Location
  • Costa Rica
Length
1 to 52 weeks
Health & Safety

Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
15
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Host Family

Pricing

Starting Price
2600
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Nov 01, 2023
Feb 12, 2020
39 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Our program will make you step out of your comfort zone and engage with your new friends from around the world. You will develop a better understanding of global issues while making a meaningful contribution to the community that hosts you.

We offer a wide selection of volunteer opportunities in Costa Rica. You can choose to take part in promoting early childhood development and education. Or if you are passionate about protecting our planet, you can join our conservation work in the Barra Honda National Park.

On weekends, you will have the chance to explore this beautiful country - with more than 25% of its land protected in national parks, Costa Rica is a nature lover’s paradise. It has everything from volcanoes to tropical rain forests, and magnificent waterfalls to beautiful sandy beaches.

For more information, please visit our website!

This program is no longer offered. View more programs from Projects Abroad.

Video and Photos

Impact

Sustainability

Travel with purpose! Projects Abroad champions responsible adventures, connecting you with communities through low-impact volunteer work. Ditch tourist traps, build rainforests, empower children, safeguard wildlife, and much more. Make meaningful journeys that leave a lasting positive impact - explore sustainable travel and become a global changemaker today!

Visit our website to learn more about our pioneering approach to sustainability.

Ethical Impact

Join Projects Abroad, a force for good connecting volunteers with communities. Build green futures, fight inequality, and empower locals on impactful adventures.

Visit our website to learn more about our impact worldwide.

Program Highlights

  • Choose a project you are passionate about that fits your interests
  • Support global sustainable efforts that contribute towards the long-term objectives of each program.
  • Get 24/7 support from the local staff and head office team
  • Live and work in the local community
  • Explore a new country and culture while you're meaningful contribution to the community

Popular Programs

Costa Rica Conservation volunteers

Live in Costa Rica’s dense tropical dry forest and work on the frontlines of conservation.

child on swing in Costa Rica

Live in central America and prepare children for school by teaching important early childhood development skills.

children hugging volunteer in Costa Rica

Improve the English language skills of primary school students and inspire local teachers with new teaching techniques.

volunteer coaching group of children in Costa Rica

Work at a disadvantaged school in Costa Rica to promote health and well-being through sports.

Program Reviews

4.82 Rating
based on 28 reviews
  • 5 rating 82.14%
  • 4 rating 17.86%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.6
  • Support 4.65
  • Fun 4.5
  • Value 4.65
  • Safety 4.7
Showing 1 - 8 of 28 reviews
Default avatar
Marie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Conservation Progam in Barra Honda National Park (Costa Rica)

English version : I travel twice with Projects Abroad, frist one in 2012 for two months and a second one in 2018 for three months, in the same place : Barra Honda National Park in Costa Rica . I past the best time of my life, I learn so much about fauna and flora with the staff and rangers of the Park. They have a lot of mission and you are nevers boring. The Staff help us to many suggestions for visite other places : beach, volcanos...
For all I just say many many Time but : THANKS YOU!!! ¡¡¡GRACIAS y PURA VIDA!!!
I come back one day I'm Shure!!!
French version : Je suis partie deux fois avec Projects Abroad, une fois en 2012 pour deux mois et une autre fois en 2018 pour trois mois, au même endroit : Parc National de Barra Honda au Costa Rica.
J'y ai passé les meilleurs moments de ma vie, j'ai appris énormément au côté de l'équipe d'investigation de la faune et la flore sauvage ainsi qu'auprès des rangers du parc. Les missions sont multiples et on ne s'ennuie jamais. L'équipe est présente aussi pour nous suggéré d'autres endroits à visiter : plage, voacans ect...
A tous je leur ai dot mainte et mainte fois mais : MERCI!!! ¡¡¡GRACIAS y PURA VIDA!!!
J'y retournerai ça c'est certain !

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising and wonderful thing it's when you found and saw wild animal near of you (Monckeys, Amardillos, Coyotes, Scarlett Macao, Long tail white nose Coati...)
106 people found this review helpful.
Response from

Hello Marie,
It sounds like you’ve had a fantastic time away on our Conservation project in Costa Rica. The effort that you put into the project was admirable; you are truly appreciated by Projects Abroad. We’ll see you soon on another project or Internship!

Luis Eduardo Arguedas, Country Director for Costa Rica

Default avatar
Elena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Conservation in Barra Honda National Park

I took 8 students to the Barra Honda National Park in July this year. We all had such a great time!
We completed a variety of activities through-out our two weeks volunteering. These included litter picking in the local area, mural painting on the dormitories we were stayingin, trail clearing to help with fire prevention in drier months and tree planting to improve connections between biodiversity hot-spots. We also took part in research work which is contributing to a longer term project on butterflies, monkeys and bats within the national park. These projects involved hiking through the park to record butterfly species, monkey troops and collecting data on bat species that live in the various caves in the park.
The staff who run the conservation project were amazing. Daniel, Oscar, Juan and Andrea were the main people we worked with and they made every activity interesting and relevant to the students. The kitchen staff were also wonderful, they produced excellent food day after day (my particular favourite being anything with plantain in!).
At the weekends we were lucky to be able to explore the local area and take part in a range of activities. These included zip-lining, tubing, whale watching and visiting a local conservation area.
Overall we had the greatest time and I would recommend this trip to anyone thinking about doing conservation based volunteering!!!!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would go for longer! That would ensure that we could take part in as many activities as possible.
96 people found this review helpful.
Response from

Hi Elena,
I'm so glad to hear that you had such a rewarding experience on the Conservation Project in Costa Rica. You made a worthwhile contribution to our ongoing sustainable goals – you were really appreciated by the local community. You are very welcome to volunteer or Intern with Projects Abroad again!

Luis Eduardo Arguedas, Country Director for Costa Rica

Default avatar
Barbara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Ecovolunteering in the Barra Honda National Park, Costa Rica

Two years ago I spent six weeks in Costa Rica, volunteering in Barra Honda National Park. I was sleeping at the entry of the national park. Outside there was only nature. In the morning I would come out of the room hearing the sound of birds and howler monkeys, seeing butterflies flying around and enjoying the smell of the forest. After a good breakfast we would usually go hiking for around three hours, doing some kind of survey on monkeys, butterflies or birds. We'd do some camp activities in the afternoon and then go out to do bat surveys sometimes. Being the only volunteer for the first three weeks enable me to get to know the staff better and have a deeper insight in the life of locals. During the weekends I was able to travel a bit. I even did some diving were I saw beautiful fishes, octopus, rays and some sharks. I was feeling connected to nature and myself again.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I was there during the finals of the football worldcup. Football is quite a big deal in Latin America so we were watching one of the final match on TV. At some point, the guy on the TV screamed "GOOOAAAAAL", poeple were cheering and then we all heared howlings behind us. We turned our heads and saw a group of howler monleys on the trees behin us. They were watching the match with us, cheering with us. It was such a wonderful moment!
105 people found this review helpful.
Response from

Hi Barbara,
Thanks for your great review. We strive to meet expectations like yours, we’re happy to hear that we hit the mark for you. Thank you for your contribution towards our ongoing Conservation Project in Costa Rica – your help is really appreciated. We hope to see you again on one of our projects!

Luis Eduardo Arguedas, Country Director for Costa Rica

Default avatar
Georgie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An amazing Experience!

During my time in Costa Rica I had an amazing time volunteering in the local school. I visited Costa Rica during the school holidays which meant I was volunteering on a holiday program for children who's parents were at work during the day and needed help with childcare. This meant that we had a lot of agency to teach what we wanted to in lessons. At the weekends we travelled around different parts of Costa Rica with the other volunteers, getting to know the country and doing as much as possible. Staying with a host family was something I was initially worried about but as soon as I arrived my mind I realised they were so friendly and I loved staying with them and getting to know them. It was an unforgettable experience; the country is beautiful, the children were so sweet and willing to learn and the other volunteers were all very friendly. I would 100% recommend this project to anyone wanting to make a difference and visit an amazing part of the world!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
The advice I would give to people is make sure you come prepared and with the best attitude possible. It can sometimes be tiring and you need to make sure you are motivated and dedicate to making a difference.
97 people found this review helpful.
Response from

Hi Georgie,
I’m glad to read about your amazing time on our Teaching Project in Costa Rica. Your hard work is truly appreciated by us and the local community. We hope to welcome you back again on one of our meaningful projects.

Luis Eduardo Arguedas, Country Director for Costa Rica

Default avatar
Giacomo
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Environmental Conservation Project Costarica

I spent one month in the national park Barra Honda on the west side of Costarica. It has been for sure an memorable experience, I could enjoy that kind of environment 24 hours a day so I saw every face of it. The program is conservation, research and maintenance, the tasks and activities varied every day according to the plan, to the need and to the weather as well since it was the transition phase between rainy and dry season (December). The staff was really prepared and I could learn something new every day. That was important since any task was always supported by reasonable ideas. Being an biologist, it was the perfect spot for a volunteer program, I could give a great help for taking care of the park and at the same time discover the beauties in it. Every moment, day or light, it was time for any new surprise. I was very happy for doing that and I highly recommended the program.

95 people found this review helpful.
Response from

Hey Giacomo,
It was amazing to read and learn about your wonderful experience on our Conservation project in Costa Rica. We hope to see you on another one of our projects; you’d be welcome back with open arms.

Luis Eduardo Arguedas, Country Director for Costa Rica

Default avatar
Helen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

PURA VIDA! - my guiding mantra from Costa Rica

I took part in this project through Girl Guiding international trip. It took me out of my confort zone and into a rainforrest filled with bugs and insects but i didnt mind. Mainly because I had the most amazing experience on that I will never forget. On my trip I conqured so many fears and was put in situatiuons which I would never have imagined in my wildest dreams but I wouldnt have changed it for the world best 3 weeks of my life Ive spent. The projescts abroad staff were so accomodating, I personally didnt have any experience with speaking spanish, let alone Costa Rican spanish! So i felt very very out of my depth in that regard. But the staff knew a lot of english and were alble to teach me a few words and phrases. My favourite of all id 'Pura Vida' or pure life, a manta that Costa Rican Ticos live by.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I was having a shower and a trantula came out of nowhere! I was terrified and almost ran out naked but all was good he scuttled away and i continued to shower. Not something im likely to want to repeat.
99 people found this review helpful.
Response from

Hi Helen,
I'm so glad to hear you had a rewarding experience on our Project in Costa Rica. Your effort towards the project is greatly appreciated. We can't wait to have you back again with Projects Abroad.

Luis Eduardo Arguedas, Country Director for Costa Rica

Default avatar
Helen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Girl Guiding adventure in Costa Rica

I took part in this project through Girl Guiding international trip. It took me out of my confort zone and into a rainforrest filled with bugs and insects but i didnt mind. Mainly because I had the most amazing experience on that I will never forget. On my trip I conqured so many fears and was put in situatiuons which I would never have imagined in my wildest dreams but I wouldnt have changed it for the world best 3 weeks of my life Ive spent. The projescts abroad staff were so accomodating, I personally didnt have any experience with speaking spanish, let alone Costa Rican spanish! So i felt very very out of my depth in that regard. But the staff knew a lot of english and were alble to teach me a few words and phrases. My favourite of all id 'Pura Vida' or pure life, a manta that Costa Rican Ticos live by.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I was having a shower and a trantula came out of nowhere! I was terrified and almost ran out naked but all was good he scuttled away and i continued to shower. Not something im likely to want to repeat.
64 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Marie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Barra Honda National park

English version : I travel two time with Projects Abroad, frist one in 2012 for two months and a second one in 2018, in the same place : Barra Honda Nacional Park in Costa Rica . I past the best time of my life, I learn so much about fauna and flora with the staff and rangers of the Park. They have a lot of mission and you are nevers boring. The Staff help us to many suggestions for visite other places : beach, volcanos...
For all I just say many many Time but : THANKS YOU!!! ¡¡¡GRACIAS y PURA VIDA!!!
I come back one day I Shure!!!
French version : Je suis partie deux fois avec Projects Abroad, une fois en 2012 pour deux mois et une autre fois en 2018 pour trois mois, au même endroit : Parc National de Barra Honda au Costa Rica.
J'y ai passé les meilleurs moments de ma vie, j'ai appris énormément au côté de l'équipe d'investigation de la faune et la flore sauvage ainsi qu'auprès des rangers du parc. Les missions sont multiples et on ne s'ennuie jamais. L'équipe est présente aussi pour nous suggéré d'autres endroits à visiter : plage, voacans ect...
A tous je leur dirais jamais assez mais : MERCI!!! ¡¡¡GRACIAS y PURA VIDA!!!
J'y retournerai ça c'est certain !

98 people found this review helpful.
Response from

Hi Marie,
I’m glad to read about your amazing time on our Conservation project in Costa Rica. Your hard work is truly appreciated by us and the local community. We hope to welcome you back again on one of our meaningful projects.

Luis Eduardo Arguedas, Country Director for Costa Rica

Questions & Answers