Testimonials

"Coming home from very lonely places, all of us go a little mad: whether from great personal success, or just an all-night drive, we are the sole survivors of a world no one else has ever seen."                                    - John le Carre
"Finally putting faces to names I met the crew! Warm hugs all around! I remember my first meal in Costa Rica. It was in Isaac’s house (also the Tropical Adventures headquarters), and all I kept thinking was how happy I was, and how I will never forget that moment of contentment…funny, as I sit here four weeks later and write this entry, I realize that feeling of contentment has never left me since day one! Costa Rica will forever be in my heart!"
Click here to read more about Illianith's experience volunteering in the La Flor project

Illianith, Toronto, Canada

I had a great time on this volunteer trip. What an amazing experience! The people living in Bambu were so warm and inviting, and eager to learn. They share every aspect of their life with you and it is really a cultural and intellectual adventure, and of course it is also a lot of fun. I would definitely return.

Heather Kalachman, New York City

Tropical Adventures was very helpful. They help me feel like home in Cosata Rica. I recommend them to anyone who wants to help out and feel like a part of a new family (Tropical Adventures Family).

Matthew Khessali, Japan

There are truly no words to describe our experience. I have been home for about 2 weeks now and all I can think about is how and when I can go back! The staff at Tropical Adventures were very supportive and accommodating and it felt great knowing that there would be someone there if you needed them. We stayed with a host family in Bambu and they were really wonderful! I feel like now I have another family in Costa Rica, which is so neat. They took really good care of us, we had so many laughs and a fun time trying to communicate with one another. We really enjoyed meeting the people in the community and spending time with our family whenever we could. We spent a lot of time down at the cultural center, which is worth a visit just to see the center itself. The vision behind how the cultural center came to be, is a remarkable story and one you should definitely ask about if you are going to volunteer there or just to visit. Danilo is one of the guides who can take you out on all sorts of fantastic adventures while you are there and he is a wealth of knowledge about the Bri Bri culture/language, the history of the community and the amazing environment that surrounds Bambu. The people of Bambu are like none other I've met....everyone was welcoming, warm and so thoughtful. Everywhere you go in Bambu you are greeted with a warm smile and a friendly, 'Buenas!' It was refreshing to be a part of a community for a while that really lives as a community...it has challenged me to think about how we live in North America and to be more active in caring for those in need. During our stay there, we taught English to some of the children and adults from the area and had a lot of fun practicing our Spanish and finding creative ways to teach English. It took just two weeks for me to fall in love with the Spanish language and I really look forward to going back to Bambu when I have studied a bit more so that I don't have to rely so heavily on charades as a means of communication! In short....if you are thinking of volunteering with Tropical Adventures and you would like to immerse yourself in a culture, language and way of life that is different from the one you know...I would highly recommend going to Bambu. The English lessons have started and it would be great if they could continue so that the children and adults can form a solid understanding of the English language. This would help them tremendously and make it much easier for them to communicate with the tourists who are eager to hear about their way of life. It was an experience of a lifetime for me, it has changed the way that I look at the world. I hope you decided to go and experience it for yourself!

Kylie Judge, Alberta, Canada

My experience with Tropical Adventures is one beyond words. Every component of this organization makes you feel comfortable and at home, like you are surrounded by your very own family. Although I have never met Scott personally, all of our conversations have presented him as a very warm and generous person, like a long lost uncle. From the moment Laura and I met, she took me in and became my bestfriend. My experience would not have been the same without this beautiful, hospitable, and loving young woman. She is the perfect touch to this organization, embodying everything that it represents. The family I stayed with took such great care of me, doing everything in their power to make my stay as enjoyable as possible. And months later, I still consider them my very own family. The town of Watsi is all part of one big family, giving it a true feeling of home. The fact that I had the chance to live with such beautiful people made Costa Rica itself a much more beautiful place in my eyes.

Kylee Knowles, California

Tropical Adventures provided a great opportunity for me to indulge in Costa Rica's beauty as well as give back to a deserving community. The experience was touching, memorable and I returned with a wonderful sense of fulfillment.

Megan Ranger, Florida

Words cannot express how I feel about my time in La Flor. Everything from the families, the students, the other volunteers, the Tropical Adventures staff, the view of my backyard went beyond my expectations. I am in love with the students I taught. They were so eager and appreciative. They would see me walk by the school every morning on my way to the community garden and confirm with me that we were still on for class at 1 o'clock. It was so heartwarming! I'm so appreciative and lucky to have met them. I taught them English but they taught me so much more. It's been a week and a half since I left and I'm still missing them tremendously. Every day I view the pictures in my camera to remind myself of how lucky I am to have been touched by such generous people.

Rita Kabalan, New York City

I went into the program at La Flor hoping to make meaningful and lasting connections with the people with whom I met. I wanted also to understand a culture different from my own.This is exactly what happened and more.The children are a handful but worth all the time you have to offer them. My family was amazingly kind and fun. This experience is for anyone who wants to learn something new about other people and more importantly about themselves. If you are considering Tropical Adventures, go for it!

Natasha Cline-Thomas, New York

Our 17 yr old son spent three weeks teaching and volunteering in the small community of La Flor. We found Tropical Adventures online, and after checking references, decided to send Jared. I was very impressed with how comprehensive the program is. TA gives you all the info you need to know, and then some! Personal contact, live chat, and email helped me be comfortable with sending my son, and answered all my safty, medical, transportation concerns. TA attended to every detail making our part quite easy. Jared had a wonderful trip, with some recreation thrown in. I highly recommend TA to anyone who is considering allowing their teen to have this terrific opportunity!

Kathy Connery Sninsky, Florida

My experience volunteering with Tropical Adventures was flawless and a truly amazing experience. From the time my plane landed in Costa Rica to the time I returned to the states I felt totally secure and didn't worry about a thing, everything was planned out and ran so smooth.
Tropical Adventures does a wonderful job of balancing volunteer work with an opportunity to explore this Central America jewel. From rainforests, to colonial ruins and exquisite food, I felt like I had a chance to truly get a "taste" of Costa Rican life. I was personally so happy I made the decision to work at La Flor and discover this wonderful town amongst the rising mountains of the central valley. From the first day I felt at home in this little town where everyone smiles and the view is breathtaking. Not a day goes by where you don't feel appreciated by the community for your work done. Teaching in the schools was probably my favorite part, all the kids are so lively and have such enthusiatic personalities and embrace learning. Every day was so fun and it was truly a pleasure to volunteer and live in La Flor for three weeks. I always felt as though Tropical Adventures was always right there if I had even the slightest concerns or troubles. TA was always willing to help and enhance my experience. The main reason I chose to volunteer with Tropical Adventures was that they are so flexible and they give you a perfect balance between planned volunteer hours and personal free time to explore the country on your own. It was a pleasure volunteering with Tropical Adventures and I would recommend them to anyone that would be interested in exciting volunteering and experience a beautiful country at the same time!

Jared Sninsky, Florida

I had a great trip volunteering in La Flor. Scott, Isaac, and Mauricio were all fabulous and did all they could to make sure we had a positive experience. La Flor is such a charming community. Everyone seemed to be truly excited about us coming and wanted to learn English. This was my first trip to a Spanish speaking country and the locals were all really patient while I blubbered with the Spanish I knew (my Spanish improved incredibly for just two weeks!). The children my aunt and I taught were all very sweet and bright. I only wish we could have stayed longer and had the opportunity to teach more classes. Thank you Tropical Adventures for this Fantastic experience!

Lauryn Marks, New Mexico

I had a great time in Costa Rica. I would recommend this program especially teaching English in La Flor to anyone. The minute I arrived in La Flor I felt welcomed. All the people were friendly and helpful. The kids at both schools where I helped teach were energetic and eager to learn English. The trip as a whole was unforgettable.

Anahi Einhorn, Virginia

La Flor is a small rural village not far from Paraiso in the mountains of Central Costa Rica. The community had requested help in their village and my niece, Lauryn and I were happy to respond. We spent most of our time teaching English to 5th and 6th graders who had never had any English lessons before. The kids, both in the small village of La Flor and nearby El Yaz, were enthusiastic. We played games with them and tried to understand their Spanish--and had some great help from Isaac of Tropical Adventures. I also presented 2 women"s health seminars, which were successful. All in all, it was a very RICH experience, with many warm heart connections. Scott, Isaac and Mauricio could not have been more helpful--even provided us with a mobile phone! We felt very well taken care of--and thoroughly enjoyed the local sites in their company. Our host family was wonderful, cooked marvelous typical food for us and even taught us how to cook some of them. We both felt safe and welcome. I would highly recommend this lovely little town of La Flor--and Tropical Adventures in general. Their caring organization, as well as the hospitality of the villagers, made this a wonderful experience. You should try it too!

Phyllis Bergman, New Mexico

My experience with Tropical Adventures in Costa Rica was one of the best and most rewarding experiences of my life. I loved feeling like I made a difference, no matter how small, to the kids in the elementary schools and at the daycare. My host families were absolutely amazing; they openly welcomed me into their homes and made me feel very comfortable. I also enjoyed meeting the other volunteers in Puerto Viejo because it was fun to share our experiences and explore the town together in our free time. Tropical Adventures was also great because they helped me arrange any additional adventure/sightseeing tours that I wanted to take. I ended up ziplining through the jungle and repelling down canyon cliffs alongside waterfalls, two things I had previously only dreamed of. My volunteer experience was both rewarding and fun, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to truly experience another culture. Pura vida!

Megan Conners, Massachusetts

"Every detail of my trip was so well planned, yet I was able to have this experience be exactly what I wanted. I had a say in how I participated (something most programs forget!). I liked speaking Spanish at first at all and blubbering my way through with 3 words and hand gestures. I liked being a volunteer and a traveler in Costa Rica; it's one of the most breathtaking countries I have ever seen. Costa Rica is just unbelievable. It was the most amazing experience. I got to do something with my life, such as see things, experience moments that most people only dream and wish to do. I got to grow as a person in an amazing country, live my life to the absolute fullest.

I am so lucky that I got to volunteer, to travel, to realize that I have so much more to learn. I accidentally stumbled upon this program, Tropical Adventures. The program opened my eyes even more to the complexities of the world. My volunteering experiences where unforgettable. I met the most amazing, strong-willed people. My histerical host family, the kids at the school, the hard working people of the Red Cross, the music, the food, the people of the town, the beach, the jungle, the fun nights dancing away, the Bribri people of Costa Rica that left me speechless. Thank you Scott and Isaac for making this trip simply the best. For showing me what a good and supportive program actually is like. Tropical Adventures had passion for what they do. They were dedicated to every aspect of the requests and needs of their participants. You guys welcomed me with open arms, made me feel at home from the moment I stepped onto Costa Rican soil."

Anna, San Francisco

"I visited Costa Rica as a volunteer with Tropical Adventures and I loved every minute of my stay there. From the moment you are picked up at the airport until it is time to go back home you know that Tropical Adventures appreciates your help. As a participant in this program I got to meet a ton of wonderful people, participated in several awesome projects, learned to speak Spanish, and had an overall exciting time in Costa Rica. My host family as well as the community welcomed and embraced me. Every person I met on a project delighted in my efforts and reinforced the difference my presence made in my host community. I fully recommend the experience to anyone who is looking for a rewarding cross-cultural volunteer experience which will have a real and lasting impact on the lives of everyone involved. "

Gail, New York

"Going on this program allowed me to see Costa Rica as a local. Although I was there for just 15 days, it felt like 2 months, and I fell in love with the life there. At the end, I didn't want to come back. The nature is beautiful, the animals amazing, the people warm and kind. I stayed with a host family, and the people treated me like their relative or a friend. I became friends with my charming Spanish teacher, and she helped me improve my Spanish in just a few days. Puerto Viejo is a wonderful and peculiar little town, and after just a few days there you start recognizing people on the street, yet you don't cease to find new amazing things there and enjoying the simple beauty of the Carribean sea and forests. I haven't stopped liking it and want to go back. The organizers also treated me more like a friend rather than a customer, and took care of me.

Although I didn't get to do very much volunteering, and didn't get to see the whole country (I was in Puerto Viejo most of 15 days, and it's a distant region, and it takes time to get anywhere in Costa Rica), I was more than satisfied. Instead of being a tourist, I got to stay in one place and feel at home in this little Carribean town. My Spanish greatly improved, I made new friends, and my whole outlook on life became more positive and bright. I'll always have warm memories of my trip."

Tanya, San Francisco

"My family and I were contemplating a 3 month camping adventure away from our hectic lifestyle in Northern Canada. We wanted to give our kids (boys aged 14,12 and 10) an experience that was more than just the normal tourist thing. We were complete novices to volunteer travel and simply started our hunt on the internet. I was overwhelmed at how many interesting options were out there. We ended up choosing to hook up with Tropical Adventures mostly because of Scott Pralinsky's interest and enthusiasm and willingness to accommodate all 5 of us and our travel plans. We chose well. We set everything up by internet communication and a few phone calls. I admit to being a bit nervous as we made our way down to Costa Rica but as soon as we met Scott and Issac I knew we'd done the right thing. They had everything organized for us : a cell phone to use in case of emergency, contact numbers of friends to call in our host town and transportation to and from Puerto Viejo. Once in Puerto Viejo we were met by Laura our volunteer co-ordinator. She was perfect for the job. She was there to orient us and make sure we were comfortable at our host home, and gave us a tour of our town. The next day she came back to escort us to the school we'd be working in. During our two week stay she checked in with us daily to make sure we were doing well. She also helped us to organize our leisure time as well. Our host family was lovely and welcoming (and their vegetarian cooking was a real treat and a good experience for my meat loving teenagers) Scott and his gang also set us up with Spanish lessons which we found to be very valuable and incredibly enjoyable. Because we were "working" in Peurto Viejo during our two week stay we started to feel more like part of the community than we would have if we had just been there as tourists. Our family got to experience a culture very different from our own from the inside not just from a passing tour bus window. Perfect."

The Millar Family, Alberta, Canada

"I've participated with other volunteer programs before, but nothing has topped my experience with Tropical Adventures. I really felt like part of a family, welcome and appreciated. Costa Rica is stunning, and it was fantastic to experience the country from the inside. The people I worked with are so friendly. I highly recommend Tropical Adventures"

Brian, Denver, Colorado

"I am not sure what more I can say than my experience was so amazing I have not left and have no plans to leave! Scott and Laura planned my trip for me and it was completely effortless on my part. I had several projects to finish up in the States before my trip and I had no time to really think about my trip before arriving. Everything was perfectly planned and organized for me. When I arrived I was picked up and taken to Casa Milagro in Paraiso, Cartoga to spend a couple of days to have orientation and to learn about the projects of Tropical Adventures. Isaac spent the time to take me on a wonderful tour of the area and to see my first of MANY waterfalls.I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them becoming the best of friends. Elizabeth, the house Mother and the staff of Casa Milagro were equally as wonderful."

"Laura met me in Puerto Viejo. I don"t have enough kind words to possibly describe one of the most amazing, compassionate people I have ever met. Laura, Scott and Isaac have added to much to my life, and through them I met my host family, which I will never leave! "

Roberto Lamagno, San Diego

"Let me assure you that my experience in La Flor and El Yaz as one of the most memorable of my life. I didn't leave my heart in San Francisco as song says, but I certainly left it in La Flor; and the wonderful love, spirit, and kindness of the Calderón Quesada family will reside inside me forever."

Jane Ferry, St Louis, MO

"We are a family of four (two boys, 13 and 10) who have never volunteered outside of our community. We wanted to expose our family to a volunteering in another country while having an opportunity to explore the country as well. Tropical Adventures did an amazing job of understanding our situation and working with us to create that trip. Their patience in working with us to meet the needs of a family was exceptional. This trip opened the door for our family to begin to volunteer more. I highly recommend this type of trip and Tropical Adventures to families seeking adventure, family bonding, and the opportunity to teach your children the value of learning about other cultures."

Mudd Family, Chesterton, IN