Costa Rica: Wildlife Conservation, Permaculture, and Adventure

I had such an amazing experience in Costa Rica with give. This was my 3rd trip with the but Costa Rica by far took me by chance. A last minute book and a world of new people, peace, learning, growth and lots of barefoot walks in the jungle, dirt, river washes and clay masks. The experiences I shared on that farm in the jungle was truly so magical it guided me to my own path of buying land to create something beautiful myself to give back to the land, people and community. 🥹🌜💫✨ go touch some dirt!

I had such an amazing experience with Give volunteers. I had my first Give trip this past spring break from March 14th through the 21st in Costa Rica. The trip was amazing and I had such a beautiful experience with everything my group and I got to do and everyone worked so well together. My guides were amazing! I loved working in the garden and helping kids with their English, going to a local restaurant and cabins called Kaniki to speak Spanish with this wonderful lady named Rita (I got to pet the cat and big, sweet dog too), and the food was delicious not to mention really fresh and healthy. By the end of the trip, our group had cried together a number of times, and we are like family now. We will totally be seeing one another in the near future, just a matter of when. I cried tears of joy on the plane home as the memories from the trip played through my mind. I felt like I made a difference, and that feeling has carried over into my motivations to make a difference back home :)

This GIVE program provided more than I could have ever thought. These people care about you (the company & the local community) it’s not just another traveling organization, they actually want people to be emerged and enjoy all elements of the trip. I loved my time in Costa Rica. Loudest shoutout to my tour guides, they created an atmosphere rooted in comfort, kindness, and an adventurous spirit. If you have a doubt, please squash it and leap into this opportunity. Warmly- a very happy GIVE traveler.

I had an amazing experience being able to travel abroad in such a sustainable manner. I met wonderful people in my group as well as immersed myself with locals in Costa Rica. I felt completely safe yet positively pushed in all circumstances to become a better person. This was such a unique experience that I could never replicate outside of Give. We made a true impact, volunteering at a local farm that practices permaculture which was also very educational, and then volunteering at a local school helping to maintain the garden Give had built in years prior.

GIVE 🌳
I don’t think I could ever fully express how grateful I am. My recent volunteer trip to Costa Rica opened my eyes to an incredible amount of compassion, resilience, and gratitude for everything I am blessed with in my everyday life. This experience pushed me beyond my comfort zone and challenged me in ways I never expected. Throughout this journey, I learned that I am capable of stepping outside my comfort zone and enduring difficult moments—whether it was not being able to contact home every day or rewearing cold, wet socks. While these challenges seemed small at first, they taught me patience, adaptability, and appreciation for the present moment. One of the most impactful lessons I learned was about permaculture and sustainability, particularly how much of Costa Rica’s soil has been severely depleted. Years of harsh chemical use—especially fertilizers and pesticides used in large-scale banana and plantain farming—have stripped the soil of its natural nutrients. Seeing this firsthand helped me understand how deeply these practices affect not only the land, but also the people, wildlife, and communities that depend on it. Learning sustainable farming methods showed me how healing the land is possible through intentional care and respect for nature. Most importantly, this experience reshaped my understanding of what it means to be rich. Wealth is not measured by money or material possessions, but by happiness, connection, and community. I learned that children do not need social media, name-brand items, or material things to feel fulfilled. True happiness comes from being surrounded by a loving family, a supportive community, and a strong connection to the earth. Planting a fruit tree, allowing it to grow naturally, and nurturing it over time is its own form of wealth. This experience has left a lasting impact on my heart, and I will carry these lessons with me for the rest of my life.

Life-changing experience. If you’re having doubts, sign up. I got back from the Costa Rica trip a week ago, and I still can’t stop thinking about the deep human connection, memories, and sustainable impact I left on another country. We got the chance to swim in natural pools, go ziplining beside a volcano, witness sloths and spider monkeys in cloud forests, go whitewater rafting in class III and IV rapids, and so much more. Even more valuable was the volunteer work we were able to do. We stayed for four days at Finca las Hormigas, a permaculture farm dedicated to regenerative soil practices and ecosystem balance. From learning about the three components of healthy soil and crossing tree bridges to pick lemons, to sifting and shoveling compost, every action had a goal in mind: to use that soil to cultivate the fruit trees of Gandoca School, a local elementary school, and to teach the elementary schoolers about regenerative agricultural practices. First time in my life that I was able to combine my love of travel with being a part of a sustainable global revolution! Loved it so much!! This will be one of your core memories so just do it. Sign up, take the trip, and be inspired by like-minded individuals who have a goal to be the roots of change! Best advice for you if you’re reconsidering is to just go, I promise you won’t regret it!

Came for the whitewater rafting, stayed for the amazing people! As my second trip with Give, I was once again blown away by the amazing staff and fellow volunteers. The people are the reason I keep choosing Give. The Give guides have so much inspiration to share while supporting us and ensuring a fun and enjoyable trip. Many travelers arrived by themselves and created lasting bonds with each other. Give ensures the itinerary is packed full of exciting and inspirational experiences. This trip extends from San Jose to the Atlantic Coast so you are able to see more of the country than other programs. Also, the accommodations were amazing! Be prepared to get out of your comfort zone (limited water water, bugs, humidity) but it is so worth it. I learned a lot about Costa Rica, permaculture, cocoa, but a lot about myself and community as well. The primary volunteer project we worked on was providing soil for a low-funded school. We learned how to make soil using already available resources at a permaculture farm and used it to grow fruit trees and yuca plants in the school courtyard that will be served in school lunches.

I heard about GIVE through a friend and decided to try it out for myself. I went into this trip expecting to volunteer and experience adventure in Costa Rica. I can confidently say I did not only that, but created everlasting connections, memories, and impact. The guides were well informed, and made the experiences flow. The itinerary was full of diverse learning opportunities. If you’re debating going I encourage you to try one trip because I promise you will feel the love and impact, and one trip will turn into two!!