Summer Internships in Costa Rica

Even if you can’t travel, international internships are still an option! Maximo Nivel partners with local organizations in Costa Rica, Peru, and Guatemala. Gain international work experience online while improving your Spanish skills. Choose from a variety of virtual internship programs based on your background and interests: Education Human Rights Hospitality and Tourism Micro-Business Interns should currently be studying or have a bachelor’s in a related field. If you don’t see the perfect fit, you can create a customized program! All you need is English fluency and a readiness to learn! Intermediate Spanish is also required for business internships. New programs start every Monday. Internship advisors help make your career aspirations a reality. Maximo Nivel has been leading educational travel since 2003. Go global affordably and ethically! Take control of your future. Launch your career today! ¡Live it!

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.

At Roots, we believe valuable learning and making an impact can go hand-in-hand. That's why we offer academic internships with grassroots organizations around the world. As an intern, you'll have a unique work experience that will inspire you, enhance your career, and allow you to gain insight into grassroots development work. At the same time, you'll contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Join an internship that truly matters for you and the world! The focus areas of our internships are wide-ranging: from female empowerment and early childhood development to wildlife conservation and food security. No matter your degree or career focus, we'll be able to find you an internship that matches your interests and requirements. Our internships are based across Africa, Latin America, Europe, and Asia with year-round remote, in-person, and hybrid placements. What we'll offer you: - Careful matchmaking - Assistance with traveling (visas, flights, accommodation, etc.) - Supervision during your placement - Regular check-ins and troubleshooting - Career-driven opportunity Get in touch for a free internship consultation!

Come, live, and work abroad with an internship in Costa Rica through AIFS Abroad. San José is a city with a welcoming culture, surrounded by natural beauty, and many unique internship opportunities. The capital city of Costa Rica is considered the business center of Central America and has excellent placements in NGOs, engineering, business, and much more. As part of the AIFS Abroad program, we guarantee a tailored internship in your approved career field. Before leaving for San José, you will be provided with our award-winning career development, including Gallup strengths, one-on-one coaching, improvement of your professional documents, and interview prep. During your time in Costa Rica, you and your fellow interns will be taken on a few social and cultural excursions to help you experience everything San José and the surrounding area have to offer. Costa Rica is a culturally rich country with over 5% of the world’s biodiversity, beautiful beaches, and dense rainforest. With so many attractions and hidden gems to explore in San José, there will always be something new for you to experience during your international internship.

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, business, or education, you’ll find opportunities that match your goals and help you grow personally and professionally. Internships are available year-round with flexible start dates, typically lasting from 2 to 6 months. You’ll be based in Atenas, a welcoming town known for its perfect climate and friendly community. Living with a local host family allows you to enjoy authentic Costa Rican culture, home-cooked meals, and daily Spanish language practice. With ongoing support from local coordinators and a dedicated advisor, you’ll have everything you need to make your internship experience rewarding, educational, and unforgettable.

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.

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.

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 creatures alongside a dedicated marine biologist. You will assist a local team with the conservation and protection of up to four of the seven different species of sea turtles: loggerhead turtle, hawksbill turtle, green turtle, and leatherback turtle. As a turtle sanctuary volunteer, you will help in caring for injured animals, moving eggs to safe hatcheries, and collecting and processing biometric data. Your tasks will largely depend on your level of experience and the time of the year. This placement is aimed at those who have a good level of scientific knowledge. You must be adaptable, enthusiastic, and don’t mind getting your hands dirty. A basic level of Spanish is also helpful for this project.

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. Costa Rica is a premier destination for study abroad due to its extensive national park system, beautiful landscapes, friendly locals, and clearly-spoken Spanish. The Arcos Learning Abroad program provides an all-inclusive study abroad experience with cultural activities on weekdays, excursions on weekends, on-site directors, carefully vetted homestays, tuition, and much more. Arcos invites you to step through the arch and into a life-changing experience abroad. Costa Rica awaits!

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 care. Evolve by developing a more holistic view of yourself, your future profession, and the world through immersion into a different society. For two or three weeks, you’ll engage in 40 hours or 60 hours of clinical observation in different PT specialties. You’ll also have time to bask in the breathtaking natural beauty of Costa Rica and experience its rich culture. Toucan Abroad gives you the opportunity to stand out among other PT school applicants through a unique, unparalleled experience abroad through this program.

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.

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 155,000 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.

Based at a PADI Platinum dive center on the beautiful Pacific coast of Costa Rica, this 4 or 10-week course trains you as a professional PADI Divemaster. Alongside your professional qualifications, you will gain skills and knowledge performing marine science research using underwater survey and data collection techniques. Your work contributes to the upkeep of scientific records, which help monitor the health of our oceans. You will emerge from the course with hands-on experience in marine research to back up your top-level scuba certifications.

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.

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 the clinic's specific needs. It’s essential to set realistic expectations, as there are limitations to hands-on work in the dental field abroad. In some cases, interns may primarily shadow professionals rather than provide independent patient care, particularly if their qualifications are from a country other than their own. Project Tasks: Observe and support patient consultations. Assist with teeth cleanings and routine check-ups. Help with processing, reporting, and interpreting test results. Educate patients on the basics of dental hygiene and healthy habits. Clean and prepare dental instruments and materials for use. Assist with reception duties, including scheduling and paperwork. Organize and maintain patient records.

Join a purpose-driven internship abroad and gain hands-on professional experience in one of the most biodiverse and culturally rich countries in the world. Propella’s Internship Experience places university students and recent graduates in immersive work environments across Costa Rica, where learning, impact, and cultural connection go hand in hand. Participants are matched with organizations and projects that align with their interests—covering areas such as business development, sustainable tourism, education, marketing, communications, youth empowerment, and more. Each placement includes weekly Spanish classes, guided cultural excursions, and community-based engagement, ensuring a well-rounded and deeply enriching experience. The program runs year-round and offers flexible durations of 4, 8, or 12 weeks. Interns live with local host families or in private housing, receiving full logistical support and personalized mentorship from the Propella team throughout their stay. Whether you're seeking global exposure, career preparation, or a meaningful way to explore Costa Rica, this program delivers real-world growth with real-world purpose.