Free Time
Internship on Environmental Programs in Costa Rica

Participating with GVI not only allows you to work on programs assisting disadvantaged communities or endangered ecosystems but it also offers wonderful opportunities to travel in the local area in your down time or further afield either before or after your program. All participants should be aware that the internship is demanding and will require you to work additional hours to other volunteers that may be attending the program. You will therefore find that they have more free time than you! The program requires an additional 6 to 10 hours per week of your time, which will mean some evening work on at least a couple of evenings per week, and additional work on Saturdays, (around a half day of self study). The emphasis is placed upon self study followed by review. You may also experience a slightly reduced number of hours working on the volunteering project so that time can be dedicated to the needs of your internship program. Below is some information on trips and travel options in Costa Rica.

Optional Side Trips

• Canoe and kayak along the waterways in the local area or on organised river tours
• Go on canopy and zip-lining tour through the treetops of the rainforest
• Visit Tortuguero Village, browse its small souvenir shops, visit the delicious bakery or drink a milkshake while watching people go by

Three optional excursions are available, which will give you an idea of the treks and activities that abound in the area, including hiking, biking, snorkelling and fishing, amongst a variety of others. One of these trips is a guided tour of the Cahuita National Park, or you could snorkel in the largest Caribbean reef, go wildlife watching, or simply relax in the laidback Caribbean village while enjoying their delicious cuisine

Further Travelling Opportunities

There are a number of possibilities for exploring Costa Rica further. These include the following ideas:

• Admire the world famous and active Arenal Volcano at a distance, and relax in the natural hot springs, go horseback riding, and visit the waterfall
• Whitewater rafting on the world famous Pacuare river – rapids classed III to IV, this can be done in one day or a two day rafting trip
• Surf the Salsa Brava – a hotspot of the Caribbean for the advanced surfer
• Visit Irazu Volcano and discover coffee farms on the way back to San Jose
• Ride horseback on the beach in Puerto Viejo or simply enjoy miles and miles of beautiful beaches kissed by palm trees
• Spot migratory raptor birds in the Talamanca Mountains and visit indigenous villages to learn more about their amazing culture
• Go deep sea fishing in the Caribbean Sea
• Enjoy the organised wildlife tours of Braulio Carrillo National Park
• Discover the cloud forest at Monteverde, visit the hummingbird gallery, enjoy the locally made ice cream and other fresh dairy products or walk among the treetops on the hanging bridges
• Travel across the country to discover the beautiful Pacific Coast with its sunny beaches
• Spend a relaxing weekend in the capital San Jose, while visiting the Gold Museum or the Jade Museum or attending a play in one of the numerous theatres