Community Experience Placement in Esparza, Costa Rica

• Visit a range of projects and gain hands-on experience in various areas of a Costa Rican community
• Create and enjoy opportunities for cultural exchange and enrichment
• Build meaningful relationships and make a positive difference in people’s lives

The idea behind the community experience placement is to allow you to get involved in a mix of the projects we run in and around Esparza, Costa Rica.

This way you will be able to build real relationships in various areas and develop a multifaceted understanding of this authentic Costa Rican community while providing invaluable aid to underprivileged locals. You can work with a local elderly couple who need help on their farm and in the home, care for and teach underprivileged children, help out in schools, aid in local construction projects and even get involved with fish-farming and carpentry depending on the needs of the community.

This placement is all about gaining a broader set of insights into Costa Rican life. All we will require from you is an open-mind and a willingness to get stuck in!

When you book this trip trip with us, we will gather your interests in our online travel centre, so we can inform our in-country team before your arrival. However, you will also meet with our in-country team and discuss your interests and link this with relevant community activities, so you can make the most from this unique and meaningful community engagement project.

We require you to join us for a minimum of two weeks, which could be mixed with this activity or combined with others in Costa Rica that are more specific.

Criminal Records Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.

Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.

2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.

3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.

4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.

You can arrive on any weekend of the year and your placement will start on the Monday.

If doing a project linked to schools, then choose a trip between Feb to mid Dec.

Arrival Notes
We require you to arrive at SJO (Juan Santamaría) international airport on a Sunday, otherwise there might be an additional charge to support your arrival. If you are arriving overland, then please contact us to arrange a meeting point.

Additional charge per person of USD $80 for transport transfer outside standard collection time.

Visa
British nationals don’t need a visa to enter Costa Rica. You can stay as a tourist visitor for up to 3 months/90 days, although the exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival. Durations longer than this will require a visit to Panamá or Nicaragua which is very easy to arrange once in country, which will allow a further 90 day tourist visa when re-entering Costa Rica.

For further entry requirements visit Costa Rica Embassy.

Location
Esparza is a medium-sized agricultural town nestled amongst the mountains above Rio Barranca, in the Central Pacific Coast area of Costa Rica. The area was first settled by the Chorotega and Huetar peoples. The Chorotega people fled from Mexico 1,500 years ago and brought their traditions with them. This is a possible reason why there are Mexican words which jump several countries and turn up again in Costa Rica.

The Spanish town was founded in 1577, making it the second oldest in the country. It has a rich history which includes legends of hidden pirate gold. Esparza is the second largest cantón in the province of Puntarenas, covering an area of 216.80 km², and with a population of approximately 35,000.

Social Life in Esparza and Costa Rica
Your placement will keep you busy during the week, but you will generally have your evenings and weekends free to get to know Esparza, Costa Rica, and of course your fellow volunteers. Esparza is a largely rural community, and off the tourist track, which means you can experience genuine Costa Rican culture. The pace of life is relaxed, and it is not unusual to see horses being ridden in the street. Our in-country team will organise a weekly evening activity, such as dancing lessons, cooking lessons, Spanish lessons or a trip to a nearby town or tourist destination. Every month, on a weekend, there will be an organised trip to a tourist destination – volcano, beach, waterfall, canopy, ziplining, horse riding etc. When there are local events and fiestas we will make sure that you are involved.

Accommodation
Your new home will be one of two eco houses in our centre in Esparza: Jaguar House and Toucan House, sleeping 22 people max. Rooms are single gender occupancy, and sleep a maximum of 4 people in bunk beds. We have two private rooms available for those travelling as couples. Each house has two western style WC/shower rooms with cold water, which is refreshing in the heat of Esparza. Rooms are equipped with mosquito screens and 2 fans. All doors are lockable. The houses are run by our volunteer coordinator for Costa Rica who lives above the two houses with his family and works full-time catering to the needs of the volunteers.

Washing facilities are provided, and there is a large dining hall/games room/communal area shared by both houses, with free WiFi, TV and table tennis, plus a large garden of tropical plants, including coconut palm, papaya, banana, and citrus.

With the environment in mind, all volunteers are asked to be sensitive with the resources they use, in regards to water, paper and electricity.

Facilities
There are shops within 300 metres of the centre, and bars, restaurants, and an excellent public pool within 15 minutes walk. There is an ATM within 1km and more ATMs in town, about 2kms. Buses into town and further afield leave from within 300ms of the centre.

Esparza and the surrounding area has plenty of shops, bars and restaurants within easy reach.

Travel and Adventure in Esparza and Puntarenas
Esparza and Puntarenas have plenty to offer for weekend activities, including horse riding, water sports (surf is huge), game fishing, canopy tours, Puntarenas Marina, National Parks, hotels to suit all budgets, and some of the best scenery in the world. Puntarenas is also ideally suited to take a scenic ferry to the Nicoya Peninsula and its many secluded beaches.

Beautiful beaches for surfing and relaxation are a short bus journey away from the centre, and Esparza has its own secluded waterfall with legends of buried pirate treasure.

Esparza is on the Panamerican Highway, so access to the rest of Costa Rica and the rest of the American continent is at your doorstep.

Accommodation
Your home will be one of two eco houses in our centre in Esparza: Jaguar House and Toucan House, sleeping 22 people max. Rooms are single gender occupancy, and sleep a maximum of 4 people in bunk beds. We have two private rooms available for those travelling as couples. Each house has two western style WC/shower rooms with cold water, which is refreshing in the heat of Esparza. Rooms are equipped with mosquito screens and 2 fans. All doors are lockable. Laundry facilities and a kitchen are provided, and there is a large dining hall/games room/communal area shared by both houses, with free WiFi, TV and table tennis, plus a large garden of tropical plants, including coconut palm, papaya, banana, and citrus.

Food
Three meals a day on weekdays (two on weekends) are included during your stay. The meals will mainly be a mix of traditional and modern Costa Rican food, so you may experience the Costa Rican take on foods you will be familiar with. Most meals will include either fish, chicken, pork or beef, but vegetarians can be catered for. Tea and coffee making facilities are provided in the kitchens.

Airport Transfer
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the accommodation.

Training
An orientation and induction to the local area will be provided in your first few days helping you settle in and adjust to your new surroundings.

Support
Our in-country team also operates an informal help desk during working hours for any feedback and questions from our participants.

• Flights, Travel Insurance, Visas (usually not required), Vaccinations, Spending money, In-country travel, Laundry detergent, Toiletries, Soft drinks and alcohol, Extra activities. Return transport to airport but we will assist.

Preferred Duration:
The longer the better but 4 to 6 weeks is usually a good amount of time.

Typical Hours:
Working Monday-Friday for 4-5hrs a day.

Pre-requisites:
Basic Spanish language preferable. Formal qualifications are not required.

Ideal For:
Volunteer Work Holidays and Projects in Latin America; Activity Breaks; Volunteer Gap Years and Career Breaks in Latin America; Student University Summer Holidays.

Suitable for ages 18 to 75

Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community. If you are under 18 years old, please mention this in the comment section of your booking.