Volunteering Gap Year Programs in Costa Rica

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Take on an 8-month trip of adventure, community service, and community development across the globe. Join a gap year program that will take you to enchanting destinations filled with cultural immersions, impactful volunteering, and an unforgettable summer experience. Your journey will begin in Costa Rica, where you will work with local communities in addressing social and economic challenges. You will then travel to South Africa to help lead sports development, followed by a summer of learning and practicing the Spanish language in Spain. Finally, you will volunteer in teaching and community building and development in Thailand and Cambodia while enjoying the sun, sand, and sea. Eligibility requirements: - Must be in good physical and mental health - At least 18 years old during travel - Have a fluent understanding of English - Have a clean background check if working with minors Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the communities you will serve. Visit our website or inquire today for complete details about this program.

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

Step beyond the classroom and into the world with EF Language Abroad. Our immersive programs combine academic excellence with life-changing cultural experiences in 11 stunning global destinations across 8 countries and 7 languages. Whether you’re a high school student eager to explore the world, a college student preparing for international studies, or simply seeking global fluency, EF offers customizable programs that meet your goals and fit your schedule. Spend up to a year living, learning, and thriving abroad with EF’s long-term language programs. Whether you aim to achieve true fluency, prepare for university, boost your career, or experience multiple cultures, EF’s Language Year Abroad offers an immersive journey designed around your goals. Choose from flexible start dates, tailor your experience with academic, professional, or multi-destination tracks, and return home with confidence, credentials, and unforgettable memories. You’ll return home significantly more confident, linguistically proficient, and culturally savvy—with credentials, career edge, and life-changing memories. Ready to embark on the journey that transforms your future?

In three of the world's most beautiful countries—Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru—Maximo Nivel offers its unique Native Spanish Program. Join our "Country Jumper" program and begin your GAP Year in one of our countries and then jump to another and another. Experience different aspects of each country's culture and Spanish dialect. Your program and curriculum follow you as you study across 2, 3 or all 4 of our institutes. EXAMPLE ITINERARY: Start your studies at our institute in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica (on the beach!), then travel to our institute in the beautiful pueblo of Antigua, Guatemala, and then move your program to our institute in historic Cusco, Peru. From Peru, join us again in Costa Rica at our institute in the capital city of San Jose. Study, trek, tour, and eat your way through Latin America—it's a great experience! We recommend at least 3 weeks for a Country Jumper program.

Joining a Raleigh Costa Rica Expedition is a truly unique experience that allows you to take part in different projects, equip yourself with new skills, create lasting change with the communities we work with and take urgent action on environmental issues. Work with local initiatives and organisations to help preserve Costa Rica's natural resources, as one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. You will improve access to national parks by working with park rangers. On the Community project you will work with local indigenous communities to improve access to education for some of Costa Rica’s most marginalised children by improving educational infrastructure. Lastly, build your skills on the adventure leadership trek. Challenge yourself on trek and help lead your team through a variety of stunning routes.

Adventure and animal lovers rejoice! Alongside its stunning jungles, beaches, and volcanoes, Costa Rica is known for its astonishing biodiversity. The country accounts for as little as 0.03% of the earth’s surface yet contains nearly 6% of the world’s biodiversity. Although such a small country, Costa Rica has ample opportunities for adventure, offering everything from surfing to hiking and from snorkeling to zip-lining! Our adrenaline-inducing adventure will take you from the spectacular cloud forests of Monteverde to the sandy shores of Puerto Viejo for an array of conservation work and cultural exposure. Get ready to assist in various inspiring volunteer projects, and, to top it all off, spend a week at a Turtle Conservation Project in Tortuguero. With a fantastic balance between guided excursions and sustainable volunteer impact, Costa Rica has something for everyone!

Venture through Guatemala and Costa Rica, exploring lush tropical rainforests, towering volcanoes, steep-sided mountains, and extended coastlines. Embrace the spirit of "pura vida" and learn from the unique crossover of individuals who call these nations home. Living alongside Indigenous communities and their contemporaries, explore opportunities to delve into social justice, sustainability, and the influence of colonization. From the Sierra Madre mountains of interior Guatemala to the sea turtle havens on the coast, from the tranquility and splendor of Lago Atitlán and its surrounding volcanoes to the breathtaking coral reefs offshore, Carpe Diem Education explores the merging complexities of socio-political realities with the hope of a more sustainable future. Cap your new knowledge with improved Spanish, honed during your homestay experience, and outdoor skills learned from the many treks, hikes, and adventure activities available in the region. Spring 2025: Closed Fall 2025: September 25 - December 04

Spend 7 to 10 weeks in a valley off the beaten path, surrounded by lush scenery, and in an indigenous area. Join the Community and Conservation Gap Year in Costa Rica if you want to reflect on the best next steps in your life. While doing so, make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of indigenous peoples and the country’s environment. The full program is 10 weeks long and includes 3 modules (per year): Module 1. Community project in an indigenous area Module 2. The Great Trek – an ultimate group hiking adventure (not to be missed!) Module 3. Environmental project in the Cartago province Each module has set learning objectives aimed at boosting your confidence, adaptability, and independence in a supportive team setting. The 7-week program consists of 2 of the 3 modules (you can choose which 2). You don’t require specific qualifications to participate in this gap year program. You just need a sense of adventure and enthusiasm. You must also have a flexible attitude and the willingness to embrace the challenges of a new country.

Sea turtle and marine conservation volunteer abroad projects are fun and combine your beach vacations with meaningful work which goes a long way in the concentrated efforts globally to prevent these enchanting marine creatures from going extinct. All seven sea turtle species are endangered today and without conservation turtles may soon be pushed to the brink of extinction. Our Sea Turtle and Marine Conservation volunteer abroad programs will bring you to exotic locations that are nesting sites for turtles. By joining hands with trained biologists and local conservation groups you can help to secure the future of these creatures and also help raise awareness in the local community you will be living in. Volunteers work alongside trained biologists and go on beach patrols, witness nesting turtles, and hatching babies, assist with care of disabled turtles, feeding turtles and cleaning turtle hatcheries. Saving turtles and releasing older babies back into the ocean is a truly scintillating experience! From saving sea turtles in Costa Rica to working with turtles in the Maldives, there are plenty of sea turtle conservation projects waiting for you!

Costa Rica is where adventure, service, cultural immersion, and the wonders of nature intersect. Our programs focus on turtle conservation, surfing, and connection with the local communities. With programs for high school students, college students, and young explorers, there’s an exciting opportunity to live the ‘pura vida’ lifestyle for all explorers. Turtle Conservation Project – Embark on a journey to protect sea turtles. Contribute to conservation through beach cleanups, hatchery construction & nest monitoring. Learn to surf in your free time. Pura Vida Service – Create authentic bonds with local communities and contribute to meaningful service projects. Program highlights include zip-lining, whitewater rafting, and hot springs. Surf and Service – Take in breathtaking sunsets and the blue waters during a week of surf, service, and community support. Spring Break Surf and Service – The Spring Break version of our popular Surf and Service program! Young Explorers – The perfect intro for young adventurers! Journey from the mountains to the beaches and participate in impactful service projects.

Venture to some of the world’s most exotic and intriguing regions, ranging from the turquoise waters of Panama, the lush jungles of Costa Rica, and the white-sand beaches of Belize. Shadowing doctors in the Bocas del Toro islands off the coast of Panama, we understand the barriers to medical access for remote indigenous communities. Engaging with a local organization, we participate in an exchange program, learning more about the lives of local Panamanians and sharing our own culture. Visiting a locally run coffee farm in the Costa Rican highlands, we learn the process behind the production of coffee. Rafting on Costa Rica’s exhilarating Pacuare River, the vibrancy of life in the jungle beckons us in the calls of toucans and howler monkeys. Partnering with local biologists on the Pacific Coast, we learn about the current issues facing conservation efforts Basking in the crystal clear waters of improbably white sand beaches, we take in the beauty of the Caribbean. Exploring the underwater life of the reefs of Belize, we gain insights into a world rarely witnessed earning our SCUBA certification and participating in a lionfish eradication project.

Whether you want to support vulnerable communities in developing countries, help conserve the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, or protect animals in the Amazon, Love Volunteers has a program for you. With over 200 projects in 40 countries there's something for everyone! For over 7 years Love Volunteers has provided safe, affordable and ethical volunteering and gap year projects. Join a program today for a life-changing experience.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

Learn the language. Live the culture. Be the change. Join our summer camp for ages 13 - 17! Ready for a meaningful immersion experience? Take part in our Teen Summer Camp for a more encompassing adventure than the usual camp routine. Our new language program also empowers you to become an agent for positive change. Teens all over the world are getting involved and making their voices heard, and we want to offer you some skills to do the same. What better place than Costa Rica, a country recently named by the UN as a Champion of the Earth, where over 95% of the energy produced is renewable and the natural world is highly valued, where the people live long and are considered some of the happiest on the planet? Learn about sustainable agriculture, indigenous cultures, and interconnected ecosystems while practicing mindfulness and empathetic communication. Find where you fit into this dynamically changing world we live in. Please inquire about camp dates and all other details!

Costa Rica is a nature lover's paradise. Experience stunning beaches, lush jungles, and exotic wildlife found nowhere else on Earth! On our Sea Turtle Conservation trip, you will spend your days volunteering with one of our project partners in Costa Rica. Most of your volunteer duties happen in the afternoon and evening when the turtle hatchlings are most active. This means you can spend your mornings lounging on black sand beaches and swimming in the ocean, teeming with life. You won't just be making a difference in the lives of sea turtles in Costa Rica, but you will also live in one of the most biodiverse and nature-forward countries on Earth. You can explore the active volcanoes and mist forests of this adventurous country with travelers you meet along the way. We offer the full package for a smooth volunteer abroad experience. When you book with us, you can leave the guesswork out of organizing your travels and focus on having the trip of a lifetime.

Uncover the spirit of Central America on a 10-week journey through Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. Trek lush rainforests, hike volcanoes, raft wild rivers, and explore ancient Mayan ruins. More than just adventure, this program invites you to live alongside local communities, learn Spanish through immersion, and engage in meaningful sustainability projects that leave a lasting impact. Designed for students and young adults seeking growth, clarity, and purpose, Pacific Discovery blends challenge with support. You’ll gain confidence traveling with a small group and experienced instructors who mentor you through guided reflection and leadership activities. Days balance cultural exchange, service, and personal exploration—so you’re not just passing through, but truly connecting. Whether you’re taking a gap year, looking for an alternative to study abroad, or craving a deeper cultural experience, this program helps you grow, give back, and discover your place in the world.

Go on a life-changing journey abroad through the gap year and semester courses of Outward Bound Costa Rica. Open to participants from 17 years old and up, these programs are available in fall and spring. - Outdoor Leader Semester: Earn 10 academic credits and internationally recognized certifications engaged in various activities for 65 days. This program offers a paid summer internship to top graduates. - Coast to Coast Expedition: Receive 12 academic credits and international certifications in outdoor education while participating in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for 85 days. - 35-65 Day Residential Gap Semester: Receive 10 academic credits while diving into STEAM topics in the tropics of Costa Rica and Panama. This program lasts from 35 to 65 days. Our gap year and semester courses involve a broad range of outdoor activities, from rainforest trekking, whitewater rafting, to surfing. A homestay with a local family allows you to truly immerse in local traditions and way of life. * Please note that, for the health and safety of our participants, OBCR has made program adjustments to these courses. Please visit our website to view our COVID-19 considerations.*

Interested in taking a gap year? Do it with an organization well regarded for its responsible travel and gap year travel opportunities - Oyster Worldwide. Whether you are taking a break before pursuing higher education or taking time off from university, we have the perfect opportunity for you! Our programs and projects across 6 continents are open all year. Sign up for a program within a field that matches your skills and interests - animal welfare, child care, veterinary, medicine, conservation, etc. Go on a trekking holiday or volunteer on a project you are passionate about. No matter what you do, where you go and how long you stay, we guarantee amazing experiences you will treasure for a lifetime. UK-based Oyster Worldwide has been sending young people to take part in gap year experiences for more than 17 years. We offer over 60 volunteer and paid programs in over 20 countries around the world. We have been working with many host countries for years and have great relationships with them. Our aim is to provide happy, safe and fulfilling experiences, as well as to help participants to return home with a long-term affection for the country they have visited.

Costa Rica may be small, but this sun-drenched Central American country holds more than 5% of the world’s diversity. Compared to other countries around the globe, it boasts more national parks per square meter. It’s home to important nesting sites for endangered turtles and has both Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. Complementing these landscapes are mountains, where coffee is grown, and active volcanoes. Discover and experience the highlights of Costa Rica through our comprehensive gap year. This program has been developed to let you immerse in the country’s amazing beauty. Spend time in our ‘jungle surf camp’ on the Nicoya Peninsula, found on the northwest Pacific coast. Here, you’ll assist in environmental community projects involving forests and turtles; surf at a top surfing destination; and learn Spanish from local people. Afterward, you’ll head inland for a cloud forest adventure. Sounds fun? Join us in this varied, full-on, and exciting gap year experience!