Unique experience: No matter what, your time in Tamarindo will be special. It’s a village nestled in some of the rarest forests in the world. If you’re volunteering in the reserve, you may be seeing plants and animals never seen before by people. Savor everything new that you will see. 

Pace of life: Tamarindo is a rural community. While tourism is increasing, the village still has a slower pace of life. Let that become part of your pace of life. Yes, blow up your Instagram with plenty of photos to make friends and family jealous, but instead of being glued to your phone, be glued to enjoying the people and breathtaking nature around you. 

Poverty: While Tamarindo is rich in nature, the area has a high poverty rate. Most people still live off of subsistence farming. Keep that in mind of having your valuables secure, not showing off your wealth, and being respectful when receiving gifts from locals. Volunteering in Tamarindo, you are here to make a positive impact; see how real life is and how you can empower individuals and improve situations.

Tamarindo’s existence is in a fragile balance. In order for the world to continue to appreciate its grandeur, it takes the effort of eager volunteers to make the trek to paradise and see the ideology that pura vida is rooted in. With sloths, pina coladas, and surreal sunsets, this task shouldn’t be too difficult!

Tou-can do it! Keep reading and get more inspiration from our comprehensive guide on volunteering abroad in Costa Rica.