Costa Rica: Learn, Serve & Immerse

Once we’ve all finished our breakfast, we will depart for the Arenal Volcano (approx.1.5 hour drive) which steams continuously above a verdant landscape of gently rolling farmlands, small town centers and vast forests in the park and adjacent mountains. This picturesque region offers natural beauty, amazing wildlife and plenty of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy such as hiking the trails near its base and over lava flows, or taking in the wildlife that is now reclaiming their former territory.

More details to follow closer to the departure date. With volunteer projects, it can take time to know the needs of the area until closer to your trip. 

Overnight at Hotel Paradise Hot Springs (B, L) 

Private guided transfer from Arenal to Guanacaste. On the way we will stop at Las Pumas Rescue Center. The rescue consists of the rehabilitation and release of wildlife species that are received as a result of seizures by personnel of various Conservation Areas-SINAC in the country, mainly from the province of Guanacaste, or deliveries by individuals who find them injured, orphans, or had as pets. The animals are evaluated by qualified personnel (veterinarians and biologists) to determine if they can be rehabilitated and released or if they should remain at the center. Those who can not be returned to their natural habitat receive the necessary care during their lifetime under humanitarian conditions in the sanctuary area. The whole program is financed by tourists visiting the sanctuary.

Lunch at Tarcoles and then continue to the beach.

Overnight accomodation at Tamarindo Diria or similar.  (B, L)

Today you will get to spend the day your way, play soccer, take a surf lessons or simply relax along this vast beach and enjoy the extraordinary sunsets of Playa Hermosa or explore the surrounding villages and meet the people that live there.

Overnight accomodation at Guanacaste, Guana Glamp  (B)

Say farewell to Costa Rica for now and take a morning transfer to the Liberia International Airport to board your homeward flight. (B)

Much more than a traditional tour operator, Global Family Travels’ mission is to “Learn, Serve and Immerse” through community-based travel programs.  In partnership with non-profit organizations and schools, we offer family-friendly and sustainable travel experiences in support of education, gender equality, access to clean water, preservation of local cultures, conservation and economic growth, all of which foster cross-cultural understanding and global citizens.  

Our trips include a unique mix of cultural and educational activities, homestays and participation in local service projects aimed at improving the lives of people in the communities we visit.    
 
Expect to expand your family circle when you embark on a Global Family Travels trip!  Visit our website for more information: Global Family Travels

At Global Family Travels we believe that the most powerful way to learn is through firsthand experience. We let the country and its people be your teachers and supplement your experiences with reading lists, informal discussions, and a pre-trip orientation which includes information on the culture and history of your host country, helpful words and phrases, and cultural “do’s and don’ts”. 
 
Learning themes unique to this tour include:

• Costa Rican culture and history
• Ecotourism and conversation in Costa Rica’s National Parks
• Flora and fauna of the rainforest       
• Sustainable tourism and its impact on the local economy

Various service projects will take place in communities on this trip. Some of the community service partners, which we will work alongside the locals to make a positive impact, include:  
 
Community Service Opportunities include working with the following: 

Tirimbina Reserve 
 
Tirimbna is a non-profit, biological reserve operated as an education, research, and ecotourism center working to protect the area’s exceptional biodiversity. Currently the reserve protects 345 hectares of tropical forest, only a third of which is used for ecotourism and environmental education, keeping most of the reserve intact. However, the 9 km trails enable visitors to journey through the diverse surroundings and experience the forest up close.

Juanilama agro ecological community integrates the rural life style of Juanilama with several cultural, agricultural and nature related aspects. The community offers guests the opportunity to experience the routine of an authentic rural community through different tours and activities that have been designed to show the legacy of our culture, traditions, respect for nature and the hard labor of the country. 

This tour emphasizes authentic cultural experience to give you a true taste of Costa Rica. Guests will engage with conservationists and families in various communities.

Together you will learn how to cook a proper Costa Rican meal and interact directly with the members of the family, learning names, games and sharing traditions from your world and theirs.

Located in Sarapiqui, Tirimbina Reserve is a non-profit, biological reserve operated as an education, research, and eco-tourism center working to protect the area’s exceptional biodiversity. Currently the reserve protects 345 hectares of tropical forest, only a third of which is used for ecotourism and environmental education, keeping most of the reserve intact. However, the 9 km trails enable visitors to journey through the diverse surroundings and experience the forest up close.