"Pura vida" - Costa Ricans' traditional greeting meaning "pure life" - speaks of walking lightly and giving back to the earth. If you enjoy "soft adventure," then join us as we work with our host partners on family-friendly service efforts with resourceful grass-roots agencies.

Hermes Tours has joined forces with Global Volunteers to bring a small group of GLBT travelers to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Region of Costa Rica. During this one week volunteer vacation travelers will work with local villagers on community-based projects.

Join us on this fun filled and rewarding week as we give back to our global communities.
As a bonus, your volunteer trip is tax deductable.

• Global Volunteers works in the Monteverde region in Costa Rica. All of the work projects are labor-based and require light to heavy effort, such as constructing community centers or working in a women's cooperative of artisans.
  
  In the Monteverde area villages, volunteers have worked on:

  • A health care center and a community center;
  • A soccer field and dressing rooms;
  • A school lunch room, playground, garden and teacher housing;
  • A small addition at a local elementary school.
  At the local high school, volunteers work with the students on school construction projects. All projects are determined by the students. Future projects include:
  
  • Building a covered walkway between the two main school buildings to protect the students and teachers from the rain;
  • Constructing a gymnasium; and
  • Planting trees, shrubs, and grass between the two buildings.

  Some village programs include a conversational English component at the local elementary schools while school is in session. Each team of volunteers works hand-in-hand with local people on one or more community-based projects. In most cases, numerous teams of volunteers work on one project until its completion, sometimes over months or even years. We work with many different community partners who determine what assistance they need. Consequently, we can not advise you in advance what your specific assignments will be. However, we can provide you a general sense of what the work projects will be on specific service programs well ahead of time.

Visas: Canadian and American passport holders are not required to have visas to enter Costa Rica.  You must have a valid passport. 

Shots and Immunizations:
There are no shots that are required for travel to Costa Rica. Hermes Tours also recommends hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines. Also we recommend that your tetanus booster be up to date. Please contact your health care provider as soon as you have registered for this tour.   You should check with your doctor to determine which vaccines you will need. 

Currency and Money Issues:
The currency is the Mexican Peso. Many banks and hotels exchange foreign currency. Credit cards (Visa and Master Card) are accepted, as are traveler's checks, preferably in U.S. dollars which may be exchanged at banks, some hotels, and foreign exchange offices. Do not rely on your American Express Card or Diners Card as many establishments do not accept this card. We recommended a combination of US Dollars in Cash, some small bills for tips at restaurants etc... and the rest in $50 or $100 bills and your credit card which you would be able to withdraw cash from ATM machines if you needed to.

What is Included:
All activities outlined in the itinerary, all ground transportation, services of a specialized local guide. Services of a Hermes Tours Escort throughout the trip with a minimum participation of 10. All hotels, activities and meals mentioned.

Not Included:
Round-trip international air transportation to and from Costa Rica. Airport departure tax ($26), Meals and activities not specifically included in the itinerary; insurance; alcohol; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes and any other expenses of a personal nature.

Making a reservation with a deposit will be considered to be consent to the following conditions:
Hermes Tours reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 10 participants.

Hermes Tours is not responsible for airline cancellation or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants for air tickets purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed departure. Travel cancellation insurance would cover these costs should the tour be cancelled.

Hermes Tours does not accept responsibility in whole or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness, medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person from whatever cause. All participants are required to sign a standard liability form.