Sample Itinerary for Atenas
EASY (click to see rating scale)
Day 1: Arrive in Costa Rica
Welcome to Costa Rica! The home of tropical rainforests, warm beaches, and amazing biodiversity. On day one, you will get settled in and rested up for a big week of service and learning!
Day 2: Volunteer
After a traditional breakfast, you will spend the day volunteering with our non-profit partners at the animal rescue center. Lunch is provided by the center, dinner will be served by your host family. Salsa lessons begin at 8 PM.
Day 3: Waterfall Hike / Coffee Tour
Breakfast is served by your host family. Then, you will spend the morning on a nature hike through the Costa Rican jungle to a beautiful waterfall. Lunch will be served on a family-owned, organic coffee farm. The afternoon is spent learning about permaculture and enjoying a coffee tasting. You will enjoy a traditional dinner in the small town of Atenas.
Day 4: Volunteer
You’ll spend this day teaching UN Sustainable Development Goals to children at the local primary school. Expect a soccer match with the kids! Lunch will be served downtown Atenas with cooking lessons and dinner to follow with your host family.
Day 5: Beach Day
A reward for all your hard work! Spend the day shopping, surfing, or relaxing in the sun. Dinner on the beach will be served to celebrate the end of a great week.
Day 6: Return Home
After breakfast with your hosts, you will depart for the airport and journey home back to your U.S.-based friends and family.
UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Sustainable Development Goal 4 - Quality Education
Teach about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and global citizenship to students at the local primary school.
Sustainable Development Goal 15 - Life On Land
By volunteering with our local animal rescue partner, you will learn about the challenges due to trafficking and poaching that face Costa Rica’s exotic wildlife.
EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
- Conservation – Volunteering at an animal rescue center focused on stopping illegal wildlife trafficking provides hands-on experience in animal care, conservation, and veterinary practices. Working on wildlife trafficking issues and exploring Costa Rica’s biodiverse ecosystems directly aligns with environmental science, particularly in conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable environmental practices.
- Education – Teaching United Nations Sustainable Development Goals at a local primary school engages participants in educational practices, curriculum development, and fostering global citizenship among students. Promoting human rights, sustainability, and global citizenship connects to social work, emphasizing community outreach, advocacy, and empowerment.
