- Costa Rica
- San José
About Program
Volunteer in Costa Rica with Plan My Gap Year (PMGY), an award-winning international organisation offering safe, trusted, and affordable programs in one of the world’s most biodiverse countries. Based in the charming suburb of Coronado, just outside Costa Rica’s lively capital city of San José, PMGY provides a variety of programs, including Childcare, English Teaching, and Language Immersion, opportunities.
Our volunteer in Costa Rica programs start on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month, running year-round with durations from 1 to 12 weeks. Volunteers stay in welcoming accommodation, enjoying support from a friendly local team. With comprehensive pre-departure support, airport pick-up, and an in-country orientation, PMGY ensures a smooth and enriching experience.
Video and Photos
Impact 🌎
Ethical Impact
For this reason, PMGY does not provide volunteer opportunities in orphanages in any of our locations. Research and studies have shown that visiting and volunteering in orphanages has the potential to generate an industry that separates children from their families. In turn, putting children at increased risk of neglect and abuse. Therefore, we do not support these institutions with our volunteer network.
Instead, we focus on offering alternative childcare volunteer opportunities whereby children come to and from the placement setting each day. In other words, our local teams collaborate with childcare projects which do not offer any form of residential care. These are safe, responsible, and vetted projects, where participants continue to provide valued assistance supporting local staff.
Program Highlights
- Most Affordable – PMGY’s programs are accessible to everyone who wants to make a difference, through low fees and high-impact projects.
- Best Support – Our international and local teams provide extensive around the clock services to assist you every step of your PMGY adventure.
- Safety Prioritised – With safety a PMGY number-1 priority, we have taken all necessary precautions to ensure our programs are as safe and structured as possible.
- Extraordinary Experiences – With PMGY, you have the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in amazing cultural and travel experiences, ensuring you leave with unforgettable memories.
- Friendships for Life – Your PMGY experience not only opens up a doorway for new experiences and exciting memories, but also life-long friendships when meeting new people from around the world.
Popular Programs
Whether you volunteer in a daycare or nursery, prepare for a fun experience of playing games, singing songs, and supporting children’s development!
The Coronado children are eager to learn and play with you. Help them practice English and share your passion to make a lasting impact on their education.
Learn Spanish in a fun and engaging environment using modern methods! Enjoy Instituto Cervantes Accredited lessons to build confidence and fluency.
Set off on an unforgettable journey through Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru. This trip promises adventure, discovery, and meaningful connection.
Questions & Answers
Location
Costa Rica is known for its Pura Vida lifestyle and San José is a great place to get familiar with the lifestyle. One of the best ways to discover San José is through the arts; whether you like theatre, dance, or music, this is the quickest way to the heart of Costa Rica.
