Who's working in Costa Rica?

So, you've found out which project managers will be working in Nicaragua for their first project phase. Now, to paraphase an American DJ on Radio Dos, it's time to discover who'll be spending beautiful days in paradise here in Costa Rica (while working their bottoms off!).

So, another loud drum roll, and in no particular order, here are the managers and their projects:


Environmental projects

Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve is Costa Rica's very first protected area. Raleigh will be working alongside the rangers to maintain the park infrastructure by working on the trail network, painting part of the ranger station and removing unwanted waste from its beaches.

Alpha 3 Cabo Blanco: Christine and Asia

Who: Asia 
From: Bristol
Job before Raleigh: Lawyer for the Ministry of Defence
How did you hear about Raleigh? I've known about it since I was 18 when I wanted to be a venturer but never did.
Special skill: I can shoot a Glock (it's a small handgun - Christine, don't get on the wrong side of Asia!).

Who: Christine
From: Hastings
Job before Raleigh: Youth work manager.
How did you hear about Raleigh? Friend.
Special skill: I'm good at motivating.


La Cangreja  is Costa Rica's newest national park which owes its name to the striking 1,305m peak Cerro Cangreja. The government is currently developing the facilities and Raleigh venturers will build a viewing platform near the main park headquarters that looks over the national park as well as a trail.

Alpha 4 La Cangreja: Mel and Phil

Who: Phil
From: Abatyculmhir, mid-Wales, then London
Job before Raleigh: Building site manager
How did you hear about Raleigh? Via my boss who'd done an expedition.
Special skill: Saying the worst thing at the most inappropriate moment.

Who: Mel
From: London
Job before Raleigh: Local government
How did you hear about Raleigh? A colleague.
Special skill: Making lump-free porridge to a very good consistency.


Piedras Blancas in south Costa Rica is a relatively new national park. The Raleigh team will be working to connect the ranger station (virtually inaccessible during rainy season) with the outside world. An old road that runs through the rainforest will be rehabilitated.

Delta 3 Piedras Blancas: Jess (project planning visit only), Andy and Adriana

Who: Adriana
From: Escazú, Costa Rica
Job before Raleigh: Student and volunteer for an NGO
How did you hear about Raleigh? Through the volunteer programme at the University of Costa Rica.
Special skill: I talk about a hundred words a minute when speaking Spanish.

Who: Andy
From: Edinburgh
Job before Raleigh: Ex-professional skier (Andy has competed in the Olympics  - wow!)
How did you hear about Raleigh? Through my sister-in-law
Special skill: Darts

Who: Jess
From: North Wales
Job before Raleigh: University careers advisor
How did you hear about Raleigh? Through work.
Special skill: I'm a triathlete of whooping/high-fives/jumps.


Chirripo national park has the highest mountain in Costa Rica, Cerro Chirripó at 3,820 m. For the first time, Raleigh will work in this park to repair trails to make the mountain more accessible for the many thousands of visitors who climb it each year.

Delta 4 Chirripo: Emma (medic, project planning visit only), Karla and Ben

Who: Karla
From: San Carlos, Costra Rica
Job before Raleigh: Call centre work
How did you hear about Raleigh? Through the volunteer programme at the University of Costa Rica.
Special skill: Stretching!

Who: Ben
From: London
Job before Raleigh: Banking
How did you hear about Raleigh? I was a Raleigh venturer in Mongolia in 2000.
Special skill: Grooming afros, you'll see why in about a month.

Who: Emma
From: Birmingham
Job before Raleigh: GP
How did you hear about Raleigh? Through Prince William! (Eh? do you have special hotline to him Emma?!).
Special skill: Scottish dancing (newly acquired at Raleigh).



Adventure projects

The Corcovado trek starts in La Amistad national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, going through the famous Corcovdado national park which has the best preserved tropical rainforest in Central America. The trek ends with a three day walk along the beaches of the Pacific.

Alpha 1 Corcovado: Roberto and Sabrina

Who: Roberto
From: Alajuela, Costa Rica
Job before Raleigh: Teaching undergraduate students
How did you hear about Raleigh? I was a venturer two years ago. I first heard about it from someone who'd done an amazing sounding coast to coast trek.
Special skill: I'm very patient.

Who: Sabrina
From: Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire.
Job before Raleigh: Advertising for a magazine
How did you hear about Raleigh? I was looking for volunteer work in Brixton on Gumtree but found Raleigh instead.
Special skill: I'm able to sleep anywhere so I'll need a bit of a shake in the mornings for this.


The Guanacaste trek covers a huge variety of different ecosystems from cloud forest to one of the last primary dry tropical forests left in the Americas. It encompasses volcanoes, including Arenal where lava runs down its side at night, to torquoise waterfalls, geysers and hot sulphur springs, ending with a beach on the Pacific.

Alpha 2 Guanacaste: Jonny and Wellard

Who: Jonny From: Manchester (one of the best cities in the world I must add).
Job before Raleigh: Recruitment consultant.
How did you hear about Raleigh? Someone I met through work did Raleigh in Chile in the late 90s. 
Special skill: I'm a champion 'tache grower (think Magnum P.I proportions).

Who: Sarah Ellard aka Wellard.
From: South Wales.
Job before Raleigh: Hotel work.
How did you hear about Raleigh? I've been a venturer before and I found out about Raleigh on the internet.
Special skill: An unexplainable party trick (I've seen it and it's an intriguing finger wobble!).


The Turrimacho trek starts with an incredible climb between two active volcanoes - Irazu and Turrialba - to then pass by the ruins of an ancient settlement in the jungle, onwards to Tapanti national park to climb up to nearly 3,000 m to follow the ridges of the Fila de Bustamente before heading down to the Pacific.

Delta 1 Turrimacho: Lorna, Jo Jo and Chos
Who: Lorna
From: London
Job before Raleigh: TV production manager
How did you hear about Raleigh? A friend's little brother did it years ago.
Special skill: I'm a scuba-diving instructor and an African game ranger (go Lorna!)

Who: Jesus aka Chos
From: San José, Costa Rica
Job before Raleigh: My family built a coffee store in Guadalupe near San José
How did you hear about Raleigh? I was a venturer eight months ago and heard about it through the University of Costa Rica.
Special skill: (he's getting back to me).

Who: Jo Jo
From: London
Job before Raleigh: Training and development.
How did you hear about Raleigh? From someone who worked at Raleigh.
Special skill: I'm great at making music playlists.