| COSTA
RICA
- Population
4,148,500
- Capital City San José
(337,000) metro (1.5 mil)
- Languages Spanish (official),
others
- Currency Costa Rican Colon
- Religions Catholic (76%),
others
- Climate Tropical; dry season is generally between late December and April; wet season between May and November. Hotter on the coast - temperatures regularly over 30° every day. San Jose’s climate is closer to an ‘eternal spring’ (as the locals call it). The Caribbean coast tends to be wet all year
- Highlights San José – Pacific Beaches – National Parks – Volcanoes – Canopy Walks – Sulphur Springs .
IEP’s Volunteer Costa Rica program
gives you the opportunity to explore and gain insight into Central
America while contributing to a worthwhile project and impacting
positively on the lives of others. Participants have the support
and assistance of OTEC, IEP’s partner in Costa Rica and
the country’s leading student work and travel provider.
Home-stay accommodation is organised near the placement.
"Wow... I can't believe I've been gone for 10 months & will be returning to Oz in a few short months! I finished my volunteering toward the end of April and I can't tell you how rewarding it was, daily smiles from the children and their welcoming and warm nature made every day a pleasure! No matter how hot and sticky it was!" - Ros, volunteered in Costa Rica 07/08
Download
the full placement notes for Costa Rica
Apply for Volunteer Costa Rica
VOLUNTEER COSTA RICA
1 MONTH PLACEMENT $1653
2 MONTH PLACEMENT $1805
3 MONTH PLACEMENT $1932
Costa Rica has some of Central America’s
best surfing, white-water rafting and reef diving and is home
to 4 million people who embody pura vida – the national
expression meaning the desire to live a happy, carefree life.
A small nation of mostly coastline,
Costa Rica has a unique landscape of rugged highlands, luscious
rainforests, active volcanoes and black sand beaches. The environmental
consciousness of the Costa Rican people has ensured the survival
of a stunning diversity of exotic plant and wildlife. IEP offers
a wide range of volunteer opportunities so you can make a positive
difference to this extraordinary country.
Eligibility
- At least conversational level Spanish or willing and able
to language training on arrival.
- Must arrive between a Sunday and a Thursday as this is when orientations begin. Departures in December are discouraged as placements often close down over the Christmas/New Year period.
- Applications
should be lodged at least 3 months prior to departure.
Types of Placements
-
Education: teach English
as a second language
-
Agricultural: improving
farming or planting methods, or help develop local products
-
Small Business Development:
such as travel agencies and regional crafts
-
Conservation: clearing rainforest
trails, turtle conservation, environmental protection projects
INCLUSIONS
Before you go:
- Personal support and advice
from experienced IEP staff to help organise your trip (including interview
to determine suitability)
- Placement at a volunteer project
appropriate to your skills and preferences
- Assistance in booking Spanish
tuition in Costa Rica (extra cost)
- Three months comprehensive
travel insurance, extendable up to two years
- IEP can direct you to our
travel partner for discounted flights (airfare and taxes extra)
- Discounted Lonely Planet Guide
to Costa Rica
- Phone card with US$5 credit
- Brochures and maps to familiarise
yourself with Costa Rica
- Volunteer Costa Rica Handbook
While you’re there:
-
Meet and greet by OTEC at San Jose airport
- Airport transfer to hostel
- 2 nights hostel accommodation
in San Jose
- Comprehensive arrival orientation
Home stay accommodation arranged
near your project (US$300 per month payable directly to family to cover room, board and laundry)
 PARTICIPANT
PROFILE
NAME: Simon Cubbo,
AGE: 24
FROM: Jervis Bay, NSW
PARTICIPANT COMMENTS:
LIFE IN COSTA RICA: I was living in Tarcoles - it’s a small fishing village, there’s not much else to it so it was definitely a culture shock. I did a home-stay; my family was really nice - none of them spoke any English at all. There wasn’t much communicating going on – just laughing most of the time. My Dad’s Italian so I just spoke with my hands quite a lot! It was pretty hard leaving Costa Rica, they were all crying.
WORK: I’d spend a couple of days
a week doing community service work like park maintenance or cleaning the beach. And then there was often construction work to do, like building a new basketball court. That was kind of cool - the whole town pitched in and everyone came out and worked and no-one got paid. I also taught English one day a week in the high school.
PROGRAM SUPPORT: It was really great - well organised, lots of help in setting it all up. IEP was really helpful and so was OTEC (IEP’s partner in Costa Rica). The whole program was pretty laid-back - it’s not very stressful!
PROJECTS AVAILABLE - Download
the full placement notes for Costa Rica
Volunteer Costa Rica participants can choose from large range of projects, with the main areas being agricultural, conservation, small business development and education. Below is a summary table of what is involved in each type of placement. Scroll below for more detailed information about each of these and examples of the projects available.
| EDUCATION |
COMMUNITY |
| Working as a teacher's assistant in a pre-school, primary or secondary school helping to teach English and other subjects. Also help to organise activities from arts and crafts, to music, dance and sports lessons. |
Various placements including building projects, farming, healthcare and welfare. |
| |
|
| ENVIRONMENTAL/CONSERVATION |
WILDLIFE |
| Volunteer in a nature reserve or national park. Assist with cleaning trails, monitoring flora and fauna and showing visitors around a project, helping out with environmental education schemes. |
Placements are available in animal sanctuaries, zoos and farms. Work is likely to be basic including preparing food, feeding and cleaning out the animals. You may also get the opportunity to assist vets, monitor species and educate visitors about the project. |
| |
|
| TOURISM |
OTHER |
| Helping to develop tourism in rural villages and local communities. |
There are also come commerical opportunities working in hotels, museums and galleries. |
Children’s Museum of San José
Location: San José.
Description: Located in the former prison of San José, the “Penitenciaría Central,” the museum is a huge complex dedicated to children and youth, exhibiting themes such as space, sciences, senses, children’s tales and history.
Work: Volunteers get the chance to be guides for international visitors and also socialise with the children.
Skill requirements: Self motivated, proactive and open minded people. Basic Spanish level is necessary.
Artistic Association
Location: San José, western suburbs.
Description: Using a totally new approach to Psychology, the Artistic Association teaches art through art therapy to orphaned children.
Work: Volunteers can assist with children’s daily tasks and homework, and help  develop new projects with the Psychology team.
Skill requirements: Self motivated, proactive and open minded people. Advanced Spanish level is necessary. A personal project scheduled by week is also mandatory.
San Gabriel Community
Location: Mountains of San José.
Description: Rural community that needs help with primary and high school English lessons Work: Volunteers teach English at the local school and play with the children at the local library.
Skill requirements: Self motivated, proactive and open minded people. Good Spanish level is necessary.
Corcovado National Park
Location: Located in South Costa Rica near Osa Peninsula.
Description: This National Park and beach offers conservation activities such as clearing trails, repairing signs, cleaning beaches and recycling projects for volunteers.
Work: National Park part of the Environmental Ministry.
Skill requirements: Nature lovers with basic Spanish.
Horse back riding
Location: Monteverde.
Description: Private development for horses.
Work: Farm activities such as taking care of horses. Volunteers receive free lodging and meals.
Skill requirements: Horse lovers; should know how to ride and care for horses.
Community of Native Costa Ricans
Location: South Costa Rica, seven hours from San Jose.
Description: Rural community of native Costa Ricans near the forest.
Work: Volunteering with the local community to help them make and sell their handcrafts: masks, purses and clothing. Also teaching English to the local community.
Skill requirements: Self motivated, proactive and open minded people. Advanced Spanish level is necessary.
Animal Protection Association
Location: Located in San Jose.
Description: Private association for the protection and care of animals.
Work: Volunteers help raise animal protection awareness, participate in animal care, and undertake administrative tasks as required.
Skill requirements: Self motivated, proactive and open minded people. Good Spanish level is necessary.
Wild Monkey Protection Project
Location: Guanacaste
Work: Volunteers assist feeding monkeys, and healing them near the beach in  Guanacaste.
Hotel in San Carlos
Location: San Carlos area
Description: Offers free lodging and meals to
volunteers with nature knowledge. Provide an allowance of $75
per month as pocket money.
Work: Volunteers act as guides and hosts, and
assist with bar and restaurant duties.
Skill requirements: An advanced level of Spanish is needed. Participants
should have an open mind and be very patient.
Please email
us for more information about these Costa Rican placements,
or for information about others that are available.
Download
the full placement notes for Costa Rica
Apply for Volunteer Costa Rica |
