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Will I need to have a passport to enter this country?
Yes, all participants are required to have a passport. Participants’ passport must be valid for six months past the date of their return date to their home country. If necessary, participants will need to renew their passports prior to departure to meet this requirement. ISV also requires all participants to mail a photocopy of their passport photo and ID# page to the ISV office on or before 65 days prior to departure.
For more information about passports, please visit the following websites:
Do I need a visa?
Travel visas are not required to enter Costa Rica for USA, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand citizens who are only staying in Costa Rica for the duration of the ISV Program (up to 30 days).
Participants who are not a citizen of USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand:
- Check with the Costa Rican Embassy for specific visa requirements.
- As flights may transfer via Los Angeles, an additional VISA may be required in order to enter the USA, therefore be sure to check with the USA Embassy to determine eligibility for entry into the USA.
- Acquiring any/all necessary documents for Costa Rica and the USA are the responsibility of the participant.
You can find more visa information on the following website: http://www.costarica.com/Trip-Planning/Travelers-Info/Passport-&-Visa-Information/
How do I obtain travelers insurance and how important it is for me to have on my trip?
Participants are required to have travelers insurance which includes insurance for two purposes – coverage for medical treatment and care while in your host country and travel/trip cancellation coverage. Many insurance carriers package these plans together with other travel related issues such as lost or stolen items, for example: plane tickets, passports, and personal items. Cancellation insurance is important in the event that a problem arises that prevents you from going on the Program.
Policies do vary depending on the insurance provider, what country you travel to and what is covered, so make sure that you get a policy appropriate for your host country and your needs. Participants traveling to the following countries (Eastern Europe, Ecuador, and Thailand) will need to secure additional travel insurance coverage for “Adventure Sports”. This coverage provides insurance for many sports activities, including rock climbing, which would otherwise be excluded under the standard plan.
Any travel agency should be able to assist you in procuring travel/trip cancellation insurance. Most travel insurance companies require you to purchase travel/trip cancellation insurance within 14 days after submitting your Agreement and paying your non-refundable deposit. Please visit our Terms and Conditions page for more information on travel/trip cancellation insurance.
This year ISV is working with STA Travel for participants in the USA. Please visit www.statravel.com for more details.
If you are in Canada, details on travel/trip cancellation insurance may be obtained from any campus travel agency.
Do I need medical insurance?
In addition to travel/trip cancellation insurance (see above), ISV also requires that all participants have medical insurance. Each participant must send a photocopy of proof of both travel/trip cancellation and medical insurance into the ISV office at least 65 days prior to departure.
Do we get to ask for a preference of which project we will be assigned to, or will ISV choose the project?
After your contract and deposit have been received by ISV, you can submit your project preferences through our Project Preference form. We make every attempt to accommodate participants, however many factors influence the project placement that ISV will give you. For example, spaces on projects are limited and some projects only operate on certain dates. If you are doing academic credit or independent study you will need to be assigned to a specific project with other academic credit or independent study participants, and if you are traveling with a friend, this will also affect your placement! Therefore, we cannot guarantee that you will be placed on the projects that you most prefer. If you do not make a specific project selection, ISV will simply place you on one of our conservation projects.
Will I be able to receive academic credit for my participation on the ISV Program?
Details regarding academic credit for the ISV Program are available on the academic credit page of the ISV website. Some students receive credit through independent study.
Are the meals and lodging included in the price?
All lodging is included in the ISV Program cost. All the meals for the first two-week Volunteer Project and about half the meals for the second two-week Adventure Tour are included in the ISV Program cost.
I am a vegetarian. Is this going to be a problem?
Vegetarians must advise ISV in advance (on their application or by emailing the ISV office on or before 65 days prior to departure) if they wish to have vegetarian meals available to them during their Program. Participants with very strict dietary requirements may need to supplement meals with additional food at their own expense.
Am I required to participate on a group flight or can I book my own flight?
Every participant has the option to take an ISV group flight or they are free to arrange their own flights. There are many benefits of participating on the ISV group flight, some of which include:
- Flying with a reputable airline
- Competitive prices
- Safety in numbers
- Booking done by ISV so you don’t have to worry
- Organized domestic transfers to and from the airport in accordance with the group flight schedule
- No problems with delays, our transport will wait for you
- Meeting other ISV participants and get to know them along the way
If you are arranging your own flight, you have to arrive in Costa Rica prior to the ISV group flight in order to meet their group. Participants must notify ISV that they are taking their own flight and will be advised as to which city they will need to fly into and out of at the conclusion of the ISV Program.
For more information regarding group flights and own flights, please visit our flight information page.
Can friends who do not attend a university or who do not attend a school that ISV has visited apply to your Program?
Friends are welcome to attend the ISV Program and can get an application online. Although the ISV Program is directed toward university participants, a person does not have to be a university student to be welcomed on an ISV Program. All participants must be at least 18 years of age.
When exactly is orientation?
An orientation will be held in your host country upon arrival at your Two-Week Volunteer Project and prior to beginning your Two-Week Adventure Tour.
What is an "INCLUDED" activity?
There are five “included” Adventure Tour activities included in the Program cost. The final Adventure Tour itinerary with these included activities will be in your ISV Participant Travel Manual which will be sent to you 30 days prior to your departure date. ISV reserves the right to change these activities without notice.
What is an "Optional Activity Package" (OAP)?
In addition to the five “included” activities in the Adventure Tour, ISV offers participants an exciting Optional Activity Package (OAP). These activities are more of the best in outdoor adventure and cultural appreciation opportunities. Each year about 95% of ISV participants choose to purchase the ISV Optional Activity Package as it adds great value to the overall experience.
All activities in the OAP are organized by ISV staff prior to arrival. All participants have to do is show up and be ready to have a great time. Offered exclusively to ISV participants at a discounted price, you may reserve the OAP package by checking the indicated box on your ISV Flight Reservation form. (If you have already submitted your Flight Reservation form, please send an email to the ISV office indicating your desire to purchase the OAP package.)
Do I need to be able to speak Spanish?
It is not a requirement to speak Spanish to participate in the ISV Program; however, ISV highly recommends participating in our Spanish Language & Latin Dance Program which gives participants an opportunity to enhance their ISV experience and converse with the locals.
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