Learn Spanish, Surf and Volunteer 2025

Monday and Thursday
07:30-08:30 - Breakfast
09:00-11:00 - Spanish Class
12:00-13:00 - Lunch
14:00-16:00 - Surf Lesson

Tuesday and Friday
07:30-08:30 - Breakfast
09:00-11:00 - Spanish Class
12:00-13:00 - Lunch
14:00-16:00 - Volunteering Session

Wednesday
07:30-08:30 - Breakfast
09:00-11:00 - All Day Hike
12:00-13:00 - Picnic
14:00-16:00 - Interactive Spanish Class

Wednesday is a full day out, the hike is about 7-10 kms walking (depending which hike we are doing ) and everyone can do it. It's not just hiking; we stop along the way to swim and picnic on a secret beach. In the late afternoon or evening, there is a group Interactive Spanish class. This interactive class can be cooking, games, or cultural activities. It will be either on the beach or back at the Jakera camp in the evening.

Evenings
In the evenings, we provide budget-friendly dinner choices (approximately $15), and multiple times a week we host various complimentary events such as dance classes, cooking sessions, game nights, karaoke and more.

Saturday
Morning - Little Breakfast
11:00-12:00 - Brunch
12:00-16:00 - Free day. If you want, you can try the additional weekend activities (not included)*.

*Additional weekend activities are available for an extra charge between $40 to $100. These includes horse riding, fishing, waterfalls and island tours.

Sunday
Brunch. The day is free for you to spend as you like!
(Departure day for those leaving).

Our Spanish classes are taught by licensed instructors and are designed to accommodate different levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced. On your first day, you'll take a brief assessment to determine your level and objectives. Each lesson consists of two 45-minute sessions, with a 15-minute break for you to recharge.

Conducted by a local professional surf instructor for approximately 1.5 hours, our surfing lessons cover basics, skill progression and essential safety tips for local conditions like rip tides. Additional lessons are available upon request at $60 each.

During your time at the camp, you will participate in volunteer projects at the camp for approximately 2-3 hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, aiming to conserve the local natural resources. Project work varies with seasons and weather conditions. However, most of our efforts are focused on the following areas:

Blue Flag Initiative
Established to combat water and beach pollution, the government-backed Blue Flag Initiative seeks to reward communities adhering to conservation guidelines. Communities earning the Blue Flag not only receive international recognition for their beaches but also enhance their appeal to tourists and attract additional investments.

Beach Conservation
Here we work alongside the Santa Teresa Lifeguards. Having seen the amazing beaches of Santa Teresa, and adjoining Playa Hermosa and Playa Carmen, the recreational opportunities are clear. However, beaches need to be maintained to keep them clear of debris that not only looks unsightly but can cause harm to people and wildlife. Work includes promoting Lifeguard issues with regard to beach safety and etiquette (through signage, presentations and speaking to visitors), organizing clean ups with focus on recycling.

Bionics Recycling
Leading local recycling initiatives, we've established two collection points on our street, reducing regular garbage by over 30%. Furthermore, assisting Bionics in Cobano, we organize and package collected plastic, turning it into valuable items like shoes and t-shirts. This program educates students about plastic's impact and the importance of repurposing.

Kids & Community Work
In collaboration with Santa Teresa's youth, our volunteer-led extracurricular projects cover sports, arts & crafts and environmental awareness and activities such English classes and swimming lessons in our pool.

Forest Conservation
Our primary focus is the preservation of the forest's vital resource: water. Contribute to our tree nursery's maintenance, planting selected saplings and supporting recently planted trees. We aid local 'Waterkeepers,' reporting contamination and clearing debris from streams. Additionally, we maintain walking trails, providing access to the area's biodiversity. Join us in safeguarding Santa Teresa's river systems and neighbouring tropical forest resources, ensuring a sustainable environment for wildlife.

Our weekly nature hikes aim to explore the natural wonders of the Nicoya Peninsula. Delve into the lush tropical forest during our Jungle River Trek, uncovering diverse flora with medicinal applications and gaining insights intricate ecosystem. We also enjoy a beach hikes to exposed rock pools during low tide, revealing a vibrant array of sea life.

During the weekends, there are a lot of opportunities to explore the area and try out different activities such as white water rafting, horse riding, surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, whale watching, a jungle canopy tour etc. There is always something to do and if it all sounds too active, you can just enjoy the beach or pool.

Please note: Travel on the weekends, or any of the extra activities is at your own expense and risk. We cannot be responsible but, if anything happens, we will of course be there to assist. Please ensure that you have adequate medical insurance before you carry out any activity.

Police Clearance Certificate

Volunteers need to be flexible and keep an open mind concerning their placements as situations can arise beyond our control which could require you to be placed at a different project than the one you have initially chosen. We will of course always do our utmost to fulfill your initial wishes but do remember that where you are going is quite different from where you are coming and as such one should be prepared for things not always going according to plan.

Volunteering and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.

Our projects range from 1 week up to approx. 30 weeks. Projects have a specified minimum stay, then it’s up to you how long you can commit. In our experience the longer you stay the more you will gain, as your understanding of the project broadens and you take on more responsibilities.