Flex your muscles and surf the waves with i-to-i in Costa Rica

PRLog (Press Release) - Jun. 23, 2009 - Costa Rica, with its laid-back atmosphere and fabulous scenery, has long been a popular travel destination.  Some travellers, however, leave this stunning country feeling that they haven’t given anything back to the local community. Not those who take part in travel pioneer i-to-i’s fantastic Costa Rican volunteer trips, which enable travellers to help with worthwhile projects while enjoying a life-changing adventure.

On Costa Rica’s idyllic Pacific coast, travellers taking part in i-to-i’s Surf and Save Turtles two week trip (http://www.i-to-i.com/volunteer-projects/turtle-conservat...) can combine learning to surf and relaxing on unspoilt beaches with helping to conserve turtles, which are under constant threat from poachers. Volunteers do valuable work in helping protect these wonderful creatures, which are a key part of Costa Rica’s heritage, through a mixture of beach patrolling, research collecting and helping with the hatcheries.

Travellers are also given ample opportunity to hone their surfing skills during lessons and supervised sessions on the clear waters of the Pacific. The trip caters for all abilities, from total beginner to near expert, so those who don’t know one end of a surf board from the other needn’t worry! Volunteers have one full day off each week, which they can use for more surfing practice or to explore the stunning Nicoya Peninsula. As travellers on this trip live on one of this country’s incredible beaches, there is also no shortage of time for lounging in the sun.

Further inland, volunteers can help some of the many thousands of Costa Ricans who live in sub-standard housing by getting involved in home building projects on i-to-i’s Build Homes for Underprivileged Families project (http://www.i-to-i.com/volunteer-projects/build-homes-in-c...). Depending on how involved travellers want to get in Costa Rican life, they can spend anything from one to 12 weeks on this project. Volunteers live in a friendly local home and work within the community, so are totally immersed in laid-back Costa Rican culture. They have the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of local people as they get stuck in helping to build good-quality housing. No building experience is necessary, just a bit of elbow grease and enthusiasm, and this trip offers people the chance to see the hidden side of Costa Rica that most travellers miss.

From its lush tropical landscape, to its friendly and welcoming population, Costa Rica has plenty to offer travellers who are keen to experience a unique Latin American country. It’s most famous for its gorgeous beaches, but Costa Rica also boasts volcanoes, cloud forests and lowland rainforests, which are home to a diverse array of exotic creatures, including monkeys and a dazzling range of birds.  

These are just two of the fantastic trips that i-to-i offers in Costa Rica. For more details on either, or for information about other Costa Rican adventures, take a look at i-to-i’s website (http://www.i-to-i.com/costa-rica/) or call their travel experts on 0800 011 1156.

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I-to-i is a globally recognised responsible travel organisation, which places over 6,000 volunteers on projects to assist in the development of overseas local communities each year.

We provide fulfilling and life-changing travel experiences to anyone with a desire to get out there and make a difference for the better.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/10265045/1