Logistical Questions

La Palma - Cultural activities, CoCoDA

CoCoDA delegations are inexpensive…

The cost of a delegation varies dependent upon how long you visit, how many are in your group and what you wish to do and learn. However, a one week delegation with fifteen participants generally costs about $1000 plus your airfare. Smaller delegations are more expensive and larger delegations can be cheaper.

CoCoDA delegation charges are all inclusive….

CoCoDA does not nickel and dime our participants. Our fee includes all lodging and meals, transportation, travel insurance, program and coordination fees. Though you need not bring any cash, your only personal costs in Central America will be snacks and souvenirs.

CoCoDA delegations don’t have to fund raise for projects…

Your delegation fee already includes a $200 project fee. Unlike many organizations, unless your project is especially ambitious, we do not ask you to raise additional dollars for the project. You contribute to a project fund designed to complete and sustain all past and present CoCoDA projects.

CoCoDA delegations can be for any length of time…

While many delegations are for one week, CoCoDA can accommodate any length of visit. Groups wishing to visit for more than one week can expect additional weeks to cost considerably cheaper—between $300-$600 per week depending on the focus of your delegation.

CoCoDA delegations are in safe areas of the country…

While Central America is often portrayed in Western media as a dangerous place to visit, CoCoDA works in some of the safest areas of the country. Visiting our partner communities is very similar to visiting a farm community in the United States. During your in country orientation, CoCoDA takes extra precautions to ensure your safety. In twenty-five years, CoCoDA has never had an act of violence perpetrated on one of our delegates.

CoCoDA delegations take necessary precautions…

Our orientation includes basic rules designed to keep you safe and eliminate a vast majority of problems. We only use private transportation. We do not allow you to travel unaccompanied. We do not take your group to areas with recent issues in crime or violence.

CoCoDA delegations are valued and respected…

We have close relationships with both the regular and tourism police and can provide your delegates with letters of reassurance from the police chiefs. When our delegations are in country, we often receive additional patrols and monitoring. More important, by living with a host family, you are under their protection. They watch out for you.

CoCoDA delegations are prepared…

CoCoDA will help you prepare for your visit with a list of recommended vaccinations or medications. We monitor the health issues in our communities and make certain our delegates are prepared and protected. We provide emergency travel insurance as part of your delegation fee.

CoCoDA delegations are protected…

While minor digestive issues are common to all international travel, we do everything in our power to avoid problems. We only use restaurants that have demonstrated a long track record of healthy food preparation. During your home stay, meals will be cooked by local people who’ve been trained by CoCoDA staff. We provide mosquito netting for all our delegates.

CoCoDA delegations are prepared for emergencies

Because of our long involvement in public health projects, CoCoDA is well positioned to care for our delegates in case of minor or major medical issues. We can provide immediate care and medications. In twenty-five years, we’ve handled almost every kind of health emergency.

CoCoDA delegations are easy to create…

We do most of your work for you. We provide you with a manual covering all the intricacies of an international trip. Your primary responsibility is to tell us when you want to come to Central America and what you want to do, learn and see. Based on this information, we create a budget and itinerary.

CoCoDA delegations are easy to organize…

Once you’ve created your delegation, your only responsibility is to recruit your delegation participants, pass along their personal information, collect the fees and buy your airline tickets. We’ll send you orientation materials. You need not worry about any arrangements in your destination country.

CoCoDA delegations allow organizers to relax and enjoy…

We meet you at the airport and coordinate all of your activities. You can relax and enjoy the experience. We handle all logistics. We lead your group in two days of orientation. We provide translation when necessary. We handle all emergencies. One of our bilingual staff is with your group throughout your visit. We make certain you’re at the airport on time to go home.

Do you have a question?

    Questions, Anxieties and Fears

    Every CoCoDA delegation is unique, but many questions are similar.

    Here are quick answers to the most common concerns about cost, safety, health and organization.

    For Those Ready To Lead A Delegation...

    In 2020, CoCoDA will facilitate delegations from the following organizations:

    • Centre College
    • Indiana University School of Medicine
    • Rotary International
    • College of Wooster

    Why not join them?

    For Those Ready To Lead A Delegation...

    CoCoDA offers a Delegation Information Packet to all those organizing a delegation. This twenty-five page pdf answers nearly every question you or a delegate might have about a trip to El Salvador or Nicaragua.

    The packet includes registration forms, waivers and packing lists. It also has resources for preparing for your trip and learning about your destination country.

    Download one of the delegation information packets below…

    More about delegations