Quite a few local community and business groups are active in the area. Volunteer opportunities are many, especially because of the government’s lack of involvement. Below is a list of the groups the author came across during research.

1. Associación Pro Mejoras de Playa Tamarindo (APMT.)

A community group that’s working extremely hard to control development, improve sanitation and protect the surrounding environment in the Tamarindo area (see above for what they are doing.) They pay for trash pickup and for the lifeguards. The group is also working to place private security guards to protect residents and tourists from crime.

The group’s volunteers include professional lawyers, realtors, engineers, environmentalists, and others who can donate their skills (see reference section for contact details).

2. Camara de Turismo Guanacasteca (CATURGUA.)

The Guanacaste Chamber of Tourism, which has the support of many local businesses and developers. It funds market research and focuses on issues including crime and education .

3. Cultura, Educación y Psicología de la Infancia y la Adolescencia (CEPIA)

A group of volunteers that helps local children and adolescents from low-income families after school. The goal is to improve their quality of life through cultural development, education, and job opportunities (see reference section for contact details).