Costa Rica

You can become involved in a variety of community and conservation projects in Costa Rica. With such a variety of projects this program has something to suit everyone.

You have the opportunity to contribute to turtle conservation, orphanage, teaching, construction, healthcare, and agricultural projects.

Costa Rica is one of the most exotic places on earth, offering unrivalled natural beauty, active volcanoes, rain-forests and a wide range of national parks and eco-tourism opportunities.

Projects

Orphanage & Child-care Program At the orphanage and child-care placements, volunteers will organise a variety of activities for the children, and assist with their school work. 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 child-care facilities in impoverished housing areas, always working alongside severely underprivileged children.

Teaching English At teaching English placements volunteers will teach children of all ages, and will also participate in cultural activities, health campaigns 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 Program Volunteers will work with the endangered Olive Ridley turtles along the gorgeous coastlines of Costa Rica. Both species' populations are in sharp decline due to over harvesting of eggs, beach development, fishing, pollution, and being killed for their meat and leather. 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.

Construction Volunteers will work on one of our construction projects based in and around San Jose. These include renovation work (painting, plastering and repairs) and full construction projects (carpentry, masonry, laying tiles and plumbing). The construction placements are located in extremely impoverished housing areas or schools, and are guided by a Spanish speaking foreman, experienced in guiding international volunteers.

Coffee Co-operative In our Coffee cooperative program, volunteers will assist with the sustainable production of coffee in a rural farming community, in the mountainous region of Costa Rica. Volunteers will assist with coffee-picking in the fields, roasting the beans and packaging the final product, alongside wider agricultural activities. As well as various agricultural activities, volunteers will also be involved in marketing of the coffee product to the wider market.

Healthcare - Health Education Volunteers will work in either a residence for HIV positive people, or in an assisted living facility for very low income elderly residents. At the HIV residence, volunteers will provide companionship to patients and providing general help in the on-site clinic. Whilst a very rewarding position, volunteers should prepare themselves mentally and emotionally to work with terminally ill patients. At the assisted living facility, volunteers will provide companionship, assist with meals and the distribution of medication, and volunteers should be prepared to work with elderly patients.

Healthcare - Medical 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.

Costs Application Fee – US $97 Your application fee is fully transferable and will secure your place on the Costa Rica program, (or any other program of your choice), at a placement date that is suitable to you.
Program Fee – from US$ 45 a day * Orphanage & Childcare, Teaching English, Coffee Cooperative Programs 1 week: US $1397 2 weeks: US $1597 3 weeks: US $1797 4 weeks: US $1997 6 weeks: US $2247 8 weeks: US $2497	Turtle, Healthcare, Construction Programs 1 week: US $1397 (except turtle conservation) 2 weeks: US $1597 3 weeks: US $1797 4 weeks: US $1997 6 weeks: US $2397 8 weeks: US $2797
Placements longer than 8 weeks are available, please contact us or apply online for details.	* Based on an 8 week placement.
What’s included: Accommodation: Family-stay or on reserve accommodation. Meals: 3 meals daily. Airport pickup: On arrival date. Transportation: To/from field projects. Training: In-country orientation and training. Supervision: In-country staff supervision. Support: Pre-departure personal support from your volunteer coordinator, 24/7 in-country support from partner, and 24hr emergency line. Extra: Spanish lessons, weekly Salsa lessons, internet usage at our partner's headquarters, a monthly volunteer party, and a certificate of completion from our partner organisation.	What’s not included: Flights, insurance, visas, vaccinations, project transportation, departure from the program. We recommend you allow a weekly budget of US $25 for your other expenses such as bottled water, personal items, beverages, transportation and entertainment.
Program Schedule Start Date: Every Monday of each month. Volunteers need to arrive into San Jose the Sunday before this date, in order to attend orientation the following morning. Length: 1 week - 6 months. Hours: volunteers will be helping for 3-4 hours at their projects each day (Monday- Friday); except Turtle project. Please note: Volunteers on the Turtle program can volunteer anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months. If you would like to take Spanish lessons and you are volunteering on the Turtle program, you need to arrive a week early.