Hi lboyan,
That’s great that your family wants to give back on your vacation. There are definitely some orgs in the Manuel Antonio area that need help. Here are a few places to give you some ideas:
- Kids Saving the Rainforest: A great org just outside MA that rescues and rehabilitates injured or abandoned animals like monkeys, sloths, etc. Their website is http://kidssavingtherainforest.org/. They also have a page on volunteering that is sort of hidden, http://kidssavingtherainforest.org/volunteer/, and are active on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kids-Saving-the-Rainforest/146280833519 Email: volunteer@kstr.org or info@kstr.org
- Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary: Another wildlife rescue center that recently opened up in Dominical- about 45 min. south of Manuel Antonio. Here’s their site: http://villasalturas.com/alturas-wildlife-sanctuary-in-costa-rica/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alturas-Wildlife-Sanctuary/515676668535027?fref=ts. Email: wildlifesanctuary@villasalturas.com
- PAWs: Great org that helps the many stray dogs and cats in the Manuel Antonio/Quepos area. Website: http://www.pawscr.org/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PetsOfAguirreWelfareShelter. Email is info@paws.cr or try messaging them through Facebook.
*If you have any problems getting in touch with any of these, let us know and we can try to track down some contacts for you.
Something else we thought we’d mention is Pack for a Purpose. It’s a global organization but some of the hotels in Manuel Antonio participate. The idea is that you bring school supplies or other items to benefit local kids/charities with you and then drop them off at the hotel when you get here. Here’s a link with info on Costa Rica: http://www.packforapurpose.org/destinations/central-america/costa-rica
