Dr. Drew, a retired orthodontist and seasoned Globe Aware volunteer, has already made an impact in Cusco, Peru, and the Galápagos—now, he’s at our Hill Tribes location, just across the border from Myanmar. From there, he’s gearing up for our Philippines program! What makes his experience extraordinary? He’s providing much-needed dental care for local children, just as he did in Peru. (If you’re not in dental field, your work activity will differ.) But that’s not all—he’s sharing firsthand insights on accommodations, local cuisine, cultural immersion on day one, and even how he handled a credit card hiccup when his primary card wasn’t accepted.
volunteer vacations
Costa Rica Grocery Store Guide: Local Products and Shopping Tips
If you’re a Globe Aware volunteer heading to Costa Rica for a volunteer vacation, you’ll likely get the chance to shop local. For first-timers, navigating grocery stores can feel like a scavenger hunt, so here’s a quick guide to help you find your way.
Costa Rica Grocery Store Guide: Local Products and Shopping Tips
By Sarah Jordan
January 15, 2025
Tico Times
Chances are you shop local if you call Tiquicia home or spend enough time in Costa Rica. You head out to the feria, frutería y verdulería, pescadería and carnicería to enjoy all the fresh, wholesome goodness this country has to offer. For those yet to experience the supermercado in Costa Rica, it can feel like a scavenger hunt for some common items while being overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices for others. Consider this to be your quick guide to helping you prepare for the aisles of Costa Rica’s grocery stores.
Dr. Drew’s daily audio blog from our Thailand Hill Tribes location
Dr. Drew, a retired orthodontist and seasoned Globe Aware volunteer, has already made an impact in Cusco, Peru, and the Galápagos—now, he’s at our Hill Tribes location, just across the border from Myanmar. From there, he’s gearing up for our Philippines program! What makes his experience extraordinary? He’s providing much-needed dental care for local children, just as he did in Peru. (If you’re not in dental field, your work activity will differ.) But that’s not all—he’s sharing firsthand insights on accommodations, local cuisine, cultural immersion on day one, and even how he handled a credit card hiccup when his primary card wasn’t accepted.
Dr. Drew’s daily audio blog from our Thailand Hill Tribes location
Dr. Drew, a retired orthodontist and seasoned Globe Aware volunteer, has already made an impact in Cusco, Peru, and the Galápagos—now, he’s at our Hill Tribes location, just across the border from Myanmar. From there, he’s gearing up for our Philippines program! What makes his experience extraordinary? He’s providing much-needed dental care for local children, just as he did in Peru. (If you’re not in dental field, your work activity will differ.) But that’s not all—he’s sharing firsthand insights on accommodations, local cuisine, cultural immersion on day one, and even how he handled a credit card hiccup when his primary card wasn’t accepted. Oh, and did we mention the massive earthquake that shook Myanmar and Thailand the very next day? He felt it—tune in to hear what that was like!
25 Best Places to Visit in South America
What an impressive list! Globe Aware volunteers, we have plenty of program destinations included—check them out for your next volunteer vacation!
25 Best Places to Visit in South America
By Amanda Ogle
March 13, 2025
Travel + Leisure
As a full-time travel writer, work has taken me across South America, from mysterious Machu Picchu and strikingly beautiful Patagonia to sprawling vineyards beneath the Andes Mountains and bustling capital cities such as Lima, Santiago, and Buenos Aires. Whether you want to see wildlife in the lush Amazon, idle away on a remote beach, or explore metropolitan cities, South America has it all.
The nine best places to visit in spring in Thailand
Spring in Thailand looks quite different from elsewhere. Globe Aware volunteers, if you’re planning a visit in spring, here are the top places to explore in Thailand in 2025.
The nine best places to visit in spring in Thailand
By Craig Sauers
Mar 18, 2025
Lonely Planet
Spring in Thailand looks nothing like it does elsewhere. While the northern hemisphere shakes off winter, the Thai summer is just heating up.
March launches the country’s steady, fiery climb to April, the hottest time of year, when temperatures soar past 36°C (97°F) and can feel even hotter. Then as the heat reaches its breaking point, the first rains arrive in May – a prelude to the wet, muggy months ahead.
Dr. Drew’s audio blog from Globe Aware’s Thailand Hill Tribes location
Dr. Drew, a retired orthodontist and seasoned Globe Aware volunteer, has already made an impact in Cusco, Peru, and the Galápagos—now, he’s at our Hill Tribes location, just across the border from Myanmar. From there, he’s gearing up for our Philippines program! What makes his experience extraordinary? He’s providing much-needed dental care for local children, just as he did in Peru. (If you’re not in dental field, your work activity will differ.) But that’s not all—he’s sharing firsthand insights on accommodations, local cuisine, cultural immersion on day one, and even how he handled a credit card hiccup when his primary card wasn’t accepted.
Ten countries where you have to pay tourist tax
Numerous countries worldwide implement tourist taxes to support infrastructure, manage tourism impact, and fund environmental or cultural preservation efforts. Globe Aware volunteers, here’s where you can expect to pay a fee.
10 countries where you have to pay tourist tax
TRAVEL TRENDS
Mar 12, 2025
Many countries around the world impose tourist taxes to help manage the impact of tourism, maintain infrastructure, and fund environmental or cultural preservation projects. These fees vary depending on the destination and can take different forms, such as accommodation taxes, entry fees, or departure levies. While some are minor charges added to hotel bills, others are substantial fees aimed at promoting sustainable tourism.
Six spring break destinations where you can still find cheap flights
Globe Aware travelers, there’s still time to plan your spring break! A volunteer vacation in Puerto Rico is one of the top budget-friendly flight options.
6 spring break destinations where you can still find cheap flights
Airfare on the whole may be up this year, but there are still pockets of hope for sunny vacations this spring.
March 6, 2025
By Natalie B. Compton
Washington Post
You deserve a vacation. Not this summer, not later this year. Something much sooner, like an honest-to-goodness spring break.
Of course, life is feeling pretty expensive. It doesn’t help that airfare on average is higher than last year, said Katy Nastro, spokesperson and travel expert at Going, a cheap-flight alert service.
Hottest travel destinations you didn’t see coming
A recent survey reveals that 70% of travelers now prioritize authenticity and unique experiences. Globe Aware agrees with this list, which includes these volunteer vacation destinations.
Hottest travel destinations you didn’t see coming
Feb. 25, 2025
Mandy Applegate
Seattle Times
A recent survey from Skift finds that 70% of travelers prioritize authenticity and experience in their travel plans. The destinations of the future are not what you would expect. Say goodbye to the typical tourist spots – emerging destinations like Rwanda, offering intimate gorilla encounters, and Malaysia, with its advanced tourism infrastructure, are answering the call.
