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Spanish, volunteering and adventure in Costa Rica


Arenal volcano seen through trees and across a green lake in Costa Rica - KILROY

Travel suggestion: One month in Costa Rica

Home - San José - Santa Teresa - Rincón de la Vieja - San José - Tortuguero - Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - San José - Home

Remember, this itinerary is only a route proposal for your big trip. If you wish to receive personal assistance designing your trip, please get in contact with our travel experts. They love designing dream trips and they give you great insider travel advice.

San José, The start of your trip

Your adventure starts in San José, where you'll be picked up from the airport so you don't need to hassle with taxis. You'll get transferred to your hostel in the city center, which will also be your base for the first night of the trip. Take the time to get to know San José at your own pace - visit for example the National Theater and the Central Market and try out local cuisine!

Santa Teresa, 2 weeks of Spanish + Volunteering

The next morning your transfer to Santa Teresa is waiting for you! Get ready for 2 weeks of Spanish lessons and volunteering in this little gem of a place on the Pacific coast. Learning Spanish will not only come in handy during your volunteering, but also when and if you travel elsewhere in Costa Rica and Central/South America. In addition to the Spanish lessons, you will participate in volunteer projects designed to conserve and respect local natural resources. Project work is varied and priorities are seasonal and weather dependent, but the work generally focuses around beach conservation, recycling and supporting the local community. If you're also interested in volunteering with turtles, extend your stay in Santa Teresa to 3-4 weeks ...

Rincón de la Vieja, Head north

After 2 intense weeks of learning and physical labor, it is time to kick back a bit and enjoy the country's amazing nature in a more relaxed way. Our suggestion is that from Santa Teresa you make your way up to the mountainous and lush area of Rincón de la Vieja. While heading there, use a few days to jump from beach to beach, boost your surf skills and speak Spanish to the locals. Once you've reached Liberia, hire a taxi driver who can take you to Rincón de la Vieja.

*These are suggested experiences and not included in the package price.

San José, Back to the capital

From Rincón de la Vieja, there is a long way down to the capital, so why not travel slowly and stop in few places on your way. Go rafting on the Tenorio River or horse back riding in La Fortuna and then step on a local bus to San José and enjoy the sights and the music playing on the bus.

*These are suggested experiences and not included in the package price.

Tortuguero National Park, Get ready for a 4 day nature adventure

Travel from San Jose through banana plantations to the Caribbean Coast where you'll catch a boat to the remote Tortuguero National Park. Here you will spend a couple of days exploring the canals, beaches and jungles of this pristine nature reserve in search of turtles, birds, caiman, and, if you are lucky, the famous "Jesus Lizard." In your downtime, relax at the secluded lodge on a hammock or at the pool or beach.

Puerto Viejo, Travel independently

Next it's time to travel down south to the amazing beaches of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Instead of taking the bus there, you could try out other alternatives and in the meantime go more local. Take the ferry from Tortuguero to Limón. In Limón you should walk into any Soda (a small local eatery) to taste the more spicy and different gallo pinto! Grab a few patís to eat for your bus ride to Puerto Viejo.

We've included a 3 nights stay in a hostel in Puerto Viejo but it's totally up to you how long you want to stay here. When you feel like it's time to move on, head back to San José for a return flight home OR continue your adventures elsewhere in Costa Rica or Central America. Whatever you choose, we'll help you arrange it.

View the full itinerary as a list

Recommended duration

4-6 weeks

Start/End

San Jose

Travel type

Backpacking

Inclusions

Flights, volunteering & adventure tour

Book this itinerary
Are you ready for one epic trip in beautiful Costa Rica? Of course you are! Spend a month experiencing everything this country has to offer. Learn Spanish, volunteer, try out surfing and admire the lush nature and exotic wildlife.

Costa Rica is the perfect combination of amazing nature and variety of activities, and on this adventure, you'll get to experience many of the country's highlights first-hand.

Start your travels by spending two weeks learning Spanish (which will come in handy during your time in Costa Rica) as well as participating in volunteer projects with the aim of supporting the local community. Also included in this itinerary is a 4-day visit to the jungles of Tortuguero national park where you can spot wild animals in their natural habitat.

You'll get to meet other backpackers during your Spanish and volunteering sessions, but you will also have time to travel independently around the country, which means that there's no limit to the activities you can try out. How about testing your skills in surfing, yoga or ziplining - or how about trekking up a volcano? 

*Price is a from price per person and based on 2 people travelling together

What's included
  • Return flights from the UK to San José, Costa Rica
  • Transfer to Santa Teresa
  • 2 weeks of Spanish lessons and volunteering
  • 4-day Tortuguero National Park tour
  • 4 nights of accommodation in Puerto Viejo
  • Booking fees
  • Services of your own travel advisor
What's not included
  • Travel insurance (but we can help you with that!)
  • Vaccinations (ask about our discount with Nomad Travel)
  • Meals (other than those included in the tours)
  • Optional activities

Travel suggestion: One month in Costa Rica

Home - San José - Santa Teresa - Rincón de la Vieja - San José - Tortuguero - Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - San José - Home

Remember, this itinerary is only a route proposal for your big trip. If you wish to receive personal assistance designing your trip, please get in contact with our travel experts. They love designing dream trips and they give you great insider travel advice.

San José, The start of your trip

Your adventure starts in San José, where you'll be picked up from the airport so you don't need to hassle with taxis. You'll get transferred to your hostel in the city center, which will also be your base for the first night of the trip. Take the time to get to know San José at your own pace - visit for example the National Theater and the Central Market and try out local cuisine!

Santa Teresa, 2 weeks of Spanish + Volunteering

The next morning your transfer to Santa Teresa is waiting for you! Get ready for 2 weeks of Spanish lessons and volunteering in this little gem of a place on the Pacific coast. Learning Spanish will not only come in handy during your volunteering, but also when and if you travel elsewhere in Costa Rica and Central/South America. In addition to the Spanish lessons, you will participate in volunteer projects designed to conserve and respect local natural resources. Project work is varied and priorities are seasonal and weather dependent, but the work generally focuses around beach conservation, recycling and supporting the local community.

If you're also interested in volunteering with turtles, extend your stay in Santa Teresa to 3-4 weeks and you'll get the chance to participate in a turtle conservation project. You can also opt in for some surf or yoga lessons while in Santa Teresa.

Rincón de la Vieja, Head north

After 2 intense weeks of learning and physical labor, it is time to kick back a bit and enjoy the country's amazing nature in a more relaxed way. Our suggestion is that from Santa Teresa you make your way up to the mountainous and lush area of Rincón de la Vieja. While heading there, use a few days to jump from beach to beach, boost your surf skills and speak Spanish to the locals. Once you've reached Liberia, hire a taxi driver who can take you to Rincón de la Vieja.

*These are suggested experiences and not included in the package price.

San José, Back to the capital

From Rincón de la Vieja, there is a long way down to the capital, so why not travel slowly and stop in few places on your way. Go rafting on the Tenorio River or horse back riding in La Fortuna and then step on a local bus to San José and enjoy the sights and the music playing on the bus.

*These are suggested experiences and not included in the package price.

Tortuguero National Park, Get ready for a 4 day nature adventure

Travel from San Jose through banana plantations to the Caribbean Coast where you'll catch a boat to the remote Tortuguero National Park. Here you will spend a couple of days exploring the canals, beaches and jungles of this pristine nature reserve in search of turtles, birds, caiman, and, if you are lucky, the famous "Jesus Lizard." In your downtime, relax at the secluded lodge on a hammock or at the pool or beach.

Puerto Viejo, Travel independently

Next it's time to travel down south to the amazing beaches of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Instead of taking the bus there, you could try out other alternatives and in the meantime go more local. Take the ferry from Tortuguero to Limón. In Limón you should walk into any Soda (a small local eatery) to taste the more spicy and different gallo pinto! Grab a few patís to eat for your bus ride to Puerto Viejo.

We've included a 3 nights stay in a hostel in Puerto Viejo but it's totally up to you how long you want to stay here. When you feel like it's time to move on, head back to San José for a return flight home OR continue your adventures elsewhere in Costa Rica or Central America. Whatever you choose, we'll help you arrange it.

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