Quick Links
Volunteer in Costa Rica with Indigenous Tribes!
Do you have a fascination with indigenous tribes and want to help preserve their ancient way of life? Would you like to travel to the rainforests of Costa Rica and meet the original people who made their home there?
Costa Rica is a world in shades of green, full of thick, lush rainforests and misty cloud forests. The jungle crowds to the very edge of land, where beautiful beaches are lined with palm trees. Many long years ago, these forests were peopled only by diverse and fascinating tribes, some which remain to this day.
Sadly, most of the native people in Costa Rica were wiped out during the Spanish invasion, or they lost their heritage and integrated into the Latin culture that took over their homeland. Only 64,000 indigenous people now remain, and they are desperately struggling to hold on to their sacred and ancient way of life.
You can help! Join our indigenous tribe promotion volunteer opportunity in Costa Rica. You’ll be helping a tribe preserve their heritage by promoting cultural tourism which helps sustain their traditional way of life. You’ll also be immersed in the tribe, and experience sacred ceremonies and learn about their fascinating culture.
Contact Global Crossroad today to learn more about helping an ancient tribe preserve their heritage in Costa Rica!
Volunteer Responsibilities & Impacts
The native tribes in Costa Rica need your help. You’ll be helping the tribe develop cultural tourism which allows them to sustain themselves in the modern world while still keeping their traditional way of life. Create museums, generate tourism material in English, and create cultural sites which will spread this ancient knowledge to the world.
You’ll also have the chance to learn more about this fascinating culture up close and personal while volunteering in Costa Rica program. You’ll be given a backstage pass into sacred ceremonies, help prepare and share traditional drinks and food, visit sacred sites, and learn the ancient art of making the tribe’s iconic wooden masks.
Your time spent with the tribe will make a huge impact. Not only will you spread the word to the world about the importance and beauty of the tribe’s heritage and help them find sustainable ways to survive, you’ll show the tribe their ancient practices and culture matter, and are worth saving even though the modern world threatens to wash them away.
Skills and Qualifications
The only qualifications to join our indigenous tribe volunteering program in Costa Rica are that you’ll need to be 18 years of age and dedicated to helping an ancient tribe preserve its sacred traditions and way of life.
Very few members of the tribe speak English, so Spanish is highly recommended at this project. If you’d like to work on your Spanish, speak to us about enrolling in a language program and learn while you travel!
Each day of your Costa Rica volunteering program with indigenous tribe will be an exciting and fascinating look into this ancient way of life. Your schedule will likely be variable, and you will become involved in a variety of activities so keep an open mind and be flexible.
You can expect to volunteer an average of 5 hours per day, Monday-Friday. Your actual hours will vary based on your final placement, but here’ s a sample schedule to give you an idea of what to expect.
- First Day: On your first day, you’ll be escorted to your placement by our helpful local coordinator. You’ll visit the tribe’s village, meet the members of the tribe, and begin your exciting adventure getting immersed in this fascinating culture.
- Orientation: Learn all about your project, what you’ll be doing, safety protocol, and begin to learn about the customs and culture of the tribe.
- Weekdays: A typical volunteer day as an indigenous tribe volunteer in Costa Rica might look something like this:
- 7.00 to 7.30 AM: Start your day with a traditional breakfast with your welcoming local Costa Rican host family.
- 7.45 AM: Travel to the tribe’s village, and have an amazing day learning about their ancient way of life, and helping them develop ways to promote this sustainably.
- 12.00 PM: Lunch break. You’ll either return to your host family for the meal or take a lunch to go to eat at your project site. Take time to connect with your fellow like-minded volunteers and the local project staff.
- 3.00 PM: When your volunteering wraps up in the afternoon, you’ll have the rest of the day free to explore the beautiful surrounding area.
- 6.45 PM: Enjoy a nice traditional dinner around the table with your Costa Rican host family. Traditional Costa Rican fare includes the staple rice and beans, along with a salad and a protein. Eat local food and practice your Spanish!
Volunteer in Costa Rica with Indigenous Tribes : Dates and Fees
Dates: Volunteer in Costa Rica
All volunteer programs in Costa Rica start every Monday of each month. However, if there is travel constrains, you can start any project on any day.
Fees: Volunteer In Costa Rica
Global Crossroad is committed to offering the most affordable and highest quality volunteering programs in Costa Rica. We strive to keep our costs low. The humanitarian side of the business is our passion.
Global Crossroad's volunteer program in Costa Rica application and registration fee cost US $299. The application fee covers the cost of advertising, program promotion, and office expenses (rent, utilities, and staff salaries in USA office).
In addition to the application fee, you are required to pay a weekly program fee. You will pay your weekly fee directly to the country coordinator, who in turn will allocate it to your host family, project and other in-country support we offer to our volunteers. This way, the fees that you pay will benefit those who rightfully deserve them, and not for company profit.
| Duration | Indigenous Tribe |
|---|---|
| 1 Week | $260 |
| 2 Weeks | $445 |
| 3 Weeks | $630 |
| 4 Weeks | $815 |
| 5 Weeks | $1000 |
| 6 Weeks | $1185 |
| 7 Weeks | $1370 |
| 8 Weeks | $1555 |
| 9 Weeks | $1740 |
| 10 Weeks | $1925 |
| 11 Weeks | $2110 |
| 12 Weeks | $2295 |
Mandatory comprehensive travel insurance $3.49 a day »
How your fee is allocated?
Program fees cover:
- Accommodation (volunteer house or host family)
- Food (local food 3 times a day)
- In-country support
- Personalized project
- Pre-departure information
- Certificate of completion
- Fundraising ideas and letters
- Discount for returning volunteers
Program fees exclude:
- Visas
- Airfare
- Personal expenses on soft drinks and foods
- Daily transportation
- Airport return transfer
Airport Pickup /Transfer Packages for Puntarenas and –Ciudad Cortes, please click here to find the details
We will manage the following airport transfer services for you:
Option one: If you arrive in international Airport of Juan Santa Maria -SJO, Alajuela early in the morning (before 12 PM), you will be able to come to Ciudad Cortes in the same day by bus. In this case, it is possible to purchase the following pick up service package:
Osa/Pick Up (same day service- for one person): $50
Includes: airport picks up, transfer to the bus station, orientation and assistance and again to the bus station. The last time we recommend leaving from San Jose to Ciudad Cortes is on the bus at 2:30 PM (volunteer should land before 12:00 PM for this option)
Option two: If you arrive after 12 PM in Alajuela, you will stay one night in Hostel Dorm Room in San Jose, before transferring to Ciudad Cortes the next day.
Osa/Overnight Hostel Dorm Room with Transfer (for one person): $70
Includes: Transfer to a hostel from the airport, where you will spend the night. Dinner will be provided. Overnight stay will be in 10 people mixed gender hostel dorm room, and transfer to a bus station in the morning. The orientation and assistance will be at the bus station.
Option Three:If you arrive after 12 PM in Alajuela, you will stay one night in the family home (private room) in San Jose before transferring to Ciudad Cortes the next day.
Osa/Overnight Family Home with Transfer (for one person): $90
Includes: Picks up from the airport and transfer to a private family home to spend the night. Dinner will be provided. Transfer to the bus station in the morning, and orientation and assistance at the bus station.
The volunteering overseas in Costa Rica program fees will cover expenses that will begin on the first day of the program (usually the first or third Monday of the month) to the last day of the program. If you arrive before the first day of the program or you decide you stay beyond your program’s last day, you will be responsible for the additional expenses, which would typically be around $30 a day for room and meals at a hostel.
Accommodation and Meal
While volunteering with indigenous tribes in Costa Rica, you won’t have to worry about a thing when it comes to your housing and food. You’ll be staying with a socially respected and experienced host family in their safe, clean, and comfortable home. They’ll welcome you into their family and share three local meals a day with you.
Free Time and Weekend Exploration
You’ll be helping an ancient tribe preserve their way of life, but the rest of Costa Rica awaits in your free time! Don’t miss the fascinating and mysterious stone spheres left behind by tribes that are no longer with us, or Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches, rich rainforests, or the wealth of recreational opportunities available in this exciting destination.
Discover what to do in your free time and weekends in Costa Rica.
Safety and In Country Support
We have your safety in mind at all times when we are carefully vetting every aspect of your indigenous tribe volunteer trip to Costa Rica. We also offer airport pick-up, safe housing and food, and a stellar in-country team that is there to support and guide you whenever you need it.
Volunteer in Costa Rica with Indigenous Tribes: FAQs:
Before you hop on a plane to Costa Rica, you probably have a few questions you’re asking yourself. Here’s some helpful info we’ve compiled to provide you with the answers you need.
Arrival and Departure
You’ll fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica. Your airport pickup is included in your volunteer fee, and we’ll have someone waiting for you when you land who will take you safely to your accommodations.
When you complete your indigenous tribe volunteer program in Costa Rica, you will need to arrange your own departure transportation as it is not included in your volunteer fee. Just speak to the local project staff if you need advice on booking a taxi to the airport.
Visa
You may be eligible to simply ask for a visa stamp after your arrival at the airport in San Jose. However, do your research to learn the requirements for your home country before heading out on your Costa Rica indigenous tribe promotion volunteer trip.
Most volunteers will be eligible for a 90-day tourist visa. You should know you will need to provide proof of onward travel. If you have a round trip ticket, this will serve as all the proof you need. Check out this website to learn more about Costa Rican Visa Policy.
Vaccination
A few weeks before you travel to Costa Rica, you’ll need to make an appointment with your doctor to get up to date on your vaccines.
You should be up to date on your routine vaccines, as well as Hepatitis A & B and Typhoid. can also find information on CDC website.
Why volunteer with indigenous tribe in Costa Rica?
Help preserve an ancient way of life
Although the vast majority of Costa Rica’s indigenous people were wiped out when the Spanish conquered this country hundreds of years ago, this tenacious tribe of 800 members is still holding on in a quickly changing modern world. Help them sustain themselves financially in a way that preserves their sacred and ancient heritage!
Immerse yourself in tribal life
The tribe is so grateful you are helping them preserve their traditions, they are eager to share them with you. Visit sacred sites, prepare and partake in traditional drinks and food, and have the rare privilege of being invited to their sacred ceremonies.
Show the tribe their cultural heritage matters
In an increasingly globalized society that is rushing forward at a breakneck pace, with places all over the world becoming more and more similar to one another, your time volunteering in Costa Rica will assure these special people that their ancient way of life matters and is worth preserving.
Travel to beautiful Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a travel destination unlike anywhere else in the world. Although quite a small country, it has a huge range in elevations, climates, and landscapes. From cool mountain peaks and misty cloud forests, the bustling capital of San Jose, the steamy tropical rainforests to the spectacular and pristine beaches, Costa Rica will take your breath away.
Contact Global Crossroad today to learn more about promoting an indigenous tribe in Costa Rica!
Other Volunteer Opportunities Available in Costa Rica:
No matter your passion or interests, we offer a variety of life-changing, volunteer programs in Costa Rica such as
childcare,
medical,
coffee plantation,
teaching,
veterinary, and much more.
For more information on our exciting programs in Costa Rica, contact us today.