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 Healthca

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 med

Adventure and animal lovers rejoice! Alongside its stunning jungles, beaches, and volcanoes, Costa Rica is known for its astonishing biodiversity. The country accounts for as little as 0.03% of the earth’s surface yet contains nearly 6% of the world’s biodiversity. Although such a small country, Cos

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

The lively beach town of Santa Teresa in Costa Rica is world famous for surf breaks across pristine, uncrowded, and seemingly endless beaches. After surfing and sunbathing are over for the day, it's time for Spanish lessons and volunteering! – The town comes alive with funky surf shops, cafes, resta

This vital project was created to improve the English-speaking abilities of children in Jaco Beach, on Costa Rica's stunning Pacific Coast. Volunteers take on the role of Teacher Assistants, generally working up to 4 hours daily, Mondays to Fridays, depending on the school's current needs. They prov

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

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 tree

School the World's Student Service Program provides an inspiring experience for high school students. While traveling to Honduras, Panama, or Guatemala, you experience a new culture, make new friends, fulfill service hours, and create lasting relationships with children in the community, all while b

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

Classic Service Learning Trips (SLTs) are week-long, immersive educational journeys to Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, or Tanzania. During these trips, volunteers actively collaborate with local communities on various development projects, including constructing homes, improving access to clea

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

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

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

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

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

Think of an animal cuter than a sloth. Hard, right? We agree! Here is your chance to help these iconic and adorable South American creatures. Our volunteer placement is with a carefully selected partner known for their incredible and impactful work. Make a genuine difference, not only for sloths but

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

Calling all aspiring wildlife conservationists! If you want to experience working with animals, build skills in wildlife husbandry, and gain insight into nonprofit conservation work, this is the program for you. This internship places you in a wildlife sanctuary in the Alturas region of the Punt

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

Venture to some of the world’s most exotic and intriguing regions, ranging from the turquoise waters of Panama, the lush jungles of Costa Rica, and the white-sand beaches of Belize. Shadowing doctors in the Bocas del Toro islands off the coast of Panama, we understand the barriers to medical access

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

Loop Abroad offers both a one-week and two-week version of the Sea Turtle Conservation Costa Rica. These programs are open to participants ages 16 and up. Your group works with LAST, Latin American Sea Turtles, helping with their sea turtle conservation projects on the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica.

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

Spend some time in the wild coastal areas of Costa Rica, working with a local charity to help protect adult and baby turtles facing extinction and are increasingly at risk. This programme offers you the opportunity to be part of a vital project that aims to ensure that as many turtles as possible ma

We believe that the best things in life are personalized; so we’ve launched our custom courses for 5 or more people. Tell us your dates, duration, and activities—we’ll do the rest! Step by step, we’ll create an unforgettable adventure to Costa Rica or Panama. Bring 7 others on your custom course and

Guatemala’s storied history and rich culture will come to life on this adventure into the “Land of Eternal Spring.” Global Citizen Adventure Corps offers opportunities to interact with a new culture AND volunteer with local partners who share our commitment to realizing the UN Sustainable Developmen

AMIGOS offers high school students a transformative summer in Costa Rica, blending meaningful environmental action and deep cultural immersion. Participants can choose from three impactful project types: 1. Olas y Cerros, where they engage with climate change adaptation efforts, help with sea tur

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

Education for the Children (EFTC), founded in 2003, is a registered charity in Guatemala, the UK, and the US. EFTC works in partnership with disadvantaged families, children, and young adults in Guatemala to ensure they develop the tools they need to break free from the cycle of poverty. EFTC’s Sch

Volunteer in Costa Rica and immerse in the nation’s “Pura Vida” lifestyle while exploring unspoiled rainforests and basking in the peaceful atmosphere (with the Costa Rican army abolished in 1948). Costa Rica is renowned around the world for its biodiversity, stunning natural beauty, eco-tourism,

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

In Guatemala, sustainable farming is a popular practice; however, it comes with some challenges. Local farmers need extra hands in the field to maintain strong production using eco-friendly methods. You’ll work alongside them just outside Antigua, learning about eco farming while volunteering on cof

Join a life-changing Volunteer Build Week with Global Impact Homes and help construct homes for those in need. We currently offer Impact Builds in several destinations, including Puducherry, India; Zihuatanejo, Mexico; Granada, Nicaragua; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As a volunteer, you’ll participa

Volunteer in Costa Rica with A Broader View Volunteers, a highly rated non-profit charity organization. Volunteer placements are available throughout Costa Rica, mainly in San Jose and Escazu and the Pacific and Atlantic coastal regions. There are 19 program options available for volunteers to choos

We are a non-profit organization with the mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and release as many animals as possible back into the wild. We are located in Portegolpe, Guanacaste, one of the most biologically rich regions in our country. We are also on a main route to many touristic destinations, such

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 expe

Join us in preserving endangered parrot species at our Macaw Breeding Center, set in the stunning landscapes of Costa Rica. As a volunteer, you’ll play a crucial role in caring for and feeding rescued macaws while immersing yourself in the local culture. Macaw populations have significantly decline

Volunteer in Costa Rica's Ostional Wildlife Refuge and contribute to the conservation of olive ridley sea turtles at one of the world's most important nesting beaches. Working alongside local conservationists, you'll participate in day and night patrols, beach monitoring, nest protection, data colle

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

Floating Doctors is a team of veterinarians, physicians, nurses, public health specialists, and students that provides primary care, advanced care, education and community development to remote rural indigenous communities in Bocas del Toro, Panama. With few resources and little access to care, ther

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

Join our sea turtle conservation program in the stunning Pacific coastal region of Costa Rica and make a significant impact on the preservation of these incredible marine animals! As a volunteer, you will engage in vital conservation efforts, including night patrols to protect nesting turtles and da

Volunteer with us at Romelia Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica, which protects over 230 hectares of tropical forests and beaches in the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world’s blue zones. Our sea turtle conservation project runs from May to December. During this time, we conduct patrols, collect eggs, rel

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

We are seeking one DMV-area high school educator to serve as a cohort leader for our 9-day Guatemala Leadership & Language Exchange in Antigua. This immersive program combines Spanish language practice, cultural exchange, leadership development, and community engagement for students ages 15–18. Th

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

Become a part of our conservation effort on a remote beach in Nicaragua, where sea turtle eggs have been harvested ever since. Local families rely on the income they generate by selling eggs on the market. That's why we pay for most of the nests we protect in our hatchery. Our ecologically built in

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

Do you want to be part of a major process of social change in Guatemala? If so, this is the perfect place for you. At Niños de Guatemala, we want to generate a social impact through education—the best tool for every child's future. That is why we invite you to be part of this fight against poverty

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

Study Spanish and volunteer in one of a variety of projects in Costa Rica with The National Registration Center for Study Abroad. Volunteers spend 20 hours per week for two or more weeks in 50-minute group Spanish classes with a maximum of five students. Although volunteers may enroll for as many we

Embark on an exciting journey that combines travel and conservation through STC's Green Turtle Eco-Volunteer Program in Costa Rica. This captivating opportunity allows you to actively participate in the protection of endangered sea turtles while enjoying an exotic destination. Tortuguero's black sa

What if 2026 were the year you stopped waiting and started doing? At the VN Center in northern Costa Rica, you can make 2026 a year filled with purpose, learning, and transformation. You can volunteer alongside rural migrant and refugee families and be part of something important and long-lasting.

Choose between 2 volunteer program activities: Hospital Playground Volunteering Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young patients? Join our NAVES Hospital Playground project and become part of a team dedicated to providing play therapy support to children in need. We welco

Join the effort to protect sea turtles in Costa Rica with Wildlife Sense. This program, located in the beautiful coastal town of Argostoli on Kefalonia island, provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the conservation of sea turtles and their habitats. You will work alongside a team of passion