Alternative Spring Break Volunteer Programs in Costa Rica

Join the Childcare program in San José, Costa Rica with International Volunteer HQ and help support children in under-resourced communities while experiencing city and cultural life in this vibrant Central American capital. Volunteers assist at local childcare centres and community projects providing support with early education, playtime supervision, meal assistance, and daily care for children. This placement is ideal for gap year travellers, students, or anyone looking to give back through meaningful volunteer work abroad. Your hosted volunteer experience includes airport pick-up, a comprehensive orientation, shared volunteer house or homestay accommodation depending on placement, two meals per day, and 24/7 local support from the team on the ground. You will receive pre-departure guidance from your IVHQ Program Manager along with access to helpful training tools so you feel prepared to start. Programs begin every Monday. Volunteers join an international community and have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Costa Rica’s culture, urban life, and surrounding natural beauty while making a positive impact in children’s lives.

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!

Join the Sloth and Wildlife Rescue Center in Costa Rica, a renowned wildlife organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of local animals. The center includes an on-site hospital and comfortable living quarters for volunteers. The enclosures, surrounded by nature, provide a habitat-like environment for the animals as they recover. As a volunteer, you'll work in a team to provide care for over 100 animals – including sloths, birds, and monkeys – in a sanctuary nestled in nature's lap. You'll take on a hands-on role that involves tasks like preparing food, feeding animals, maintaining clean enclosures, and assisting the on-site vet when possible. You'll also take part in educational community projects, raising awareness about wildlife conservation.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Use your spring break contributing to vital community development projects on Costa Rica’s stunning Pacific coast. Participants get a chance to work on construction projects, educational support, and sports development initiatives. You will work in the community of Quepos, a coastal community in Mexico. Explore the stunning biodiversity of the region and the vibrant culture of Latin America in your free time; Use this opportunity to explore the Costa Rican way of life while making a valuable difference in the lives of the local community.

Volunteer in this program and work alongside local organizations to help children from underprivileged backgrounds, many of whom may have come from homes with little nurturing, poverty, or a lack of education. You will play a big part in teaching and inspiring these kids by giving them the care and attention they require. As a volunteer, you will work in childcare facilities, community centers, and schools. Your tasks will include supporting local childcare workers in caring for the kids, helping with the general running of the place such as lunchtimes and cleaning, providing individual attention and care for the children who most need it, playing games and sports, tutoring, teaching hygiene, and inspiring them to learn. You can also lead art, music, dance, and drama. This is a chance to get creative and integrate fun into the activities you provide. We have programs in San Jose and near the beach in Manuel Antonio.

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 of hours thrown into administration, logistics, phone calls, Skyping, emailing, and so forth. The minimal fee to cover the basic operational needs will be covered through the higher program fee required in the first week. We have excellent projects throughout Costa Rica, which are a result of many years of collaboration and research. The projects we collaborate with are in actual need of help and have experience working with volunteers. This guarantees that you will have a great time and an awesome experience. The projects are always run by local members of the community, non-profit, and with a benefit for people, nature, or animals. The guest families have been handpicked by local staff, and all of them have years of experience hosting foreigners and volunteers. They are always happy to welcome you, and they will be your family away from home.

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 you will come for free! Our custom courses are for friends & family, sports teams, youth groups, Girl Scout Troops, and even business teams! Mix and match activities from the following categories: Outdoor Adventure, Volunteering, Skills & Training to create your perfect adventure. No matter your age, the activities you’re taking part in or who you’re here with you will be challenged, you will gain new skills and you will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. *Please note that, for the health and safety of our participants, OBCR has made program adjustments to these courses. Please visit our website to view our COVID-19 considerations.*

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 declined due to illegal poaching and habitat loss. Our center houses over 80 macaws, focusing on breeding and preparing their offspring for release into the wild. Your contributions will help ensure a future where these vibrant birds thrive. As a caretaker, you’ll prepare food, maintain aviaries, and monitor the birds’ health. Expect to work 5.5 days a week from 5:30 AM to 4 PM, with a three-hour lunch break. Duration: Volunteers can stay for one to six months. Costs: Travel costs to Costa Rica are your responsibility. We provide on-site accommodation and utilities; you need to budget around $100 weekly for food. Comprehensive insurance is required. No experience necessary—just a love for birds and nature! Bring your motivation and sense of humor. Help us protect these incredible creatures while enjoying a life-changing adventure in Costa Rica!

This project, implemented in 2019, is vital to the national program aimed at eliminating single-use plastic products. Our team is always looking for motivated volunteers—helping hands to work on the following: - Sustainable practices among the local population - Plastic-free campaign that organizes bi-weekly beach cleanups - Workshops within the community and local schools - Creative plastic recycling machine Together, we will create a weekly program and distribute the workload among all participants and the guiding team. New ideas are welcome, and experience in a sustainable lifestyle is preferred. As we aim to expand our production of recycled plastic products, we welcome participants with expertise in project management and production, as well as young volunteers who wish to join our team and take action.

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 clean water, and participating in mobile medical clinics that provide essential healthcare to underserved areas. These trips offer a unique opportunity to engage deeply with the communities that MEDLIFE supports, allowing volunteers to witness firsthand the challenges faced by those living in extreme poverty. By working side by side with locals, volunteers not only gain invaluable insights into global health and development but also contribute directly to impactful projects that foster long-term, sustainable change. Beyond the hands-on experience, SLTs encourage participants to reflect on the role they can play in addressing global inequities. The trip fosters empathy, awareness, and ignites action, empowering volunteers to join the MEDLIFE Movement and advocate for a world where poverty no longer limits opportunities.

Embark on a life-changing journey with abroaderview volunteering in the breathtaking landscapes of Costa Rica. Nestled between lush rainforests and pristine beaches, this Central American gem offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while immersing yourself in its vibrant culture. Join us as a volunteer and unlock a world of possibilities. Whether you're passionate about wildlife conservation, community development, or education, we have a diverse range of programs tailored to your interests. Work alongside local experts to protect endangered species, support sustainable farming initiatives, or teach English to eager learners. As a volunteer with abroaderview, you'll receive unparalleled support every step of the way. Our experienced staff will guide you through the application process, provide comprehensive pre-departure information, and offer on-the-ground assistance throughout your stay. Join us in Costa Rica and be part of something greater. Experience the joy of giving back, create lasting memories, and leave a positive impact on communities in need. Dare to make a difference – volunteer with abroaderview today.

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 data collection for research. Your work will help contribute to valuable data collection and the protection of sea turtle nests from threats while providing you with a hands-on, immersive experience in wildlife conservation. This program not only offers the chance to contribute to meaningful conservation work but also allows you to explore Costa Rica's breathtaking beaches and vibrant ecosystems. You will work alongside dedicated conservationists and like-minded volunteers, gaining valuable knowledge and skills in marine conservation. This volunteer opportunity in Costa Rica is the perfect way to combine your interests with impactful action if you are passionate about protecting wildlife, eager to make a difference and immerse yourself in a vibrant culture and diverse environment.