Volunteer with Children in Costa Rica with Tico Lingo

Volunteer with Children in Costa Rica with Tico Lingo

Location
  • Costa Rica
    • Heredia
Length
1 to 24 weeks
Payment plans

Program Details

Language
Spanish
Age Min.
16
Age Max
99
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Host Family
Groups
Small Group (1-15)
Travel Type
Budget Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
685
Price Details
Program pricing varies depending on length of stay and whether Spanish classes are added. The base program includes homestay accommodation with breakfast and dinner, volunteer placement coordination, orientation, local staff support, airport pickup, dance class, yoga class, Spanish conversation activities, and a volunteer certificate. Spanish classes, extra nights, weekend tours, and personal expenses can be added separately.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Some Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare Equipment SIM cards Travel Insurance Visa
Jun 11, 2026
0 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Volunteer with Children in Costa Rica is a meaningful way to support local childcare, preschool, and after school projects while experiencing daily life in Heredia. Based in a walkable Costa Rican city just outside San José, this program connects volunteers with community partners where extra support, patience, creativity, and positive energy can make a real difference. Volunteers may help with classroom activities, games, basic English practice, arts and crafts, supervision, and one on one attention for children, depending on the needs of the project. You’ll live with a local homestay family, share breakfast and dinner in Spanish, and have the option to add Spanish classes before, during, or after your volunteer experience. This program is ideal for travelers who want a structured, supportive, and personal volunteer abroad experience without feeling like they are lost in a large organization.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

Tico Lingo is a diverse and welcoming space committed to creating respectful and inclusive environments where BIPOC students feel seen, safe, and supported. We encourage open dialogue around cultural identity and social equity, and we work with local partners who share our values of diversity and inclusion. Our community includes students from all over the world, representing a wide range of races, religions, and economic backgrounds, and our team is always available to listen, support, and empower every learner.
Tico Lingo is proud to be an inclusive and welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ students. We work with homestay families and staff who value respect, safety, and open-mindedness, and we are happy to accommodate housing and classroom preferences whenever possible. Our team is here to support each student’s identity and ensure a comfortable, affirming immersion experience in Costa Rica.
Tico Lingo is committed to supporting neurodivergent students by fostering a flexible, patient, and understanding learning environment. Our small class sizes, personalized instruction, and calm school atmosphere allow us to adapt to a variety of learning styles and sensory needs. We encourage open communication before and during the program so we can work together to create a positive and supportive experience for every student.
Tico Lingo welcomes students of all abilities and is happy to accommodate participants with physical disabilities or chronic conditions whenever possible. While our historic building in Heredia has some physical limitations, we work closely with students in advance to assess individual needs and make personalized arrangements for housing, transportation, and classroom access. Our team is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for every learner.

Impact 🌎

At Tico Lingo, we strive to minimize our environmental footprint while maximizing our positive contribution to Costa Rica’s ecosystems. We’ve eliminated single-use plastics across all programs, provide students with reusable drinkware and eatware, and promote low-impact travel throughout Heredia and beyond. In partnership with local animal rescue centers like Rescate and Toucan Rescue Ranch, we support wildlife conservation through financial donations, student engagement, and education.
Tico Lingo builds its programs around fairness, respect, and responsible community engagement. We work exclusively with local Costa Rican families, tours guides, and activity instructors, and Spanish teachers to ensure ethical pay and direct economic benefit to our local community. Students are encouraged to engage with Costa Rican cultural traditions thoughtfully and respectfully, using their Spanish to connect with the local community with openness and curiosity. The goal is to foster meaningful, positive experiences for both the student and the people of Heredia.

Program Highlights

  • Support local childcare, preschool, and after school projects in Heredia, Costa Rica
  • Live with a Costa Rican homestay family and practice Spanish in daily life
  • Join a small, personal program with local staff support before and during your stay
  • Add Spanish classes to strengthen your communication and cultural experience
  • Explore an authentic, non-touristy Costa Rican city home to gyms, yoga studios, traditional markets, beautiful parks, and colonial architecture

Program Impact

Volunteers support local kindergartens, preschools, and after school projects in Heredia, where children are learning, playing, growing, and discovering the world around them. Through patience, creativity, and warm human connection, volunteers help create more joyful and attentive spaces for children during their early years.

Depending on the placement, volunteers may help with games, classroom activities, arts and crafts, basic English practice, storytelling, supervision, and individual attention. The goal is not to replace teachers or caregivers, but to walk alongside them with encouragement, cultural exchange, and consistent support.

Tico Lingo works with local partners to place volunteers where their presence is meaningful, respectful, and genuinely helpful. Volunteers are prepared to serve with humility, flexibility, and care, knowing that small daily moments can become part of a child’s positive learning environment.

Program Reviews

Looks like there aren't any reviews yet for this program.  Leave a Review

Questions & Answers