Pack for a Purpose

We are proud members of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travelers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination. If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and take supplies for the projects we support in need, you’ll make a priceless impact in the lives of our local children and families. Please “click here” to see what supplies are needed for our projects

We’ve identified four outstanding projects dedicated to environmental conservation and community development. Your support can make a real difference in preserving Costa Rica’s natural beauty and biodiversity. Join us in learning about these projects and how you can contribute to their success during your stay. Together, we can create a lasting positive impact in this extraordinary part of the world.

Here are descriptions of the social and environmental projects in the area that are in need of help:

Wild Sun Rescue Center

Website: https://www.wildsunrescue.org/

Project Description:

Wild Sun Rescue Center, located in Cabuya, Costa Rica, is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of local wildlife. They have a crucial mission, which includes reintroducing locally extinct species, treating sick, injured, and orphaned animals with the goal of releasing them back to the wild, and finding solutions to the threats that the local wildlife faces.

Wild Sun also plays a significant role in promoting conservation and offers internships and veterinary externships to increase community engagement and global awareness of conservation in Costa Rica, one of the most important biodiversity hotspots on the planet.

Cirenas

Website: https://cirenas.org/

Project Description:

CIRENAS has a profound mission to create transformative connections between people and the environment through education, research, integration, and innovation. They value principles such as living by nature’s principles, growing through experience, stewarding through collaboration, cultural immersion and empowerment, deep ecology, dynamic sustainability through community, and purpose and belief.

Their vision execution involves a deep understanding of the natural surroundings and community history to uncover the essence of a place. They invite students, volunteers, families, researchers, and interest groups to engage with their sustainable development and environmental conservation model.

Nicoya Peninsula Waterkeeper

Website: https://www.nicoyawaterkeeper.org/en/what-we-do

Project Description:

Waterkeepers is actively involved in helping the community address water pollution in coastal towns of Costa Rica such as Mal País, Santa Teresa, Hermosa, and Manzanillo. Pollution in these beautiful tourist destinations primarily results from inappropriate solid and wastewater management, harmful farming practices, rapid urbanization, and poor law enforcement. Lack of community education and awareness further exacerbates these issues. To tackle these problems, Waterkeepers has four action lines: Water Management, Education & Raising Awareness, Waste Management, and Law Enforcement.

Fútbol por mí País

Website: https://www.futbolxmipais.org/ourLocation

Project Description:

Fútbol por mi País is a non-for-profit foundation focused on using soccer to engage, inspire and empower Costa Rican youth, by providing tools and connections that drive change. Soccer is one of the world’s most popular sport and has proven to be an effective tool for youth in vulnerables communities. Their approach helps to shape agents of change who become productive members of society with values, decision making tools and life skills. We measure our impact by combining qualitative and quantitative inputs. Following an established methodology, Fútbol por mi País organizes free life training for young adult ages 8-17, across Costa Rica making the methodology accesible to all.