Human Rights Volunteering in Costa Rica

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.

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!

Make a direct contribution to positive change by supporting local organizations working to improve lives through community-based projects. Community development internships through Roots Interns take place in diverse regions such as Malawi, South Africa, Brazil, Ecuador, Zambia, and beyond, offering hands-on involvement in grassroots initiatives that focus on education, environmental awareness, youth empowerment, and social justice. Whether you’re leading activities with local youth, supporting refugee programs, or helping launch sustainable tourism efforts, your work will have a meaningful impact. These internships are ideal for students and recent graduates looking to build practical experience in areas such as program coordination, mentorship, communication, research, or nonprofit development. With placements starting at a minimum of 4 to 12 weeks, and flexible start dates throughout the year, you'll find an internship that aligns with your academic schedule and interests. From remote options to fully immersive in-country experiences, each opportunity is tailored to match your skills and learning goals while giving you a deeper understanding of social change from the ground up.

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.

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 skills, GoBeyond will immerse you in a new culture where you can make a meaningful difference while on the journey of a lifetime. Our high school community service summer programs proudly serve in many under-resourced communities and environments throughout the world. Explore our journeys in the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Galapagos & Ecuador, Peru, Iceland, Spain, China, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Beyond experiencing the adventure of a lifetime and creating lasting memories, we believe our community service summer trips enable lasting positive change in the world. For over forty years, we’ve been transforming communities, environments, and students’ lives through meaningful, collaborative adventures and service that develop skills and a more sophisticated worldly outlook—ultimately shaping the person you become.

San José, the capital city, is in the central valley of the Costa Rican rainforest. As the cultural, economic, and political center of Costa Rica, this is where most people live, work, and play. Here, you can experience a vibrant and busy Latin American metropolis while also having the rest of the country's pristine natural wonders nearby. We provide opportunities to serve dozens of local NGOs, schools, clinics, and businesses through structured programs offered all year round. Program participants can work with host organizations in a variety of fields and areas: museums, local schools, youth and disability centers, health clinics, and several others. Through service at a local organization and guided reflection-based curriculum, our goal is to help you gain a better understanding of the local language, culture, and community. Each service-learning placement is unique, so visit our website to learn more about the specific program options available. We especially recommend San José for students interested in education or working in museums.

Discover Costa Rica—a country rich in biodiversity, natural beauty, and adventure. From white sand beaches and lush rainforests to volcanoes and vibrant cities, it's a destination for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike. Whether you're into hiking, surfing, ziplining, or white-water rafting, Costa Rica offers it all. While the country is peaceful and safe, many communities face economic hardship and environmental challenges. As a volunteer, you can make a meaningful impact by joining projects in education, healthcare, construction, turtle or beach conservation, or through specialized internships in fields like human rights, hospitality, micro-business, and veterinary care. During your stay, you'll live with a friendly local host family, gaining a true taste of Costa Rican culture and hospitality.

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 way to meet people from all over the world. Work project types vary by country but may include environmental and wildlife conservation, historic preservation, educational and language learning, archaeology, organic farming, and arts and festivals. We also have social services projects, which could involve working with children, the elderly, or refugees. Projects are designed to combine service with recreational activities and cultural exchange – whether by visiting local beaches, learning local dances, meeting local officials, or volunteering with residents at the place you’re visiting. Each project is unique, but all bring people together for the most meaningful travel experience imaginable. Please note that VFP can only place US Citizens. This is due to our agreements with our international partners.

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.

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. As a VN volunteer, you will support health initiatives, tutor, assist women in rebuilding livelihoods, or support children through art, crafts, sports, and recreation programs. VN is not about charity. It is about long-lasting partnerships with communities. It is about treating people with dignity and respect, listening to their stories, and building community together. Each month brings opportunities to connect with communities. Join us to learn, grow, and explore!

Volunteering with ICYE UK is a transformational experience with real impact. Our ethical programmes promote peace, intercultural awareness and equality of opportunity, encouraging young people from around the world to live, learn and work together. UK residents can apply now to join us on our six or 12-month placements starting in either January or August, and work with locally run NGOs in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Europe on impactful projects that matter, such as: - Human rights projects - Women’s empowerment projects - Supporting people with compromised health and/or disabilities - Environmental and wildlife conservation - Sustainable agriculture projects - Providing education, care, and support for children from under-resourced communities - Sports, art, or cultural projects - Community development programmes - And many more Additionally, short-term placements of 3 to 5 months with flexible start dates are available in some of our partner countries. Whether you join us on our long-term or short-term programme, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture and language, learn, grow, and make an impact! Get in touch to find out more!