Community Development Volunteer Programs in Central America

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

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 Healthca

Make a positive impact by assisting disadvantaged communities in San Jose, Costa Rica. This unique and affordable volunteering abroad program allows you to provide educational enrichment for underprivileged children. During your stay, you'll have the opportunity to learn Spanish, volunteer in social

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 organisati

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 Spani

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 h

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 developm

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 Projec

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 opportuni

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 g

Embrace "pura vida" and travel across the country of Costa Rica. This transformative experience takes you through the highland jungles of the cloud forest to the culturally diverse Caribbean beaches. This journey includes zip-lining, night safaris, a 2-day white-water rafting trip, and incredible wi

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 throug

This program goes beyond ordinary high school travel programs and build cross-cultural community service summer trips perfectly geared to your interests and curiosities. Whether you’re looking to contribute to authentic service projects, experience exhilarating adventure, or develop your language sk

Live and volunteer in a rural Costa Rican community on this immersive high school service program. Begin at a rainforest ecolodge near Lake Arenal, where you learn about sustainability, explore jungle trails, and prepare for your project work. Settle into your host community to partner with local re

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 worksho

Our immersive Service Learning Trips offer the perfect opportunity to travel abroad, experience a new culture, and forge lifelong friendships—all while making a meaningful impact on a community in need. Our student volunteers participate in service activities such as building schools, playgrounds,

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

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 experi

In addition to our Spanish programs, we offer volunteer projects throughout Costa Rica for anyone 18 or over. Volunteer in the areas of social work, education (most popular: teaching English to local kids in public schools & kindergarten), nature and environment, and wildlife and animal protection.

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

Travel to Costa Rica this summer for a teen community service program you won’t forget! Work alongside some of our long-standing service partners on projects such as building infrastructure in the Central Valley. The trip uses a service-learning framework tailored for high school students, wherein

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

Build your skills through a service-learning experience in San José, Costa Rica’s vibrant capital and cultural, economic, and political center. Work alongside local NGOs, schools, clinics, and community organizations while exploring fields like education, museums, youth services, and healthcare. Thr

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 cho

This versatile program offers a mix of experience in marine and land conservation or the option to specialize. Whatever your choice, you’ll develop an extensive skill set in conservation research and gain expansive insight into nonprofit conservation work. This internship places you with a multi-

Volunteer with Kaya on this organic farming and food security project in Belize and empower young mothers and disadvantaged youths to take control of their food sources and help ensure they have a good supply of nutritious food. This project is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to support young people

Due to Nicaragua's social conditions, many children and youth lack equal opportunities and are not supported in their healthy development. Lack of education is one of the main obstacles preventing people from improving their living conditions and escaping poverty. In León, Nicaragua, we offer volunt

Join us for the adventure of a lifetime! Volunteers For Peace (a Vermont-based nonprofit) can place you on a team of international volunteers who contribute to a meaningful community service project designed, planned, and hosted by local partners. We offer the most affordable projects and the best w

Green Life Volunteers is a registered non-profit organization or association in Costa Rica. We just earn enough to cover operational expenses, like payments for office space, employee services, and basic organizational costs. We work hard to provide volunteers with an amazing experience, with a lot

Costa Rica is a cultural and natural paradise, but most travelers only see it from a traditional tourist perspective, missing much of the key beauty and challenges that are its reality. Globe Aware's Costa Rica volunteer travel programs offer a unique opportunity to help small communities improve th

Volunteers have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture and help teach programs that include preschool, kindergarten, summer camp, after-school programs, English classes, and extracurricular activities. In their free time, they get to explore the beautiful Bocas Islands and enjoy

South of Mexico, Guatemala is a mountainous region that combines ancient Latin cultures with more modern North American influences. Some parts of the country have a real European feel about them, with all the old colonial buildings lining the streets (such as in Antigua). Guatemala also boasts a wea

Learn Spanish in Guatemala with El Nahual Spanish School! Located in Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala, El Nahual Spanish School offers a personalized and immersive learning experience for students of all levels. Our native-speaking teachers provide one-on-one classes tailored to each student’s goal

Length: 4-6 months | Intakes: January Join the Global Leadership Programme, designed to provide you with hands-on experience supporting the work of an international development charity. We are looking for passionate graduates, who are keen to learn about global challenges, work with youth and defin

Come, grow with us! Global Citizen Adventure Corps (GCAC) offers student and adult travelers an immersive one-week experience in San Matias, Honduras. Travelers will serve in a community development program to bring hope, healing, and empowerment to the people of this mountain village. Service work

Dive into community service and a life-changing experience while volunteering with Local Hope Guatemala/Xela AID. Engage in cultural immersion and exchange as you work daily with our local staff and the local kids, adults, and seniors in our programs. Visit their homes, learn about their lives, and

Ready to serve in Guatemala, but not ready to organize a big team and all the daily details? We can help! Join our trips, which have been designed to bring people together so they can make an impact. Serve together. Learn together. Be forever changed together. Experience a life-changing week by se

CAYE is a registered youth charitable organization in Mzuzu, Malawi. Established in 2014, CAYE works in the Northern Region and parts of the Central Region to empower young people, women, and small-scale farmers to improve their livelihoods and contribute to national development. CAYE focuses on yo

Global Greentalist is an international youth volunteer program that combines online learning with hands-on action in Costa Rica. The journey begins with four virtual preparation sessions focused on leadership, sustainability, and environmental education, equipping participants before they travel. V

Based in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, our Medical Volunteer Program is built on long-term partnerships with trusted local clinics and health initiatives. Our work is led by the needs of these organizations, so volunteers are placed where they are genuinely wanted and can contribute responsibly. Healt

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 Cost

We are recruiting volunteers for our hostel in Costa Rica. Positions (for preferably monthly stays) are available through April 2026. Volunteers work 5 hours/day 5 days/week. Compensation for volunteers are air conditioned dorm room accommodations and 3 meals (vegetarian). We are located in Ma

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 hatc

Join our January Community Health & Well-Being Volunteer Program and work with our organization to support inclusive, resilient communities in rural Costa Rican border communities. Volunteers engage in service-learning projects with migrants, refugees, and local families, promoting health, well-bein