RAKE IN THOSE EXTRA KARMA POINTS BY VACATIONING AROUND THE WORLD AND LENDING A HAND, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR INTERESTS.

WE’D ALL Love to take time off to help the poor and feed the hungry a la Shakira, but wouldn’t that mean parting with valuable vacation days? Not necessarily! It is possible to combine a fun trip-downtime and sightseeing included-with helping out a cause you feel passionate about. Read on to sample the best of both worlds.

Village People

Sign up for Globe Aware’s trip to the Carara Rainforest Reserve in Costa Rica and you will assist the villagers in making community improvements that will help them reach their goal of generating tourism. Your task will depend on the villagers’ needs, what the group can feasibly manage to do, and weather conditions. Past volunteers have built pedestrian bridges, cabanas, recycling stations, as well as signs and oil lamps for nearby roads.

OFF THE CLOCK: Nature lovers will enjoy hiking, horseback riding, and bird watching, while foodies can make cheese, process sugarcane, and taste coffee. But if you’d much rather relax during your free time, grab a hammock and swing to your heart’s content.

$1290 for one week accommodations, including all meals, airport pick-up and drop-off, on-site travel and medical insurance; http://www.globeaware.org .