1 to 12 Weeks
(your journey here)
Volunteer Opportunities in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known for its amazing natural beauty, biodiversity, eco-tourism, and warm, relaxed culture. As a volunteer in this Central American republic, you’ll immerse yourself in a nation of undisturbed rainforests, peaceful atmosphere (the Costa Rican army was abolished in 1948) and “Pura Vida” lifestyle. Costa Ricans are friendly, relaxed, and willing to lend a hand, or even a home, in times of need. Slow down and appreciate a different pace of life – you’ll feel at home in this family-oriented culture.
Many projects in Costa Rica support environmental efforts around the country. As a United Planet volunteer in Costa Rica, you can work at rural conservation projects, eco-farms, or wildlife rehabilitation centers. You can also support community development projects in San José, the nation’s capital.
Also, as part of your Quest, take in the Pura Vida culture!
United Planet also offers long-term (6 months and one year) volunteer abroad programs and virtual volunteering and virtual internships (1 month to 6 months) in Costa Rica. Learn more about all of our volunteer abroad programs and virtual volunteering and virtual internship countries and projects in Latin and South America.
Costa Rica Volunteer Project Information
Global Health Volunteer Projects
Great for volunteers with a background in psychology. Volunteers work in homes for the elderly, providing recreation and special attention. Some of these centers care for elderly during the day, while others provide the residents with a place to live full time. Possible tasks for the volunteer include keeping residents company, organizing activities such as exercises or workshops, helping with cleaning and cooking, and assisting in physiotherapy and medical care. Please note that participation in medical tasks will be very limited.
Available Dates: Quests start every Monday – Friday, year-round.
Minimum Stay: 4 weeks
Requirements: At least 18 years old, intermediate Spanish
Children and Education Volunteer Projects
Volunteers care for children in day care centers, children’s homes, and a children’s hospital. Other volunteer opportunities include assisting teachers at public elementary schools and working at a special education school.
Environmental Sustainability Volunteer Projects
Volunteers work at environmental projects in various locations around Costa Rica. Projects include conservation, promoting environmental awareness and ecotourism, caring for wildlife, and more.
Your Costa Rica Quest
During your two-day orientation in Costa Rica, you’ll receive a walking tour of the capital city, San José. This is a great way to get acquainted with your new surroundings and learn about Costa Rica’s rich history.
To help you immerse in your surroundings, you’ll receive six hours of small group Spanish lessons during your stay in Costa Rica. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to put your new language skills to use.
Volunteers working at Children and Education or Global Health Projects will stay with host families near their project sites. This is a great way to learn more about Costa Rican culture and practice the language!
Volunteers working at Environmental Sustainability projects will live in shared volunteer lodges at their project sites. You’ll bond with your fellow volunteers while immersing yourself in Costa Rica’s famous natural environment.
Free Time in Costa Rica
Visit Galería Namu in San José: If you have some time off from volunteering, explore this fair-trade gallery that brings together artwork and crafts from many different regional ethnicities in Costa Rica.
Explore the Teatro Nacional: The Teatro Nacional is one of San José’s most famous historic public buildings. Check out the ornate interior, and go see a show if you have the time!
Go hiking at a National Park: Costa Rica is known for its biodiversity and beautiful natural environment. Take a trip to one of the country’s many national parks and immerse yourself in nature.
Visit the Museo de Jade: This unique museum in San José contains the largest collection of American jade in the world. If you’re interested in carving and sculpture, pay this landmark a visit during your free time.
Try gallo pinto: This famous Costa Rican rice and beans dish means “spotted rooster” in English. Make sure to order a plateful before leaving Costa Rica!
Costa Rica in Photos
Optional Quest Add-Ons
Add a one or two week intensive Spanish Language course to your Quest. The course is taught by experienced teachers and will help you develop your Spanish vocabulary and listening comprehension skills. This optional course takes place during the first two weeks of your Quest in a Spanish Language school in San José. The classes are four hours long and run from Monday to Friday for a total of 20 hours per week.
1 week Spanish Language Immersion Course: $300
2 week Spanish Language Immersion Course: $600
Volunteer Voices
Bryan Bernal reflects on his experience in Costa Rica as an environmental sustainability volunteer.
“The people in Montezuma and all of Costa Rica are some of the nicest people I have ever met. They treated me with nothing but respect and politeness. The culture in Costa Rica is unique and one of a kind. The people of Costa Rica are stress free. They live by the saying “Pura Vida” which means to just enjoy the moment, and you can really see the people of Costa Rica living by this saying.”
Check out the rest of what he had to say in his blog post here.
Quick FAQs
Costa Rica Quest is offered year-round, and most of the projects start every Monday of the month.
For the Costa Rica Quest, volunteers can choose to volunteer from 1 week to 12 weeks. Some projects do require a minimum stay.
The age requirement for the Costa Rica Quest is 18.
United Planet has a language requirement to volunteer in Spanish-speaking countries. The minimum Spanish level varies for each project (basic, intermediate, or advanced) and is listed next to the project descriptions on each country page. Volunteer will receive 6 hours of Spanish lessons as a part of the Costa Rica Program
We ask that volunteers enroll at least 60 days prior to their anticipated departure date. This gives us enough time to schedule volunteer placements, coordinate in-country activities, and provide sufficient pre-departure training. If you are interested in enrolling for a program starting in less than 60 days, please contact us directly.
Anagha Mathur – Testimonial
My experience in Costa Rica was remarkable and unforgettable. I was truly blessed to go on this trip and help volunteer in the Santa Elena Reserve. The people I met from my group became family by the end of one week, and we all bonded in different ways. The dynamic of our group was truly beautiful. The host family I stayed with also became family, literally and figuratively. I enjoyed talking to them and learning more about their culture and daily lives. I was truly sad to leave them, and I am never going to forget them. They taught me so much in such a small amount of time, and for that I am forever grateful. But this trip was beautiful beyond new friendships. The scenery and atmosphere of Costa Rica is stunning. The air is fresh and crisp up in Monteverde. It was a very peaceful environment to stay in, and I am going to miss it. This trip impacted my life in so many ways. I learned so much more about myself, got to speak more Spanish and improve in Spanish, and I also got to learn so much about a completely different culture. I met so many new people and learned more about different parts of the U.S. I learned that life looks different for everyone, and truly living is understanding different perspectives of life and culture.
Quest Fees and Details
United Planet Quests are designed to be immersive, authentic, comprehensive and provide you everything you’ll need to succeed. The program elements allow you to engage fully with a new culture, forge strong relationships, and challenge yourself. Most importantly, we partner with the community to ensure your experience will be important, relevant and helpful to the community you serve.
- 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
- 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 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.
| 1 Week | 10 Days | 2 Weeks | 3 Weeks | 4 Weeks | 5 Weeks | 6 Weeks | 7 Weeks | 8 Weeks | 9 Weeks | 10 Weeks | 11 Weeks | 12 Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2285 | $2515 | $2645 | $2945 | $3265 | $3575 | $3885 | $4195 | $4515 | $4815 | $5135 | $5435 | $5735 |
*Sea Turtle Conservation Quests: add $150 to regular Quest fee
About Our Quest Fee
We want you to succeed. That means having in place the support our volunteers need. We don’t just drop you in country and hope for the best. We provide training before you leave … language exposure … 24/7 in-country support … support for your host family … accommodations, meals and airport transportation … activities and excursions. The whole idea is to make the experience successful and productive for you and the host community, and we have found that these things are crucial. Remember that we are a non-profit, mission-driven organization – we wouldn’t spend money on something that wasn’t important.
*Payment Plan Details: A $300 deposit is due at the time of your enrollment to lock in your spot in our program. After your confirmation in a program, you can choose to pay the Quest Fee all at once or in installments. The total Quest Fee is due 4 weeks before your departure date.
Have questions? We’re here for you. We’d love to help.