About the ProjectWorking together to bring people together
This flagship project in Costa Rica aims to improve the economic prospects of a remote indigenous village by making infrastructure improvements that will support their vision of sharing their culture with travellers. The project will offer an exclusive and remote volunteer experience in a way that very, very few have ever done. Tsinikicha borders the Barbilla National Park which recently allowed the use of some of its trails for hikers. There is great potential to appeal to visiting hikers and the community has plans to offer a comprehensive traditional experience that would bring valuable new sources of income.
Six villages in the territory are involved in this initiative. A new ceremonial hut has been built. Near here is the site for a hikers’ camp and small soda (restaurant). DWC volunteers will assist in developing camping facilities for hiking visitors of the El Camino Trail as well as facilities for sustainable small business that supports tourist experiences. This will increase village commerce and offer improvements for residents.
What to ExpectA Typical Workday in Costa Rica
DWC teams will work with our in-country partner Mar a Mar serving Las Brisas de Pacuarito, a remote, small settlement about four hours east of San Jose and 17km from the picturesque, small town of Siquirres.
In general, expect to work 6-8 hours per day. Volunteers usually wake up early, around 6:00 or 7:00 am for breakfast. After breakfast, the team is transported to the project site (usually by private bus) and the workday begins, usually somewhere between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. There will be lunch in the middle of the day, which is either provided by your workplace, host family, or purchased by you. Your workday will usually end around 4:00 pm.
It's Not All Work
A trip here is both unique and rewarding with many options for your free time. You can absorb the environment around your host community during the week before spending your days off relaxing or adventuring.
Catch views towards Turrialba Volcano, the Atlantic sea and the Talamanca mountains with guided hiking to help you navigate through the dense jungle of nearby National Park Barbilla. This is a 29,500 acre protected forest on the Caribbean side of the Talamanca Mountains. The park is the home of the second-largest indigenous group in Costa Rica, the Cabécar. This area is ecologically rich and important as a water source for rare (and even endangered) species including three-toed sloths, jaguars, ocelots, pumas, tapirs, toucans and countless other bird species. The ranger station for the National Park is located in Las Brisas de Pacuarito.
Easily fill up your time with Banana, Vanilla or Chocolate Tours and get involved in fun evening activities with local families including crafting souvenir walking poles, salsa dancing, dice games, Settlers of Catan (game) and soccer.
The climate is tropical, warm and humid, all year round. January is part of the dry season on the pacific coast characterized by essentially constant daily high temperatures of 30°C. While this equatorial region is characterized by low temperature variations, frequent showers and thunderstorms are common so packing a light raincoat is a good idea.
Trip Details
Each trip is coordinated by DWC with the help of a Team Leader, who has travelled with DWC previously, is First Aid Certified, and has completed a Criminal Record Check. Your Team Leader will liaise with DWC and ensure all your questions are answered. Your Team Leader will handle all team finances through the trip and travel with you to ensure the best possible travel and volunteer experience for their team! They also facilitate fun, cultural experiences where possible, ensuring group cohesion. See your Team Leader Biography here:
David Lyon
Since retiring, David has focused on creating and participating
in projects that have a positive and lasting impact on his local
community and internationally. “I want my actions to bring
positive change to individual lives.” David has volunteered in
Bolivia, Vietnam, northern India, Nepal and Costa Rica.
An important aspect of all of David’s travels is the opportunity
to meet and work with local people. His leadership style is
informal and inclusive. “It is really important to me that all
team members feel comfortable, valued, involved and are
provided with many opportunities to connect with the project
community.”
Travel Light Offset Your Carbon Footprint
Carbon offsets are used to compensate for the greenhouse gasses that we create through certain activities, such as flying. For every tonne of carbon released into the atmosphere, an ‘offset’ is a carefully designed project that absorbs or stores the equivalent CO2 emissions. You can choose to offset your own flight, your whole family’s, or do this as a gift for a friend.
Offset Your Carbon Footprint
Joy
Trip Coordinator