Orientation
Once you have been met and picked up from the airport, you will be taken to your accommodation to settle in. On your first full day, your co-ordinators will guide you through the language school and help to answer any questions you may have in your orientation. Your orientation will cover:
- Local culture - social norms, traditions and culture
- Expected behaviour - safety whilst on the programme (more details will be given upon arrival at the surfing camp)
- Safety - areas and places to avoid, what to do in an emergency
- Locations of important amenities - banks, hospitals, embassies
Accommodation and Meals
During your stay in San Jose, you will be accommodated with a local host family. At the home-stay, you will have a private room, with access to the shared bathroom and kitchen etc. Although the houses are relatively comfortable and the families are from the local middle-class, please be aware that living conditions can be lower than the UK and Costa Rica is a developing country.
Meals each day are included (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and are provided by the host family. They will be made in the local style, with local ingredients. If you have any special dietary needs, these can be catered for.
During your stay in Playa Tamarindo (days 8 to 15), you will stay in hotel accommodation, about two minutes from the surf school. Your room will be private, with air conditioning and an adjoining shower room/bathroom. You have access to a number of other facilities at the accommodation, including wireless internet and a swimming pool. Breakfast is included, but lunch and an evening meal are not included during this part of the programme. Food can be purchased at nearby restaurants or bought in the local supermarket. You should budget about £10 a day for basic meals.
Project Support
Throughout your stay you will have the support and guidance of a volunteer work coordinator and their team. They will be able to help you with any questions or advice you may need during your time on the project.
In addition, you are also able to contact our UK staff 24 hours a day should you need to, via our emergency contact number.
Project Age Limit
Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants’ health.
Project Requirements
Participants must be fit and able to join a programme of this nature. As a minimum, you’ll need to be able to swim in the sea and to tread water for a minimum of 10 minutes.
