Costa Rica is one of the most traveled-to destinations in Central and South America; as one reference guide claims, it is the "ecological jewel" of Central America. Nowhere else within such a small area in the world is there such a splendid diversity of flora and fauna and natural habitats. Its very place in the Western Hemisphere made Costa Rica the link for millions of years between North and South America for animal species and eco-systems, for the earliest humans and ancient cultures. Costa Rica has the highest standard of living and education rate in Central America. Even so, economic pressures, unemployment, poverty, and limited access to formal education persist. Because nearly a quarter of the national budget goes to foreign debt payments, educational programs and environmental regulation suffer from want of funds. Tourism brings growing numbers of re-located ex-pats to Costa Rica who are driving up the cost of living for many Ticos.

The population is mostly a mix of Spanish with Indian and/or Afro-Caribbean roots. While tourism has accustomed Ticos to a Westernized world, they have maintained a culture that is pura vida, as they say. Kind, open, always willing to share stories and to listen, unhurried and ever patient, Ticos carry themselves with pride, going about their lives holding friendships, family, community, laughs and smiles as the ultimate indicators of a good and "pure" life.

Ticos are most mindful of the path to becoming "developed" and very engaged in the relationship with their environment. Throughout the country there is evident awareness of environmental issues (cab drivers discuss global warming with their fares, for example). We will work with a wide array of people who are active in preserving their environment. Whether by protecting sea turtles, planting trees as reforestation to create a forested corridor from mid-Costa Rica up to Nicaragua, or assisting endeavors to promote "ecotourism" and "rural tourism" to small villages, VISIONS participants have the opportunity to understand how Ticos approach the fine balance between human activity and the environment.

Your service in VISIONS Costa Rica is best understood in the context of cultural exchange and language immersion through service. You will experience the ecological, economic and social issues of small Costa Rican communities in which we'll divide our time. We will live together as a group in two different and intimate settings. We will return to Quelonias del Caribe and our gracious hosts Roberto and Maytsi Solano. They operate a remote and small turtle protection effort. We assisted in beach patrols last summer and helped build a vivero or hatchery for tortugitas. The other portion of the program will unfold in Roberto's home village of San Ramon de Guayaba on the edge of Guayaba National Park. Projects there will mix construction, renovation and organic gardening.

There will be ample time to explore, visit hot springs and waterfalls, organic farms and nature preserves, to go rafting, run a zip line in the jungle canopy, tour canals, and more. Time spent with our hosts, especially young Ticos, is a definite priority.

VISIONS Costa Rica is for those ready to improve their Spanish language skills and willing to commit to working alongside Ticos as they invest in a precious natural resource while finding positive economic solutions for their own community.