CENTRAL AMERICA TINY ON THE MAP BUT HUGE IN DIVERSITY

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1 CENTRAL AME TINY ON THE MAP BUT HUGE IN DIVERSITY I met several inspiring volunteers at the project. The attitude that each person takes toward the project really makes a difference in the quality of their work as well as their own personal experience. Beth Skowronek Costa Rica Sea Turtle Conservation

2 VOLUNTEER Playa Matapalo Monteverde La Fortuna $1, DAYS Protect future generations of sea turtles Hike the misty cloud forest of Santa Elena Enjoy a dip in Arenal s hot springs Project Start Date: selected Sundays (Jul-Nov) Project Location: Playa Matapalo Getting There: on arrival into make your own way to the joining hotel on Day 1 Accommodation: simple hotels (8 nts), multi-share basic lodge (6 nts) Meals: some meals inlcuded Trip Code: GACRPJ My Own Room available fr $449 per week Monteverde La Fortuna Playa Matapalo YOU MIGHT LIKE VOLUNTEER WITH SEA TURTLES IN TORTUGUERO 15 DAYS Fr $869 Learn about sea turtle conservation in Tortuguero region on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. This project is a must for nature lovers looking to make a real difference in the conservation and protection of sea turtles. As a volunteer, you will take part in night patrols and assist in tagging and data collection of these endangered beauties. Trip Code: GATCRCST This group voluntour is the perfect way to tick off some Costa Rican hotspots, while doing your bit along the way. Unspoilt cloud forests, Pacific Coast surf, rugged volcanic and beach landscapes make this Latin gem the number one location. Give back to Mother Nature and spend five days volunteering at a remarkable sea turtle conservation project which uses man-made nurseries called viveros to protect turtle eggs and nests. The programme assists endangered sea turtles and their hatchlings on Matapalo Beach and all volunteers are vital to the project s success. After your good work is done, enjoy a week of touring paradise getting face-to-face with this amazing country. DAY itinerary Arrive into the bustling city of and head to the joining hotel. Sea Turtle Conservation Project Leave behind you, heading to Playa Matapalo, a charming village located on the central Pacific coast. Surrounded by exotic beauty, immerse yourself into a conservation project that protects endangered sea turtles. For the five days you re on this project you ll help with night time beach patrols, reinforce the barriers of the hatcheries, monitor the baby turtle hatchery and other area maintenance. In your free time soak up the chilled atmosphere of Playa Matapalo s beaches. Monteverde Cloud Forest Head inland and enjoy the misty mountain air of Monteverde. Learn about the conservation of this precious ecosystem from local guides and enjoy an included El Trapiche Tour where a guided sugar cane and coffee tour will teach you all the ins and outs of Costa Rican culture. Check out the birds of the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve and choose to get your pulse racing on a zipline tour. La Fortuna Travel to La Fortuna at the base of the Arenal Volcano, an area brimming with colour, outstanding birdlife and monkeys. Enjoy winding nature trails, swimming in waterfalls as well as relaxing in tropical cascading hot springs and natural thermal baths. Bliss. Transfer back to for some last minute shopping and your final evening with the group. On Day 15, say your goodbyes to the group and to beautiful Costa Rica. 68 VISIT

3 SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION Playa Matapalo, Costa Rica $ WEEKS Learn about wildlife from nature experts Help out with sea turtle conservation work Hit the surf at Playa Matapalo s beach This Pacific sea turtle project fights to improve the chance of survival for endangered turtle hatchlings on Matapalo Beach. Night time is the exciting time when a lot of work is needed - beach patrols to prevent egg poaching, collecting data on turtles, and releasing them into the ocean. During the day everyone pitches in to keep the beach free of dangerous litter, monitor nests to prevent eggs from being eaten and help keep the volunteer dorm clean. Project Start Date: Sundays (Jul-Nov) Project Location: Playa Matapalo Getting There: transfer from to Playa Matapalo is included on Day 2 Accommodation: multi-share dormitory (6 nts) Trip Code: GATCRSTT Stay Longer: Fr $369 per week Playa Matapalo CALL TO BOOK 69

4 WILDLIFE RESCUE IN $869 La Fortuna, Costa Rica 8 DAYS + Help care for and rehabilitate animals Discover Costa Rica s unique wildlife Get a taste of local culture at a homestay La Fortuna Costa Rica oozes out-of-this-world forests and wildlife, however human encroachment has resulted in a decline in wildlife populations and an increase in the number of species listed as endangered. This project, located in Jabilos (outside of La Fortuna in a rescue centre) works to rehabilitate injured animals and seeks to educate the public on the need to protect their habitats. Programmes like this rely on volunteers and donations to function, so your participation is vital in helping these animals. Project Start Date: Sundays Project Location: Jabilos (outside of La Fortuna) Getting There: transfer from to Jabilos included on Day 2 Accommodation: hotel (1 nt), homestay (6 nts) Trip Code: GATCRWRT Stay Longer: Fr $639 per week JAGUAR RESEARCH IN Jalova, Costa Rica $1, WEEKS Help to protect endangered jaguars Work in the heart of Tortugero National Pk Volunteer at this project which aims to save this elusive and beautiful predator from extinction. Based at a research station in the heart of the rainforest you ll work alongside a team who focus on the development and management of long-term wildlife conservation along the alluring Caribbean Coast. Help out with anything from setting up remote cameras to jaguar research, witnessing unique wildlife in marine and coastal rainforest environments. Project Start Date: Selected Saturdays Project Location: Tortuguero Getting there: on arrival into, make your own way to the joining hostel Accommodation: multi-share facilities (14 nts) Meals: all meals included Trip Code: STAGVIJAG Stay Longer: Fr $697 per fortnight Tortuguero 70 VISIT

5 VOLUNTEER WITH CHILDREN IN GUATEMALA San Miguel Duenas (outside Antigua), Guatemala $ WEEKS Inspire the kids to carry on with education Help at-risk children improve their skills Hang out with locals at a family homestay Make a real difference and help towards making a brighter future for Guatemalan kids. This incredible after-school programme seeks to provide meaningful education opportunities to more than 1,000 children who come from poor coffee-growing families. The goal is to help improve living conditions and provide skills and confidence needed to make changes in this beautiful colonial corner of Guatemala. Volunteering your time at this vibrant after-school programme means you ll spend afternoons with local kids, sharing your skills and knowledge, taking part in IT programmes, literacy, arts, crafts, sports as well as oneto-one tutoring and maintaining the centre in their absence. You will be staying with a local family with chance to improve your Spanish and get a real glimpse of life lived as a local. Project Start Date: Sundays Project Location: San Miguel Dueñas (20 minutes outside Antigua) Getting There: transfer from Guatemala City airport to project included on Day 1 Accommodation: family homestay (6 nts) Notes: basic Spanish mandatory, intermediate recommended. Background check required Trip Code: GATCGLST Stay Longer: Fr $149 per week MEXICO GUATEMALA Antigua HONDURAS Start the adventure CALL TO BOOK 71

6 VOLUNTEER WITH CHILDREN IN MEXICO Playa del Carmen, Mexico $1, WEEKS Immerse yourself in Mexican culture Support a Save the Children campaign CENTRAL ASIA AME Prepare to be surrounded by dazzling Caribbean reefs and the pristine beaches of Playa del Carmen, as you volunteer at a children s centre run by Save the Children. You ll help empower underprivileged local children, as well as providing them with a safe haven to learn and play in. You will be involved in the general running of the centre and your participation will help these children have the childhood they deserve. Project Start Date: selected Saturdays Project Location: Playa Del Carmen Getting there: transfers from/to Cancun International Airport included (depending on time of arrival) Accommodation: shared dormitory (14 nts) Meals: all meals are included Notes: background check required Trip Code: STAGVIMKD Stay Longer: Fr $510 per fortnight YOU MIGHT LIKE PROTECT ENDANGERED SEA TURTLES IN MEXICO 15 DAYS Fr $2,372 Join forces with a team of international volunteers contributing to the protection and conservation of endangered sea turtles. Run both day and nighttime patrols to check for nesting turtles, recording data of hatchling success, poaching rates and mortality rates. Trip Code: STAGVISEA M E X I C O MEXICO Cancun Playa del Carmen FACEBOOK.COM/STATRAVEL.AU 72 VISIT

7 MEXICO MARINE CONSERVATION EXPEDITION Sian Ka an Biosphere Reserve, (Playa Del Carmen), Mexico $3, WEEKS Develop sustainable tourism in the area Wake up to turquoise ocean panaromas M E X I C O MEXICO Playa del Carmen Sian Ka an Biodiversty Reserve Azure Caribbean waters and sublime rays - could this place be any more dreamy? Soak up Mexico s way of life while joining forces with this conservation project based on the world s second-largest barrier reef. Help with coral reef and fish monitoring, seasonal turtle nesting surveys and developing sustainable programmes. While working on this project you can earn PADI dive certificates. Project Start Date: selected Saturdays Project Location: Sian Ka an Biosphere Reserve Getting there: make your own way to the joining hotel in Playa del Carmen Accommodation: basic shared huts (28 nts) Meals: all meals included Notes: must have Open Water certificate before starting the project unless staying 8 weeks + Trip Code: STAGVIMEX Stay Longer: Fr $1,360 for 4 weeks VOLUNTEER AND LEARN SPANISH IN Granada, Nicaragua $ WEEKS Get a taste of colourful Nicaraguan life Give back to the country, inspiring its kids Granada needs volunteers to support its not-for-profit initiatives that help deprived city communities. Local children only have access to early education because of projects like the programmes you can volunteer with - facilitated by the Spanish School where you will be studying. Your Spanish lessons will enhance your experience, enabling you to interact with the locals you volunteer with, making for a memorable time and maximum impact. Project Start Date: Sundays Project Location: Granada Getting There: transfer is included on Day 1 Accommodation: multi-share dorm homestay (6 nts) Notes: basic Spanish recommended, background check required Trip Code: GATCNSVT Stay Longer: Fr $499 per week HONDURAS Granada CALL TO BOOK 73