Costa Rica Turtle Conservation Volunteer | Ecological Volunteers Costa Rica

volunteer Costa RicaThrough our partner in Costa Rica, Love Volunteers is seeking volunteers to help local communities. Opportunities are available precisely where the local population’s needs are greatest, your efforts directly impacting on the lives of people affected by poverty. The options include teaching, working with disadvantaged children, as well as medical, environmental and construction work.

Why should you consider volunteering in Costa Rica? As one of Latin America’s poorest counties Costa Rica has an urgent need for volunteers to help care for underprivileged children, to support medical initiatives and to support the county’s conservation efforts – and even to teach English.

Costa Rica is a multi-faceted Central American country known for its breathtaking Pacific coastline and nature-laden jungles. You are bound to have a memorable time here. Volunteer programs allow you to choose whether to have short or long stay – anything from a seven-day taster to a six-month commitment, or even longer.

To find out more about Costa Rica check out Lonely Planet's Guide to Costa Rica.

voluteering in Costa Rica

Start and Duration

Volunteering in Costa Rica means you can choose to stay from one week, with no limit on the length of your stay. Placements commence every Monday.

Volunteer Requirements

Volunteers in Costa Rica must be at least 18 years old at the start of the placements (unless accompanied by an adult). For orphanage placements Spanish is not essential, but a basic grasp of the language is very helpful. Teaching placements require at least a basic level of Spanish as students may have limited English. Volunteers undertaking medical placements should have an intermediate level of Spanish. Apply to volunteer in Costa Rica now!

No matter what your level of Spanish, we recommended that you sign up for the very affordable Spanish courses offered by our local partner in Costa Rica.

Project Descriptions for Costa Rica

Working With Children

Volunteers are placed with childcare projects, which may be at an orphanage, an impoverished housing area, a refuge shelter or a community centre. These projects are all dedicated to helping severely underprivileged children.

Generally, volunteers assist staff in improving educational, emotional and hygiene conditions for these children. Work ranges from providing individual attention to a child in need, to playing, organising games and activities for the children. You may also be asked to educate children regarding hygiene and help them with their homework. The children are always very welcoming, and often the most important asect of the work is to provide companionship. You might make use of one of your own interests, such as music, dance or arts and crafts, to give a workshop.

You can expect full in-country support while volunteering in Costa Rica, although underfunding has meant that some programs desperately need help with administration and organisation. This is yet another reason why volunteers, like you, are badly needed here.

Medical – Pre-med - 1st and 2nd Year Medical Students

Volunteers are placed in HIV homes, homes for mentally and physically disabled adults, schools for disabled kids or at nursing homes. These placements offer a more hands-on experience than the limited number of clinic placements where volunteers will be shadowing doctors.

Medical volunteers should understand that independence in medical projects will always be determined by their level of training and demonstrated expertise, their level of Spanish, their age, their ability to take initiative and the duration of their program.

Note: You are required to bring your own scrubs and stethoscope and a copy of your passport every day you attend the project.

Medical - 3rd and 4th Year Medical Students & Licensed Professionals

Dependent on availability, volunteer placements are either at a small clinic providing primary and emergency care to low-income families and orphans or with a private ambulance service. Volunteers work alongside doctors, nurses, paramedics, and medical students, but for legal reasons even certified doctors will find that they are more likely to be observing than undertaking practical work. Those wanting a more hands-on experience should consider working in care homes for HIV sufferers, the disabled and the elderly.

Note: You are required to bring your own basic equipment, such as scrubs and a stethoscope. It is absolutely imperative that you present copies of your training certificates and credentials at the facility before starting work. You may be required to provide copies of these prior to arrival. There is a dress code for volunteers at the ambulance project. Proof of travel insurance is also required.

Non-medical Health Volunteers

Volunteers are posted either to a residence for individuals who are HIV positive or to an assisted living facility for very low income elderly residents.

At the HIV residence, the work involves providing general companionship, helping in the on-site clinic and cleaning. It should be noted that conditions at the HIV project can be emotionally demanding (but rewarding), as volunteers work one-on-one with terminally ill patients. At the assisted living facility, duties include chatting to residents, assisting with meals and distributing medication. This rewarding project suits those who are disposed towards working with the elderly.

Teaching English

Our volunteers work at one of our teaching English projects in impoverished housing areas. The venues are usually small community centres or churches within the housing area. Your students are from low income families and they cannot afford the fees charged by private institutes.

These projects are intended primarily for children who come to learn English, participate in games and cultural actives, as well as health campaigns. Volunteers do not simply teach English, but provide general support for all activities.

These English teaching projects are severely understaffed and underfunded, and so they may be disorganised, which is why they desperately need and want volunteers. While you may possibly teach in front of large classes or in formal classroom settings, usually teaching takes place one-on-one or in small groups. Lesson plans are not provided, but materials, books and lesson ideas to get you started are available. You will get all the support you require before entering the classroom. Previous teaching experience is not required. Our local partner also offers TEFL certification. If you are interested in becoming a certified English teacher drop us a line and we'll send you the details of the course.

Construction

Volunteers are posted to construction projects in or around San José. These projects include renovation work (painting, plastering and repairs) and full construction (carpentry, masonry, laying tiles and plumbing).

Impoverished housing areas and schools are the most frequent sites for the projects. Volunteers are supervised and trained by a professional Spanish-speaking foreman.

Note: Construction volunteers are strongly encouraged to bring work gloves, work boots, safety glasses and clothes that you do not mind getting dirty. Also be prepared for weather variations, including extreme heat.

Turtle Conservation

This popular program is located along the Pacific coast in rural communities. The program begins with two days of orientation in San José. Volunteers then travel by public bus (leaving early in the morning) to their project site, which is between 4 and 7 hours away.

Once at site of the Turtle Project, you will provide support to biologists, biology interns and/or locals who are involved in managing the Olive Ridley turtles nesting grounds. Please note that these projects normally include sustainable egg harvesting programs. These programs are designed to prevent over harvesting and poaching, and are overseen by the Costa Rican government.

Volunteers will take part in: nightly beach patrols, tagging turtles, transferring nests to hatcheries, as well as counting eggs and turtles.

It is important to note Turtle Conservation volunteers receive just one day off per week. With most turtle projects, volunteers may not leave the grounds during the week, except in the case of an emergency. The site rules also forbid alcohol.

Note: The kit to bring includes a flashlight, insect repellent and sun screen and dark clothes for night-time beach patrols. Working hours can be long and arduous. Beach patrols involve considerable walking, so it is important to be physically fit.

Eco-Agriculture Project

Volunteers live and work in a coffee-producing community in the mountains and are involved in many different aspects of coffee production, depending on the time of year. During harvest, volunteers will pick coffee and help with processing and roasting, while at other times they may work in seedling nurseries or planting and caring for coffee plants. Volunteers can also help the community with marketing their products or teaching English at the local school.

Language Courses

We strongly recommend that volunteers take advantage of the very affordable language courses on offer. These run for 1-6 hours per day. Volunteers with very little Spanish will find classes helpful for immersing themselves in the local culture as well as a huge help at the volunteer project itself. Check out our Spanish language lessons page.

Program Costs

Love Volunteers is a not-for-profit organization and is one of the most affordable ways to help out in a developing country while being immersed in the local culture.

Fees for volunteer programs in Costa Rica start at US$300 (€229) per week, which includes accommodation, three meals a day, an airport pick-up (if required), orientation and 24/7 in-country support. Please note that program fees do not include daily transport to and from programs and this can cost between USD 1-5 per day.

Volunteer period [weeks]	1	2	3	4	6
Teaching English	US$315	US$605	US$840	US$1050	US$1365
Pre-med, 1st & 2nd Year Med Students	US$355	US$680	US$950	US$1200	US$1590
Working with children	US$315	US$605	US$840	US$1050	US$1365
Construction	US$355	US$680	US$950	US$1200	US$1590
Turtle conservation	-	US$680	US$950	US$1200	US$1590
Eco-Agriculture Program	US$355	US$680	US$950	US$1200	US$1590
Healthcare	US$355	US$680	US$950	US$1200	US$1590
3rd & 4th Year Med Students & Licensed Medical Professionals	US$355	US$680	US$950	US$1200	US$1590

Volunteer period [weeks]	8	12	16	20	24
Teaching English	US$1680	US$2310	US$2940	US$3570	US$4200
Pre-med, 1st & 2nd Year Med Students	US$1975	US$2755	US$3530	US$4305	US$5085
Working with children	US$1680	US$2310	US$2940	US$3570	US$4200
Construction	US$1975	US$2755	US$3530	US$4305	US$5085
Turtle conservation	US$1975	US$2755	US$3530	US$4305	US$5085
Eco-Agriculture Program	US$1975	US$2755	US$3530	US$4305	US$5085
Healthcare	US$1975	US$2755	US$3530	US$4305	US$5085
3rd & 4th Year Med Students & Licensed Medical Professionals	US$1975	US$2755	US$3530	US$4305	US$5085

Other volunteers periods available. Please, contact LoveVolunteers for pricing of other periods.

A Love Volunteers registration fee of US$235 (approximately €170) is charged in addition to the program fees and covers any placements you undertake for twelve months from the start of your first placement. The fee is refundable if you choose not to volunteer more than three months prior to the start of your initial placement. This fee ensures 24/7 pre- and post-placement support from Love Volunteers, checking and vetting of local organisations, a comprehensive information pack, as well as administration and marketing costs. Given Love Volunteers is a not-for-profit organisation we also ask volunteers to cover any bank charges incurred by international money transfers.

Accommodation and Meals

You will stay with a local Costa Rican family while in the country. All families have been fully vetted by our local team and have experience hosting volunteers. You may have to share a room with another volunteer, or you may have a room to yourself. We will always try and work out the best option for you or your group depending on your requirements. Part of your program fee is given to your host family to cover the costs of accommodation and food. It truly is the best way to be immersed in the local culture and often meet people who will become lifelong friends!

Your host family will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner. Costa Rican food typically is described as tasty, but mild in comparison to Mexican cuisine. Fresh fruit and vegetables are abundant. Fried plantain accompanies many dishes, the most traditional of which is Gallo Pinto, a dish of rice and black beans.

One big advantage that volunteers staying in Costa Rica have over ordinary travellers here is that they gain insight on local customs and the true character of these warm and friendly people.

Orientation

Upon your arrival in Costa Rica, you will spend a day finding out about your host country, city and family. Our local team will tell you everything you need to know about the local customs, safety, rules and expectations and, of course, about your volunteering experience. You'll be given a walking tour of the area in and around our partner’s facilities and get a chance to meet other volunteers with whom you might like to plan activities for weekends and evenings.

A Typical Week

The structure of the week varies for different projects, but we aim to be flexible. Provided plenty of notice is given, we will try to accommodate your plans. That said, volunteering comes with responsibilities and while taking a day or two off every month is fine, numerous and regular days off is frowned upon. A typical week volunteering looks something like this:

Weekdays: Between 7am and 8.30am you can expect to have breakfast with your host family. Placements are usually arranged into shifts so you may find yourself working in the morning until about 12-1pm, or in the afternoon until about 5-6pm. Some programs, such as English teaching, may require evening shifts. In your free time you can explore the local area, play with the kids (if you’re at a teaching or childcare assignment), or hang out with other volunteers. In the evening, if you are not working, you can have dinner with your host family, or visit a local restaurant with friends.

Weekends: Many volunteer use their weekends to visit cultural sites or you can tour the capital, San José, beaches and other sights. You may just want to relax at home or in a café. Long weekends can be easily arranged locally to allow trips further afield (for example, to Lake Arenal and Manuel Antonio National Park.)

About the Country

Meaning ‘Rich Coast’ and appropriately so-named, Costa Rica is delightfully diverse, with volcanoes, lakes, ‘cloud’ forests, mountain villages, beaches and dripping, dense jungle filled with wonderful wildlife.

Among the richest locations in terms of wildlife anywhere is the Corcovado National Park. The Volcano Arenal is active and provides a natural night time spectacle and it is also surrounded by hot springs. It is just one of 112 volcanoes in this small country.

Animals that you might encounter in the various ecologically rich parts of the country include: monkeys, tarantulas, two-toed and three-toed sloths, turtles and the quetzal bird.

The cafe-filled town Monteverde is at the heart of the cloud forest, where the intrepid can be whisked along on zip lines. Otherwise, good old hiking is an option. Elsewhere, you may get a chance to horse-ride along deserted beaches, surf, dive or whale-watch. Outdoor activities abound here, although relaxation is equally possible as the eastern coast is known for its Caribbean feel.

Another popular activity is the 36-hour boat excursion across the Pacific to reach Isla del Coco, otherwise known as Costa Rica’s Galapagos.

Apply now! Or check out the FAQ or contact page for more information.

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