Biology Internships in Costa Rica

Are you a student or young professional looking to enhance your career prospects through international work experience and hands-on learning? At Intern Abroad HQ, we help students and young professionals turn career aspirations into reality. We organize affordable internships in 20 destinations across 24 career fields that are tailored to meet each individual’s academic, professional, or personal requirements. With over 200 internship programs across Europe, Asia, Africa, Central America and South America to choose from, and options to intern from 2 weeks to 6 months either full-time or part-time, in-country or virtually, we facilitate career-enhancing experiences that work for you, not just the host organization. Intern Abroad HQ is proudly brought to you by the team behind International Volunteer HQ. We have collectively supported over 120,000 program participants since 2007 and are the only B Corp certified provider in our field.

Institute for Global Studies' conservation biology projects are some of the most essential and interesting options we offer. The exciting part is realizing immediate results and knowing that every hour you spend is increasing biodiversity. IGS works with nonprofits and indigenous groups that are committed to a particular place and seeing it prosper. While on the project, you will learn about the six interlinked stages in the systematic planning approach: - Compile data on the biodiversity of the planning region - Identify conservation goals for the planning region - Review existing conservation areas - Select additional conservation areas - Implement conservation actions - Maintain the required values of conservation areas

Spend a semester or academic year in the lively capital of San José with AIFS Abroad! You’ll earn up to 20 credits per semester from Universidad Veritas through various courses and internship opportunities. Courses are taught in English and Spanish. No previous Spanish language study is required for most programs. Universidad Veritas offers an internship program and volunteer opportunities that’ll help you make the most of your semester abroad. Their Spanish Language and Internship Program welcomes students with an advanced level of Spanish and a minimum of 2 years of college-level Spanish. It combines a 4-week Spanish language course with a 12-week internship placement within local companies or NGOs based on your major. You’ll also enjoy cultural and social activities, including: • Costa Rican cooking classes • Visits to local museums and historical sites • A 3-day trip to Arenal Volcano, hot springs, and Monteverde Cloud Forest • A 3-day trip to the beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park • Day trip to Poás Volcano, Doka Coffee Estate, and Sarchi artisans Optional excursions include a 2-day trip hiking and rafting in Sarapiquí.

Costa Rica is home to extraordinary biodiversity, with rainforests, coral reefs, mangroves, and coastlines that support countless species. This Marine and Environmental Conservation Cohort Internship in Costa Rica is a 4-week program (January 4 – 31, 2026) designed for students, graduates, and nature enthusiasts who want to make a real difference in protecting these ecosystems. Set in one of the world’s most eco-conscious countries, the program combines hands-on conservation work with opportunities to understand how communities and nature thrive together. As a cohort-based program, you’ll participate alongside a group of like-minded peers, building connections with fellow conservation enthusiasts from around the world. Together, you’ll contribute to projects such as sea turtle conservation, coral reef restoration, and sustainable coastal initiatives, while also enjoying structured learning, group excursions, and cultural immersion. This shared journey not only strengthens your professional skills but also creates a supportive environment where lasting friendships and networks are formed.

Join the Sloth and Wildlife Rescue Center in Costa Rica, a renowned wildlife organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of local animals. The center includes an on-site hospital and comfortable living quarters for volunteers. The enclosures, surrounded by nature, provide a habitat-like environment for the animals as they recover. As a volunteer, you'll work in a team to provide care for over 100 animals – including sloths, birds, and monkeys – in a sanctuary nestled in nature's lap. You'll take on a hands-on role that involves tasks like preparing food, feeding animals, maintaining clean enclosures, and assisting the on-site vet when possible. You'll also take part in educational community projects, raising awareness about wildlife conservation.

CIEE offers the most extensive network of internship programs. Are you a U.S. college student looking to study and intern abroad? We have full-time and part-time placements across 40+ locations worldwide and in diverse fields, from AI and engineering to public policy and business administration. Find the right fit for you! Live, learn, and work abroad on an internship program with CIEE! CIEE Summer Internships CIEE Summer Global Internships are 6-credit, 8-week programs with full-time working hours (approximately 30 hours weekly) and a seminar. CIEE Summer Intern and Study Abroad are 6 to 7-credit, 6-week programs with a part-time internship (approximately 20 hours weekly), a seminar, and a 3-credit academic course. CIEE Semester Internships CIEE Semester Global Internships are 9 to 13-credit, 12-week programs that feature a full-time internship (approximately 30 hours weekly), a seminar, and an optional 3 to 4-credit academic course online. CIEE Semester Intern and Study Abroad Programs are 12 to 14-credit, 12-week programs that feature a part-time internship​ (approximately 20 hours weekly), a seminar, and two academic courses.

The programs carried out by GVI Costa Rica takes a holistic approach to the conservation of the area. GVI helps to monitor every ecosystem of this incredibly diverse area - forest, canal, beach, and sea. As with all conservation initiatives, numerous essential factors are involved to make and carry out informed decisions – trained personnel, resources, and accurate information. You have the opportunity to gain an internationally recognized qualification in Biological Survey Techniques in this internship program. Live and work with our research team in a remote environment, where you will gain vital skills and experience essential for future work in the field of conservation or beyond. Included in your training is a First Aid qualification course.

CIS Abroad Study and Intern Abroad programs are some of the most affordable, comprehensive program packages available. We also don't cut any corners by offering everything you would expect from an overseas program: tuition, housing, support, insurance, excursions, social and cultural activities, and airport pick-up – all considered the core of our package. Some programs also include all or most meals, extensive off-site orientations/excursions, transportation passes, and more. Whether you want to study for a year, semester, or summer, intern for a month to a year, or take an intensive foreign language course for a couple of weeks, CIS Abroad has the perfect program for you at the best value! "You're Going Places with CIS Abroad!"

Sign-up for our medical volunteering programs abroad if you are a medical or healthcare student who is aspiring for a medical career but needs real-time training and mentoring. You don’t necessarily have to have a medical degree, as requirements are different for each program. There are even pre-med volunteer abroad programs specifically for school leavers who are considering studying medicine in the future. We also offer customised placements for those seeking medical electives or medical internships abroad. Most of our medical electives abroad placement require that you spend 5-7 hours at our partner hospital or clinic as an observer of the daily routines of medical staff. You will be assigned a doctor or a department who will mentor you and may call upon you to assist with basic tasks such as taking vitals and treating minor wounds under the supervision of the local doctors. Our medical electives are offered in developing countries such as Philippines, Vietnam, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Peru and Costa Rica.

The Science Exchange is the only nonprofit organization offering affordable, customized, field-based sea turtle research internships for undergraduate and graduate science students worldwide. Interns travel to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and other Latin American destinations, where they undertake a range of tasks. They can work at a sea turtle research center on the beach or in a lab, collect field data for research papers, and immerse themselves in the local culture! Upon successful completion, they can earn at least three university credits. We help them publish and present their work at professional conferences. Over 65% of our interns publish with their mentors, and many graduates have landed jobs with sea turtle or other conservation groups! To participate in this international internship program, participants must be at least 18 years of age. Conversational Spanish is desired, but not required. French speakers and Portuguese speakers are welcome. Our interns must be able to live in tropical climates with basic amenities.

The veterinary internship program places vet students in clinics where they can assist veterinary doctors and technicians. Interns can work with animals by assisting doctors in medical procedures, feeding, bathing, brushing, obedience training, administering medicine, cleaning cages, animal rehabilitation. Depending on experience, interns can help in vaccinations, surgeries, and diagnosis. Interns enrolled or that completed a degree related to animal care are preferred. Basic Spanish knowledge is preferred. Possible tasks: - Assisting in small clinical procedures. - Preparing and sterilizing medical equipment. - Helping take notes and take data from animals. - Helping take samples from animals. - Administrative work. - Bathing and cleaning animals. - Shadowing doctors as needed.