Location
  • Costa Rica
    • San José
Length
1 to 24 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Host Family
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
445
Price Details
Fully hosted experience from only $445 for 1 week - this includes airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Meals Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
May 01, 2024
Jun 24, 2025
217 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Trusted by 136,000+ volunteers, IVHQ offers the world's #1 rated volunteer programs in Costa Rica and 50+ destinations worldwide.

For the past 6 years, we've won the "Top Volunteer Abroad Provider Award" from GoOverseas, so you can trust that you're in the safest hands with IVHQ in Costa Rica.

Our affordable projects start from $32/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement and local support. Projects run year-round, with durations from 1-24 weeks. Choose from 16 projects, ranging from Animal Care or Medical in the modern, metropolitan, cultural hub of San Jose to Teaching English in the nature-lover’s paradise of Manuel Antonio. You'll be staying with other like-minded, impact-focused travelers from around the world (private room options available).

With IVHQ’s superior pre-departure support services, you’ll gain exclusive access to your own Volunteer Travel Specialist, comprehensive preparation tools and volunteer training before you leave home.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Cheapest volunteer programs from $32/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement & local support.
  • Volunteer for 1-24 weeks, year round start dates most Mondays
  • 15+ years experience & only B Corp certified volunteer travel organization
  • Get free changes up to 14 days before you start with our flexible booking policy
  • Affordable way to earn college credit - gain 5 credits for only US$500!

Popular Programs

Turtle Conservation Project

Are you a nature lover who thrives in coastal settings? Join IVHQ's Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Costa Rica and work alongside local biologists to help preserve endangered Leatherbacks, Greens, Olive Ridley and Hawksbill turtles. Tasks include assisting with marine conservation activities and supporting sustainable egg protection programs. Spare time can be spent on Costa Rica's white sand beaches and tropical rainforests.

Childcare Volunteering in Costa Rica

Are you an energetic and creative individual with a passion for working with children? Based in either Manual Antonio or San Jose, IVHQ's Childcare volunteers play a key role in supporting staff at after school centers. You'll provide educational and extracurricular activities to local children who are in need of structure and support. Volunteer tasks include organizing games and activities, hygiene education, teaching English, cleaning and assisting the local staff at the project site.

Teaching English in Costa Rica

Do you have an interest in education and teaching English as a foreign language? IVHQ offers two Teaching English Volunteer Projects based in San Jose and Manuel Antonio. As a volunteer, you'll help teach English to individuals in low-income communities who typically don't have access to English tutors. While teaching experience isn't required, you will be running classes independently, so we recommend completing a teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) course prior to your program.

Healthcare Project

As a volunteer on the Healthcare project in Costa Rica, you may work in a range of community care facilities in San Jose, including clinics for disabled children, nursing homes, HIV/AIDS assisted living homes and ambulance services. The healthcare system in Costa Rica is relatively well developed, however the placements we work with always appreciate the extra assistance that volunteers provide through supporting local nurses, doctors and caregivers.

Costa Rica Construction and Renovation Project

As a Construction and Renovation volunteer in Costa Rica, you'll support underfunded and under-resourced construction projects within San Jose. Your contribution will help breathe new life into communities to benefit local individuals, neighborhoods and economies. You'll work alongside a local construction worker who'll provide you with direction and guidance throughout your project.

Program Reviews

4.93 Rating
based on 101 reviews
  • 5 rating 93.07%
  • 4 rating 6.93%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.8
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.75
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 4.8
Showing 1 - 8 of 101 reviews
Default avatar
Hannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing time in Costa Rica

I had an amazing time in San Jose. The local team was so good at making us feel comfortable. They took us to our project on the first day, showed us how to use the buses, gave us safe and comfortable homestay accommodation, provided us with extra entertainment and fun evening activities, as well as gave us a useful briefing about the country and the activity beforehand, which was informative and accurate. All the coordinators were super helpful.

My placement was at a local daycare centre, and it was really easy to see what help I could give. I would advise people not to have expectations before going, because even within the same project, people on different placements would have vastly different experiences (all were good though!)
I met so many great people, and it was great fun.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Give it a go and try to immerse yourself as much as possible. Do the day trips, speak to new people, push yourself out of your comfort zone and do all you can to go above and beyond while helping at your project. It is so worth it and even it doesn't feel like what you expected, you will not regret it later.
Pros
  • Support from the Local Team
  • Safety in and around the city
Cons
  • A few people were alone in a homestay (although the majority weren't)
9 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Nancy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica Volunteer with MAXIMO NIVEL local team

We took our granddaughter on this trip so that she could experience a different culture and appreciation of living in Central America. A shout out to the local team, Maximo Nivel, for arranging wonderful host family housing and volunteer sites. They were very available and helped us set reasonable expectations. Weather in June was good and we didn’t mind the occasional downpour. Food was good and lots of places to eat in San Pedro. Make time to take the Spanish classes- we were only there one week but were impressed by their skills in teaching. Glad that IVHQ has developed such a solid relationship with Maximo local team. Also appreciate the work IVHQ did to prepare us for this adventure. Only criticism is I wish we had known where our volunteer site would be prior to leaving home.

What was your funniest moment?
When the students in 6 th grade realized I only spoke English a boy in the class told everyone I was a “gringa” - we all laughed. No offense taken.
Pros
  • Local Team
  • The school volunteer site
  • The host family
Cons
  • Little time to explore with afternoon volunteer arrangements and long bus ride
  • I should have studied Spanish more before arriving
  • Missed American showers
9 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Aniston
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Empowering...

This was a great experience for me! I grew so much and I felt empowered! The program only requires you to volunteer for 5 hours a day so prepare for downtime! You will have plenty of time to explore the city/country and try lots of food before and after your volunteering. If you are going by yourself, there are a lot of others there also by themselves who would love company! I made some amazing friends! It is scary when you first get there before your orientation, but be brave! If you feel scared or have questions, ask the Local Team, they are very helpful and they want you to have a good experience. At my volunteer placement, there were frequently people from the Local Team in and out making sure I was doing okay. Expect the unexpected! The trip wasn't exactly what I pictured in my head, but it never is! Be ready to be flexible! Overall, it was great and I learned so much!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The scariest part was when I was first dropped off at my host family's house by myself. I overcame it by pushing through and the experience after was so worth it.
12 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
claire
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Purpose to your life

Participants should know that we are at once God's children; that we honor His creation by being an active and committed part of His bestowal. That His creation is for all of us; that we are blessed and without distinction. Volunteering is a way of acknowledging Gods' greatness, for it demonstrates your human qualities, that humanness and benevolence towards others is your defining characteristic.
Selfness and pridefulness are the defining hallmarks of our United States; we willingly bestow our bounty upon those benighted. less fortunate than ourselves. But, in return, we expect their undying gratitude. So many of us are blissfully ignorant of the socio-cultural normativism of others; if they are perceived as being different from ourselves than are perceived as being less than human; unworthy of our consideration.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
One mandatory requirement for an such endeavor is that of being unprejudicial, that you do not, must not, stand in judgment of others, be it their milieu, nor their essential characteristics; it shall serve only to cloud the experience; you will, there-by, be more of a hindrance to them and to others; and to any that are concomitant; you will leave them with "..a bad taste" for others who follow in your stead. For your actions shall define you as an exemplar, "you have seen one, you have seen all of the others. You should to be a shining example to all others who shall follow in your footsteps.
Pros
  • accomplishment
  • purpose
  • character
Cons
  • lack of commitment
  • lack of clear-sightedness
  • immaturity
33 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Holly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

IVHQ exceeded my expectations

IVHQ met & exceeded my expectations😃

For my 1st volunteer trip abroad, flying solo, I was pleasantly surprised by how everyone remotely and locally, took my safety and comfort into consideration.

The orientation was thorough prior to arriving. Additionally, very welcoming when I got there. I was impressed with the IVHQ staff who not only came on the bus with me the first day but also came to visit me MORE THAN ONCE while onsite to ensure I was OK.

The accommodations hostess went out of her way to ensure all of my crazy dietary needs were met. Everything was comfortable and clean.

Thank you, IVHQ team. I am a grateful Canadian who hopes to share more enjoyable care experiences. 🇨🇦

What was your funniest moment?
Trying to learn how to salsa dance.
Pros
  • Caring Team
  • Timely response to questions
  • Excellent local resources
Cons
  • Orientation was drawn out over 2 days
  • The trip was expensive but worth the safety
  • Lots of garbage in the city and clutter everywhere
44 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sacha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent Experience in Costa Rica

I traveled alone but was able to spend time exploring safely with another person/housemate and also do community service in the mornings at a wonderful location. I will definitely do another program with IVHQ. I was able to get by with my minimal Spanish as everyone is very nice and accommodating, plus I’m inspired to keep up learning Spanish. This type of travel allows you to immerse more into the community than a typical vacation and is much more fulfilling! I thought the local placement was amazing and is not something I would ever experience otherwise.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would stay a few days more
Pros
  • Easy to plan - they do it
  • More fulfilling bc do volunteer work
  • Affordable
Cons
  • My Spanish skills
  • Do not know anything before you actually arrive
  • None
47 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Elizabeth
5/5
No, I don't recommend this program

Adventure In Costa Rica

A colleague and I hosted a large group of nursing students for a medical mission. We thoroughly enjoyed our interactions with our host families, the patients we treated and the mission staff. We spent time seeing patients at a church, orphanage, day care and nursing home. We felt safe and were continuously informed of the schedules and projects. Most, if not all of us, were not fluent in Spanish, but we received information that allowed us to communicate with the patients. We spent time sight-seeing as well. The company planned our transportation, stops for food, and trips. We thoroughly enjoyed this trip and I highly recommend it.

What was your funniest moment?
We attended a local restaurant/bar near our host family in the hopes that they were hosting karaoke that particular evening. Unfortunately, karaoke wasn't until the next evening, but when a familiar song was played, we all sang as if we were in a karaoke competition.
Pros
  • I think this trip might be less of a culture shock for unexperienced travelers
  • The beauty of Costa Rica
  • The staff!!!!
49 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ana Cristina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

IVHQ: Where Volunteering Meets Cultural Immersion

The IVHQ volunteering program is well-designed, allowing you to help the community while learning about the culture, exploring new places, and making new friends. You will receive support throughout every step of the process, and you will always be guided in a safe environment.

Both the IVHQ staff and the local team were extremely supportive throughout the entire project, from start to finish.

The accommodation was more than perfect. What I liked most about it was the hospitality of the host family; they were truly welcoming and friendly. We had the opportunity to learn about the culture, try authentic local food, and make new friends.

While volunteering with IVHQ, I believe we made a meaningful impact on the diverse community we worked with, as reflected in the genuine smiles that lit up their faces and the heartfelt gratitude they expressed, showing that they felt truly heard and cared for.

I highly recommend this program to anyone!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I will definitely bring items to donate to the community.
61 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

You can see a lot of reviews here: https://www.volunteerhq.org/volunteer-abroad-reviews/ There are 12 different projects in 50+ locations, so there are lots of options! :)

I'm not sure how big your group is but my sister and I went as a pair and so did some room mates we had at our host families place. Now 3 would probably be reasonable, 4 might be safe but I would say anything above that would be pushing it for sure. The host family we stayed at held 5 of us at one time so I know its possible but it would depend on how many people the host family can hold and how...

You can apply, but you must apply with someone else that is over 18 so that you don't go alone. Hope that helps!

I'm not sure there is an age restriction, but for most of the programs you have to get a background check and in my state you must be 18 to acquire one. I would recommend the program only to people 18+ anyways.