Volunteer Programs in Tamarindo, Costa Rica

My Costa Rica Surf and Service trip with Travel for Teens was an unforgettable experience! Throughout the trip, we had the opportunity to give back to the local community by volunteering at a school, planting, and participating in a beach cleanup. We also got to experience so many amazing adventures, including ziplining, hiking, and surfing. One of my favorite parts was how much I improved at surfing throughout the trip. It was so rewarding to see my progress and gain confidence in the water! On top of everything, we tried so much delicious local food and got to experience Costa Rica's culture in such a fun and meaningful way. This trip made me fall in love with traveling with Travel for Teens, and I am already signed up for a Greece and Italy Service trip that I am so excited for! I can't wait to explore new places, meet new people, give back to different communities, and make even more unforgettable memories. My Costa Rica trip was such an incredible experience, and I would recommend Travel for Teens to anyone looking for an adventure that combines service, culture, and fun!

My experience with Travel for Teens was truly amazing. I went on my first TFT trip this past summer to Costa Rica, and I had the best time. It let me step outside my comfort zone, try new things, and meet new people. We also had the chance to do service work, which let us give back to local families and make a positive impact. I experienced a new culture and made lifelong memories. I would highly recommend TFT to anyone looking for an experience that combines travel, service, meeting new people, and having lots of adventures.

Definitely the Mobile Clinics have been a very nice experience, extremely rewarding. We have learned a lot together with other doctors in all stations. This has been a truly rewarding and beautiful experience. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0Uptc5tlaD/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=91c71cdd-e0bb-4f79-b3fc-32e9af8f7de3

Here we’ve learned a lot about different medical systems in Peru and how patients have different needs than the ones we were used to. I think gaining some more cultural competency is huge for our future career in medicine. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzwyWehhFa8/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=497e53fe-6189-46ca-a590-bfc1996988b6

The way of life of individuals is different in every country, so I already had some background knowledge of what an SLT is like, but every SLT is unique and special in its own way, offering new experiences and learning opportunities each time. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5RCpMvMN2V/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=0095e7cf-600a-46b5-9ecf-222ce6488c26

Going on a MEDLIFE SLT is more than just like a talking point in an interview. I think it’s something that shows your true passion because you’ll find that here you’ll learn more than just how to do medical work and dental work, you’re also going to learn about the problems in a community and what true mission work is. https://youtu.be/3RMNIGO30so?si=W54Fy-ErQmjnJ5Kl

If you’re thinking that you want to go just do it! It’s easy to get caught in book work, textbooks and you’ll not get the same experience as you will just reading about the things that you can do than actually going out and doing them. Go out! Get those referrals, fundraise and then come and do the work. It’s an amazing experience. https://youtu.be/BHHzVKCcTC0?si=8hB7q1ZwPNMztlaT

I found it really incredible attending this Service Learning Trip. I really recommend it because it is a very eye opening experience. If you’re thinking of joining MEDLIFE and you’re afraid of coming here alone don’t worry, I made new friends and I’m sure we’ll stay great friends after the program. https://youtu.be/_CQsNngRmQc?si=hbsDOwuKOTCnEAuu

I think that being involved with MEDLIFE has given me so many amazing opportunities that I wouldn’t otherwise have had as a pre-health student. It has definitely confirmed my passion for medicine and strengthened my commitment to pursue a career in healthcare. https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cy6WCteLZXH/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=630afaa2-8769-4715-b8b5-e46ad23b6264

I will be heading off to Med School in a couple years so not only will this provide job shadowing and volunteer hours but also better me as a person and prepare me for what’s ahead in my medical career to be the best person I can be for my patients and the people around me. https://youtu.be/ySXhbM48-TE?si=Fwe9w6Hjpd0wwPsO

I’m aspiring to be a PA and being on an SLT has allowed me to gain a lot of experience. The MEDLIFE movement aligns with a lot of my goals in healthcare caring for people especially in low-income communities and I think that just being a part of MEDLIFE really helps you to aspire to achieve all those goals and help people in an impactful and achievable way. https://youtu.be/4tU_H4nUrRI?si=E6AUJrST-KLfsFCF

Besides the really neat aspect of touching people’s lives and helping others, coming to an SLT is also really good for a president like myself in a leadership role. Med Schools love seeing that leadership or even just being a part of MEDLIFE shows leadership. It shows initiative and Med Schools really like that. https://youtu.be/h15_J-pGU00?si=RJt-QmwEuOiSnWgN

The TFT Costa Rica: Spanish Language Immersion & Service program is an incredible three-week experience that combines learning, service, and adventure. The daily Spanish classes are interactive and fun, helping everyone improve their language skills quickly. The teachers are patient and encouraging, and we had many chances to practice speaking Spanish in real-life situations with locals. One of the best parts of the program was the community service projects. We worked together on meaningful activities that helped local communities, which made the experience feel rewarding and purposeful. Between classes and service, we also got to explore Costa Rica’s beautiful landscapes—rainforests, beaches, and volcanoes. Instead of homestays, we stayed in comfortable hotels throughout the trip, which made it easy to relax after busy days. The accommodations were clean, safe, and well-organized. The group leaders were friendly and supportive, always making sure everyone felt comfortable and included. Overall, this 21-day program was an unforgettable adventure. It improved my Spanish, taught me about Costa Rican culture, and allowed me to make great friends. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to learn, travel, and make a positive impact while exploring one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Over the summer, I was fortunate enough to travel with TFT on the "Costa Rica Spanish Language Immersion" trip. In 22 days, I was able to make amazing friends that I am still in touch with, go on incredible adventures (repelling down a waterfall, watching the sunrise from the beach, riding a catamaran, going snorkeling, surfing, and more), make amazing memories, take Spanish lessons that taught me so much more about the language than anything I've covered in school, participate in fun community service that I enjoyed doing, and so much more. I was not only able to learn more about myself, but also about other cultures. Adding on to that, the staff were so kind and fun. I genuinely had the most amazing time and can't wait to go on another TFT trip. I will never stop rewatching videos, looking at pictures, and missing the whole experience. Thank you for everything!

This past summer I had the opportunity to travel on the "Costa Rica Spanish Language and Immersion (22 Days)" trip with TFT. This experience was the most eye opening and life changing adventure I have ever been on. From the Spanish lessons to the volunteer work to relaxing on the beach, I have never been so overwhelmed with joy. This trip allowed me to see the world through a different and more exciting lens. In addition to the amazing culture we explored, I was able to become friends with other travelers that I am still in contact with months later. I constantly find myself scrolling back in my camera roll and going through pictures from the trip and they never fail to make me smile and reminisce. It is impossible to put into words how eternally grateful I am for Costa Rica and the memories I will carry with me forever, all thanks to TFT.

I had the most wonderful experience when I went on the Costa Rica Ultimate Adventure & Service trip last summer. I was nervous at first, being an international traveler and not having English as my native language. All my worries disappeared when I met my group and I discovered how nice and welcoming everyone are! As the days passed, I made so many friends and got to know each of my amazing travel peers, we stay in contact to this day. The staff were amazing as well, they were all very friendly and always made sure that everyone is safe and happy. Throughout the trip I was grateful enough to have many amazing experiences like Kayaking, Ziplining, tubing, white water rafting, learning how to surf, visiting amazing beaches and volunteering. I also got to try local Costa Rican food which I never tried before! This was an unforgettable summer and a life changing experience! I can only recommend everyone to go on this kind of trip, I am sure this is not my last travel with TFT!

Traveling to Costa Rica to learn to surf with a bunch of other teenagers from all over the countries was one of the best decisions of my life. Not only did I make new friends, but I was introduced to a new culture and was forced to go beyond my comfort zone. This experience has impacted my life in so many ways. Primarily, traveling with Travel for Teens has encouraged me to travel abroad in college, and visit towns beyond tourist attractions. In addition, the volunteer aspect of the trip has introduced me to a newfound love of working with children. I never thought that I could create so many wonderful memories on a 14 day trip, but I am glad I did.