Programs Abroad

COSTA RICA - Environmental Education at Agricultural Community

	Project: Wildlife and Nature Booking Nº: CR108 Country: Costa Rica + Location: Puriscal Minimum Stay: 2 weeks Start dates: Year round Price: from 2 weeks, 460 USD
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Task

Agroforestry
Basic Carpentry
Building with Cob and Bamboo
Making soap
Designing and constructing Composting Toilets
Cooking and Cleaning
English Instruction (to locals)
Foundation Work and Basic Masonry
Gardening
General Labor
Greywater System Design and Installation
Micro-Hydro System Design and Installation
Permaculture
Trail Construction and Maintenance
Tropical Farming
Instructing Yoga

Volunteers are an indispensable element to the Ranch. The goal at this location, is that each volunteer maximizes his or her learning and cultural experience while providing the Ranch with an important source of labor, inspiration and information exchange.

Even though volunteers will work hard and sometimes long days, the general atmosphere at the ranch is relaxed and familiar. Volunteers may work on multiple tasks and projects, depending on the specific needs of the ranch at the time. On occasion, the work can be mundane and tiring with tasks like weeding, hauling large loads or helping in the kitchen with dishes. Nevertheless, the work is dynamic and educational. Hard work is compensated with incredible food, plenty of time to explore the beautiful surroundings and the unique feeling of being part of an incredible movement.

Volunteers are expected to work approximately 30 to 40 hours a week. The schedule can be flexible and ensures volunteers receive free time to enjoy the area. Workdays usually begin after breakfast around 8 am. Staff and volunteers will meet every morning for15 minutes to plan the day's activities. Generally, work starts early because morning hours are typically the most pleasant before appearance of the hot afternoon sun and daily rain.

The staff always appreciates independent and creative volunteers on the ranch. Hence, the ranch is very open to self-initiated projects. If there is something that you are interested in doing or learning, please let us know or talk to the local supervisor so that it can be organized accordingly.

Accommodation

Volunteer House in shared bedrooms
3 meals per day and snacks

The Ranch is an environmental learning and sustainable living center, retreat and lodge located in the last untouched rainforest of Costa Rica’s beautiful Puriscal County. The project site provides you with a bed in one of the several houses that are located on the Ranch’s territory. All houses are very cozy, quiet and set amongst fruit trees and the forest. During the busiest times of the year you might be ask to be flexible with your accommodation and you may stay with a local family or at the camping ground (tents will be provided for the volunteer). Though this is increasingly less common as the infrastructure is improving every year, volunteers staying in home stays or tents have full access to the houses and their amenities.

The main house is set on our 235 acre private wildlife refuge and features a handful of trails, abundant wildlife, waterfalls, rivers, swimming holes and beautiful forests. The house is less than a one minute walk to town and contains three double or single bedrooms. Rooms are airy, light and comfortable, with custom built cedar shutters that fold to the outside. The middle bedroom containing a double bed comes equipped with a ceiling fan.

There are 6 Mayan hammocks on the porches in which you might want to read a book or nap. Guests at the main house share an indoor bathroom. The house also has a composting toilet and an indoor shower and is home to the Ranch's wonderful library. The main house is generally the most active place at the Ranch, and where all meals are served, so please keep this in mind if you're interested in staying here. It also contains the Ranch kitchen and its gardens, an earthen oven, an official home-made ping-pong table, and plenty of space to read, write and relax.

The houses are constructed with local materials such as clay, straw, sand, earth, bamboo and wood. The volunteer house itself is home to three double and two single beds with a maximum capacity of 8 people. The house has running water, electricity and a spacious addition that can be used for reading, playing the guitar, doing yoga or just hanging out. It's the only two-story structure at the Ranch and definitely one of the most innovative and beautiful houses on the property. Volunteers and local staff have also recently finished constructing an awesome composting toilet.

All houses have nearby bathrooms, showers, electricity, and running water and each house has direct access to the forest and nearby swimming holes and waterfalls. Local women are available to do laundry or you can do your own in the outdoor sinks/basins or in the hand cranked washing machine. There is a public telephone in the town that you can use to make reasonably priced international calls and a small Internet cafe with 4 computers close-by.

As a volunteer you receive three meals a day—typically amazing vegetarian fare. In between meals, you are welcome to snack on bananas, homemade goodies and whatever other fruits happen to be in season. Breakfast usually consists of homemade bread, yogurt, kefir and granola, local eggs and coffee, tea and fruit. Lunches and dinners are large, healthy, wholesome, scrumptious and satisfying. They love to bake bread, bagels and pizzas in the self-made earthen oven. All meals are communal.

Requirements

Language:
English and/or Spanish skills required (you can book your Spanish course in Costa Rica with us!)

Skills:
No professional skills or experiences required.

Age:
18+ years

Vaccination:
Not required. Please consult us and your doctor for specific recommendations.

Insurance:
Full travel and medical insurance is required. You can purchase a full coverage, no deductible health and travel insurance at a special rate for our participants by contacting your South America Inside representative.

Visa:
Tourist visa valid for 90 days. For further information regarding visa requirements please contact us and the corresponding embassy or consulate in your home country.

Details

This ranch is an environmentally educating and sustainable living center. They advocate organic gardening and farming, studying medicinal herbs, homeopathy, building through vernacular techniques, using alternative energy systems and educating through activities to facilitate a more sustainable global community in the rainforest. The staff practices and promotes living responsibly in the tropics while educating the visitors about the significance and majesty of the world’s disappearing tropical forests. They serve to educate about the rainforest and create a beautiful, harmonious, and exciting community where one can come to share experiences and learn life alternatives.

One of the primary goals is to expose the guests and volunteers to the wonders of the rainforest and the beauty of other cultures while teaching what it means to live sustainably. They employ hands-on, experiential learning techniques using the rainforest and help from the local community. They work tirelessly to help lead local efforts in conservation, education and community growth. The site encompasses more than 550 acres of picture-perfect waterfalls, crystal-clear rivers, impressive trees, and pristine habitat in this transition zone between humid and mountainous rainforest in one of Costa Rica’s most undiscovered regions. The property shares a significant border with the splendid La Cangreja National Park, a protected area providing habitat for a number of endangered animals and flora, containing some 2,000 plant species and varied fauna such as the two-toed sloths, trogons, scarlet macaws, boa constrictors, toucans, poisonous dart frogs, blue morpho butterflies, marmots, white-faced capuchin monkeys, coyotes, and anteaters. The ranch maintains 10 miles of rainforest trails.

The hospitable and attractive agricultural community provides the visitor with a glimpse of "tico" campesino, or farmer life. The locals invariably spawn the fondest memories for those taking the time to interact with them and are what truly make this corner of Central America a special and incomparable destination for conscientious visitors.

On site and in the community, the Ranch constructs natural buildings, including the use of bamboo and cob, while using renewable energy systems. As an effort for the ongoing commitment to education and instruction, the Ranch organizes and sponsors a wide array of workshops ranging from alternative design and construction to Wilderness First Response Certification, while working with schools in both the United States and Costa Rica to offer customized educational programs on rainforest ecology, Latin culture, and Spanish or English as a second language.

cr108_oekologische_komune

Source: Google Maps

Prices

Duration	in USD
2 weeks	460.-
3 weeks	690.-
4 weeks	910.-
5 weeks	1,140.-
6 weeks	1,370.-
7 weeks	1,600.-
Additional week	230.-

One time registration fee 75 USD.

What’s included:

Accommodation
3 meals / day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Orientation kit
Local support
24h-Emergency Number
Volunteer Work Placement
Certificate of participation

What’s not included:

Flight
Airport pick-up
Medical Insurance
Visa (if necesary)
Local Travels

Country

Country information Costa Rica

Costa Rica stands as one of the smallest countries in Central America with approximately 19,000 square miles and a coastline of 810 miles. The country borders Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south and the Pacific and Caribbean Sea on either side. Costa Rica is home to 4.5 million people with upwards of 350,000 people living in the capital city of San Jose.

The Costa Rican climate is commonly humid and warm year round, although temperatures in the highlands are typically colder and cloudier. Incredibly, 23% of an already small amount of densely populated land remains protected territory by National Parks and/or private reserves. This protected land is home and host to a wide variety of exotic plants, animals, and social and environmental projects to ensure the protection and conservation of the tropical habitat. When walking the streets of Costa Rica, make sure to ask Costa Ricans, who typically know heaps, about their national treasures.

Further, Costa Rica is the most politically stable country in Central America, with a disbanded army for more than sixty years and a relatively high standard of education. Tourism is one of the main economic income sources for Costa Rica. With over 2 million tourists exploring Costa Rica each year, the country stands as the most visited nation in the Central American region. Through eco-tourism programs, (which CR was one of the first countries offering this type of tourism), a variety of activities, and year round tropical weather, the country attracts tourists from all over the world.

Aside from protected land, the true jewels of Costa Rica are the surrounding islands with serene beaches and breath-taking nature. This country offers beautiful landscapes for dream vacations of beach lounging, surfing, snorkeling, hiking volcanoes, zip-lining, rafting, bird watching, fishing, and exploring rain forests.

The dry season of Costa Rica is between December and April, though like most Latin countries, schools are closed, beaches full and finding last minute hotels may be tricky. A second peak season arrives with the Europeans and North Americans during June and July. As the off-season arrives in May, so does the lush green vegetation with the rainy season. Lastly, Costa Rica encompasses year round possibilities for surfers, fishing enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike. Depending on what coast you want to surf, what fish you want to catch and what bird you hope to see, there are variations on ideal months to further research.

Finally, Costa Rica is a perfect place to learn Spanish, as the Spanish spoken here is typically slow without strong accents and layers of slang. The Costa Ricans are very friendly, energetic and always with a smile!