Internships in Costa Rica

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128 Internships in Costa Rica


MAXIMO NIVEL
4.61
51
Do your international internship with Maximo Nivel - get international work experience in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. - Education (K-12) - ...
See All 8 Programs

Intern Abroad HQ
4.54
83
Are you a student or young professional looking to enhance your career prospects through international work experience and hands-on learning? A...
See All 9 Programs

AIFS Abroad
4.41
39
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 ...
See All 3 Programs

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
4.68
25
Volunteer for wildlife in Costa Rica! This program works with three wildlife sanctuaries, in the Alajuela and Puntarenas Provinces. Many anima...
See All 17 Programs

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A year-round circulation of tropical and warm weather has made Costa Rica one of the world’s few remaining natural utopias. The country’s untouch...
CIEE College Study Abroad
4.41
17
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. Fi
See All 3 ProgramsAsia Internship Program
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A year-round circulation of tropical and warm weather has made Costa Rica one of the world’s few remaining natural utopias. The country’s untouched beaches, majestic mountains and volcanoes, gorgeous waterfalls, and prolific rainforests are home to more than 500,000 native species. AIP’s award-winn
Expanish
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Gain valuable international work experience while immersing yourself in the vibrant culture of Costa Rica through Expanish’s dynamic internship program. This hands-on opportunity places participants with local companies across various industries, allowing you to develop professional skills, expand y
4.77
248
Study abroad in the highlands of central Costa Rica, in the charming city of Heredia. Immerse yourself in the Costa Rican lifestyle while taking classes at the modern Latin University. Courses include Spanish for all levels, electives, certificate courses in English and Spanish, and internships.
Institute for Global Studies
5
3
Costa Rica is a personal favorite of IGS staff members and a location we are all too happy to nudge students looking to practice their Spanish. In the capital city of San Jose, previous participants have worked at a language school where they assisted in the classroom and tutored children. One of ou
See All 44 ProgramsToucan Abroad
4.85
60
Join Toucan Abroad and other students from around the US in this highly enriching program. We aim to expand your perspective and grow into future leaders in the field of physical therapy through exposure to the work of licensed PT specialists. You’ll shadow them while they provide expert patient car
Roots Interns
0
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Embark on a two-week internship that will educate and inspire you through an immersive itinerary filled with travel and learning opportunities. You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity to explore the biodiversity of Costa Rica guided by experts in the context of sustainability and innovative b
See All 14 ProgramsWorld Endeavors
4.82
22
Costa Rica is a country where meaningful work meets breathtaking natural beauty. Through World Endeavors’ internship programs, you’ll gain professional experience while living in one of the most sustainable and biodiverse places in the world. Whether you’re interested in healthcare, conservation, bu
See All 2 ProgramsGapforce
4.32
31
The ultimate adventure travel experience, gain high-quality training in Jungle Survival, Expedition Management, Wilderness Medicine, and Expedition Leadership on this unique and challenging personal development course! Since the first course in 2008, our Adventure Guide Training program has led the
See All 2 ProgramsBeyond Travels
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Gain hands-on experience in specialty coffee production while living in one of Costa Rica's most important coffee-growing regions, Los Santos. Participants work alongside local farmers, producers, and community organizations involved in coffee cultivation and processing. Activities may include far
See All 3 ProgramsInternational Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
4.68
824
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 Conservatio
Volunteering Journeys
4.6
15
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
See All 3 ProgramsKaya Responsible Travel
4
3
Be a part of the conservation and protection of sea turtles in Costa Rica! Join Kaya on its Turtle and Marine Conservation Project located near Bataan in the Limon Province of Costa Rica. This is an opportunity to help protect sea turtles and their eggs while learning more about these magnificent
CIS Abroad
4.38
277
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
Loop Abroad
5
1
This internship supports wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release at the Toucan Rescue Ranch in the rainforest of Costa Rica. The ranch has special expertise in toucan, owl, and sloth rehabilitation but also takes in monkeys, wild cats, weasels, otters, and more! You will help evaluate animals
Involvement Volunteers International
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Dental internship placements occur in both private and public clinics, including some that specialize in orthodontics and other dental fields. Interns work alongside local professionals and support staff, assisting with patient consultations and treatments. Please note that tasks vary depending on
See All 2 ProgramsNatucate
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Would you like to participate in valuable forest conservation research in the cloud forest of Costa Rica? This intern opportunity permits participants to work side by side with international and local biologists passionate about protecting the roughly 280 hectares of wild land and all of the species
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Take part in an environmental protection program in Playa Ario, Costa Rica, where your hands-on experience creates real impact. This program offers a unique opportunity to actively contribute to conservation efforts while immersing yourself in a rich Costa Rican environment. This project is built ar
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It is our goal to allow our interns to grow in the direction of their interests and work towards their long-term goals. Will be expected to shadow veterinary staff and assist with the daily running of the center. We require that applicants are studying or have graduated from a veterinary-related fie
See All 4 Programs0
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Our 3-Month Marine Ecology Pro program is designed for divers who want to combine professional-level training with a strong focus on Marine Ecology. Alongside your Divemaster development, you will complete multiple marine ecology specialties, expand your species identification skills, and gain a de
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Join Texas Tech's full-service campus in Costa Rica and gain real-world, cross-cultural experience in one of Latin America's most dynamic economies. Beyond its breathtaking biodiversity and ecotourism, Costa Rica is a strategic business hub with over 300 multinational companies including U.S.-based
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Join us for an inspiring experience: gain hands-on experience in environmental projects, bilingual education, sustainability initiatives, and community engagement while immersed in the local culture by living with a host family. Interns can work as full-time assistants to a classroom teacher where
A Guide to Interning Abroad in Costa Rica
Locations
Surprisingly, the majority of internships in Costa Rica are not located in the heart of the capital city. Nevertheless, as the national business center, there are still plenty of options available for those looking for internship placements in San José. However, the best cities for internships in Costa Rica are: Alajuela, Cartago, San José, and Liberia.
The second largest city, Alajuela, offers up a bustling city landscape that is balanced by nearby butterfly farms, waterfalls, and coffee plantations. Alajuela is a convenient location for anyone looking to go on excursions or day trips.
Cartago, one of Costa Rica’s oldest cities and the first capital, features important religious sites and access to the Guayabo National Monument. While focused on computer technology, the city offers more than tech internship opportunities. Many placements offer the opportunity to participate in service-learning projects during the internships. Buses from Cartago to San José run several times an hour, so a trip to the big city is easy.
Liberia, located in the northwestern part of Costa Rica, enables interns to be in close proximity to the exquisite Pacific beaches of Playa Hermosa and Playa del Coco.
Internship Placements
While its main industries are tourism and coffee production, overall Costa Rica tends to offer more internship placements outside of teaching English or harvesting coffee cherries. Alajuela, Cartago, and Liberia offer up opportunities for gaining experience in the fields of biology, social justice, journalism, women’s studies, and sports management, just to name a few.
Popular internships in Costa Rica revolve around what the country is known for, it’s environment and biological diversity. Ecology, veterinary, zoology, and conservation-based internships are very common. However, you can find internship placements in Costa Rica across a wide variety of fields, such as healthcare and social work or social justice.
Internships can last anywhere from a short week, to six months or beyond, depending on the experience you’re looking for and the program. An important item to note is that additional qualifications may be required for internships revolving around specific biology, veterinary, or conservation efforts.
Additionally, while many Ticos speak English, Spanish is Costa Rica’s official language, and you’ll need Spanish proficiency for some internships, which have a language requirement. In general, it is recommended that interns heading to Costa Rica complete at least some language learning before their departure.
Salary & Costs
Most internship opportunities in Costa Rica are unpaid as a result of certain visa regulations. In some cases, interns can receive a stipend or bonus from the company they are placed with, but in most cases international interns will have to pay for internships in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica can be either an affordable or expensive destination depending on where you live and what kind of amenities you’re used to. Rural destinations will always run cheaper than big cities like San José, and compared to other countries in Latin America, Costa Rica is on the higher end. Rent can range from $400 to $800 USD a month. If you use public transportation instead of biking or walking, your monthly costs will be higher. Buying food at local markets with fresh produce will also save you some living costs while interning abroad in Costa Rica.
Accommodation & Visas
Most intern programs arrange homestays, and many others will cover the cost of all accommodations and meals through program fees. Homestays are common across the board for internship programs in Costa Rica, as dorms are not available for university students. Costa Rican students also often live with host families during their time away from home.
U.S. citizens (and several other nationalities) who plan to intern in Costa Rica for only a short time (less than 90 days) won’t need a tourist visa. However, for longer stays, interns should plan to apply for an unpaid volunteer or intern visa. International interns should also keep in mind that it may be necessary to apply for temporary residency, depending on their contract and timeline for interning. Job contracts, diplomas, and various certifications are needed for this process.
Benefits & Challenges
- Peaceful. Costa Rica is one of the few countries in the world that doesn’t have an army.
- Nature. With a reputation for being one of the best eco-tourist destinations out there, Costa Rica has a lot to offer enthusiasts of all things green and environmental.
- Language. Costa Rica is a great place to improve your Spanish skills. Evening language classes and immersion in homestay environments are sure to help you boost your skills.
- Safety. Traveling with expensive items in the city can be risky. Take care with your valuables and don’t leave things sitting out.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costa Rica a safe country?
Costa Rica is generally considered a safe country for tourists and visitors. It has a low crime rate compared to other countries in the region. However, like any country, there are some safety concerns that travelers should be aware of.
What type of internships are available in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica offers a range of internship opportunities in various fields, particularly in the areas of sustainable development, environmental studies, and eco-tourism.
What are the requirements to intern in Costa Rica?
When immigrating as a tourist without a work visa you can only do an unpaid internship. For all paid activities/remunerated internships a visa is mandatory. Other requirements are language proficiency, education, and experience.
Are internships paid in Costa Rica?
In general, internships in Costa Rica are unpaid and experiential-based. Paid internships may be available in Costa Rica, but are exceedingly rare. Instead, many internships may cover housing and travel costs as a form of compensation.
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