Why You Should Choose a Volunteer Vacation
Going abroad is an exciting experience but when you make it a volunteer vacation, you’ve really got something special.
Imagine laying beneath a swaying palm tree, coconut juice in hand, relaxed. Then, when the sun goes you watch sea turtles hatch while guiding them to gentle sea. Not a bad life, right? Going abroad is an exciting experience but when you make it a volunteer vacation, you’ve really got something special. Practice responsible tourism while giving back to the world when volunteering abroad. Here’s why you should choose a volunteer vacation.
Give back to the planet and its communities
It’s this idea of making your vacation less about you and more about the places you visit. On a volunteer vacation you have a great opportunity to give back to the planet and help its communities along the way.
Whether you choose to volunteer to teach kids, work with animals, or the environment, a volunteer vacation gives back.
Learn new skills
You’ll get the opportunity to learn new skills when you volunteer abroad. From learning to cook a new dish, how to surf, or even just how to cut open a coconut, there’s so much to discover when you go abroad and involve yourself in the daily life of the places you visit.
Learn a new language
Speaking of new skills, have you ever wanted to learn a new language? A volunteer vacation might be just the thing! Working with local communities, many locals might not speak English, so you’ll get to dive into the language to help make connections and get around the country.
Plus, some volunteer vacations offer language courses. Check out how to learn Spanish in Costa Rica.
Feel like part of the community
How beautiful it is to find a family away from home, and when you volunteer abroad, you’re likely to find just that. Whether it’s your fellow volunteers, host family, or the people you work with, you may go abroad alone, but you’ll leave with new friends and a new sense of community.
Immerse yourself in a different world
Try new things, always say yes to everything (while still remaining safe, of course!) and immerse yourself in an unfamiliar country. Try new foods, listen to traditional music, and dance like the locals. Talk to different people, make connections, ask questions, and dive into the culture of where you volunteer abroad.
Do something different
Everyone can go abroad and relax under a palm tree while sipping on coconut juice, but not everyone will meet the locals, work with the wildlife, and experience a place on a deeper level. You’ll gain new perspectives and have more stories to tell from your vacation as a result.
Free time for your own adventures
They’re called volunteer vacations for a reason. You volunteer and you vacation! It’s the best of both worlds, so there will typically be plenty of time for your own little adventures for soaking up the nature, delicious cafes, cuisine, or whatever you’re into.
Find your volunteer vacation...
Spend 15 days volunteering in two of Costa Rica’s most popular (and beautiful) areas Monteverde and Arenal. If you’d like to work with animals, volunteer with turtle conservation or local Costa Rican wildlife.
