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Volunteers make a difference! Travel with a purpose by participating in a hands-on Volunteer Work Project immediately followed by an Adventure Tour through Costa Rica. Organized by International Student Volunteers (ISV), your trip is four weeks in length and consists of two 2-week segments. This trip combines conservation, recreation, education and community development into the experience of a lifetime.

4 weeks — Volunteer Work Project followed by an adventure tour including San Jose, Playa Ocotal, Volcan Arenal, Tortuguero, Selva Bananito, and the Pacuare River.

TRIP PRICE

$2,995. The Optional Activity Package (OAP) is 180USD. Internal flights and OAP costs are paid to ISV after the booking is made through Brilliant Trips. International flights are not included.

HIGHLIGHTS

You will participate in a hands-on Volunteer Work Project with such host organizations as Ostional Sea Turtle Conservation, the Quizarrá Forest Conservation Committee, the Carey Wildlife Project or a host of others. You will then travel throughout Costa Rica on an adventure that includes such optional activities as: Snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean, White water rafting on the Pacuare River, Treks through several ecological reserves, including the cloud forests of Monteverde, Jungle kayaking in the canals of Tortuguero National Park, Horseback riding through a typical Costa Rican farm and a private secondary forest with views of the Pacific Coast, Zip-lining in cloud forests, Observing one of Costa Rica's many volcanoes, Rappelling in La Fortuna, and Exploring the local nightlife in Heredia.

See Costa Rica Volunteer Adventure itinerary to review the day-to-day activities.

ACCOMMODATIONS

The accommodations vary by volunteer work project, ranging from National Park huts, dormitory style accommodations or home-stays with local families. All accommodations for the adventure tour have been carefully selected for their comfort and ideal locations. Accommodations range from nice tourist class hotels to youth hostels (dormitory style).

MEALS

Three meals per day are provided during the volunteer work project. Each project is a little different. Sometimes host organizations provide the food to volunteers (such as via host families), while other projects require participants to contribute to the meal planning and preparation. Your ISV Project Overview Manual (provided approximately 30 days prior to departure to your host country) will advise you of the meals that can be expected on the project. The number of meals provided during the Adventure Tour varies depending on the host country, but at least half of the meals will be provided as part of the trip cost. For all other meals, we encourage you to explore the local restaurants and eateries in the area. You should make note of any health and safety information provided by the Tour Leaders prior to trying new foods or restaurants. You will also stay in many accommodations with kitchen facilities to allow you to prepare some of your own meals. Be on time for meals. No reimbursements will be made for missed meals resulting from your being late or choosing not to attend.

TRANSPORT

Ground transportation varies greatly on these programs; ISV tries to offer a range of different experiences for travelers. While the majority of the transportation during the adventure tour is on air-conditioned busses, other forms of transport (for tour and project) may include trucks or overnight trains.

GROUP SIZE

8 to 10 for Volunteer Work Project
Up to 40 for Adventure Tour

BrilliantTips

This BrilliantTrip is suitable for anyone who desires to make a difference by volunteering in conservation or community development work, is open to enlightening encounters with other like-minded individuals, and thrives on exciting outdoor adventure activities!

VISAS

All countries require a valid passport (with minimum 6 months validity). The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from; citizens of the U.S. can visit www.travel.state.gov/visa. It is important that you check for yourself. Also see our FAQs and Travel Info. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. BrilliantTrips will contact you after booking confirmation to obtain your passport information. We will also review group flight options to Costa Rica and the optional activity package.

2. All participants must ensure that you voice any dietary needs (e.g. vegetarian) prior to departure. Please also include any allergies to foods as part of your dietary and medical information.

3. All participants will have a "Project Orientation" upon arrival in your host country. Again, details will be provided to you in your Travel Manual which will be sent thirty days prior to the departure date.

4. Projects are available on specific dates only. Hence, depending on your assigned departure date, only certain projects will be available. Please be flexible in your project preferences; these are ALL great projects with significant conservation and educational value in phenomenal locations.

5. Exact dates, itineraries, accommodations and actual activities will be given to you in the Participant Travel Manual sent to you 30 days prior to departure by ISV.

TOUR LEADERSHIP

Project Leaders & Tour Leaders. ISV's field staff, project leaders and tour leaders guide your groups on volunteer projects and outdoor adventure tours, respectively. ISV requires all field staff to be certified in first aid. ISV's team is well trained and experienced in leading groups. Training is thorough and focuses on the need to be proactive to prevent accidents and incidents. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own behavior and actions; however, ISV staff emphasize that you must be safety-conscious at all times. You can be assured that the ISV staff will do everything responsible and within reason to safely guide you on your overseas experience. ISV has established an office in each of the countries they operate volunteer and adventure travel programs. In each country they have a country coordinator who assesses the local conditions, directs the program and oversees ISV's field staff. In the unlikely event of an incident abroad, the country coordinator will contact and coordinate with ISV's head offices. Important communication between family and friends is best achieved by calling the ISV head office who then relays information to the country coordinator in the participant's host country. ISV has a global team of staff who ensure your well-being and leaders who are available 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency.

JOINING INSTRUCTIONS

You are encouraged to take the group flight from Miami. If you choose not to take the group flight, you will need to meet the group at the airport in your host country.

LOCAL PAYMENT

None.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

In addition to the five included activities in the adventure tour, we are pleased to offer travelers an exciting Optional Activity Package (OAP). These activities are more of the best that Costa Rica has to offer in outdoor adventure and appreciation of the spectacular natural surroundings. Each year about 95% of participants choose to purchase the OAP as it adds such great value to the overall experience. All you have to do is show up and be ready to have a great time! Upon confirming your booking BrilliantTrips will contact you to inquire if you would like to purchase the OAP.

The special price for the 2008 Costa Rica OAP is $180.

Here's what's included:

Selvatura Park Canopy Tour

Trek through Monteverde's amazing cloud forest on a maze of suspended bridges while zip-lining from location to location. You will experience one of the tallest and fastest zip-line rides in the world. Zip though the clouds! Sfffelvatura Park is the only one located inside the actual virgin cloud forest of Monteverde! A favorite among participants every year. This is not to be missed!

Guided hike through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve with a professional naturalist/guide

With the guidance of a local expert, experience one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the New World Tropics while hiking through this preserve, and learn about some of the spectacular and unique plants and animals. As you explore the forest, listen for the sounds of howler monkeys and watch for blue morpho butterflies, hummingbirds and the spectacular rainforest bird, the resplendent quetzal.

Horseback Riding in Monteverde

This activity is for everyone, even for those who have never been on a horse! Mount up right in the town center of Santa Elena near Monteverde and ride through a typical Costa Rican farm with coffee and banana plants, and a private secondary forest with views of the Pacific Coast. Listen and watch for the unique bell bird that inhabits this area.

Arenal Volcano Evening Hot Springs

Relax in natural hot springs for the evening, one of the biggest draws of the region. The thermal pools range from warm to HOT and are surrounded by beautiful vegetation. There are waterfalls to soothe tired shoulders and a swim-up bar for ice-cold refreshments. The real bonus at this open-air spa is the possibility of seeing Volcan Arenal erupting from the comfort of the pool.

Rappel at Arenal Adventure World Ecological Park

Get set for adrenaline and adventure while descending a 30 meter free fall and then another 50 meters down the Pino Blanco waterfall. This is the largest rappel in Costa Rica and will be an unforgettable experience for all the lovers of extreme sports and adrenaline.

Two hour guided snorkeling trip

Snorkel in deep waters off a boat with a professional guide and get up close to the amazing variety of marine life in the Pacific. Schools of tropical fish, reef-sharks, rays, and sea turtles are commonly seen while snorkeling off the boat. Watch for dolphins racing ahead while cruising to an offshore destination!

HEALTH & MEDICAL

You are required to indicate if you have any injuries, illnesses, allergies or are taking any medications. The information provided should be complete and accurate. The ISV office will follow up with a thorough medical form should a participant indicate anything that would require ISV to obtain additional information. You must update ISV in writing should your medical information change between the time of confirmation and departure.

Illness or Injury Overseas

For each volunteer project and each tour destination, ISV obtains the location and details of the nearest medical facility. If you become ill or are injured overseas, ISV staff will assist you in receiving appropriate medical care (including applying first aid or visiting a clinic or hospital). Depending on the severity of the situation, ISV will contact your listed emergency contact via the ISV head office. Participants are also provided with local and ISV emergency contact numbers and the contact details for local clinics should they require them.

Prior to departure – immunizations

It is strongly recommended that all participants visit a medical doctor for a travel consultation prior to departing. A medical doctor will provide the most accurate and up to date information suitable for each host country. Although ISV does not require any specific immunizations for participants on an ISV program, it is strongly advised that all participants ensure that your immunizations are up to date.

Get fit before you travel

Due to the design and nature of this trip, you should ensure that prior to departure you also attain at least a moderate fitness level so that you can maximize your participation and enjoyment level throughout the experience.

FINE PRINT

Actual adventure tour dates and activities may change. Exact dates, itineraries, accommodations and actual activities will be given to you in the Participant Travel Manual sent to you 30 days prior to departure by ISV. All activities are subject to change without notice. Any and all changes are within the discretion of ISV. The OAP must be purchased as a whole rather than a selection of one or more of the activities mentioned above. All activities are subject to change without notice. Any and all changes are within the discretion of ISV, Inc. Full payment is due prior to departure.