Volunteer Programs in San Jose, Costa Rica

Filter Results

Featured Provider of the Month
63 Volunteer Programs in San Jose, Costa Rica


International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
4.68
825
At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. ...
See All 14 ProgramsMAXIMO NIVEL
4.7
581
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
See All 7 ProgramsGoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
4.76
17
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 hab
See All 7 ProgramsRaleigh International
4.48
23
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
Love Volunteers
4.7
201
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 h
Pacific Discovery
4.14
21
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
See All 2 ProgramsVolunteering Journeys
4.6
15
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
See All 4 Programs5
10
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
See All 3 ProgramsTravel For Teens
4.93
14
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
See All 3 Programs4.6
5
Volunteer in Costa Rica and discover one of the most sustainable countries on earth. Save baby sea turtles or work with Costa Ricas unique wildlife. It is the home of lush jungles and the most exotic animals on earth. Find the best places to see toucans, sloths, capuchin monkeys and even the critica
AIFS Abroad
4.41
39
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
GoBeyond Student Travel
5
2
Travel to Costa Rica with GoBeyond to help improve the harsh conditions of the local community and its people. GoBeyond students participate in variety of humanitarian projects led by Gail Nystrom, head of the Costa Rica Humanitarian Foundation. As an ex-Peace Corps worker, Gail has established hers
WorldStrides
0
0
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
Global Work & Travel
0
0
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
0
0
Build your leadership, youth development, and project management skills as you lead young volunteers on the trip of a lifetime. This versatile internship could benefit a career in adventure tourism, education, or project management. You’ll work with an organization that organizes service-orientat
See All 4 ProgramsKaya Responsible Travel
0
0
This is an ideal childcare placement if you love working with and giving attention to children. Volunteer at a center in San Jose that offers daycare services to families with limited resources. Your presence is integral in running the center and ensuring the children are properly cared for. Your
Volunteers For Peace
4.56
36
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
Green Life Volunteers
4.75
20
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
Outward Bound Costa Rica
4.96
26
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
See All 2 ProgramsGlobe Aware
4.88
8
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
A Broader View Volunteers Corp
5
1
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
Involvement Volunteers International
5
1
In this Kindergarten Support program, you will get the opportunity to 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
See All 3 Programs5
3
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
The National Registration Center for Study Abroad
0
0
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
A Guide to Volunteering Abroad in San Jose
Projects & Placements
A plethora of projects are available in and around San Jose, but the most popular areas for volunteering in San Jose include sea turtle conservation, teaching, and community development. But volunteer placements in San Jose sprawl a range of other areas too, including, but not limited to, working in orphanages, environmental research, health care or even farming or agriculture.
Sustainability is a huge focus of volunteer projects in San Jose, so volunteers should be aware of how they are impacting the environment and local communities through their volunteer work. Eco-tourism programs are also common in Costa Rica in general, and San Jose is not an exception.
Volunteering programs in San Jose vary in length from one week up to one year, and while Spanish is useful, it is not usually required. For those interested in learning Spanish or developing their language skills while volunteering in San Jose, Spanish classes are prevalently included in volunteer programs or at the very least available throughout the city.
Overall individual who choose to volunteer in San Jose will have any placement at their fingertips; many volunteer organizations in San Jose offer placements in literally 20 different focus areas and projects, so if volunteers arrive and decide they’d like to try something new after a few weeks, there will be plenty of options.
Life in San Jose
It’s no surprise that Costa Rica is home to many expats and yogis, and is a location on many travelers’ bucket list. A combination of diverse wildlife, pristine beaches, and bustling cities gives Costa Rica an irresistible sense of calm coupled with vibrant culture and history.
With San Jose acting as the transportation hub for Costa Rica, it’s relatively easy to travel throughout the country. However, for first-time visitors, the public transportation system can be a bit confusing with a lack of schedules or a centralized bus terminal. Bus schedules and terminal information can be obtained in brochures distributed throughout the city, but beware that schedules aren’t always accurate.
The cost of living in Costa Rica is said to be comparable to that of a mid-sized city in the United States. The Costa Rican colón can be exchanged at any bank, with U.S. dollars being the most accepted currency. Visa is widely accepted in San Jose, while MasterCard and American Express are less preferred.
Accommodations & Visas
Volunteer programs in San Jose often provide assistance in obtaining a visa and arranging accommodations; however, you may have to pay for your own visa fees, which aren’t always included in program fees. Note that Americans do not need a tourist visa, but do require a valid U.S. passport and return airline ticket to enter Costa Rica. Check with the Costa Rican embassy and your program provider for more information about visas before you begin your journey to volunteer in San Jose.
When programs include accommodations, volunteers will find themselves most often living in a homestay or dormitory. Living with a host family is encouraged as it gives volunteers an opportunity to immerse themselves in Costa Rican culture while enjoying the famous Tico hospitality.
GoAbroad Insider Tips
San Jose is rated as the safest city in Latin America, with decreasing crime rates and increased law enforcement support. While it’s always recommended to be aware of your surroundings and use common sense, Costa Rica has a largely peaceful history, as evidenced by not even having a military.
Volunteering programs in San Jose offer opportunities for volunteers to help develop the social, economic, and environmental components of Costa Rica, while learning to love the local culture and traditions.
In addition to being able to explore the city, those who volunteer in San Jose will be perfectly situated to discover the many other wonders of Costa Rica, including volcanoes, waterfalls, and beaches!
Read our comprehensive guide on volunteering abroad in Costa Rica.
Popular Providers
Latest Interviews

Josh Clement
International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
We were inspired to go abroad because we wanted to combine travel with something more meaningful. Instead of just visiting a new place, we were lookin...

Gilberth Johan Pérez Monge
Greentalist Costa Rica
I wanted to experience something new, to observe and feel what it is like to be in a different place, with different people doing different things. I ...
Popular Searches
Apply for Scholarships & Deals
Submit a single application on MyGoAbroad to get exclusive discounts on travel programs!










