1-2 Weeks Volunteer Programs in Central America

Maximo Nivel is a locally based organization in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Volunteer abroad—get involved, make an impact, and learn to serve by working on local projects: - Working with Kids - Teaching English - Conservation - Construction - Animal Care - Eco-Agriculture - Medical and Healthcare To qualify: - Volunteers must be 18+ years of age or accompanied by a parent or guardian. - We require background checks from our volunteers. - Come with a great attitude and a willingness to pitch in. Since 2003, Maximo Nivel has been a leader in educational travel and study abroad. Our work-study-travel programs host more than 4,000 people per year. We are a professional, ethical, and hard-working organization that is completely dedicated to providing a great experience to every participant, student, traveler, and client! Every day, we strive to set ourselves apart and provide the best volunteer, education, and cultural experiences in Latin America, along with top-notch client service and great home-based facilities. Live it!

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.

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.

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 business practices. This program takes you on a fully facilitated journey through the field of development in Costa Rica’s central region. You’ll be introduced to a variety of concepts and theories and get the chance to see how these are applied in the real-world through a mix of business visits and adventure activities. Following a comprehensive daily itinerary, that includes your transport and meals, you’ll get to focus on immersing yourself in the professional and personal growth opportunities presented to you - with the backdrop of the gorgeous scenery of Costa Rica! As a participant on this micro-internship you’ll be led in various learning modules including: discussions, lectures, workshops, seminars, excursions, and reflection sessions. These will help you gain both theoretical and practical knowledge of topics relevant to sustainable development and conservation in Costa Rica.

Join us in Osa, Costa Rica, for an unforgettable volunteer experience where you’ll play a vital role in protecting sea turtles and their habitats. Nestled on the stunning Osa Peninsula, home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, you’ll patrol pristine beaches, safeguard turtle nests, and release hatchlings into the wild. Beyond conservation, you’ll engage with the local community, help with environmental education, and explore breathtaking rainforests, waterfalls, and vibrant wildlife. Live at the heart of nature in our rustic jungle camp and make a tangible impact while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Join Constru Casa and become part of a life-changing mission to build safe and affordable homes for families living in poverty. This volunteer program is based in stunning Guatemala, where vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm communities provide an unforgettable backdrop to your experience. No prior construction experience? No problem! Our team will guide you every step of the way, ensuring you feel confident and valued. As a volunteer, you’ll work with local families and professional builders to construct sustainable, durable homes. Your efforts will directly improve the lives of families by giving them access to safe shelter, reducing health risks, and creating opportunities for a better future. Beyond the construction site, you’ll have the chance to connect with the families you’re helping, explore Guatemala’s rich traditions, and make memories that last a lifetime. By joining our program, you’re not just building houses—you’re building hope, stability, and brighter futures. Make a tangible difference in the world and be part of something truly meaningful!

This program offers a full 8-week "All In" experience combining adventure and cultural exchange in Costa Rica and Cuba. Spend one month in each country embracing the lifestyle, enjoying the best activities, and making a positive impact by supporting local communities. Start in Costa Rica with Spanish classes, surfing, and yoga in the beach town of Santa Teresa, as well as an overland cloud forest exploration in Monteverde. Then, travel to Cuba to continue improving your language skills, enjoy some salsa dancing, participate in volunteer projects, and travel around the country to learn all about its history and culture. This is an ideal program for those seeking a blend of education, cultural immersion, and unique activities in two of Latin America's most vibrant countries. Plus, you get the chance to stay in a “jungle surf camp,” nestled in a paradise setting surrounded by wildlife. Imagine spotting a howler monkey hanging on a tree branch!

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

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.

World Endeavors offers exciting programs that allow participants to experience Costa Rica while contributing meaningfully to the community. Volunteers can choose from various projects, including teaching, orphanage assistance, environmental conservation, wildlife conservation, and community development. World Endeavors volunteers live in Atenas, a small, relatively prosperous farming town in the central highlands of Costa Rica where coffee, sugarcane, and fruit are grown. Life here revolves around family and community, and the nightlife consists mostly of family gatherings, barbecues, and shared meals. Residents can often be found browsing the colorful farmer’s market for fresh produce, enjoying a cup of local coffee at a café, or strolling in the park in the city center. Atenas is renowned for its climate, which keeps the city warm in the daytime and cool at night. Public pools and hiking trails make Atenas an appealing destination for those who wish to spend time outdoors, and the town’s location, less than an hour from the capital of San José and the international airport, makes it easily accessible for arriving volunteers.

Teach English to varying age-groups in the local community of Quepos. You’ll support the improvement of vocabulary, literacy, and conduct conversational English classes. This is also an opportunity to facilitate discussions on conservation awareness, and practice your conversational Spanish. You’ll be working alongside local partners, GVI staff, and fellow participants from around the world to support sustainable objectives that have been carefully aligned with the 17 United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This includes UN SDG 4: Quality Education. GVI has child protection policies in place to ensure projects adhere to ethical best practices. When you aren’t participating in the project, explore Manuel Antonio National Park, go whitewater kayaking, or view active volcanoes from a safe distance. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit various beaches or enjoy canopy and coffee-related tours.

Travel to Costa Rica and make a difference in a subject area you are passionate about! Choose from program themes ranging from Public Health and Medicine to Animal and Wildlife Conservation to Language Immersion and everything in between. GLA's offerings include: - Animal Rescue & Veterinary Project - Beachside Service Adventure - Marine Conservation & Sea Turtle Expedition™ - The Ultimate Adventure - Medicine & Healthcare Discovery - Middle School Service Adventure - Ocean & Wildlife Conservation Adventure™ - Sea Turtle Initiative™ - Spanish Service Adventure - Surf, Sports & Sustainability ™ - The Initiative for Children ™ - Spring Break Service Adventure - Costa Rica Internship: Career Exploration In Environmental Stewardship Costa Rica is known for its serene tropical surroundings and leading ecological conservation efforts. It comprises five percent of the world's biodiversity, making it Central America’s "crown jewel" and an unbeatable location for natural and cultural exploration.

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.

Join us in Costa Rica for unforgettable memories and valuable service work! We will have the unique opportunity to perform 20 hours of valuable service work in two different communities. In La Fortuna we will work alongside the local association of Boy Scouts with various projects like planting trees to promote a better ecosystem, light construction, and clean-up projects. TFT feels strongly about the impact of this organization and we contribute every year to help them continue their mission in the community. In Sámara we work with another local association that provides supplemental educational, recreational, and career opportunities for youth with limited resources in the rural beach communities of the surrounding area. We will be helping run one of their many programs focusing on academic and artistic education, environmental consciousness, health, and socio-cultural development. Projects vary but our service work typically consists of working on art projects with the children, reading to them, teaching them English, and general upkeep of the school such as painting and light maintenance.

Travel to Costa Rica for a program rich in community service and eco-adventure. Experience the traditional town of Atenas, surrounded by verdant mountains. Immerse fully in the Costa Rican culture by living with a local family and engaging in community service projects and afternoon cultural workshops. Travel for eco-adventure to the beautiful region of La Fortuna, at the base of the majestic Arenal Volcano. Trek through the rainforest to a breathtaking waterfall and go on a zipline canopy tour through the jungle. Perform trail work at a private reserve and see exotic wildlife such as sloths, howler monkeys, and toucans. Travel to Manuel Antonio beach on the Pacific coast for surf lessons, white water rafting, and hiking through the national park. Learn what sustainable tourism and eco-adventure are all about! A basic level of Spanish is recommended for this program.

Contribute to the Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Costa Rica, which helps preserve the country's incredible biodiversity through the protection of endangered sea turtle nests and the release of turtle hatchlings into the wild. The program was established in 1989 and has more than 20 years of experience in the conservation and protection of endangered sea turtle populations on Costa Rica's Caribbean and Pacific coasts. The program focuses on the protection of four species of sea turtle: Pacific Black, Olive Ridley, and the occasional Hawksbill and Leatherback. These marine creatures are under serious threat from poachers who engage in the trade of turtle skin, shells, meat, and eggs, causing the destruction of the turtle's natural habitat and their accidental capture in fishing lines. The main objective of the project is to alleviate the manmade and natural threats to sea turtle nests on Costa Rican beaches. They patrol the beaches every night during nesting season to protect the sea turtles from predators, poachers, and other threats. The eggs are moved to hatcheries where the eggs are protected until the hatchlings can safely return to the ocean.

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!

Global Works specializes in teen service trips and educational experiences to Costa Rica for high school and middle school students. These student travel programs have been our most popular over the years for good reason. Incredible biodiversity and a welcoming culture make Costa Rica an awesome choice for a summer adventure. Global Works offers volunteer programs in different focus areas. We offer opportunities for community service, Spanish immersion, cultural exchange, pre-med and public health, wildlife, adventure travel, and a middle school-focused program to this special corner of the globe. Program Options: * Costa Rica: Service & Sand (15 days) * Costa Rica: Wildlife Adventure (17 days) * Costa Rica: Intro to Pre-Med & Public Health (17 days) * Costa Rica: Middle School Service Adventure (10 days)

The Corcovado National Park, where you will find the Osa Peninsula, is home to 2.5 percent of the world's biodiversity and 50 percent of Costa Rica's wildlife, making this one of the most biologically intense places on earth. The rainforest is thriving with life, making the conservation efforts of this region extremely important. Be a part of the sustainability movement by volunteering with two local organizations. A portion of your time will be spent planting trees to prevent flooding on the river, a natural barrier that can help regenerate the rainforest, setting up camera traps to record wildlife data, visiting a local family's home, learning from local farmers, and discussing life in Costa Rica over a home-cooked dinner with a local mother. Your efforts are part of larger initiatives that work to help create market incentives to protect the land from development. When you're not working with the local community, hike along the Poas Volcano crater, explore the many waterfalls of the region, swim in the clear blue waters, and relax in your luxury tented camps. For the adventurous types, choose to whitewater raft, zip-line, surf, and more.

Step into the rich tapestry of Costa Rican agriculture and rural life as you immerse yourself in the heart of the community. This program blends traditional farming wisdom with eco-friendly, innovative practices unique to the region. You’ll spend most of your time on one local farm, with opportunities to visit others. Tasks vary by season, offering hands-on learning experience in areas such as: Animal Care: Feed, groom, and support the daily needs of horses, cattle, chickens, and other animals. Crop Work: Help plant, weed, harvest, and maintain crops like coffee, cacao, and avocados. Farm Projects: Assist in bio gardening, composting, irrigation, and land maintenance. Farm Visits: Learn about cheese-making, beekeeping, and aquaculture on neighboring farms. Community Engagement: Join cattle sales, horse shows, or local festivals alongside residents. Cultural Exchange: Work side by side with farmers, gaining authentic insight into rural life and sustainable practices. You’ll also participate in traditions and cultural events that bring people together, experiencing firsthand the warmth and hospitality of Costa Rican rural communities.