Location
  • Costa Rica
Length
1 to 2 weeks
Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans
Health & Safety

Program Details

Age Min.
18
Age Max
30
Timeframe
Short Term Summer Winter
Housing
Guesthouse Tent
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30)
Travel Type
Budget Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
3195
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare
Apr 30, 2025
Jan 08, 2025
1 traveler is looking at this program

About Program

Embrace "pura vida" and travel across the country of Costa Rica. This transformative experience takes you through the highland jungles of the cloud forest to the culturally diverse Caribbean beaches. This journey includes zip-lining, night safaris, a white-water rafting trip, and incredible wildlife such as sloths, jaguars, and dart frogs. Make a positive impact on yourself in the community by living on a jungle farm and immersing yourself in the numerous and vibrant cultures of Costa Rica!

If 11 days is not enough, extend your trip with our Nicaragua and Panama add-on to experience three countries in two weeks with $400 off!

Video and Photos

Impact 🌎

GIVE's mission is to inspire growth, empower global citizens, and ignite sustainable change worldwide. To truly inspire growth and achieve sustainable travel internationally, GIVE has adopted the Asset-based community development (ABCD) model, a set of proven best practices in sustainable development that mobilizes a community’s assets and resources as the basis for development. Furthermore, through providing hands-on and eye-opening learning experiences that foster authentic connections between participants and host community members, we can empower global citizens who will continue to spread GIVE’s values and ignite sustainable change worldwide.
Exploring the world with GIVE is all about responsible travel, but what does that really mean?
Mindful Tourism + Community Partnership = Economic Growth & Community Empowerment.

Part of what makes GIVE trips so special is being fully immersed in the cultures and communities we visit. However, we take extra steps to ensure we minimize our influence and always respect local cultures. We prepare all participants before travel and ensure they understand the culture and how to dress appropriately.

Program Highlights

  • Explore the rich jungle wildlife
  • Zipline through the iconic Cloud Rainforest
  • Embark on a White Water Rafting trip
  • Support food security of indigenous tribes through permaculture
  • Relax on Caribbean beaches

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 12 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Value 5
  • Safety 5
Showing 9 - 12 of 12 reviews
Default avatar
Shivanie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica

This trip was amazing, with white water rafting, zip lining and memories made on a permaculture farm. It was an experience that opens your eyes to new hobbies and interests. It’s a little hard to speak the language for me but it was very easy to understand as the locals were very helpful and patient. They also have amazing art and creative ways of getting things done. Their music was absolutely amazing and such a welcoming environment. Everyone says hi regardless of whether they know you or not

What would you improve about this program?
I think I would allow for more time spent in San José
Pros
  • New friends
  • Trying new things
  • Learning about the culture
Cons
  • Nothing
  • Nothing
  • Nothing
31 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Addy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica Adventure

Going to Costa Rica through GIVE Volunteers is a trip that I would recommend to anyone. This trip highlights what an adventure is truly about and allows you to enjoy the entirety of Costa Rica's beauty while giving back and leaving an impact on the local towns. On this trip you will experience everything Costa Rica has to offer from its luscious waterfalls, to its diverse jungle, relaxing ocean blues, permaculture farms, and finally the rapids of the Pacuare River. Even with a language and culture barrier I was able to build a connection with guides and hosts. The challenge of having barriers helped me with self growth and showed me that I am stronger than I ever believed with the power of friendships and love. Everyone should experience GIVE and travel with a purpose!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
The best advice I would give to future travelers is to be ready for an adventure. The more you put into the trip the more you get out. Learn from the locals and give back to them with your time. The fun from these trips come from the connections you make and the ways you interact with the environment you are in.
Pros
  • Met the most amazing volunteers
  • Experienced all the diversity that Costa Rica has to offer
  • Traveled with a purpose!
Cons
  • Must be ready to sweat and have no A/C
  • Food is not friendly for picky eaters
31 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ava
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Give Volunteers In Costa Rica

Give Volunteers is an incredible organization that focuses on empowering local communities and creating global citizens. The trips are truly life-changing and fuel a passion in the volunteers who build deep connections. My trip to Costa Rica was amazing, I got to experience a beautiful country full of beautiful people who welcomed us into their community, and despite language barriers, got to experience connections that transcend the borders of countries. On my trip, we worked on farm work, planting trees at local schools, working with kids, supporting local businesses, workers, and organizations, and more. This trip has given me friendships that will last a lifetime and a fire to continue my journey as a global citizen and always give back! :)

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
On one of the adventure days, we went white water rafting, and although I was nervous, those two days were some of my favorites. The rafting was so much fun and my boat and guide were all laughing and truly enjoying ourselves as we went down a river in the jungle, taking in all of the amazing views and having fun.
Pros
  • Building deep, life long friendships
  • Working with an organization that focuses on giving back and making a change
  • Experiencing other countries and people in an ethical and empowering way
35 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jaden-Grace
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GIVE Costa Rica Volunteer Experience

I truly found this experience to be life-changing. From the people to the food to the volunteer activities, every aspect of my trip was immersive and beautifully different. The locals were also extremely welcoming, and I never felt unsafe or unwelcome at any point of the trip. GIVE also ensured that all components of volunteering abroad were accounted for, leaving myself and my fellow volunteers the ability to focus on giving back worry-free. I am already planning and fundraising for my next GIVE trip!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
This trip will push your boundaries and make you look at yourself and your place in the world in a whole new way. This can be scary at times, but embrace the adventure! You may or may not get an opportunity like this again, so take everything in stride.
Pros
  • All aspects of travel accounted for
  • Diverse meal options
  • Volunteer AND adventure activities
Cons
  • Meals could be repetitive at times
  • Not spending enough time in certain areas
28 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers