Experience volunteering in beautiful Costa Rica and find out for yourself about living the Pura Vida! Most projects are based in and around the capital, San Jose. You’ll join volunteers from around the world in helping local Costa Rican communities reach their full potential.
Best Volunteering Programs in Costa Rica
About Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known as Central America’s jewel. It is a country of four million people, renowned for its diverse natural beauty; rainforests, volcanoes, beaches and lagoons. Amidst the political instability of many nations in Latin America, Costa Rica has a thriving democracy and Costa Ricans promote peace and freedom of speech.
Costa Rica is bordered by Nicaragua in the north and Panama in the south, and by the Caribbean Sea to the east and the North Pacific Ocean to the West. It features a diverse geography of mountains, craters, sandy beaches and great flowing rivers.
Development in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is considered one of the most stable and historic of democracies, with one of the highest life expectancies and living standards in the region.
Amidst the political instability of many nations in Latin America, Costa Rica has a thriving democracy and Costa Ricans promote peace and freedom of speech. Costa Rica, as a nation has been nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize. The honour of that sought-after accolade was given to Costa Rican former president Dr. Oscar Arias Sánchez in 1987, for his tireless efforts to bring peace to the Central American region during the 80s, when those nations were politically shattered by civil wars.
In the mid 1800’s Costa Rican farmers began to plant coffee. The high altitude lands were blessed with excellent volcanic sediment which made coffee plantations thrive throughout the Central Valley. Coffee soon became the most important product in the country’s economy. The export of “the bean of gold” as it soon became known, to Europe and the United States, earned Costa Rica a solid reputation as an excellent coffee exporter.
Coffee still remains core to the country’s economic stability, alongside other agricultural exports such as bananas, sugar and beef. However, there has been an increased focus on high value added goods and services, such as microchips and tourism in recent years.
Location of Projects
You can join placements throughout the year in places like San Jose, Cartago, San Carlos, Flamingo Beach, Heredia, Jaco Beach, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, Nicoya, Nosara, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Samara, San Jose, Tamarindo Beach and Turrialba.
How You Can Help
Teaching English
Hablas Inglés? (Do you speak English?) There are few more valuable skills in this increasingly globalised world than to be able to connect and communicate with visitors to your region. At our teaching English placements volunteers will teach children of all ages, and will also participate in cultural activities and recreational games. Our teaching placements are all situated in impoverished housing areas, and teaching normally takes place in a small community centre or Church.
Turtle Conservation
Are you passionate about preserving the planet’s vulnerable species? Do you like long walks on the beach? Volunteers on turtle projects will work with the endangered Olive Ridley, Leatherback Black and/or Green turtles along the gorgeous coastlines of Costa Rica. The programs give you the chance to make an important contribution to the preservation of these species, assisting local communities who carry out conservation work and gaining first-hand knowledge into Costa Rica’s biodiversity and culture. Join our partner and play your part in ensuring these beautiful creatures survive and thrive for generations to come.
Construction
Are you handy with a hammer? Skilled with a screwdriver? A dab hand at painting? Then sign up to help build a better future for our Costa Rican friends. Volunteers on construction programs assist in projects based in and around San Jose. You will be helping local tradesmen and other volunteers create a tangible legacy of your time spent volunteering. It may be a renovation or a completely new build but whatever project you work on, your time and efforts will be greatly appreciated. So get ready to roll up your sleeves, get dirty and help the locals build for their future!
Coffee Cooperative
Are you a coffee connoisseur? A java junkie? Then join a coffee cooperative program, where volunteers assist with the sustainable production of coffee in a rural farming community, in the mountainous region of Costa Rica. Volunteers assist with coffee-picking in the fields, roasting the beans and packaging the final product, alongside wider agricultural activities. As well as the agricultural side of things, volunteers can also get involved in marketing the coffee product to the market and get involved with the wider community. So sign up now and go get caffeinated!
Healthcare – Health Education
Are you strong and compassionate? Can you smile through adversity? Then you are needed to assist with our Healthcare program. Volunteers will work in either a residence for HIV positive people, or in an assisted living facility for very low income elderly residents. While this is a very rewarding position, volunteers should prepare themselves mentally and emotionally to work with terminally ill patients. This is a position for volunteers with big hearts, big smiles and the temperament to cope with the demands involved. You’ll be warmly welcomed and richly rewarded for your kindness and attention.
Healthcare – Occupational Therapy
Are you a people person? Do you have patience and an understanding of intellectual diversity? Volunteers in this program will work at a non-residential centre for autistic adults to improve their life skills and help them function better in society. Individuals attending the centre have physical and mental disabilities of varying severity and need individual attention and care. Most of these individuals are independent and volunteers will mainly help around the centre by offering workshops, helping with daily physical therapy and simply spending time and chatting with the individuals at the centre.
Healthcare – Medical
Are you medically trained or currently in training? Prepared to share your skills and knowledge? Do you feel inspired to help the most vulnerable Costa Ricans stay healthy? Volunteers work in a medical setting, such as an ambulance service or a hospital. This project is for med students, pre-med students and qualified nurses or doctors. Volunteers for these projects require at least intermediate Spanish as the staff they will work with have limited English. Notarized documentation of your medical school, nursing school, or other medical credentials will be required.
Orphanage and Childcare
Are you able to give hugs, wipe away tears and smile and laugh until it hurts? Do you want to help underprivileged children? Join up with one of our childcare placements and provide children with love and attention, where volunteers assist the children with their homework, organise educational activities and help take care of their basic needs. Volunteers are encouraged to use their skills and interests to develop music and dance, jewellery making, aerobics and arts & crafts work shops. Alongside the orphanage work, volunteers may also work in shelters, community centres or childcare facilities in impoverished housing areas, always working alongside severely underprivileged children.
Cultural and Learning Activities
Popular activities can include weekly Spanish lessons, excursions to parks and archeological sites, lessons in salsa, merengue, and cumbia, and cooking lessons. You may also take a trip to the Cachi ruins or the nearby colonial city of Orosi.
FAQ
Start Dates
Every week.
Length/Duration
1 week – 6 months.
Hours
Volunteers usually help for 3-4 hours at projects each day (Monday- Friday).
Getting to Costa Rica
Most international volunteers fly into San Jose, the capital. International flights arrive into San José’s Juan Santamaría international airport (SJO). You will be picked up from the airport by your organization.
What age do you have to be?
To be a volunteer on the Costa Rica program you usually need to be at least 18 years old, unless accompanied by a parent, guardian or school group.
How safe is it to volunteer in Costa Rica?
As in many countries, foreigners are perceived as wealthy in Costa Rica. Although the people are generally warm and friendly towards foreigners, as well as appreciative of the work done by volunteers, not every individual is the same. We work extremely hard to ensure you are placed in safe environments while volunteering and security policies are in place to achieve this. However, as in any situation at home or abroad, there is no way to erase all potential threats. Costa Rica is generally considered a very safe country, and what crime does exist tends to be opportunistic rather than violent. The main thing travelers have to worry about is pick pocketing. In downtown San José you need to be wary at all times. You should not leave anything of value in a parked car – even locked in the trunk – day or night. Volunteers will be given further safety advice in their orientation session.
Language
For most programs you only need to know English, butt whether your knowledge of the Spanish language starts and ends with “hola” or you’re a fluent speaker, there’s a twice-weekly Spanish lesson that’s right for you! Taught by staff, each level targets specific language goals based on your abilities. From the basics – donde está el baño? – to local Costa Rican slang to help you connect with the neighborhood kids, we’ve got you covered.
How many volunteers are there on the site at the same time?
The number of volunteers varies greatly from project to project, and depends on the time of year you choose to travel. Numbers can be anywhere up to 30 volunteers at each site, however, we cannot guarantee that you will be placed with another volunteer.
What are the living arrangements when volunteering?
Volunteers will be accommodated in a local family-stay. All families selected for this are pre-approved, and the program fees cover breakfast, lunch, and dinner from Monday through to Sunday. Most family-stays include a shared room and shared bath facilities, and many of the families have been hosting volunteers for years. For those volunteering on turtle conservation program, you will be accommodated in either a local family-stay or on reserve accommodation, and you will be located on either the Pacific or Caribbean coastline, depending on the turtle season.
Are we able to do any sightseeing?
Volunteers will be given an orientation of tourist places when you arrive. You can travel by local buses to most of the tourist attractions. Any sightseeing will be at your own expense and days off for sightseeing can be negotiated with the partner.
What hours am I expected to take part in the program?
Volunteers will work Monday- Friday for roughly 3-4 hours a day. For those on the turtle program, volunteers will work 6 days a week, with one free day to leave the reserve. Depending on the season, volunteers may work night and day, doing shifts of 2-4 hours and then resting. The hours of work can vary due to the nature of the program. Days off are negotiable with the director of the project.
What clothing is appropriate?
Dress needs to be conservative, and light loose clothing is advisable as it is most comfortable in the heat. For those working on the turtle program, it is best to wear clothes that will cover and protect you from the sun and mosquitoes. Bring very light cotton clothes because it could be very wet. Dark clothing is also required, as you’ll often be working at night.
Do I need an entry visa (and how do I obtain this)?
Depending on your nationality and length of stay you may not need a visa to travel to Costa Rica. You will need to contact your nearest Costa Rican Embassy to find out the requirements.
Is there any time of year when I can’t volunteer?
No, the program is open all year round.
What is the climate like in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has a tropical climate, and temperature really depends on the altitude. It has distinctive dry and wet seasons.
What immunizations/vaccines will I need?
There are no required vaccines for Costa Rica, but we advise volunteers to get immunized against Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis A & B, booster doses for tetanus, polio and measles. Volunteers also need to take anti malarials and protect themselves from mosquito bites – as Malaria and Dengue Fever is present. Some of these can be taken in oral form so please do discuss all options with your doctor to see what is best for you.
What else can I do in Costa Rica?
You can enjoy the cosmopolitan feel of the modern San Jose, the gateway to the natural rainforests and beaches of Costa Rica. Explore the city of San Jose, visit the Central Market or Artisanal Market, take a canopy tour, explore the region by taking part in a tour to a waterfall or visit a coffee plantation. And if all that’s not enough for you there’s always bungee jumping!
Reviews & Testimonials
“My experience in Costa Rica with the various projects that I participated in was a memorable one. I felt that I was constantly surrounded by marvelous and diverse people. Working with turtles is an experience that has changed my life and opened my eyes to their wondrous world. Costa Rica is full of beauty and it was an awesome experience to be able to live there and work toward preserving the nature and wildlife. Being able to live in National parks and work there was a humbling opportunity. I am forever grateful for this opportunity! I hope to be able to return and volunteer again in the future.” – Faith
“Everything about Costa Rica was a phenomenal adventure — the sights, the wildlife, the entire country. Even more amazing than that, however, were the times I spent with the children — Caesar, Jose, Hannah, they all brightened my day and made each day I was in Costa Rica special.” – Jennifer