Two years ago, the Corcovado Foundation began working with the Pacific La Amistad Conservation Area (ACLAP), with the aim of managing sustainable tourism in a way that contributes to natural resource conservation and socioeconomic development in the area.
Our main objective is to promote growth of the tourism activities that this area offers, without detriment to natural resources, and to support the ACLAP’s buffer areas through community participation in economic alternatives to support local families.
ARTESANAS DEL BOSQUE
The Artesanas del Bosque Association is made up of housewives, entrepreneurs who, faced with the need to bring in secure income for their families, consolidated in 2012. The Association is located in the buffer zone of La Amistad International Park.
This is a rural community that promotes community-based rural tourism. In addition to comprising small businesses led by women, the individuals of Artesanas del Bosque understand the importance of rational use of natural resources. This is especially true since the surrounding environment supports their livelihoods.
The women of Artesanas del Bosque always work in a sustainable and healthy way without damaging the natural processes supporting each resource used.
Two of the Association’s greatest objectives are to grow and create more community jobs for the sustainable development of the Biolley District, and to inspire the existing and future generations of this important natural area.
Registration available: All year.
Minimum stay: One week.
Requirements
- Aged 18 or over.
- Good physical condition.
- Basic knowledge of Spanish.
- You must be friendly, communicative and able to work in extreme weather conditions for 4-6 hours per day.
- You must have a medical travel insurance policy for the duration of your stay.
- It is important that you like animals and children.
About the work:
Some of the activities that the volunteers will carry out include the production of marmalades, horseback riding, making artisanal cheese, making chocolate, and harvesting vegetables, among others.
What about free time?
As a volunteer you will have one free day each week, during which you may choose to:
- Play community sports
- Visit rivers, waterfalls, hot springs, and holistic farms
- Go for walks in the community
- Go horseback riding
How much does it cost?
$35 per night, per person. This costs covers accommodation, three meals per day, and training. It does not cover snack food, spending money, nor arrival and departure transportation costs.
Important note:
There is no ATM in the area, so you should make sure that you bring enough cash for the duration of your stay. Only a few establishments accept credit or debit cards.
ASOMOBI
The Asociación de Mujeres Organizadas de Biolley (ASOMOBI) comprises a group of community women fighting to improve the living conditions of families in the community and towns surrounding La Amistad International Park (PILA). Through development and strengthening of production and management capacities, ASOMOBI creates successful entrepreneurs in the community and the region.
Seventeen years ago, this group of women met with the purpose of roasting the coffee beans of some neighbors and associates, generating small economic support for their families. In this way, the association began with a group of 19 women from the community, and has since grown to 32 associates.
In 2006, ASOMOBI was awarded by the Coffee Institute of Costa Rica (ICAFE) “LA MEDALLA AL MÉRITO CAFETALERO” for its associates’ pioneering in the field of micro-benefits in Costa Rica, and for the quality of that year’s harvest.
For the kindness that the region offers, its proximity to PILA, its scenic attractions, its people and trajectory of commitment to healthy coexistence with nature, and for meeting the objectives of promoting the economic development of the community, ASOMOBI ventures into rural community tourism in a way that is complementary to producing coffee.
Registration available: All year, however, there are variations in activities according to the season.
Minimum stay: One week.
Requirements:
- Aged 18 or over.
- Good physical condition.
- Basic knowledge of Spanish.
- You must be friendly, communicative and able to work in extreme weather conditions for 4-6 hours per day.
- You must have a medical travel insurance policy for the duration of your stay.
- It is important to not use drugs, alcohol or cigarettes during your volunteer participation.
About the work:
The activities with ASOMOBI depend on the season in which you volunteer. Some activities from the January to August period include maintenance of murals (painting, cleaning), construction (varnishing furniture and doors), participation in fairs or environmental festivals, and office work, among others. From August to December you can work in the coffee production process (pounding, toasting, and packaging).
What about free time?
As a volunteer you will have two free days each week (Saturday and Sunday), during which you may choose to:
- Visit nearby projects, rivers, waterfalls, hot springs, and
holistic farms - Go for walks in the community
- Go horseback riding
How much does it cost?
$45 per night, per person. This costs covers accommodation, three meals per day, and training. It does not cover snack food, spending money, nor arrival and departure transportation costs.
Important note:
There is no ATM in the area, so you should make sure that you bring enough cash for the duration of your stay. Only a few establishments accept credit or debit cards.
ADIALSI
The Asociación de Desarrollo Integral de Altamira y San Isidro (ADIALSI) was established in November 2013 to meet the needs of both communities, which together have around 2600 inhabitants. Due to the direction that development has taken in these communities, it was necessary to form an association that would serve to support that process of development.
The association has 138 members, who have joined to continue the community and productive development of the area, taking full advantage of the degree of their organizational structure. They are also making progress toward creating an international market for the coffee grown in this community.
ADIALSI aims to enable sustainable development in the area, through the creation of productive activities consistent with the environment (which also provides quality of life to its residents), creation of opportunities for all sectors of the community’s population, improvement in public services, community-based rural tourism, and rational use of natural resources.
Registration available: All year.
Minimum stay: One week.
Requirements:
- Aged 18 or over.
- Good physical condition.
- Basic knowledge of Spanish.
- You must be friendly, communicative and able to work in extreme weather conditions for 4-6 hours per day.
- You must have a medical travel insurance policy for the duration of your stay.
- You must not use drugs, alcohol or cigarettes during your participation in the project.
About the work:
Some of the activities that the volunteers will carry out are development of forest nurseries, construction of infrastructure, support of artisanal crafts and furniture construction, and production and processing of perishable crops, among others.
What about free time?
As a volunteer you will be assigned one free day each week, during which you may choose to:
- Visit rivers, waterfalls, hot springs, holistic farms, and
the nearby La Amistad International Park - Go for walks in the local community
- Go horseback riding
How much does it cost?
$35 per night, per person. This costs covers accommodation, three meals per day, and training. It does not cover snack food, spending money, nor arrival and departure transportation costs.
Important note:
There is no ATM in the area, so you should make sure that you bring enough cash for the duration of your stay. Only a few establishments accept credit or debit cards.
ASOPROLA
The Asociación de Productores La Amistad (AsoProLA) was created in March 1997 by peasant families from the community of Altamira de Biolley. This association grew out of the international crisis of coffee prices, which created major economic, social and environmental problems in the Biolley district. It is for this reason that AsoProLA was born with the slogan of creating development alternatives for the communities surrounding the Biolley District, guaranteeing the conservation of the natural resources of the La Amistad International Park (PILA) and of the local communities.
Comprising 72 associates and more than 200 beneficiaries, our organization works on several productive activities to generate social, environmental and economic development.
The main objective of the project is to create development alternatives for families and communities surrounding PILA, while conserving natural resources.
Registration available: All year.
Minimum stay: One week.
Requirements:
- Aged 18 or over.
- Good physical condition.
- Basic knowledge of Spanish.
- Contribute to the development of the community.
- Adapt to the work schedule and participate in the scheduled activities.
- You must have a medical travel insurance policy for the duration of your stay.
- You must not use drugs, alcohol or cigarettes during your participation in the project.
About the work:
Some of the activities that the volunteers will carry out are coffee harvesting and coffee drying, nursery work, cleaning campaigns for solid waste collection, maintenance of trails, and gardening development.
What about free time?
As a volunteer you will be assigned one free day each week, during which you may choose to:
- Visit rivers, waterfalls, and hot springs
- Hike on local farms or in La Amistad International Park
- Go horseback riding
How much does it cost?
$35 per night, per person. This costs covers accommodation, three meals per day, and training. It does not cover snack food, spending money, nor arrival and departure transportation costs.
Important note:
There is no ATM in the area, so you should make sure that you bring enough cash for the duration of your stay. Only a few establishments accept credit or debit cards.
Apply now!
Please complete the volunteer registration form and send it by email to zoraida@corcovadofoundation.org at least 2 weeks before your arrival. You will receive a confirmation email, along with a Volunteer Orientation manual with detailed information on transportation, what to bring and what to expect.
The payment of the stay must be made before arriving. To pay, please use this secure link and select “Volunteer Program”. Please note that the payment of the first two weeks is not refundable.
2297-3013
info@corcovadofoundation.org