Tropical Adventures: Volunteer Programs in Costa Rica

Join us today! Just follow the steps below to reserve your space!

Fill out the online registration form below.
Pay the minimum deposit or your full project balance.

A Tropical Adventures representative will be in touch with you to confirm your reservation, and to send you more information about your project.

Please enter your name and contact information in the box below

First name:		Last name:
Sex (m/f):	Male Female	Email:
Phone nr:
Address:		City:
State:		Zip Code:

Also we kindly ask you to fill out the following information

Passport number:		Date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy
Country of Citizenship:
Emergency contact
Name:		Relationship:
Day phone:		Evening phone:

Additional information

How did you hear about Tropical Adventures?

Please specify:

Why did you choose Tropical Adventures?

Please indicate what type of volunteer position you are interested in:
Hold Ctrl and click to select multiple projects

Please indicate which type of housing you prefer: *

Would you like to add a Spanish lesson package?

Please indicate language level

When would you like to start your project?

Length:

Which optional tours would you like more information about?

Bocas del Toro

Arenal Volcano

Isla Tortuga

Canopy Tour

Tortuguero

White Water Rafting

Osa Peninsula

Manuel Antonio

Tamarindo

Jaco

Monteverde

Other:

What is your t-shirt size?

Will anyone be accompanying you on your trip?

If so, please enter their details: Name:	Relationship to you:	Date of birth: (mm/dd/yyyy)	Passport number	T-shirt size:

Would you like to share accommodations?

No Yes

Are you on a special diet? Are there any foods that you do not eat? Please specify:

Do you have any other allergies, disabilities or health problems? Please specify:

Enrollment Policy, Terms and Conditions




	Upon receipt of your application and deposit, we will e-mail you indicating receipt of your registration within one business day. Then we will start the process of confirming your placement. Some programs require a wait period of 1-2 weeks before placement can be confirmed.  

	Some projects, especially those that involve children, also require criminal background checks. We reserve the right to cancel a volunteer's placement if information is found that disqualifies the volunteer from a certain program. By consenting to this form, you are also allowing Tropical Adventures to run a criminal background check if necessary. 

	Upon confirmation of your volunteer placement, we will e-mail you: 
	•	A confirmation letter with arrival and other information. 
	•	A Welcome packet with specific information to prepare you for your trip. You will often receive this information over the course of several weeks through a variety of different e-mails.
	•	A Volunteer Placement Questionnaire, which we ask that you fill out and send back to us as soon as possible.   

	Upon full payment, we will e-mail you: 
	•	A volunteer manual detailing the organization with which you will be volunteering. (Our manual is currently being written and may not yet be available.)  
	•	One or two weeks before your start date, we will e-mail you:  
	•	Airport pickup confirmation 
	•	Home stay confirmation, if applicable to your program. Please keep in mind that home stay information may arrive only a few days before your departure during high season. Please be aware that our assignment of a host family is not a guarantee. On rare occasions, we have to make a change to your home stay due to, for instance, family emergencies or issues with your host family which are out of our control. If this occurs, you will be assigned a new, comparable host family.
	•	Any changes that might have occurred between your registration and your start date.  

	Payment 
	We ask that volunteers make their full payment at least 60 days before their start date so that their money can reach the project well in advance of their arrival.  

	Volunteers will be assessed a rush fee of $100 if full payment is not received at least 45 days before the start date.  

	In certain programs, volunteers can be cancelled if full payment is not received at least 45 days before the start date. This policy reflects the fact that these projects rely on volunteer donations and work and are affected negatively when volunteers cancel at the last minute.  

	The application deposit and late fees are nonrefundable, unless the placement requested by the volunteer cannot be made. This policy reflects the work that goes into booking and arranging logistics for each volunteer.  
	Project Changes and Extensions 
	If you would like to change the dates or any details concerning your volunteer project placement, you can do so at no extra charge by sending an e-mail to Tropical Adventures at least 60 days before your start date.  

	If you change your volunteer placement less than 60 days before your departure, you will be charged $100. Some programs cannot be changed less than 45 days in advance without paying a significant fee. These fees reflect the fact that the volunteer organization has already scheduled the volunteer and received a donation.  

	If you are interested in extending your volunteer project once it has begun, you can add extra weeks at the project location for the additional cost stated on the price list by speaking with your volunteer coordinator, our office by phone or by sending an e-mail to Tropical Adventures (volunteer@tropicaladventures.com).  

	Cancellation and Refund Policy 
	If you choose to cancel your project, you can do so by sending an e-mail to your Volunteer Travel Advisor (or to info@tropicaladventures.com). Your cancellation will become effective from the day your Volunteer Travel Advisor receives this notification.    

	The following refund policy applies:   
	1.	If you cancel 61 days or more before your start date, you will receive the full amount paid, minus the application deposit.   
	2.	If you cancel between 31 and 60 days before your start date, you will receive 50% of the amount paid minus the application deposit.    
	3.	If you cancel 30 days or less before your start date, no refund will be issued.    
	4.	If you cancel once your project has started, no refund will be issued.    
	5.	The initial application deposit and any rush, late or change fees are non-refundable, unless we cannot place you with the volunteer project for which you enrolled. In that case you will receive a full refund of all money paid to Tropical Adventures. This does not include changes made to your project once you arrive (due to weather, your change of mind, or emergency situations). Your safety is of utmost importance to us and we reserve the right to switch your project if we feel the environment is unsafe – due to circumstances out of our control.

	Accommodations, Meals and Other Inclusions 
	It is the responsibility of the volunteer to confirm what is included in the project cost.   

	The eating and living facilities at your project location will be of a local standard, and may differ from what you are accustomed to in your home country. You may be required to share a bedroom and/or bathroom. Volunteers are expected to adapt to and show respect for local living conditions.  

	Commutes between host families, language schools and projects are normally very short. However, depending on the project you are assigned, these commutes can vary, and may be up to an hour in certain locations. This again is part of daily life for your host family members. If transportation is required (such as a bus) to get to your project, it is not included and must be paid for you in cash at the time. 

	If you choose to be away for a weekend or a holiday during your placement, you will not receive a refund for the time you are away from your project for any meals or accommodations.   

	Flights and Transportation 
	You are responsible for arranging and paying for flights to and within your chosen country. Tropical Adventures supplies airport pickup but volunteers pay for costs of transport between host families, schools, volunteer projects and return to the airport.  

	Excursions 
	At some locations, activities and excursions are provided to the volunteer at no additional charge. However, some activities and excursions at some locations require the volunteer to pay a fee to participate. These are always optional. Others may not fit into the volunteer's daily schedule because of volunteer hours and commute times.  

	Volunteer Behavior  
	It is understood that any participant in a Tropical Adventures program will obey the laws of the host country. This forbids alcohol consumption by minors and the use of illegal drugs. Volunteers are expected to be courteous and respectful at all times, and abusive behavior will not be tolerated. Tropical Adventures reserves the right to expel (without refund) any volunteer whose behavior violates the project provider's policies or those of special program providers, tour operators, etc. Furthermore, any expenses incurred by the project provider in terminating the program of a volunteer who violates the center's policies will be the responsibility of the participant. This includes special transportation costs.

	Documentation 
	It is the responsibility of the volunteer to obtain all necessary documentation to enter the country and travel to, from, and within the program. This documentation can cost extra money and may take several weeks. Some countries have additional requirements for minors. You should check with the airlines and the embassy or consulate of the country to which you are traveling (www.embassyworld.com).  

	Unforeseen Circumstances 
	Although we will do everything possible to ensure placement at your desired project, there is always the chance that your placement may be disrupted by an unusual event or circumstance that Tropical Adventures could not have reasonably foreseen.   

	Oftentimes these events are a result of weather events, or a problem with a particular non-profit organization or other situations beyond Tropical Adventures' control. If this event is serious enough to affect your placement, we will try to arrange a suitable alternative placement at another location. 

	Tropical Adventures is not responsible for refunding or reimbursing any flight costs or any other costs incurred that arise as a result of your placement not proceeding or being cancelled, curtailed, withdrawn or changed due to circumstances outside our control or the control of our partner organizations. This includes changes made by airlines for canceling, changing or transferring flights, or any other events out of our control.

	Optional Tours
	TA operates a travel agency to accommodate excursions for its volunteers. Below you’ll find important information on our Tours Policy:
	•	Most tours run daily but have a minimum number of persons required for the tour to operate. They may also reach their maximum number of clients they can accommodate.
	•	If we are unable to accommodate you on your chosen date, we will, at your option, either reschedule your date or refund your payment in full.
	•	Full payment is required at the time of reserving with Tropical Adventures to secure your spot. 
	•	Should your plans change and you are unable to make your tour, we will work with the tour vendor to either accommodate you on another tour or refund your money. However, many tour companies have already committed resources to your tour when you book it so refunds are not always guaranteed. The more notice you give us, the more likely we will be able to accommodate your change or cancellation. Tour companies do not offer refunds for “no-shows.” 
	•	Prices of tours you find on our website are subject to change (this normally occurs during high seasons when tour operators raise prices temporarily – or at the beginning of a new year)

	Insurance Coverage 
	You will receive supplemental emergency travel insurance through Tropical Adventures while working on our projects. You are responsible for being familiar with your insurance coverage and for having a copy of your insurance card with you while you are at the project and in the country. Information about this coverage is available on the website at: http://medical.tropicaladventures.com/

	This basic travel insurance covers medical costs (up to $2,500), disability, and accidental death coverage ($25,000). The policy is not intended to replace your own comprehensive health insurance. We recommend that you maintain full medical coverage through your regular medical insurance while abroad.

	Tropical Adventures recommends you consider additional travel insurance. Information about additional travel insurance is also available on our website at:
	http://medical.tropicaladventures.com/

	Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk, & Insurance Requirements 
	This document is a legally enforceable waiver of my legal rights.  

	I. Release of Liability and Assumption of Risks 
	I am voluntarily participating in a volunteer abroad program as either a student or a volunteer with the Casa Milagro Foundation dba Tropical Adventures Foundation; know in Costa Rica as C.M. Jungle Healing de Centroamerica SA. I acknowledge that travel to, from and within the foreign country in which the program is located, including at my chosen volunteer site, school, accommodations and any in-country excursions, have inherent risks and dangers that I may be exposed to and possibly harmed by. These include, but are not limited to, personal injuries, property damage, accidents involving motor vehicles, aircraft and other forms of transportation, sickness, diseases (including food, water or insect borne diseases that are not commonly encountered in the United States), riots, political instability, crime, acts of terrorism, detention by government authorities or individuals, burglary, assault, encounters with dangerous wildlife and other hazards. I acknowledge that as a participant in the program, I may travel to remote rural areas and will lodge and eat with the residents in those areas. As such, the accommodations, food and sanitary conditions may be substantially below, the standard I am accustomed to in the United States. I also acknowledge that healthcare facilities, medical supplies and medical personnel on the program may be very limited and, if available at all, may be below or substantially below U.S. standards.   

	I understand that Tropical Adventures has contracted with independent local organizations, outfitters, suppliers and vendors for the provision of certain aspects of the program, including, accommodations, food and excursions ("Vendors"), and that Tropical Adventures does not own or operate any of these Vendors. While Tropical Adventures has used its best efforts to select reliable and safe Vendors, Tropical Adventures is not responsible for any negligent or willful act or omission of a Vendor or other third party, and I hereby release Tropical Adventures from all claims arising out of, or related to, the willful or negligent acts or omissions of these Vendors.   

	I represent to Tropical Adventures that, to the best of my knowledge, I am in good mental and physical health. I am voluntarily participating in the program, with knowledge of the risks and dangers involved. I expressly accept and assume all known and unknown risks on behalf of myself.   

	In exchange, and in consideration for participation in the program, I hereby release TA and its employees, agents, volunteers, officers, directors and representatives (each, a "Releasee") from any and all injuries, deaths, losses, liabilities, damages, claims, actions, suits and judgments whatsoever including costs, expenses and attorney fees (collectively, "Claims") that I may have now or in the future, directly or indirectly, arising from, connected with or related to my participation in the program, including with respect to the attached medical durable power of attorney, whether caused by any Releasee or some other person or cause. I agree that I will not, at any time, directly or indirectly, on behalf of myself, my child and my heirs, commence or prosecute any action, suit or other proceeding against any Releasee arising from, connected with or related to my participation in the program. I agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Releasee from and against any and all claims whatsoever that the Releasee may suffer arising from, connected with or related to my participation in the program, whether inside or outside of the U.S.   

	Further, I hereby grant full permission to TA to use any photographs, videotapes, motion pictures, website images, recordings, comments I make in questionnaires or letters or any other record of the program for purposes of commercial advertising, marketing or promotional literature without the need for further consent from me.     

	II. Insurance Requirements  
	I acknowledge that I have been fully advised of my included insurance and its benefits & limitations. Should I choose not to purchase any insurance package outside of what I'm being offered through TA, I acknowledge that I have independently verified the sufficiency of the coverage for my needs.   

	III. General

	•	Governing Law. This document shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, United States, and shall be honored in any jurisdiction where it is presented.  
	•	Binding Effect; Modifications. This document shall be binding upon me and all persons having or claiming rights on my behalf. If any provision of this document is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this document shall be not affected thereby and shall be valid and enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. 

	•	This document may not be modified orally.

! By checking this box, I indicate that I have read and agree to the contents of this document, including the cancellation and refund policy, assumption of risk, release of liability, and insurance requirements.

* Not all housing choices are available for each project and are subject to availability.