Communities of Costa Rica In Depth: Explorica Volunteer Trip

Experience the culture and natural splendor of Costa Rica on this immersive service learning trip. Spend four days in the rural community of Santos, engaging in service learning activities like painting a school, planting a community garden, or picking up litter. Then, relax on the picturesque white sand beaches of Manuel Antonio, and visit Manuel Antonio National Park to observe monkeys, sea turtles, sloths and other tropical species in their native habitat. Continue your educational adventure with a rainforest canopy tour and crocodile safari in Costal Puntarenas.
RECENT TOUR DIARIES:
April 12, 2025 - April 21, 2025
June 10, 2019 - June 19, 2019
Learn more
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Day 1 Hola San José (groups flying from the west coast may be required to depart day 0)
Meet your tour director and check into hotel
Day 2 San José--Santos
Travel to Los Santos
Introduction to Los Santos project
Local community exchange
Details: Introduction to Los Santos project
The rural communities of Los Santos will benefit from your group's visit and on arrival our team will assess what needs are most urgent. Activities include painting at the local school, preparing a garden, restoration by the river banks, garbage collection or construction restoration in the school or church. These activities not only help the community but give students the opportunity to experience life in a Costa Rican rural community.
Details: Local community exchange
Meet your local community and participate in dance classes, soccer games or a visit to the community center.
Day 3 Santos Community Engagement
Volunteer activities
Details: Volunteer activities
The rural communities of Los Santos will benefit from your group's visit and on arrival our team will assess what needs are most urgent. Activities include painting at the local school, preparing a garden, restoration by the river banks, garbage collection or construction restoration in the school or church. These activities not only help the community but give students the opportunity to experience life in a Costa Rican rural community.
Day 4 Santos Community Engagement
Volunteer activities
Los Quetzales National Park hike
Details: Volunteer activities
The rural communities of Los Santos will benefit from your group's visit and on arrival our team will assess what needs are most urgent. Activities include painting at the local school, preparing a garden, restoration by the river banks, garbage collection or construction restoration in the school or church. These activities not only help the community but give students the opportunity to experience life in a Costa Rican rural community.
Details: Los Quetzales National Park hike
Enjoy an easy hike along marked paths and boardwalks in Los Quetzales National Park. Led by a local expert guide, discover the park's rich flora and fauna.
Day 5 Santos Community Engagement
Volunteer activities
Details: Volunteer activities
The rural communities of Los Santos will benefit from your group's visit and on arrival our team will assess what needs are most urgent. Activities include painting at the local school, preparing a garden, restoration by the river banks, garbage collection or construction restoration in the school or church. These activities not only help the community but give students the opportunity to experience life in a Costa Rican rural community.
Day 6 Santos Community Engagement
Volunteer activities
Details: Volunteer activities
The rural communities of Los Santos will benefit from your group's visit and on arrival our team will assess what needs are most urgent. Activities include painting at the local school, preparing a garden, restoration by the river banks, garbage collection or construction restoration in the school or church. These activities not only help the community but give students the opportunity to experience life in a Costa Rican rural community.
Day 7 Santos--Coastal Puntarenas
Travel to Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park visit
Free time at the beach
Details: Manuel Antonio National Park visit
Combining white sandy beaches with lush tropical forest, Manuel Antonio is the perfect place to see a variety of Costa Rican wildlife, from white-faced monkeys and sleepy-faced sloths, to green turtles and orange-and-black-shelled land crabs.
Day 8 Coastal Puntarenas
Canopy zipline tour
Free time at the beach
Optional  Yoga class by the beach  $50
Details: Canopy zipline tour
Soar through the treetops for the unmatched close-up of the New World’s best wildlife refuge. Harness yourself to cables that run between platforms high in the trees, then step into thin air and zip from tree to tree. Experience a true bird-eye view from your new aerial perspective. For safety reasons, weight restrictions apply to this activity.
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Day 9 Coastal Puntarenas--San José
Crocodile Safari
Travel to San José
Details: Crocodile Safari
Enjoy getting your adrenaline pumping again on your tour through a crocodile safari. There are two native species of crocodiles in Costa Rica: the American crocodile and the Spectacled Caiman. American crocodiles can grow up to 20 feet in length and weigh over 1,000 pounds. Caimans are much smaller, around 8 feet in length, and weigh less than 100 pounds.
Day 10 Flight home from San José
  		• Or
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    Day 9 Coastal Puntarenas--Drake Bay
    Travel to Sierpe
    Boat transfer through canals to Drake Bay
    Corcovado volunteer activities
    Day 10 Drake Bay
    Isla del Caño snorkeling excursion
    Corcovado volunteer activities
    Drake Bay night tour
    Details: Drake Bay night tour
    Trek through the rainforest of Drake Bay on a "moonlight exploration" with your expert biologist guide also known as super bug-spotters! They will help reveal the intriguing world that comes out at night. A fascinating tour that is not to be missed.
    Day 11 Drake Bay--San José
    Return to San José via Sierpe
    Crocodile Safari
    Details: Crocodile Safari
    Enjoy getting your adrenaline pumping again on your tour through a crocodile safari. There are two native species of crocodiles in Costa Rica: the American crocodile and the Spectacled Caiman. American crocodiles can grow up to 20 feet in length and weigh over 1,000 pounds. Caimans are much smaller, around 8 feet in length, and weigh less than 100 pounds.
    Day 12 Flight home from San José
    Tour Includes:
    • Round-trip airfare
    • 9 overnight stays (11 on extension) in hotels with private bathrooms
    • Breakfast daily
    • Lunch daily
    • Dinner daily
    • Full-time services of a professional tour director
    • Guided sightseeing tours and city walks as per itinerary
    • Visits to select attractions as per itinerary
    • 4 full-day volunteer projects
    • Tour Diary™
    • Local Guide and Local Bus Driver tips; see note regarding other important tips
    • Note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided
    • Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, or fees for any required passport or visa. Optional excursions, optional pre-paid Tour Director and multi-day bus driver tipping, among other individual and group customizations will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost, if included.

    We are better able to assist you with a quote for your selected departure date and city over the phone. Please call 1.888.378.8845 to price this tour with your requested options.

    Please select a postal code
    4364.00 total fee
    Basic Options


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