Volunteer Programs in Arenal, Costa Rica

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.

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.

This ultimate Costa Rican adventure packs in 21 days of pure adrenaline mixed with just the right amount of community service! Experience the country's natural beauty and excitement while giving back to the local community. In Sámara, we have partnered with a local association that has provided local youth who have limited resources with supplemental educational, recreational, and career opportunities for the past ten years. These young people live in the rural beach communities of the surrounding area. We help run one of their many programs that focus on academic and artistic education, environmental consciousness, health, and socio-cultural development. After a hard day of work, relax on pristine beaches, fly through the jungle canopy on a zipline, and catch some waves at some of the world’s most famous surfing destinations! This trip for teens (finishing grades 9 & 10) strikes a perfect balance between work and play. You will earn up to 20 service hours and, at the same time, try new adventure activities such as whitewater rafting, swimming in waterfalls, canyoning, and rappelling, among others. What are you waiting for? A perfect summer in Costa Rica awaits!

Costa Rica is famous for its rich biodiversity. Many people from around the world come to Costa Rica to experience its lush rain-forests and exotic wildlife, In fact, Costa Rica is one of the more biodiversity-dense countries in the world and it is home to more than 500,000 species, which represent nearly 4% of the total estimated species worldwide. Development, agriculture, illegal exotic animal trade, and contamination affect many wildlife species that are under constant threat. Volunteers in the wildlife program in Costa Rica work in animal rescue centers aimed at helping endangered species. If you like being outdoors and love working with wild animals, the wildlife program is for you! Who is this program better for? People that like manual labor, are not afraid to get their hands dirty, and understand the importance of wildlife conservation. What could I be doing? -Taking care of the animals (feeding, cleaning); - Building cages and shelters for the animals; - Preparing food for the animals; - Educating visitors about the importance of wildlife conservation; - Doing maintenance tasks around the rescue center.