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Volunteer in Costa Rica
Do you dream of visiting the tropical rainforests and spectacular beaches of Costa Rica? How would you like to volunteer with people and animals in need and make the world a better place?
Costa Rica attracts visitors from around the world, and it’s not hard to see why. With some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, you can view breathtaking landscapes, hike to mighty volcanoes, cool off in a waterfall, meander down two stunning coastlines, and view exotic wildlife like sloths, monkeys, jaguars, and toucans. Join GCR and see for yourself!
Unfortunately, this tropical paradise is in great need of international volunteers like you to deal with a number of issues it faces. The natural world is under threat from human development, along with the many amazing animals who make their home there. Over a third of the people live in poverty, with children suffering the worst from this terrible problem.
You can help make a difference! GCR offers meaningful and life-changing volunteer opportunities in Costa Rica where you can make a true difference. You can work with disadvantaged children, teach English, volunteer in conservation, learn more about the medical field, or help repair and rebuild homes, schools, and orphanages in low-income communities.
Contact GCR to learn more about making a difference in Costa Rica!
Volunteer in San Jose, Costa Rica: Programs
Global Crossroad offers a variety of exciting wildlife volunteer projects in Costa Rica that will help you really make a difference with wildlife in need. Keep reading to find the perfect project for you!
If you love kids and want to help those in need, this is the project for you! You’ll be volunteering at a childcare center that is designed to serve low-income families that otherwise could not afford reliable or quality childcare.
You don’t need prior experience in order to volunteer in Costa Rica in childcare program, but you will need to love kids, be dedicated to helping people in need, and show kindness and patience. You should be a good role model for the children, and help create a positive, supportive environment for these kids to grow and develop in. Spanish will be very helpful but is not required.
Only a few numbers of people in Costa Rica speak fluent English. Children need this valuable skill to get ahead and succeed in a tourism-based economy. Public schools teach only basic vocabulary, and many teachers do not speak fluent English themselves.
After joining this volunteering teaching English opportunity in Costa Rica, you will teach in local schools (kindergarten, primary, or secondary, based on your preference). You will help develop curriculum that local teachers can continue to use to support your students after you leave. You’ll also engage the children in fun educational activities and creative ways to learn the skills they need for successful futures.
If you have construction skills you’d like to lend to a great cause, you can help rebuild low-income communities. Poverty and the tropical environment take their toll on structures, and many people in Costa Rica live in substandard housing they have no way of repairing.
You don’t need to be a professional contractor to volunteer in construction program in Costa Rica, but you’ll need basic skills, and be dedicated to working hard to help people in need.
If you are passionate about joining conservation volunteer opportunity in Costa Rica, this is the project for you. At this exciting project, you will team up with national parks, local non-profits organizations or an organic farm and work to educate the public and conserve Costa Rica’s precious natural resources.
If you are a healthcare student or a medical professional and looking for a real-life medical volunteer opportunity abroad, then this is the perfect project to help advance your career. This program gives you the chance to develop skills you’ll need in your future profession and will expose you to a variety of real-life medical situations in a hospital or clinic setting.
This healthcare volunteer opportunity in Costa Rica is designed for medical students, or graduates who are looking for real-world experience. You’ll need to provide a valid medical student id, or a certificate of degree from an accredited medical institution. The patients you observe will be treated in Spanish, so you’ll need to have a firm grasp of the language or hire a translator.
GCR Volunteers offers dental volunteer programs in Costa Rica. Despite a well-developed healthcare system, there's still a dental care gap. By volunteering, you can assist local professionals, improve dental hygiene awareness, and provide much-needed care to underserved communities.
Visit the project page for detail information.In Costa Rica, scientists have been involved in research and habitat protection for years. The work is extensive and their data is slowly building pictures of the treatment sea turtles face.
These turtles always return to nest on the beach at which they were hatched, but many turtles never return due to natural predators and the ones who do face eroding beaches, pollution and other physical challenges upon arrival.
Are you passionate about animals? Would you like to contribute to the rescue and rehabilitation of endangered animals in Costa Rica? Join our animal care volunteer program!
Are you passionate about making a positive impact through environmental conservation? Do you dream of volunteering in the stunning landscapes of Costa Rica, known for its beautiful beaches and diverse marine life? Would you like to help protect and preserve the stunning Costa Rican beaches?
Are you interested in safeguarding sea turtles and mangroves in Costa Rica? Are you passionate about conservation and making a difference in coastal habitats?
Visit the project page to find pricing and complete information.
Are you passionate about conservation and preserving biodiversity? Do you enjoy working with plants and have a deep appreciation for nature?
Visit the project page to find pricing and complete information.
Are you thinking about volunteering in Costa Rica? Do you want to work with local communities to enhance their quality of life?
Visit the project page to find pricing and complete information.
Do you have a passion for healthcare and a desire to make a meaningful difference in communities lacking access to medical resources?
Visit the project page to find pricing and complete information.
In addition to the above projects, we also offer family Volunteering, alternative spring break, high school volunteering, college/university volunteering and many other programs. Contact Global Crossroad for further information.
Volunteer in Costa Rica: Dates and Fees
Program Dates
Global Crossroads volunteer programs begin every Monday year-round. We allow flexibility if you have travel constraints. Volunteers can join our programs from 1 week up to 12 weeks.
Fees
Global Crossroad is committed to offering the most affordable and high quality Costa Rica volunteer trips. We strive to keep our costs low. The humanitarian side of the business is our passion.
Global Crossroad volunteer opportunity in San Jose, Costa Rica application and registration fee costs US $299. The application fee covers the cost of advertising, program promotion, and office expenses (rent, utilities, and staff salaries in the USA office).
In addition to the application fee, you are required to pay a weekly program fee. You will pay your weekly fee directly to your host family and project (via the country coordinator). This way, the fees that you pay will benefit those who rightfully deserve them, and are not for company profit.
Volunteer Program Fees (US$)
| Duration | San Jose (Childcare, Teaching English) |
San Jose (Medical, Dental, Construction, Eco-Agriculture) |
Manuel Antonio (Childcare, Teaching English) |
Manuel Antonio (Medical) |
Turtle Conservation Beach Conservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Week | $455 | $550 | - | - | - |
| 2 Weeks | $765 | $955 | - | - | $955 |
| 3 Weeks | $1,075 | $1,360 | $1,255 | $1,350 | $1,360 |
| 4 Weeks | $1,345 | $1,725 | $1,535 | $1,630 | $1,725 |
| 5 Weeks | $1,530 | $2,005 | $1,730 | $1,825 | $2,005 |
| 6 Weeks | $1,715 | $2,285 | $1,925 | $2,020 | $2,285 |
| 7 Weeks | $1,900 | $2,565 | $2,120 | $2,215 | $2,565 |
| 8 Weeks | $2,085 | $2,845 | $2,315 | $2,410 | $2,845 |
| 9 Weeks | $2,270 | $3,125 | $2,510 | $2,605 | $3,125 |
| 10 Weeks | $2,455 | $3,405 | $2,705 | $2,800 | $3,405 |
| 11 Weeks | $2,640 | $3,685 | $2,900 | $2,995 | $3,685 |
| 12 Weeks | $2,825 | $3,965 | $3,095 | $3,190 | $3,965 |
For volunteer vacation, The fee includes weekly surcharge
Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3.49/day ( below 28 years) and $4.49/day ( above 28 years) »
Spanish Immersion Classes
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica - $150/week
San Jose, Costa Rica - $125/week
Program fees cover:
- Shared Accommodation with host family
- 2 meals per day (Breakfast & Dinner)
- Airport Pick up
- In-country support
- Program Orientation
- Project Management
- Volunteer Certificate
- Discount for returning volunteers
Program fees exclude:
- Visas
- Airfare
- Miscellaneous personal expenses, soft drinks, food, etc.
- Daily transportation
- Airport return transfer
The Costa Rica volunteer program fees will cover expenses from the first day of your program to the last day of your 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 any additional expenses.
Accommodations and Meals
While volunteering in Costa Rica, GCR makes sure you have a safe, clean, and comfortable place to stay, and that you are provided three healthy local meals per day. All of this is included in your volunteer fee, so you can focus on making the world a better place! You will stay with one of our well screened host families throughout the project.
Host families are socially respected members of their community who live in good neighborhoods and have lots of experience hosting international volunteers. The families are eager to share their culture with you and welcome you into a true home away from home. Practice your Spanish and experience daily life in Costa Rica!
Free Time Options
You’ll only be volunteering for an average of 4-5 hours a day, Monday-Friday. That gives you plenty of time to explore Costa Rica and make the most of your time abroad!
There are a number of art galleries and museums, theaters, shops, restaurants, parks, and live music venues for you to enjoy. You can also enjoy the beaches and rainforests. Meet the friendly locals and practice your Spanish!
Weekends are perfect for volunteers in Costa Rica to explore, and San Jose is a convenient hub to many exciting destinations around this small Central American country. You can visit volcanoes, zip line through cloud forests, surf or lounge on spectacular beaches, go hiking in rainforests, view exotic wildlife, jump off waterfalls, or soak in relaxing hot springs.
Learn more about your free time and weekend exploration in Costa Rica.
Spanish Immersion Classes
Would you like to learn Spanish and connect with the locals during your volunteering in Costa Rica? We offer affordable Spanish language classes in Costa Rica for our volunteers. To provide high quality Spanish lessons, we have teamed up with highly reputable Spanish schools with qualified Spanish teachers.
You can take 2 hours of Spanish classes per day during your volunteer program or join a week-long Spanish Immersion class before or after your volunteer activities.
Volunteer in Costa Rica: FAQs
Do you have a list of questions about the ins and outs of volunteering in Costa Rica? We have all the answers you’re looking for right here:
You will fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica, also known as SJO. Provide your flight details so a pickup can be set up for you, and keep GCR informed of any flight delays or changes.
Departure transportation is not included in the volunteer fee. Ask the local project staff if you need advice on setting this up.
You will need a tourist visa, but many nationalities can apply on-arrival at the airport. Do your research in advance to find out if you’re eligible. You can get up to 90 days and need proof of onward travel within that time frame. Your return ticket will do the trick.
You cannot extend your visa, and if you wish to stay longer volunteering in Costa Rica, you’ll need to cross the border for a short time, and obtain a new visa stamp for 90 days upon re-entry. Learn more about the Costa Rican visa policy.
Protect your health and get up to date on all your routine vaccines, as well as Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines, recommended by the CDC. You’ll want to make an appointment to discuss all this with your doctor, and make sure you do it well in advance in case you need boosters. Learn more here:
VaccinationHealth and Safety
Other Volunteer Destinations
Page updated: 7th December, 2020