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Ida's take on volunteering in Costa Rica: a great first experience

Remote beach and jungle in Costa Rica

Part-time adventure, part-time volunteering

If you're thinking of volunteering, but don't want to spend your entire trip volunteering you should check out our project in Costa Rica. We sent over KILROY's own Ida to try it out for you, and in this blog, we'll talk with her about her experiences when visiting the project and getting hands-on with volunteering. While Ida has been to Costa Rica before, both Santa Teresa and the volunteering projects we work with here were new ground for her. 

Meet Ida Jakera Blog
Meet Ida
At the KILROY HQ, Ida is working in our online sales support team, spreading the love for Central America and specifically Costa Rica, one day at a time. We talk to her about her visits to Costa Rica and especially the latest trip where she tried out a new way of travelling and giving back to one of her favourite countries: volunteering. If you want to follow in Ida's footsteps, be sure to reach out below!

First of all, what is there to like about Costa Rica

Better sit down, because it's quite a list. Most people travel to Costa Rica for the amazing biodiversity you can find there, but there's much more to love. Costa Rica is a tropical paradise that offers an adventure-filled experience for young travellers. With its lush rainforests, gorgeous beaches, and diverse wildlife, it’s a nature lover’s dream come true. From zip-lining through the jungle canopy to surfing on the Pacific coast, there is a never-ending choice of activities to keep you entertained. If you’re looking to learn about new cultures, the friendly locals and their rich traditions will leave a lasting impression on you. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, Costa Rica is also a great place to explore and appreciate the beauty of our planet. There are great ways to give back and help out too, with wildlife conservation and more. You don't just help, you get a lot of experiences with Spanish lessons, surfing and yoga being part of the deal. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable trip to one of the world’s most amazing destinations!

View from the Jakera camp in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
volunteering-central-america-costa-rica-baby-turtle-cover
Volunteering abroad...
...is the ultimate opportunity to escape the monotony of everyday life and embark on an adventure like no other. It's a chance to explore a new culture, challenge yourself, and make a real difference in the world all at the same time. Whether you're taking a gap year or just want to try something new, volunteering abroad provides the perfect mix of adventure, personal growth, and impact. Picture yourself teaching English to local children, working on community development projects, or helping with environmental conservation efforts – the possibilities are endless. And the best part? You'll not only leave a lasting impact on the world, but you'll also gain invaluable life experience and broaden your understanding of the world. So, if you're looking for a way to spice up your gap year, make a difference, and have the time of your life, consider volunteering abroad.

So Ida, how was your first time volunteering?

''The entire setup is a well-functioning system, where nothing is random. There are locally driven initiatives as well as great collaborations with other partners. An example of this is the organisation Cirenas which runs a turtle conservation project on a remote beach north of Santa Teresa that you can only reach by foot during low tide. Being there is like entering this separate little ecosystem protected from the outside world. You go there for a week to learn from amazing people who are truly committed to protecting the turtles. I was happy to see the projects that I was helping out on actually serve the purpose of making the area better and more sustainable. In Santa Teresa, you can choose to join surf schools and yoga classes run by professionals, so you get the full picture of what Costa Rica has to offer. It’s also possible to learn Spanish, with lessons available for beginners and those who have some Spanish skills but want to improve. How the community comes together in this well-run system to create this unique experience for us travellers is what impressed me the most.''

''While it's true volunteering is a substantial part of my weeks in Costa Rica, it's incorporated pretty much into the entire program without the feeling of it being a "job" or duty that needs to be done. There are volunteering sessions a few times a week either in the morning or afternoon, which provides breaks in between. This gives a good flow to the program of learning new things, chilling and giving back to the community/nature by helping with volunteer tasks. I love that it is not possible to promise any specific volunteer tasks beforehand - you get to help with what is needed at the time you are there and this means there's usually a lot of variety. When I was there, we were working on making the trash recycling at the beach of Santa Teresa better, by collecting plastic at the beach and having that turned into signs next to the trash bins to make it clearer how to sort the trash. We also went to the turtle conservatory in Cirenas. Here we helped out with rebuilding a toolshed on the beach that unfortunately burnt down around New Year's. I think it is a really good opportunity for first-time volunteering as there are many different activities as well. When taking part in the program, because of the way it is structured I never felt like I was working full-time even though I got to help out in a lot of different ways.''

Volunteers working at the Jakera turtle conservation project in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Jakera Costa Rica Digital Detox Connect To Nature Camp Sign
Helping out in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, KILROY is partnering with local organisations to help travellers with making a positive impact while immersing themselves in the heart of Central America. With a focus on environmental conservation and community development, we provide a diverse range of projects to choose from, allowing you to tailor your experience to your passions and interests. From working with sea turtles to building sustainable infrastructure for local communities, you'll have the chance to roll up your sleeves and make a real difference. With knowledgeable and supportive staff and beautiful locations, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to combine adventure and purpose, all while gaining valuable skills and cultural insight. So if you're looking to make a difference, grow as a person, and experience all that Costa Rica has to offer, KILROY is the perfect place to start.

What did you think about the vibe around the camp?

''The vibe around the camp was extremely chill. Everyone is friendly and wants to say hello or chat for a bit. There is no pressure on activities or how social you should be, so it is easy to feel at home and relaxed. The chef at Santa Teresa makes incredible food and everyone was excited about this each and every day.''

Anything else that stood out to you and you'd like to talk about?

''I am highly impressed by how the project in Santa Teresa is running. I think it is such a good opportunity for first-time travellers and volunteers because they really benefit from the structure that a program like this can offer. You get to do so many things in a short time, without it feeling as hectic as travelling by yourself because you only need to follow along. All the planning is already taken care of, but there is of course plenty of free time and adventure too. Joining a program like the one KILROY offers makes young travellers gain experience and confidence - which all of us at the camp agreed with.''

costa-rica-surfing-beach-guancaste-cover

Want to know more about our volunteering projects?

Our travel experts are happy to help you out. Whether you're into wildlife conservation, want to help out on teaching and childcare projects or prefer getting your hands dirty with community construction, we've got the perfect opportunity for you. Check out our volunteering pages to read more about all of our efforts or reach out via the button below. 

Write us now!

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