Volunteer Programs in Puntarenas, Costa Rica

I spent six weeks in Ecuador this summer through Beyond Travels, including four weeks living with the Yumbo family near Tena in the Amazon. I still talk about this experience all the time. It continues to shape how I think about food, medicine, land, and community, but what stays with me most is the relationships I developed. Clemente and Elena welcomed me with open arms into their family. I developed relationships with their children and grandchildren, and over time, I felt increasingly part of the family’s everyday life. Being included and cared for in that way meant so much to me. When I think back on Ecuador, I think about the people I miss just as much as everything I learned. My time at Pakarina was also an important part of those six weeks and something I would love to share more about. I arrived with an interest in medicinal plants, agriculture, and community health, and living with the family gave those interests a much deeper meaning. Walking through the chacra with Clemente, I would ask about the fruits, roots, and plants around us, and he would explain what they were, how they were used, and where they grew. Harvesting hearts of palm together made me appreciate the knowledge and work behind a food I had previously encountered without understanding its origins. Some of the conversations that stayed with me most were about Kichwa and the knowledge held within the language. Hearing concerns about younger generations speaking less Kichwa made me think about how plant knowledge is passed down through words, stories, and shared practices. These are questions I’ve continued exploring since returning home. The experience also required patience, flexibility, and a willingness to be uncomfortable sometimes. I had to slow down, listen, and recognize how much I still had to learn. Four weeks offers only a small glimpse into a family’s life, but the relationships we built during that time were meaningful to me. I’m deeply grateful to Clemente, Elena, and their family for welcoming me so fully and sharing their time and knowledge. I returned home with people I hope to stay connected with and experiences that continue to influence my studies and my interest in medicinal plants and healing spaces. For someone willing to participate in everyday life, ask thoughtful questions, and remain open to unfamiliar ways of learning, this experience has so much to offer.

GoEco did everything for us- transportation to and from the airport, host family to animal rescue after our week of language, transportation to our tour and back. We loved our experience with our host family and language immersion. The animal rescue was hard and rewarding work. I wish I had more time to spend doing both.

The Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center in Turrucares is the most magical place!! You are absolutely feel the impact that they have on the local flora and fauna, and I feel so honoured to be able to be a part of it.

Very difficult to narrow it down to one most memorable experience, seriously was a once in a lifetime experience! But feeding and preparing food for all the animals was really cool, I have never done anything like it

I was placed with a wonderful "mom" in San Jose. Meals at her house were great, her place was clean and comfortable and she was just super sweet! The language school was fun too. My teacher was so patient and supportive. <br>Fantastic experience at the animal rescue center. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Other volunteers were fun and helpful, the work was rewarding. Can only recommend it and would do it again!

All of the family had an unforgettable experience.<br>Nadine enjoyed working with the medical team in the Animal Hospital and the rest of the family had a wonderful time working in the Sanctuary. <br>We can not thank GoEco and the Animal Rescue Centre, Costa Rica for this unforgettable experience. ❤️❤️

Syringe feeding milk to the baby sloths was the most amazing experience. I was privileged to be able to help the vet when inspecting an injury to a wild sloth’s leg. It was fantastic to be surrounded by so much nature, seeing up close animals we don’t see at home in the UK and knowing that we were helping them, and learning more about the animals and birds. A great overall experience, only marred slightly by the inevitable cliques which form among some volunteers of similar ages to each other and the same nationality, making others of us feel excluded.

I got to meet great People. Got in contact witv animals I never seen before. Loved working with the sloths. Loved cuddling with a peccary and a coati climbed on me. Learned about the laws for protecting wildlife. Staff was amazing.

During my time at the Costa Rica Animal Rescue, I have been able to meet people from around the globe, interact with animals I had never even heard of, and become emerged in the culture of this country. My most memorable experience was when I first arrived at the rescue center. I have never been around so many people who care for animals as much as I do. It was a truly heartwarming situation.

This trip is one for the books! I am so grateful that I was able to experience this trip first hand. I was looking for something to do in the summer, and I came upon Travel for Teens and I am so happy that I did. Being able to work with the ASVO Sea Turtle Center was heart-warming and mind-opening. I learned a lot about different types of turtles and what they experience in the world. I am thankful that I was able to experience a different perspective from the locals while being in Costa Rica. The weather was beautiful and it made the trip even more enjoyable. The staff were wonderful, supportive and cared for all the travellers. Thank you to Travel For Teens for making this trip possible!

Volunteering at the Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center was the most fun I’ve ever had. I got to spend everyday feeding animals I’ve never heard of until I had arrived. And the other people I worked with we’re so kind and fun. And almost all of the volunteers were 18-25 years old. The center helped organize trips for us to go out every week (waterfalls, volcanoes, beaches). So grateful!!!

The whole stay was very unique. the young group of volunteers with us and the staff were truely amazing, and exteremly proffassional. gave me and the griend that was traveling with me a chance to really get to know the culture, the vibe, and of-course the animals of Costa Rica up close. i wouldnt recommend more than a week's satey, if you dont have much time to travle in Costa Rica. would probably do it again, if I ever come back (and I do hope I will...) all in all, great experience! PURA VIDA

My favorite part by far was the people. I really enjoyed getting to know them and trying to learn their language and learn about their way of life. I cant really pick my most memerable moment as there was so many good interactions. From yelling iNdeble phrases to each other to sitting after dinner with tea and talking with one of the senior staff members about our different cultures. I did really enjoy the experience. The staff, other volunteers, family, animals. It was really nice to see that little part of the world and even go to Victoria Falls! Also Zoe was wonderful in helping me through everything.

The school and my host family were both warm and welcoming.. The volunteer project was everything I wanted and more, the staff, the treatment of animals, the work, the other volunteers, accommodation, everything was wonderful!

All the project was amazing I Want to return back. I think that is important to promote more the project because they need more help and is a place that has a big impact with the animales and they don't have a lot of support.

My most memorable experience was being able to feed the animals. It wasn't the complete interaction with animals that I wanted, but I was able to feed some. I especially had a fun time at the rescue center working with other volunteers and supervisors.

Working with the animals was amazing and fulfilling. I also had some great touring experiences that left me with a nice feel for the lovely country of Costa Rica and the city of San Jose. My home stay hosts (Ana Maria and Roberto) for the Spanish classes were truly wonderful and provided a lovely room and delicious meals for me. I enjoyed their company and only wish my Spanish was better to be able to communicate with them.

My most memorable experience was not just one single experience, the whole three weeks were unforgettable. I feel so lucky to have gotten the chance to work firsthand with such exotic animals and amazing people. I highly recommend this place.

Amazing host families that enriched the entire experience in Costa Rica as we were able to share day-to-day life with locals, engage with their families and friends. I am extremely glad we chose to add an additional week of Spanish classes as it definitely helped with communication with our host families and at the project as well.

I'd planned on volunteering for a specific wildlife project in Costa Rica, but am glad the local coordinator I worked with gave me thorough assessments of each wildlife project. Learning about each one in detail helped me make the right choice, and it wasn't the one I'd originally planned on! I wound up choosing just the right match for myself. I was perfectly aligned with their mission and the physical tasks assigned to me, I made great, long-term friends with a few of the other volunteers (they were all great!) and the entire team at that project was great. I loved the physical dirty work (!), knew each day that I was making a meaningful contribution, I loved the familia I stayed with, and most of all, I had so much fun!! I can't wait to return, which I will!