We should be prepared for the fact that some things move at a slower pace than we might be used to.
Four months in Central America, two countries, and plenty of unforgettable experiences: During her trip with WanderWorld Travel, Nina combined volunteer work in Guatemala and Costa Rica with a Spanish language course, living with host families, and special encounters with the local people. In her travelogue, she talks about working on a sustainable eco-farm, her daily life surrounded by Costa Rica’s natural beauty, and why, above all, the personal connections she made are what made her trip so special.
I traveled through Central America with WanderWorld Travel from October 2025 to January 2026. I booked my trip in June 2025, which gave me just under four months to plan and organize everything I needed. WanderWorld Travel was always available to answer my questions during that time. I also received packing lists for both trips (Guatemala and Costa Rica), which made the preparation process pretty stress-free and ensured I was well-equipped to start my journey.
Before starting my project in Guatemala, I took a two-week language course at Lake Atitlán. During that time, I stayed with a really lovely family and was able to make my first connections with locals and get to know the country and its culture. The language course itself was also highly recommended. My teacher tailored the lessons entirely to my personal language level, which allowed me to get back into speaking Spanish seamlessly during my first two weeks in Guatemala. After that, I headed to Antigua for the actual project. There, I stayed with other volunteers in a guesthouse that probably has the most beautiful rooftop terrace in Guatemala (or even the world?). With a view of three volcanoes, my morning coffee tasted especially good up there. I shared a dorm room with two other volunteers from WanderWorld Travel. That way, we could explore the city together, chat, and go on excursions like climbing a volcano.
In Costa Rica, I stayed in a small, remote village called Gandoca on the Caribbean coast. I lived there with a very kind family who welcomed me very warmly right from the start. There were no other volunteers there during my stay, so I only interacted with locals. As a result, I spent a great deal of time with my host family, which was incredibly wonderful and also meant that I spoke almost exclusively Spanish for four weeks.
At the Ecofarm in Guatemala, I had a different task every day, since the assignments were always rotated. From watering plants to weeding to planting seeds—we did it all. The farm places great emphasis on working sustainably in harmony with nature. The phases of the moon play a role in both planting and harvesting. To ensure the soil remains nutrient-rich, crops are grown in spirals, and the various plants „migrate“ within these spirals so that, for example, onions are never grown or harvested in the exact same spot. I found it very fascinating to learn all about these methods. The farm staff were happy to share their knowledge and experience with us. I was always able to ask questions and always had people on the farm I could turn to.
In Gandoca, my tasks were adjusted to the weather. Because of the frequent rain showers, you have to be very flexible and change plans on short notice if necessary. The family I lived with has a small farm/finca right in Gandoca. There are chickens, a vegetable garden, and lots of fruit trees. There, I helped feed the chickens and pigs, and I planted, watered, and harvested fruits and vegetables. On the weekends, I often helped make empanadas or tortillas. That was a lot of fun.
My host family also owns land further into the jungle, just outside Gandoca. The family protects and preserves most of this land, while a small portion is set aside for their own use. They grow beans, as well as cacao, soursop, hibiscus, and much more. Horses and cows also live on the finca in the jungle. Here, too, the tasks vary depending on the weather. My stay in Gandoca was a real adventure full of unspoiled nature, exotic animals and plants, and truly wonderful people.
Guatemala offers a wide variety of places to visit. I spent my free time on the weekends and after the official end of the project exploring the country. I climbed the Acatenango volcano—the absolute highlight of my entire trip—and visited the ancient Maya city of Tikal. Antigua is the perfect starting point for exploring the country’s many attractions. Many of them can be reached from there by public bus or private transportation.
In Costa Rica, apart from the orientation session in the capital, San José, I spent my entire time in Gandoca. There, on the weekends, I went swimming at the beach with the host family’s children or went on little exploration trips through the jungle.
I’m very interested in other cultures, so it’s always been very important to me to have direct contact with locals. Everyone I interacted with through WanderWorld Travel’s projects was very open-minded and welcomed me right from the start—from my first host family at Lake Atitlán, to my Spanish teacher, the owners and staff at the Ecofarm, all the way to my host family in Costa Rica. I met so many wonderful people who introduced me to their culture and customs. I could always ask as many questions as I wanted, was invited to traditional events, and always felt like part of the community.
I’ve had so, so many wonderful moments, but by far the most impressive one for me was climbing Acatenango. It was a natural spectacle unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. Sitting by the campfire on a starry night and watching the volcano erupt was an indescribable experience for me.
Gandoca was a very special place for me. The village is pretty isolated; there are no cafes, bars, or other tourist hotspots. I spent a lot of time outdoors there, partly to work and partly to relax. I often went to the beach, where I’d lie in a hammock for hours and read. Every day, my host family served three incredibly delicious meals, all fresh and lovingly prepared. The ingredients came almost exclusively from their own garden. Coming from a world where there’s a supermarket on every corner and very few people have space for their own garden, my time in Gandoca held special meaning for me. There, I was able to experience what it feels like to live in harmony and connection with nature.
The guesthouse in Antigua was absolutely amazing. I felt right at home there the whole time. That was, of course, thanks to the fantastic rooftop terrace, but also because of the great location of the place. I shared a room with two other volunteers from WanderWorld Travel, which was really nice.
In Gandoca, I had my own room on my host family's farm. The family was very large, so there was always something going on in the house and on the farm, which meant I was never bored. However, I could also retreat to my room at any time to be left alone.
The family was very accommodating and always considerate of me. They always tried to create the perfect conditions for me so that I would feel as comfortable as possible. For example, to accommodate me, the host family even went without cilantro for four weeks. It’s actually a common ingredient in Costa Rican cuisine, but since I can’t stand the taste at all, it was banned from the kitchen during my stay.
The hospitality and warmth I experienced in Gandoca are hard to top.
I felt safe both in Antigua and in Gandoca, whether I was out on my own or with others. In my opinion, it always makes sense not to be careless—like carrying too many valuables or cash in plain sight—but in my experience, you can move about freely. People are friendly, open-minded, and happy to see tourists. At least, that was my impression.
Personally, I can recommend WanderWorld Travel. The projects you can participate in with WanderWorld Travel are really well-chosen, as are the local contacts. If something isn’t right, you can contact the organization 24 hours a day. WanderWorld Travel gives you a bit more peace of mind. I could have organized the trip entirely on my own, but that would have taken much more time, and I probably would have spent less time with host families and more in hostels. However, this connection with the locals was very important to me, and as I said, WanderWorld Travel works with truly wonderful people whom I certainly wouldn’t have met without the organization. That’s why I’m very grateful to WanderWorld Travel for making these encounters and connections possible for me.
In general, my advice is to be open to new experiences—in my view, that’s the most important requirement. An interest in other cultures, ways of thinking and living, and languages is a plus. You should be prepared for the fact that some things move at a slower pace than we might be used to. In general, it doesn’t hurt to be flexible and open-minded and to give the project, the people, and the country an unbiased chance.
Personally, I always like to plan and organize as much as possible. That wasn't possible in Gandoca because so much depended on the weather, and in general, everything had to be more spontaneous and flexible. It wasn't exactly easy for me at first, but I went with the flow and ended up really enjoying stepping out of my comfort zone.
Founder of Wanderworld Travel
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