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Veterinary Science Volunteering in Costa Rica

20 Veterinary Science Volunteer Programs in Costa Rica

MAXIMO NIVEL

9.5

487

Top-Rated Volunteer Abroad Programs in Latin America

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!

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GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

9.68

37

GoEco - Top Rated & Award Winning Volunteer Programs Abroad

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

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Roots Interns

8.25

4

Wildlife Husbandry Internship in Costa Rica

Calling all aspiring wildlife conservationists! If you want to experience working with animals, build skills in wildlife husbandry, and gain insight into nonprofit conservation work, this is the program for you. This internship places you in a wildlife sanctuary in the Alturas region of the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica, one of the most biodiverse, animal-dense areas in the world. This sanctuary is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and ultimately releasing, injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife. Whilst their aim is always to release the animal, in cases where this isn’t possible the sanctuary also serves as a refuge. As an intern, you will take responsibility for cleaning enclosures, feeding and administering enrichment, and helping out with the daily operations of the center. This will be the main focus of your work and where you will receive most training, but you’ll gain insight into all aspects of the sanctuary. As well as your wildlife husbandry duties, you’ll participate in animal restraint and capturing, managing onsite camera traps, conducting public tours, and facilitating educational lectures and workshops.

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Jakera: Learn Spanish, Volunteer and Adventure

0

0

Costa Rica All-in-One Program

Join our Best Seller Program! Combine immersive Spanish lessons with Surf or Yoga classes and meaningful volunteer work at our home base in beautiful Santa Teresa—one of the top surf spots in the country. Make a real impact through purposeful volunteering, help with sea turtle conservation, assist in the nursery and hatchery, join night patrols, participate in beach cleanups, and more. Cap off your experience with an unforgettable week in the lush Monteverde Rainforest, where adventure and adrenaline await!

Love Volunteers

9.58

201

Volunteer Abroad & Make a REAL Difference - From US$175!

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.

Global Leadership Adventures

9.79

63

GLA Costa Rica - Volunteer Programs for Teens

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.

Volunteer World

8.69

16

Volunteer World: Best Volunteer Abroad Programs Worldwide

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.

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Globalteer

10

1

Volunteer with Turtles in Costa Rica | Globalteer

Contribute to the Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Costa Rica, which helps preserve the country's incredible biodiversity through the protection of endangered sea turtle nests and the release of turtle hatchlings into the wild. The program was established in 1989 and has more than 20 years of experience in the conservation and protection of endangered sea turtle populations on Costa Rica's Caribbean and Pacific coasts. The program focuses on the protection of four species of sea turtle: Pacific Black, Olive Ridley, and the occasional Hawksbill and Leatherback. These marine creatures are under serious threat from poachers who engage in the trade of turtle skin, shells, meat, and eggs, causing the destruction of the turtle's natural habitat and their accidental capture in fishing lines. The main objective of the project is to alleviate the manmade and natural threats to sea turtle nests on Costa Rican beaches. They patrol the beaches every night during nesting season to protect the sea turtles from predators, poachers, and other threats. The eggs are moved to hatcheries where the eggs are protected until the hatchlings can safely return to the ocean.

WorldStrides

0

0

Community Engagement in San Jose, Costa Rica

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.

Volunteering Journeys

0

0

Animal Care & Wildlife Volunteering Abroad

Help Protect, Rescue, and Care for Animals Around the World If you’re passionate about animals and dream of making a real difference, our Animal Care & Wildlife Volunteering Abroad Programs offer unforgettable opportunities to work hands-on with animals in need. With Volunteering Journeys, you can join projects that protect wildlife and rescue domestic animals in Sri Lanka, Peru, and South Africa — three of the world’s most biodiverse and inspiring destinations. Whether you’re looking to care for stray dogs, assist with wildlife rehabilitation, or help protect endangered elephants and sea lions, these programs are perfect for animal lovers, veterinary students, and gap-year travelers who want to combine meaningful work with adventure.

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Global Work & Travel

0

0

Sloth & Wildlife Rescue Sanctuary

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 also for numerous other rescued exotic animals in need. Spend your days working in a rehabilitation center, taking care of incredible creatures on the road to recovery. The work will be hard but highly rewarding. You’re going to leave knowing that you truly made a difference. In your time off, discover a truly breathtaking part of Central America! With pristine beaches on both sides and rainforests, Costa Rica is utterly stunning from top to bottom. Make lifelong friends and memories while doing some truly meaningful work getting up close and personal with some amazing animals in this program with pretty much everything you can think of already included!

Loop Abroad

9.58

24

Costa Rica Sea Turtle Conservation and Research

Loop Abroad offers both a one-week and two-week version of the Sea Turtle Conservation Costa Rica. These programs are open to participants ages 16 and up. Your group works with LAST, Latin American Sea Turtles, helping with their sea turtle conservation projects on the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica. Each program includes assisting in a local one-day spay and neuter program, which your tuition dollars help to support. As part of the Osa In Water project, you will help with: In-water monitoring of sea turtles Rescue and rehabilitation center Mangrove reforestation program Seagrass monitoring You learn all about sea turtles and their conservation while volunteering with this internationally respected organization. Plus, support the important work of LAST with your tuition dollars.

Green Life Volunteers

9.75

20

Volunteer in Costa Rica with Green Life Volunteers

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.

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Latest Program Reviews

Learned so much and met lots of amazing people

December 13, 2025by: Daniella Knapp - United StatesProgram: GLA Costa Rica - Volunteer Programs for Teens
10

Living for ten days in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica was truly eye opening. Experiencing the culture and helping out with the sea turtles nests along with talking with local community members and organizations created a whole new appreciation for different cultures and travel.

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