteering in Costa Rica will bring you closer to nature and wildlife and also the warm people who are ever ready to help you become a part of them. As a volunteer, you will get to enjoy the limitless opportunities and attractions that Costa Rica has to offer.



AWBREY

Ling Tong asked:


The Caribbean island of Costa Rica is a popular tourist destination. Along with the many resorts, hotels and beaches, tourists have opportunities to enjoy beautiful scenery and exquisite shopping. However there are many natural and manmade Costa Rica tourist attractions that you should have on your itinerary when you visit this island.

 

1. Arenal Volcano National park and Observatory. This is an active volcano located in the San Jose area of Costa Rica. The tours usually start in the afternoon and involve about an hour’s walk through lava rocks before reaching the place where you can view the volcanic eruption. The sight of the eruption and the lava flow from the observatory is spectacular and is a sight that will remain in your memory for years to come. The best time to see the eruption is after dark when the glowing lava lights up the sky. If you visit on a cloudy day, you may not see anything.

2. Our Lady of Los Angeles Church. This is the most famous church in the Cartago Region, if not in all of Costa Rica. The focal point of the church is the statue of the Virgin Mary, called La Negrita. As legend has it, this statue was discovered at the site of the present church in 1635 and reappeared miraculously after it was removed. This is a destination for thousands of pilgrims each year, especially on August 2.

3. The Rainmaker. This is a series of suspension bridges on the Pacific Coast of the island. It was the first aerial walkway in Central America and reaches 25 stories tall at its highest point. The area around the bridges is spectacular with rainforest trails that wind along streams and to glorious waterfalls.

4. Rainforest Aerial Tram. This is a train that moves along the canopy of the rainforest. There are 22 cars in the train, each of which can carry five passengers. A naturalist guide points out sights of interest and explains the workings of the rainforest as well as the names of the birds and animals that you may be able to see.

5. Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. This type of forest is usually cloudy and humid because of its high altitude. There are eight different ecological zones within this reserve with over 400 species of birds, 110 species of amphibians and lizards, 100 species of mammals and over 2500 species of plants. Some of the hiking trails could be a bit muddy so visitors are advised to wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

6. Santa Rosa National Park. This is one of the oldest parks in Costa Rica. It covers almost 100,000 acres of land on the Santa Elena Peninsula. The numerous hiking trails offer breathtaking scenic views and the possibility of seeing many type of native wildlife. It is the largest dry tropical rainforest in Central America and is one of the best camping places in Costa Rica. It is the home of a sea turtle sanctuary as well as fabulous beaches for swimming and surfing.



VIALPANDO