Zip-Line Canopy Tour, Wildlife Rescue, White-Water Rafting & Surfing
The Volunteer Travel Adventure Itinerary is a perfectly balanced trip for a family or group who wants to do it all, but without being too exhausted at the end of their vacation. On this trip, you will zip-line through the treetops, raft down a river, hike around a smoking volcano, try your hand at surfing, relax in hot springs and on the beach, and, most importantly, give back to the incredible country of Costa Rica through a specially designed volunteer day.
Volunteering in Costa Rican society means getting involved with the Tico children at schoolThe Volunteer Travel Adventure is ideal for any type of traveler(s), but families with children are especially drawn to it for its focus on wildlife, giving back to the community, and fun!
The Volunteer Travel Adventure Vacation’s Top 3 Highlights
- Zip-line Canopy Tour – Kids and adults of all ages can experience the thrill of flying through the treetops of the rainforest.
- Volunteer Project at Wildlife Rescue Center or Orphanage – Dedicate one day of your vacation to giving back to local projects.
- White-water Rafting and Surfing Lessons – Try out some of Costa Rica’s most famous water sports with trained professionals guiding you.
Suggested 8-day Volunteer Travel Adventure Itinerary
Day #1: Arrival Day & Evening in the Hot Springs
This itinerary works with the use of both the SJO (San Jose) & LIR (Liberia) Airports, so pick the one that works best for you. A private vehicle will be just outside of the airport waiting for you. Your driver will have a sign and assist you with your luggage as you exit. You will make the 3-hour transfer to Volcano Arenal. After you settle into your room a vehicle will transfer you to a hot springs resort where you will soak in & enjoy the natural geothermal pools that exist in this region. You will have a delicious dinner included this night before you return to your new home to melt into bed.
Day #2: Rainforest Canopy Tour
The Costa Rican Volunteer Travel Adventure Itinerary includes breakfast every morning at your hotel. As you fill up on fresh fruit and Gallo Pinto you will be able to take in the vibrant birds and other wildlife that is active just after sunrise each morning. That morning, a private guide will pick you up for a Hanging Bridges Hike where you and your companion will have exclusive early morning access to explore the canopy of the rainforest. The guide will help you two to spot sloths, monkeys, toucans, and other colorful birds. Of course, there is always time to explore the accompanying butterfly and orchid gardens, too. After your hanging bridges hike you will suit up to take a zip-line tour to get your dose of thrill and excitement for the day. Children as young as 6 years old can participate in this activity. There is always the option of a friendly, professional guide to accompany young ones on the zip-line cable, too. After this full morning, you will have the opportunity to do your own thing in the afternoon and evening.
Taking the kids on a zip-line tour is an early highlight on your volunteer tripDay #3: Choose your own Adventure at the base of the Arenal Volcano
Based on your family’s travel style, you can choose from a list of different activities today. Activity options include horseback riding on a private reserve with real Tico Cowboys. Hike through the Arenal Volcano’s National Park with a naturalist where you will walk over an old field where there was once a lava flow. You can also challenge yourself by going on a full-day rainforest hike to summit a dormant volcano or view a magical waterfall deep within the jungle. If you can’t get enough water-sports, we suggest taking Stand-Up Paddle-Boards or sit-on-top kayaks on Lake Arenal.
Day #4: Volunteer Project
Today you and your family will have the opportunity to volunteer at one of two incredible programs in the Arenal area: the Wildlife Rescue Center or the Arenal Orphanage. These hands-on, one-day volunteer projects put you in direct contact with the community and the incredible country of Costa Rica. Volunteers have an experience that they never forget as they bring sunshine and happiness to a much-needed place.
Tico girls at the Arenal Orphanage will steal your heartDay #5: White-water rafting adventure transfer to Manuel Antonio on the Pacific Coast
Today, a private transport will take you from the volcanic highlands of the Central Valley to the white sand beaches of the Pacific Coast. Along the way, you and your family can also include the option of a white-water rafting excursion on this transfer. This is a great way to cross the country because you spend most of your time on the fast-moving river! Either way, by the afternoon, you will be reclining in a chair watching the sunset from your hotel by the sea.
Day #6: Surfing Lessons & Beach Time
Whether you are seven years old or seventy-seven, beginner or experienced, surfing is a great activity to try and a lot of fun. You will have dedicated instructors to teach you how to surf at the very best surfing spots and, of course, they will show you when and where to catch the best waves. Remain at the beach that afternoon practicing what you have learned until the sunsets.
Surfing! Everyone’s dream when heading to Costa Rica…and you get to do it on your volunteer trip!Day #7: Day at Leisure or Optional Beach Activity
A trip to this area of the country is not complete without a day to splash in the surf, explore hidden beaches, climb palm trees, and spot monkeys in the trees. This is a day to do all of those things, or nothing at all. If your group would like to add in another activity, Costa Rica Escapes is happy to add one of our suggested tours to your itinerary. One of our recommendations is the guided hike through the National Park where a naturalist guide will help you spot three different types of monkeys, sloths, and iguanas galore. Another one of our recommended optional activities is the sunset Catamaran sailing tour where you and your companions will sail along the majestic Costa Rican coast to snorkel in a secluded beach, and then watch the sunset while snacking on fresh fruit or sipping something tropical.
Day #8: Last day of planned itinerary
This is the last day of the Costa Rica VolunTravel itinerary. Costa Rica Escapes will take care of all the arrangements for your family’s private transfer from hotel to your next location, whether that is another beach or the airport. Ciao for now!
Things to Know about the Volunteer Travel Adventure Itinerary
- Flying in/out of San Jose’s (SJO) Airport is preferred for the Costa Rica Volunteer Travel Adventure itinerary, but we can make travel arrangements from Liberia, Guanacaste’s (LIR) Airport at an additional cost. Extra travel days would be required for this.
- Recommended age for the Remote Family Adventure itinerary varies by season. In order to include the white-water rafting portion of the itinerary, travelers should be 12 years or older, however, Costa Rica Escapes is happy to customize this trip for families with children under the age of 12 years old.
- Days at Leisure or days with Optional Activities do not have an included tour, activity or adventure; however, one can be added based on your family’s interests.
- Other initial questions family might have – As we gather these we will insert them into this section of the website
Costs for the Volunteer Travel Adventure Itinerary
Prices are subject to change based on time of year and availability of resources.
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8-Day Remote Family Vacation Itinerary
Due to the high level of customization for this itinerary, pricing is done (for all itinerary lengths below) on a case-by-case basis upon completion of a brief introductory phone call after using the contact form below.