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Volunteer in Childcare in Costa Rica!
Do you love children and want to give back those in need? Are you interested to travel to Costa Rica and make a meaningful difference in the life of deprived children?
Costa Rica is the ideal place to experience lush rainforests, active volcanoes, and both white and black sand beaches lining two spectacular coasts. You can view exotic wildlife like monkeys, sloths, parrots, jaguars, and more! Explore Costa Rica and see what everyone is raving about.
Unfortunately, a large number of people in Costa Rica live in poverty, and the children suffer the worst from this predicament. Some are orphaned, others are removed from abusive or neglectful homes, and some come from poor families who cannot afford adequate childcare. Many of these kids lack the proper care and supervision they desperately need.
can help! Volunteer with children in Costa Rica program and help who are in need. You’ll be working with child protective services, and childcare centers for low-income families providing much needed care to the poor children of Costa Rica that need your help.
Contact Global Crossroad today to learn more about helping kids in need in Costa Rica!
Volunteer Responsibilities & Impacts
You will act as a caregiver, mentor, and friend to Costa Rican children in need. You’ll provide basic care, help with homework, and organize fun and creative activities to do with the kids.
Depending on the current needs of the project, you may work with kids seized by child protective services, or volunteer in a childcare center designed to serve low-income families so the parents can go to work and try to better their situation.
Your time as a childcare volunteer in Costa Rica will have a profound impact on the lives of the disadvantaged kids you will be helping. You will give them the much-needed care, love, and attention they deserve, improving their quality of life and bringing smiles to their little faces. Feel great knowing you are making such a big difference and helping others!
Skills and Qualifications
There are no specific requirements to join this program childcare volunteering opportunity in Costa Rica, other than being 18 years of age and having a love for children. You’ll need to be kind, compassionate, and willing to help others in need. Know that some of these kids have come from really difficult and traumatic backgrounds, so a lot patience and understanding go a long way.
It will be very helpful to have some Spanish language skills so you can communicate with the kids. 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 volunteering with kids in need is going to fill your heart with joy and meaning. You’ll be offering compassionate care, playing fun games, and connecting with these kids who need your supervision and attention.
You can expect to volunteer an average of 5 hours per day, Monday-Friday after joining this Costa Rica childcare volunteer opportunity. 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, our in-country coordinator will bring you to your placement and introduce you to the caring local project staff. You'll meet some of the amazing kids you’re going to be helping and have an orientation to get you started.
- Orientation: Learn all about the work you’ll be doing with the kids, what’s expected of you, your schedule, safety protocol, and briefly go over the customs and culture of Costa Rica.
- Weekdays: A typical volunteer day as a childcare volunteer in Costa Rica might look something like this:
- 7.00 to 7.30 AM: Start your day off with a nice breakfast around the table with your welcoming host family.
- 7.45 AM: Head out to your project and get ready for a fun and rewarding day providing compassionate care to Costa Rican children in need.
- 12.00 PM: Take a break for lunch. You may head home to your host family or ask for a lunch to-go and eat at your project site. This will give you time to bond with your fellow volunteers and the local project staff, making new international friends.
- 3.00 PM: After an enriching day helping kids, you’ll need a break. Your evening will be free to relax or explore the beautiful surroundings.
- 6.45 PM: Immerse yourself in the local culture with a traditional dinner with your host family. Take the chance to practice your Spanish and learn more about your new Costa Rican friends!
Volunteer in Childcare in Costa Rica: 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 | Children |
|---|---|
| 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
As a childcare volunteer in Costa Rica, you’ll enjoy safe, clean, and comfortable accommodations staying with one of our socially respected and experienced local host families. They will welcome you into a true home away from home and serve you three healthy meals each day.
Free Time and Weekend Exploration
Costa Rica is a traveler’s paradise, with unspoiled nature, amazingly friendly and laidback locals, stunning beaches, and extraordinary wildlife. You’ll have evenings and weekends free to get out and explore. Go to a volcano, zipline, snorkel, hike up a mountain or go visit an ethical wildlife sanctuary. Get out there and see what you can find!
Discover what to do in your free time and weekends in Costa Rica.
Safety and In Country Support
Your safety is our number one priority. When you volunteer in childcare program in Costa Rica, we have you covered every step of the way. We offer you support before and during your travels, insurance, a carefully vetted trip, and the guidance and support of our fantastic in-country team.
Volunteer in Childcare in Costa Rica: FAQs
Wondering about a few details when it comes to volunteering abroad? Global Crossroad is here to help. Here are some important details to know when traveling with us.
Arrival and Departure
You will fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica. Your airport pickup is included in your volunteer fee, and we will have someone waiting for you when you land who will take you safely to your accommodations.
When you complete your childcare volunteering 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 as you pass through immigration. However, do your research to learn the requirements for your home country before heading out on your Costa Rica childcare 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.
Research the visa requirements at the official Immigration site of Costa Rica.
Vaccination
Make an appointment with your doctor at least a few weeks before you travel.
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 in childcare in Costa Rica?
Help children in need
The kids you’ll be volunteering with come from all sorts of unfortunate circumstances, but they are all the same in that they truly need your help. Be that kind, responsible adult looking after young Costa Ricans who have no one else.
Travel the world for change
Traveling the world is a noble pursuit in and of itself, but when you try to make the world a better place you become a force of positive change. Every small act of kindness adds up, really making a difference. And you get to see a beautiful part of the world at the same time!
Gain experience working with kids
Thinking about a future working with children? Future teachers and caretakers can gain professional experience working with kids at this exciting Costa Rica childcare volunteer project. Looks great on a resume or application!
Help struggling families and orphans
The sad truth is a lot of Costa Rican families are dealing with some real hardships like poverty and dysfunction, and some poor children have lost their families altogether. You’ll be helping put those families back together and providing positive and encouraging care to a lot of great kids who really need your help.
Contact Global Crossroad to learn more about helping kids in need 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
medical,
coffee plantation,
teaching,
veterinary,
indigenous tribe and much more.
For more information on our exciting programs in Costa Rica, contact us today.