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Costa Rica Volunteer Quests
Volunteer in Costa Rica: 1-52 weeks

Photo taken by Sarah Z. Martin, UP Costa Rica volunteer*

"We were able to make a small difference in our community while being immersed in the Latin American culture.I truly learned so much about Costa Rica and the world as a whole. Living with a host family really made me feel like a Costa Rican. I'd like to thank United Planet for helping me give back to the community, teaching me a great deal and leaving me with some unforgettable memories.Pura Vida!" -Dipti Rao, United Planet volunteer in Costa Rica

United Planet's Quest Volunteer Abroad program offers you or your group a life-changing opportunity to interact with local communities through customized work experiences, cultural activities, and home stays.

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Visit the United Planet YouTube page to view a Costa Rica Quest video and more. Please also visit the Costa Rica Quest photo gallery.

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Country and Community Information

Costa Rica is most known for its amazing natural beauty and biodiversity. It is an eco-tourism hotspot. As a peaceful democratic republic with strong political stability, Costa Rica appeals to foreign tourists and investors alike. Costa Rica is known for being the first country in the world to abolish its own army. Costa Rica’s success with ecotourism initiatives is a testament to the viability of alternative models of development. Through ecotourism, Costa Rica has been able to prosper while still protecting the country’s vast natural resources and ensuring its economic future. More progress needs to be made, however, as one fifth of the population still lives below the poverty line.

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Volunteer Opportunities in Costa Rica (1-12 weeks)

The purpose of this Quest is to promote a deeper level of cultural exchange and understanding through meaningful volunteer work at local schools and social activities with the host community.

United Planet is currently working with different volunteer opportunities in partnership with local organizations in Costa Rica.

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1) Environmental Quests Volunteers involved with Environmental Quests can work at conservation areas, national parks, wildlife refuges and more. We offer a wide range of different experiences: from creating trails in the cloud forests to cultivating medicinal plants, guiding tourists and patrolling protected turtle beaches. There are no Spanish language requirements for the environmental projects, though basic Spanish is very helpful.		2) Social Work Quests Volunteers on Social Work Quests can work at places such as centers for homeless children, elderly homes, hospitals, cultural houses, indigenous projects and more. We offer a wide range of different experiences from creating and maintaining buildings to teaching English to locals and playing games with homeless children. Intermediate Spanish required.
Read more about Environmental Quests		Read more about Social Work Quests
3) Quests for 16-18 year olds Volunteers under the age of 18 can choose from three different projects in Costa Rica. These programs have been selected for their suitability for this age group and vetted for their safety by the United Planet staff. Additional pre-departure support and information is available to volunteers in this age group along with their parents and/or family members. This includes an informational interview with the volunteer's parent. There may be Spanish language requirements for these projects, so please ask which project is best suited for your interests and skills.

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The Quests take place in various locations. United Planet offers numerous opportunities for environmental volunteering in different climates and locations. Most of the social work projects are located in and around the capital of San Jose. Volunteers receive a three to four-day orientation upon arrival to San Jose and are then taken to their project sites. Please see the Costa Rica Prices and Details page for more information on what's included in the program. Please note that Spanish lessons are not offered in Costa Rica.

• Costa Rica Quests run year-round and begin on the first and third Wednesday or Thursday of each month, depending on the length of your stay.
  
• Click here for a sample two-week itinerary

Click here for Long-term Quests (6 months - 1 year) in Costa Rica

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Visas
United Planet sends volunteers from many countries around the world. Obtaining a Visa (if necessary) is therefore the responsibility of the volunteer. U.S. citizens can visit the website of the U.S. State Department to learn more about foreign entry requirements. For citizens of all other countries, please contact your destination country's embassy in your home country or your government website. If you need a letter from United Planet to verify your participation in our program, please e-mail us with this request and we will be happy to provide one.

Health Issues and Vaccinations
Some countries require or suggest that volunteers have certain vaccinations before entering the country.  Please consult your country's government website for more information regarding the health of travelers. U.S. citizens can visit the website of the Centers for Disease Control to learn more about vaccinations and staying healthy while traveling.  It is also recommended that you visit nearest travel clinic prior to departure.

Living and volunteering in another country, often in conditions you are not used to, can take a toll on the body and mind.  In addition to the information that is provided in your pre-departure package, please research how to stay healthy in your country of destination.  It could make all the difference!

* United Planet would like to thank Sarah Z. Martin, Costa Rica Volunteer '08, for providing some of the photos on this page.