Costa Rica – Children and Education Projects

Volunteers work at an institution that plays a key role in the children’s health care system in Costa Rica. Possible tasks include spending time with bedridden children, playing with the children on the playground, and assisting with hospital upkeep such as laundry. There also may be additional activities assigned by the hospital staff in accordance with the volunteer’s specific skills; however, generally volunteers will not be permitted to perform any medical tasks.

Available Dates: Quests start every Monday – Friday, year round.
Minimum Stay: 4 weeks
Requirements: Female, at least 18 years old, intermediate Spanish

Day Care Quest

Volunteers work at a day care center located in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood of San José. The center also provides lunch for single mothers, organizes night patrols, and offers support for homeless people. Possible tasks for volunteers include assisting in the daycare center, playing with the children, helping during meal time, working in the nursery with smaller children, and supporting other activities and departments when necessary.

Available Dates: Quests start every Monday – Friday, year round.
Minimum Stay: 4 weeks
Requirements: Female, at least 18 years old, basic Spanish

*Please note: project tends to fill quickly in summer.

Special Education School Quest

Volunteers will work at a public primary school that offers care for children with disabilities in four different areas: physical, visual, auditory, and mental. Tasks may include assisting the teachers in the classrooms with activities for the children, supporting the children in self-development, assisting in music and sports lessons, and doing paperwork or translations for the office.

Available Dates: Quests start every Monday – Friday, year round (This Quest will be closed December through February and July for school holidays.)
Minimum Stay: 8 weeks
Requirements: At least 18 years old, intermediate Spanish, knowledge of first aid recommended

Teaching Assistant Quest

Volunteers work in public schools located in several middle and lower-middle class areas in Costa Rica. The children, aged between 5 and 13 years old, are in kindergarten through the first six grades of elementary school. The schools’ curriculum and activities usually include all the basic subjects (Spanish, science, social studies and mathematics). Additionally, most schools offer English as a foreign language, music, arts, physical education, civics and (Roman Catholic) religion classes.

The schools particularly value support from volunteers in English and physical education classes. Sometimes, if a volunteer has special knowledge or skills – for example in music, arts, or sports – and if the school agrees, he/she can organize additional activities independently.

Available Dates: Quests start every Monday – Thursday based on the location, year round.
Minimum Stay: 4 weeks
Requirements: At least 18 years old, intermediate Spanish

*Please note: project tends to fill quickly in summer.

• Lodging at a local homestay or volunteer cabin
• Three home-cooked meals per day
• 2-day orientation in San José
• 6 hours of Spanish lessons
• City tour of San José and trip to Poás Volcano National Park
• Online pre-departure training with our Boston staff
• In-country airport transportation
• Emergency medical and travel insurance
• 24/7 in-country support and supervision
• A United Planet t-shirt

United Planet provides emergency travel and medical insurance for all volunteers. All Costa Rica staff members participate in extensive health and safety training, and are available at all times by 24-hour phone line. Upon enrollment, you will receive a full emergency contact list. In addition, we register all of our volunteers with US Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). We recommend booking a doctor’s appointment or visiting a travel health clinic a few months out to update your vaccinations.  Read more about health and safety.

Due to varying airline prices, United Planet does not arrange or cover the cost of flights to and from Costa Rica. However, we arrange all ground transportation to and from the airport in Costa Rica and will ensure that you arrive safely at orientation in San José and at your accommodations. Public transportation between your accommodations and your project will depend on the location of your host family and the project. You can usually commute by walking or by bus, which is cheap and easy. Daily commuting costs are covered by volunteers.