Globalteer orientation guide Costa Rica...Globalteer orientation guide Costa Rica All the tips, information and recommendations you need to get ready for your upcoming volunteer placement.

Globalteer orientation guide

Costa Rica All the tips, information and recommendations you need to get ready for your

upcoming volunteer placement.

Contents

1. Welcome to Costa Rica!

About Globalteer

Getting out and about

Useful local contacts

2. Getting ready for your placement

Visa and insurance information

Packing guide

Getting to Costa Rica

Arriving into Costa Rica

3. Volunteering in Costa Rica

A brief history of Costa Rica

Climate

Health

Safety

Responsible travel

Expenses

Culture shock

Keeping in touch with home

This Globalteer Costa Rica information pack will ensure you arrive fully prepared for your international volunteering and travel experience. Travelling to a new country always causes a few worries and apprehensions, and this guide will give you all the information you need to turn those worries into excitement. You will also receive an additional project specific information pack before your arrival. So sit down, have a read, and start getting ready for your trip of a lifetime! We also have additional project information on our website, including FAQs, previous volunteer stories, photo gallery and further accommodation information. If you still have questions after reading this guide, please contact us by email. Our team is well travelled and we are able to help answer anything further you would like to know about the project, getting prepared for your placement, and in-country travel!

1 Welcome to

Costa Rica! Congratulations on your decision to volunteer with Globalteer! We are certain that you will have a fantastic time and also help out your project in an amazing way. This guide is for everyone who will be coming to Costa Rica to volunteer with Globalteer.

About Globalteer Globalteer was founded as a UK non-profit organisation in June 2006. Globalteer is a registered charity in the UK (registration number 1119706), which means that Globalteer is legally required to ensure that 100% of all monies received are used to achieve our charitable objectives. Our Strategies

To work with projects that meet genuine local needs, as identified by the communities they serve, and that meet our criteria for sustainability and responsibility.

To work closely with our partner projects to ensure that all volunteer placements are of genuine value to the project and are in keeping with the projects’ short term goals and long term objectives

To place suitably experienced volunteers within approved partner projects on tasks where there is a local shortage of necessary skills.

To encourage the transfer of volunteer skills to local staff wherever possible.

To help fund the continued development of partner projects.

To help all our partner projects to become fully self-funded and locally managed with minimal requirement for external support.

To continually assess the needs of the communities with whom we work and identify new partners and new initiatives as necessary.

Getting out and about Costa Rica is a country that is easy to travel around and has many beautiful sites to visit around the country! This section of the orientation guide will give you more information about what to do in and around Costa Rica. Our travel partner can advise if you wish to book excursions before you leave home and if you do book through them, they will make a small donation to Globalteer. Please visit our website for details of our travel partners However, don’t forgot to ask project staff for recommendations once you arrive in San Jose, especially regarding any local upcoming festivals, or places to visit near your project site.

What to do in Costa Rica Costa Rica’s diverse terrain, which is comprised of lush forests, wildlife reserves and tropical beaches, offers something for every traveller. Traveling is quite easy in Costa Rica via public bus or tourist shuttles. Below is a list of things that you can arrange to do before, during or after your volunteering period:

Chill out on the beaches and rainforest of the Nicoya Peninsula. Visit El Arenal, one of Central America’s most active volcanoes. Enjoy wildlife and bird spotting in the Manuel Antonio or Corcovado National Reserves. Marvel at the unique biodiversity of the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Indulge in surfing and the nightlife at the Caribbean village of Viejo Puerto de Talamanca. Spot crocodiles, jaguars and sloths in the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge. Bathe in the hot springs at Tabacon near El Arenal Volcano. Snorkel in crystal clear waters off Isla Tortuga or many of the other beautiful beaches.

Useful local contacts You will be provided the essential project contact details in your travel confirmation email from Globalteer. Here are some general phone numbers and addresses for your stay in Costa Rica. Upon your arrival, project staff will also be able to provide recommendations for quality medical clinics in San Jose if needed. Emergency numbers Police (Fuerza Pública) – 1117 Fire Fighters (Bomberos) – 1118 Red Cross (Cruz Roja) – 1128 / 2221 5818 Transit Police – 2222 9330 / 800 8726 7486 Drug Control Police – 800 376 4266 Immigration Department of Immigration La Uruca, San José, next to the Dirección General de Aviación Civil 2299 8026 900 1234 5678 for appointments Embassies and consulates British Embassy Edificio Centro Colón, Paseo Colón and Streets 38 and 40 (506) 2258-2025

US Embassy Calle 120 Via 104, Pavas, San Jose (506) 2519-2000 Canadian Embassy La Sabana Executive Business Centre, Building No. 5, 3rd Floor, behind the Contraloría General de la República, P.O. Box 351-1007, San José (506) 2242-4400 Australian Consulate-General Centro Corporativo Plaza Roble, Edificio El Patio, 3rd Floor, Escazu, San Jose, Costa Rica (506) 2201 8700 For other nationalities, you can find a full list of embassies in Costa Rica here.

2 Getting ready

for your placement

Now that your placement confirmed, it is time to start getting prepared for your trip of a lifetime. This includes organising flights, insurance, visas and of course trying to fit everything in your bag! Everything in this section will help you know exactly what you need to do before coming to the project and starting your placement.

Visa & insurance information

Getting your visa It is the volunteer's responsibility to arrange an entry visa. The visa application process is usually very straightforward, but you should check visa requirements immediately. Normally volunteers only need tourist visas when participating in our projects, but every country has different visa requirements and the length of stay they grant can vary. It is best to tell immigration officials that you are simply a tourist on vacation. The concept of volunteering is not always understood in the countries we operate in, and can be confused with working, which normally requires a special visa that is harder to get. You can read more about getting your visa on our website.

Travel insurance Insurance is not included in your volunteer placement fee. Travel insurance is only a boring subject if you are unlucky enough to get sick or injured, or find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere on your big trip. Being uninsured in such situations can work out much more expensive than the cost of an insurance premium and can also be dangerous. In developing countries reliable healthcare and emergency treatment can be hard to find, and extremely expensive for foreigners. This is why we strongly recommend that all our volunteers take out suitable travel insurance. You can read more about the importance of travel insurance and our insurance partner here on our website.

Packing guide Almost everything you need can be bought in Costa Rica. Packing clothes is a personal thing as some people prefer to pack light and others take as many items of clothes as can be fitted in their backpack! This is only a general guide that should be adjusted to your personal preferences. The average size of people in Costa Rica can be smaller, so if you require large size clothing or shoes then it may be very difficult to find them locally. For volunteers at the Sea Turtle Conservation Project, please be aware that you need to bring your own bedding (including pillow) and mosquito net. Also ensure to bring dark coloured clothing and a flashlight or head torch with a red light, or red cellophane covering the normal light, for night patrols.

We recommend bringing a backpack as suitcases can be difficult to manage on bus and ferries when travelling in Costa Rica. You will also need a day pack. Bring clothes that you are happy to get dirty when volunteering.

Essentials

Passport (and some photocopies) Travel insurance documents ATM cards (remember to tell your bank you are going overseas!) Card listing vaccinations received Copies of tickets for any onwards travels US dollars, euro or pounds as back-up cash Copies of essential project phone numbers Bring your own sleeping bag or sheets and pillow, and mosquito net to protect you at night from bugs and torch with red light (for turtle volunteers)

Accessories Camera, memory cards, battery charger Torch or headlamp Books Phone and charger if required Electrical converter if necessary

Clothing 1 x sandals for warmer days 1 x walking/running/hiking shoes that are comfortable when walking on sand light and cool underwear and socks long trousers or shorts (a pair of trousers that zip off the legs to make shorts can be handy). Long trousers will protect you from bugs at night t-shirts that are loose and lightweight 1 x long sleeve shirt for sun and bug protection 1x warm top 1 x hat for sun protection 1 x swim suit (depending on travels) 1 x nightclothes 1 x waterproof jacket/poncho 1 x sunglasses

Health Insect repellent Shampoo/soap Deodorant Sunscreen Toothbrush and toothpaste Tissue (to take on days out, just in case none available in toilets) Note: toilet paper can’t always

be flushed in Costa Rica Hairbrush/comb/shaving gel if required Feminine hygiene products (tampons can be hard to find and expensive) Personal prescriptions Painkillers for headaches, etc. Band-aids/plasters Glasses or contacts (with a spare set and your prescription)

Getting to Costa Rica You will receive a pre-arrival email from Globalteer before your placement, which will include your airport or hotel pick-up confirmation, local project staff contact details, and any other relevant arrival information. This is a guide on how to get to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) airport. Be aware that airline schedules and routes are subject to change so please check for up-to-date information.

If you are looking for a one-stop shop for your travel arrangements, Globalteer has travel partners who could save you both time and money. Read more about booking your travel through our partners on our website. If you prefer to make your own travel arrangements From the USA Jet Blue, Delta, United, American and US Airways fly from several cities in the US to San Jose. www.jetblue.com, www.delta.com, www.united.com, www.usairways.com Jet Blue via Fort Lauderdale, Florida (FLL) Delta vía Atlanta, GA (ATL) United via Newark, NJ (EWR) and Houston (IAH) American via Miami (MIA) US Airways via Charlotte (CLT) From Europe There are several options from Europe: 1. Fly to the USA and then to San Jose with any of the “From the USA” airlines above. If you chose this option please be aware that you will need a Transit Visa and plenty of time for customs at your port of entry in the United States. www.aa.com www.ba.com www.virgin-atlantic.com 2. Take a flight to a European hub (Madrid or Amsterdam) and then on to Cusco via Lima. www.iberia.com www.klm.com www.lan.com www.airpluscomet.com www.airfrance.com From Australia / New Zealand Fly to Los Angeles and then on to San Jose with any of the “From the USA” airlines above. www.quantas.com www.united.com www.airnewzealand.com www.lan.com From South America South American budget airlines: www.attitudetravel.com/lowcostairlines/latinamerica www.avianca.com www.lan.com www.copaair.com www.taca.com

Arriving into Costa Rica Please read through the following information very carefully to ensure that you are prepared to pass through immigration and customs and meet your transfer to the hostel in San Jose. You may want to carry a copy of these instructions with you while travelling.

Immigration and customs procedure When you fly into any foreign country you are required to pass through customs and passport control. You will receive several forms to fill out (most likely on the plane before landing or at check-in). The first form is presented upon arrival to immigration, where an agent will stamp your passport and give you 90 days to remain in the country. After having your passport stamped, you will proceed to the baggage pick-up area and then pass through customs with your luggage. At customs, you will present the customs declaration form that you received on the plane. This form requires you to declare that you are not bringing any dangerous substances, agricultural products etc. into the country. You will put your bags on a conveyor belt that passes them through an x-ray machine to ensure you are not bringing anything illegal into the country. Once you pass through customs you will go through some glass doors where you will see many people waiting to pick up passengers. Your transfer will be waiting there with a sign with your name on it. IMPORTANT: If there are any changes to your flight, please let us know. If you fail to inform us we will have no way of knowing of the flight change to inform the transfer who will be picking you up at the airport.

3 Volunteering

in Costa Rica Costa Rica is known for its diversity and beauty, with its rich history, stunning scenery, and welcoming people. Here is a snapshot of Costa Rica so you can understand more about this amazing country and people!

A brief history of Costa Rica The first people in Costa Rica were hunters and gatherers. A small sedentary culture also developed simultaneously. During the Pre-Columbian Period, Costa Rica served as an ‘Intermediate Region’ between Mesoamerican and Andean native cultures. Christopher Columbus made landfall in Costa Rica in 1502. Soon after, the indigenous people were conquered and Costa Rica was incorporated into the Captaincy General of Guatemala as a province of New Spain. During the colonial period, Costa Rica remained sparsely developed and impoverished. Following Mexican War of Independence (1810-1821) Costa Rica became part of the independent Mexican Empire in 1821, and subsequently the Federal Republic of Central America in 1823, before gaining full independence in 1838. Its economy struggled due to lack of connections with European suppliers. In 1856, Costa Rica resisted American settlers from mounting a take over of the government. After 1869, Costa Rica became a democracy, and after the Costa Rican Civil War in 1948, the government drafted a new constitution, guaranteeing universal suffrage and the dismantling of the military. Today, Costa Rica is a democracy that relies on technology and eco-tourism for its economy. Public education is free, widely available and required by law. The literacy rate is 96%. Costa Rican culture has been heavily influenced by Spanish culture ever since the Spanish colonisation of the Americas including the territory which today forms Costa Rica. 70.5% of Costa Ricans are Roman Catholics. Parts of the country have other strong cultural influences, including the Caribbean province of Limón and the Cordillera de Talamanca.

Climate Costa Rica has a tropical climate year round with microclimates depending on elevation, rainfall and the geography of each particular region. There are lower temperatures found in the Central Valley (San Jose), but the site where you will be working will be higher.

Costa Rica’s seasons are defined by a rainy and dry season. The dry season runs from December to April and the rainy season goes from May to November, with constant rain in some regions. There is also high humidity on the coast and especially during the rainy season. It is also important to note that the Caribbean experiences an opposite weather pattern from the rest of the country. For most of Costa Rica, September and October are the rainiest months, while the Caribbean experiences its lowest rainfall during these months.

Health As soon as you have made the decision to travel we recommend that you visit a doctor for your vaccinations as some vaccines take time to become effective. Let your health professional know that you will be volunteering on the coast of Costa Rica and discuss the relevant vaccinations. There are plenty of hospitals and clinics in Costa Rica that provide quality medical services, 24-hour emergency care, ambulance, translation and evacuation services. However, the most likely ailment you will encounter is the usual for travellers to a foreign country: traveller’s diarrhoea. This is caused by bacteria or parasites in water or food. Some tips to avoid getting sick are:

Do not drink the tap water – bottled drinking water is available everywhere and there is also clean water available onsite.

Use bottled water for brushing teeth.

Personal hygiene – always wash hands after using the toilet and before meals.

Food – peel fruits and vegetables before eating.

Ensure your salad is not washed in tap water.

Be cautious of ice cubes in drinks – ensure they are not from tap water. Symptoms usually last for 48 hours and the most dangerous side effect is dehydration. Drinking water and rehydration salts will help. If the symptoms persist or you feel the need for help, then consult a doctor.

Safety Generally speaking Costa Rica is a very safe country for travellers, but as ever you should be on guard and act sensibly, especially if travelling alone. As in most countries there is a possibility of theft. Violent robberies are rare and the most common problem is pickpockets. Thieves look for easy targets, so don't have your wallet visible and be careful in crowded areas such as markets, bus terminals and on public transport. Thousands of tourists visit Costa Rica every year and have no problems whatsoever, so don't be paranoid. Just take the basic precautions and you will have an amazing trouble-free trip. You can read more about health and safety in Costa Rica on our website.

Responsible travel Globalteer is dedicated to a style of travel that is culturally, socially and environmentally responsible. Please, therefore, read the guidelines below to ensure you act responsibly whilst in country. The following are also the rules at all of our projects, and if these are not followed you will be at risk of being asked to leave the project and your placement with Globalteer.

No drinking whilst volunteering, and smoking only in allocated areas.

Volunteers must come to the project during the agreed on hours.

Handing out political or religious materials is forbidden.

Volunteers are required to follow our Globalteer code of conduct.

Body language Costa Ricans are very friendly, but can be quite reserved until you get to know them. Expect to exchange kisses on the cheek with people you know (opposite sexes and between women). A hand shake is always exchanged when meeting new people. Dress code Though it is often quite hot during the day, you must be fully clothed at the project with at least a singlet/tank top and shorts. Toilets Do not put toilet paper down the toilet if there is a bin in the bathroom as this can block the toilet. If there is a bin then it is there for all toilet paper. Time Here people do not stress over time and it is not uncommon for things to happen later than arranged. Just go with the flow and forget stress! Photos Always ask permission before taking someone’s photograph. Children will be very, very interested to see their image on your digital camera and will rush to see it after the photo is taken. Beggars and hawkers Try to be courteous to hawkers selling gifts to tourists. A polite ‘no, thank you’ and a smile is usually all that is needed to be left alone. Don’t forget that they are just trying to make a living. Begging is an unsustainable activity. People do not wish to be beggars but have been forced into the situation by poverty. Giving sweets to children who have no access to toothpaste or toothbrushes causes major problems. Giving money to children makes them spend more time begging and prevents them from going to school. When they become older and ‘less cute’ they earn less money and have no education or possibility of employment. Litter The streets are often dirty as there are limited rubbish bins provided. Please do not throw your litter in the street or countryside just because it is already dirty.

Expenses

The official currency is the Colon. Please check the current exchange rate from Costa Rica Colon to the currency of your country. Local transport Bus = 800 Colones for a half hour journey Taxi = 5000 Colones for a journey up to 10 minutes (more at night) Food Meal at market = 5000 Colones Meal in restaurant = 10000 Colones Bottle of soft drink = 800 Colones Cappuccino = 2000 Colones Domestic Bottle of Beer = 2000 Colones Keeping in touch Internet cafes = 500 Colones per half hour for fast connection. If you are spending a long time in Costa Rica then you may want to bring an unlocked G3 phone and purchase a SIM Card with the Kolbi Provider. Kolbi has coverage throughout most of Costa Rica. This makes text messages a very affordable and versatile option for communicating. Money There are plenty of ATMs in San Jose, though there are not very many at or near the project sites. You may want to bring US Dollars or Colones with you to the project for any additional expenses as the ATMs often run out of funds or are out of order. Make sure to inform your bank that you are travelling to ensure that they do not block your card. Find out if your bank has an agreement with Costa Rican banks to avoid ATM charges. If you do bring cash with you, make sure that your bills are crisp. Torn, wrinkled or taped bills are not always accepted. Money transfer facilities like Western Union are also available in San Jose. Laundry Laundry services are available but most volunteers wash their clothes by hand. There are hand washing sinks and lines available at the project. If you do plan on washing your clothes make sure to bring lightweight clothing that dries quickly.

Culture shock

Culture shock expresses a lack of direction and the feeling of not knowing how to do things in a new environment. This feeling generally sets in after the first few weeks of coming to a new place where everything is different. Although culture shock can be difficult to overcome, it is also an opportunity for learning and acquiring a new perspective!

Symptoms

Sadness, loneliness, melancholy

Preoccupation with health

Aches, pains, and allergies

Insomnia, desire to sleep too much or too little

Changes in temperament, depression, feeling vulnerable, feeling powerless

Anger, irritability, resentment, unwillingness to interact with others

Loss of identity

Unable to solve simple problems

Overeating or loss of appetite

Unexplainable crying

Boredom

Developing stereotypes about the new culture

Developing obsessions such as over-cleanliness

Longing for family, extreme homesickness

Feelings of being lost, overlooked, exploited or abused

How to fight culture shock Some ways to combat stress produced by culture shock are:

Develop a hobby, or continue to practice things that you also do at home.

Be patient – the act of acculturating is a process of adaptation to new situations.

Learn to be constructive. If you encounter an unfavourable environment, don't put yourself in that position again. Be easy on yourself.

Learn to include a regular form of physical activity in your routine. This will help combat the sadness and loneliness in a constructive manner. Exercise, swim, take an aerobics class, etc.

Relaxation and meditation can be very positive for people who are passing through periods of stress

Make friends! This will give you a feeling of belonging and you will reduce your feelings of loneliness and alienation.

Maintain contact with the new culture. Learn the language. Volunteer in community activities that allow you to practice the language that you are learning. This will help you feel less stress about language and useful at the same time.

Allow yourself to feel sad about the things that you have left behind: your family, friends, etc.

Accept the new country. Focus your power on getting through the transition.

Maintain confidence in yourself. Follow your ambitions and continue your plans for the future.

Keeping in touch with home

Please keep in mind that facilities may vary depending on your project site. Some are more rural than others and may have more limited facilities. If you are someone who needs to have access to internet on a daily basis please inform us in your correspondence so we may take this into consideration when doing your placement. Internet cafes There are some internet cafes around San Jose, some faster than others. Access is quite fast and costs less than 500 Colones per half hour. At some of the project sites you will have access to wifi. Telephone Telephone services are available but can be quite expensive. Consider getting Skype to communicate with friends and family back home. You can sign up for free Skype and have free calls all around the world to another Skype number. Mobile phone Costa Rica is quite expensive for mobile phones when compared to other countries. If you are spending a long time in Costa Rica then you may want to bring an unlocked G3 phone and purchase a SIM Card with the Kolbi Provider. Kolbi has coverage throughout most of Costa Rica. This makes text messages a very affordable and versatile option for communicating. Post Costa Rica has limited options for sending or receiving post. If you have something important to send or receive then there are several parcel services in town such as DHL. Packages can take at least a month to arrive and may be subject to duty fees depending on their contents. It may also take longer for them to arrive to the isolated project sites.

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