Volunteering in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in Latin America. No wonder, because it has beautiful beaches on two oceans. In addition, it is safer and more prosperous than neighboring countries, hence the name "Switzerland of Latin America". Added to this is the typically relaxed lifestyle: "Pura Vida".

Away from the tourist centers, however, Costa Rica faces the same challenges as anywhere else in the world. These include young people who are excluded from social participation or have poor educational opportunities. Various initiatives are trying to help improve the situation. Volunteering allows you to get to know these projects and help develop them.

Popular projects

Animal sanctuary Costa Rica with sloths SDG 15 - Life on Land
Volunteering
Costa Rica | sloths
Animal sanctuary in Costa Rica
Animal Care in Reception in Costa Rica SDG 15 - Life on Land
Sabbatical
Costa Rica | Animals & Wildlife
Animal Care in Reception in Costa Rica
Animal Station Costa Rica SDG 15 - Life on Land
Volunteering
Costa Rica | wildlife
Rescue station for sloths, monkeys, birds & Co.
Get involved in the volunteer project in Costa Rica SDG 4 - Quality education
Volunteering
Costa Rica | childcare
Look after children and teenagers in Costa Rica
Animal protection project in Costa Rica on the Pacific SDG 15 - Life on Land
Volunteering in Costa Rica

Volunteer in Costa Rica

5 reasons Costa Rica is a great country to volunteer in

  • There has been no military in Costa Rica since 1948. The money saved primarily benefits environmental protection, education and healthcare.
  • Little Costa Rica is home to over 6% of all animal species in the world. This makes it one of the most diverse countries on earth.
  • In order to preserve this special biodiversity, more than 25% of the country's area is now under nature protection.
  • In terms of energy, too, Costa Rica is exemplary in every respect. Over 99% of the electricity demand is covered by renewable energies.
  • On average, people in Costa Rica live to be 81 years old. This corresponds roughly to the German level and is almost six years above the Latin American average. (On the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the so-called blue zones, life expectancy is even over 90 years.)

Our projects in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica you can volunteer in animal welfare or childcare. Support one for example Sanctuary for sloths and other wild animals. Here you help to care for injured animals, to feed them and, ideally, to release them back into the wild. This also includes tasks such as cleaning the enclosure or preparing the food.

In the social area, you can help in various schools, kindergartens or initiatives with supervision and teaching. For example, support children and young people from disadvantaged families in our social project in San José.

Your way to the project

Travel preparation

If you want to work with us on a project in Costa Rica, you should pay attention to your health care and entry requirements. Detailed information can be found on the website of the Foreign Office.

Pickup

Upon arrival at the airport, one of our local team members will pick you up and take you to the accommodation.

Your free time in Costa Rica

Although Costa Rica is a rather small country, there is still something for you to do in your free time much to discover. For example, visit the many nature reserves and national parks and observe rare plant and animal species such as crocodiles, toucans or sloths.

In addition, Costa Rica offers more than 1000 kilometers of coastline with beautiful white and black sand beaches where you can surf, dive or just relax at any time of the year. Inland, on the other hand, spectacular mountain landscapes await you, with mountains sometimes almost 4000 meters high. For a little more urban flair, a visit to the cities, such as the capital San José, with its numerous museums, theaters, bars and restaurants, is also worthwhile.

Experience this Pura Vida as a volunteer!

Volunteer work in other countries in Latin America