Affordable Volunteer Programs in Costa Rica from $345

The staff at Maximo Nivel was incredibly welcoming and supportive during my entire trip. They made me feel at home. Working with the childcare program was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had the pleasure of having. I will miss this country for it's culture, food, and abundance of beauty. Thank you IVHQ for helping me rediscover my love of travel. PS Andres is the best. Thanks for keeping the mood fun!

I had the absolute best time in Costa Rica volunteering with IVHQ. The support before hand had me and my parents feeling ready, as it was my first time travelling by myself! The local team IVHQ works with went above and beyond to make sure I was okay during my trip. They were so friendly, were glad to see me everyday, and were there to help with any problems or travel questions. I was fortunate enough to basically do everything this trip! I took two weeks of Spanish lessons, which were so useful and affordable!! My first two weeks I volunteered in San Jose with the childcare project. You feel so welcomed by the children and the staff. You're in such high demand for attention and make such sincere bonds with the children. They were also great to practice my Spanish with! I also was able to spend two weeks at the turtle conservation project in Ostional, which was amazing!! The locals there are so welcoming, just like anyone I met in this beautiful country!! You learn so much about the types of turtles and because we lived in dorms I made such strong friendships with the other volunteers. It was a great mix of rural and city life I experienced! I felt safe my whole trip, especially following IVHQ's tips!! Costa Rica is so beautiful and it's so easy to travel around and see the country! Get used to using and loving buses!! I would go back to Costa Rica in a heartbeat. I could've spent months extra instead of my four weeks there, especially in part to IVHQ's support be affordable fees! I can't wait to go on my next volunteer trip with IVHQ, I'm already planning my next trip!

I visited Costa Rica this past June (11-28, 2016) and chose to do the childcare program. Immediately upon arrival I was in awe of the bustling city of San José! I was picked up and taken to Máximo Nivel (IVHQ's partner) by a staff member and met the very friendly staff and crew who welcomed me to the new country and program. They gave me a tour of the building and then I was taken to my new host family. My family was incredibly sweet, caring, and kind and I will always have a connection with them. They kept the house clean, cooked delicious food, and gave me plenty of space to do what I pleased. They were very supportive and always liked to hear about my day. On a typical day, I woke up for breakfast around 7:45, left the house by 8:30, and made it to my daycare by 9. I got to play with the sweetest kids for 4 hours and then caught the bus to head back to either Máximo Nivel or home. I had the rest of the afternoon and weekends to myself and I could explore San José or travel outside the city. This program allowed me so much freedom while also allowing me to feel like I was helping the community. Volunteering was hands down the best thing I have ever done and is hopefully just the beginning. I would love to do this at least once a year and I most certainly plan to do it though IVHQ! Thank you for all that you have given me and taught me, IVHQ! Thank you for helping me grow as a person and begin a new chapter in my life. I hope there are many more trips to come!! With love, Nell

This past month I got to spend an amazing and eye-opening week in the beautiful and lively country of Costa Rica. It was my family and I's first volunteer trip together and we couldn't have imagined it going any better. We took part in the childcare program at a government-funded daycare in an impoverished and drug-ridden area, and we met so many great people. It was a great experience to be able to spend time with the kind and happy children- every morning they would run up to us with big grins on their faces and scream "Hola!". It is surely something that will remain in our memories for a lifetime. I can't wait to return for a longer time in the near future.

Prior to arriving in Costa Rica, I never had the opportunity to travel abroad (or even go on a plane!) so I was definitely nervous to spend one week out of the country by myself. But as soon as I arrived in San Jose, my nerves calmed down and I became so excited for the meaningful work I was about to do at a local childcare center. My one week in Costa Rica was unforgettable- even though I know minimal Spanish, I felt as though I still made an impact on the kids I worked with, had a lot of fun interacting with the locals, and I was able to navigate through San Jose just fine. Because my placement was located pretty far from my accommodation, I had to take a couple busses to get there. But on my way to the second bus stop, I got to walk through downtown San Jose everyday, and see the hundreds of shops, restaurants, street vendors, live performers, etc., and it was quite the memorable experience. If I could go back in time, I would've definitely signed up for an extra week or two. I'd highly recommend traveling to Costa Rica to anyone who wants to travel, regardless of travel experience!

It was my very first time travelling alone in another country as well as my first time volunteering abroad and I cannot express how amazing it was for a first time experience! Because I was unsure what to expect, I only registered for one week at my program, however as soon as I got there I regretted not staying longer. I felt as though I did not accomplish as much I would have hope within the one week I volunteered in Costa Rica, but even though I was there for a short period of time, I still felt the benefit of my work there and had an amazing time. The construction and renovation project is very fun in that you get to do some hands-on work and really see with your own eyes the work and the difference that is being made. However, next time I travel abroad I think I would like to do something with childcare! I am sure any project is an amazing experience and I cannot wait to volunteer again! I did not expect to fall in love with Costa Rica like I did, it is a very interesting country and a great culture to experience. I felt very safe with this organization and very well-supported by the staff, which made for an even better experience for my first time abroad. I would truly suggest this program to anyone looking to travel or volunteer!

I volunteered in Costa Rica for the 2 week program in childcare and had an amazing life changing experience during my duration.As a first time solo traveler i was very nervous and did not know what to expect, but my experience was incredible. The program gave you enough information prior to the trip that helped me get prepared and less nervous and more at ease.

I was placed at Gatitos Pural which was a daycare and even in the first couple days i created such a great bond with some of the children it made me never want to leave. They really make you fee appreciated and show so much love towards you from the second you walk into the daycare.

You always get the opportunity to meet and get really close with some of the other volunteers which makes the experience that much more incredible. My roommates and I are still such good friends and i'm grateful for IVHQ for bringing us together.

I spent 6 weeks volunteering at a school for children with Special Needs in San Jose, Costa Rica through IVHQ and it was the most wonderful experience. As a first time traveler that was not fluent in Spanish, I was hesitant for the trip, but it turned out to be nothing but fantastic. I wasn't just a tourist in another country, I felt as close to a native Costa Rican as I could ever be. My host family helped me with my Spanish and shared all of the inside secrets of the wonders of Costa Rica, while still making me feel at home. Obviously, the best part of my trip was spending the day with my students at the school. They were so welcoming, and even though we had two language barriers (Spanish and Sign Language), they taught me so much. I loved going to the school everyday to learn from the students, and also for them to learn from me. Working with these students one-on-one was so rewarding, and even though I only spent 6 weeks with them, I could see their growth. Another amazing part about volunteering with IVHQ was the sheer number of other volunteers at the program. There were constantly new people arriving every week, which meant new roommates coming to the house. I met so many different people from all around the world, and many of them will be life-long friends. This experience was more than I could ever ask for, and I wouldn't have changed anything about it - except staying longer.

I had the opportunity to volunteer with PANI, a government owned orphanage in Costa Rica. I was very nervous to travel alone, out of the country for my first time, but with the help of IVHQ, the whole trip went very smooth. The program made it very easy to travel and put my mind at ease. With informational emails before, during and after the trip, I was well prepared for everything during my stay in Costa Rica and my arrival home. I would gladly recommend this great program to anyone who wishes to volunteer or learn abroad. This trip was very successful with teaching me about another country.I stayed with a local family who was very helpful as well; even though I do not know Spanish, the official language of the country, the family tried to help me in any way they could. IVHQ also made it very easy to explore and book tours during my stay in Costa Rica.

I volunteered in Costa Rica in childcare for a week and then toured around Costa Rica's for another week.

My volunteering program was in a daycare in San Jose and involved keeping the kids occupied and also to teach them English. You are given a lot of flexibility and trust in the program, from redecorating part of the daycare to make it more exciting and fun, to introducing new games and activities to engage and educate the kids, the options are wide open. No matter how long you volunteer for, you will be able to see an impact of your actions in the kid's appreciation of your work.

In Costa Rica I met many wonderful people that further enriched my experience. The other volunteers and the staff at the local volunteering company made it a much more sociable and safe experience.

Costa Rica has some of the most amazing sceneries, wildlife and also offers many extreme activities. In a week, some of the activities I managed to do include zip-lining above a forest, a bungee jump from 143m, enjoying the beautiful Manuel Antonio beach and seeing the Poas volcano and the waterfall gardens.

Overall it was an unforgettable experience that I hope to be able to do again in the near future.

I loved the experience volunteering with IVHQ in Costa Rica. The staff was so accommodating and friendly, from the time I booked the trip to the time I was headed home. I felt safe and welcomed and had a great time. I made wonderful friends from all around the world. Staying with a host family was a beautiful experience I will never forget. It was a wonderful way to truly immerse yourself in the culture. The Childcare program was fulfilling and brought me so much joy. I will definitely do this again!

Volunteering at the assisted living facility in Costa Rica through IVHQ was such a humbling experience. I went there expecting to change lives (in even the slightest way) and ended up changing my own. The people you meet along the way give your journey more meaning than you'd ever expect.

I was able to emerge myself into the city and way of living like a local and it pulled me out of my element but helped me grow as an individual. On a daily basis I learned new things and was always meeting new people.

The experience seemed overwhelming at first but with the help of staff, new friends, and my host family, everything fell into place and was one of the best traveling experiences of my life.

I volunteered to teach English and had requested to teach to younger children when I applied for the program. However, this did not seem to be taken into account, as I was placed in a program with teenagers in their last year of high school. Although I was disappointed by this at first, as this had not been what I had been expecting, and I had brought material specifically for younger children, I absolutely loved this project. I loved being able to get to know the students and being able to talk to them and learn about San José and Costa Rica, through conversations with them. My second project did not live up to my expectations whatsoever, and this was partly my own fault, as I insisted on having a morning project, which meant I would be working in a proper school. In the school I worked as a teacher's assistant, which was not what I wanted to do. But Maximo Nivel (the organisation that runs the program in Costa Rica) was extremely helpful, and as soon as they found out I was dissatisfied, they tried to come up with different solutions and eventually they moved me to a different project. At my third project, I got to work with younger children. I absolutely loved this project, because I had a lot of independence and I got to run the class room, how I wanted to. I must say though, I think I preferred working with the high schools students, because it was easier to teach them, than it was to teach children. As children need to be constantly entertained and therefore there is a need for a lot of energy in the class room.
I loved my host family as well, we got on extremely well and would sit and talk for hours. This was great practice for my Spanish. The food was also amazing.

I worked on the Childcare project in San Jose, Costa Rica through IVHQ and had a great experience. The in country support through Maximo Nivel (organization that runs the programs in Costa Rica) was incredible. Everyone there was so helpful, whether I needed to find a restaurant to eat at or a bus ticket across the country, they were enthusiastic about helping out. On the first day of the project, the staff took myself and other volunteers to the place and gave us an orientation. At my placement, I worked with kids ages 2-10 years old for 4 hours a day. I had the option to work underneath a supervising teacher at the daycare if I wanted a more structured experience or to run my own activities with the older kids. The other volunteers and I prepared crafts and games to play with the kids and we had a lot of freedom to decide what to do with them. I had a great time and will definitely be volunteering with IVHQ again!

So the first two days I was placed in San Jose at a host family that did not speak any English so it was very hard to understand some of the thing she was saying. Lucky enough I had eight other volunteers with me in the house so even though host family could not speak English all the other volunteers did, so it felt like home. Then twe got picked up about 530 in the morning and got taxis to the bus station and where on are way to junquallial. It was about 4 hours away from San Jose. I love every minute of the program 1st you get up and eat breakfast and relax until lunch then after lunch you can either relax some more or go for a swim. Around 2:30 you start working it could be planting trees, working in a garden, or working in the hatchery to dig out the nets. You work for about 3 hours and then you have a out hour before dinner which you could got down to the beach and watch the sunset. Then you eat dinner and probably go to bed because you go on night patrol the time always changes because of the tides. We had ones at 8pm and some late ones at 2am. It is amazing to get to see the turtles lay their eggs. I am sad to say I did not get to experiences this, so I would say if you volunteer with sea turtles stay for a longer period. I did get to release baby turtles back into the sea. Over all the program was a great experience.

Had a great time at the Turtle Conservation Project in Ostional. Incredible opportunity to work with a very unique and fascinating species. Also, the homestay was wonderful as well - a great chance to really see how the locals live. The Maximo Nivel staff are very helpful and enthusiastic. Would recommend this experience for anyone looking for an "off-the-beaten-track," experience.

The staff have been very helpful in all the planning aspects of my volunteering with IVHQ. When I had to delay my trip, they were very helpful in letting me know that I could use my deposit towards another trip in the next two years. I look forward to being able to volunteer with IVHQ and I will continue to stay in touch with them as they introduce new programs and spread their generosity around the world.

IVHQ set me up in Costa Rica with the Maximo Nivel center. The staff there was amazing and energetic. They knew me by name from the get-go and were able to help me with any problem that I had. The process of getting to and from the airport or the project site was confusing at first, but the program eased me into it at just the right pace.