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Vida Medical, Dental & Veterinary Programs in Costa Rica

Vida Medical, Dental & Veterinary Programs in Costa Rica

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Vida Volunteer
4.88 · 58 reviews
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Vida Volunteer

 4.88 · 58 reviews
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Location
  • Costa Rica
Project Types
Service Learning Medical Veterinary Service

Program Details

Language
English
Housing
Host Family Hotel
Groups
Medium Group (16-30)

Pricing

Starting Price
1600
Price Details
Program Fee includes:

Airport pick-up and drop-off.
All ground transportation between sites.
Accommodations
Medical Insurance
2 meals during clinic days and 1 meal during recreation days
In-country orientation.
Program Manual.
24-hour staff assistance.
All medicine, equipment, supplies, and professionals needed to successfully perform on clinic days.
Evening group activities.
All recreation activities listed in trip itinerary.
Statement of Service Hours
Certificate of Participation. (Letters of recommendation will be assessed on a case-by-case basis)
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Equipment Meals Some Meals Transportation Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Some Meals Travel Insurance Visa
Sep 18, 2025
Apr 23, 2026
Wish List
11 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Despite having a relatively strong primary health care system, Costa Rica still has many challenges to address. This is where we first started back in 2008 and since then, we have served thousands of people and animals.

We currently intervene through three main fields of work: Medical, Dental and Veterinary, which are designed to promote health, ensuring a long-lasting impact while students develop both intercultural & leadership skills in a real-world context.

Vida offers a unique positive learning environment that will completely change your perspective on the idea of serving others. Students will have a chance to work with local licensed professionals while providing services to the communities we have partnered with.

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Apply Now
COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers extensive hands-on medical, dental, and veterinary experience with supportive, knowledgeable staff in safe, welcoming communities.

AI-generated summary from verified community reviews Read reviews →

Video and Photos

volunteer group picture
medical volunteers at clinic
veterinary volunteers
volunteers riding the bus
volunteers after clinic day
volunteers upon arrival
volunteer at veterinary clinic

View All Photos

Program Highlights

  • Hands-on experience working with local doctors, dentists and veterinarians
  • Provide healthcare and positively impact underserved communities in Central America
  • Cultural Immersion

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Program Reviews

4.88 Rating
based on 58 reviews
Leave a Review
  • 5 rating 89.66%
  • 4 rating 8.62%
  • 3 rating 1.72%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.95
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.7
  • Value 4.7
  • Safety 4.95
Good for Students, Building your resume, Groups
Showing 57 - 58 of 58 reviews
hrivedal
33
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

VIDA's Trip to Costa Rica is an Incredible Opportunity!

Apr 16, 2012

My VIDA experience in Costa Rica was one I will never forget and will think of fondly for years to come. I never realized what an impact such a small group of people could have on a community in just a few short days. During the clinic, I bettered my understanding of basic medical practices and learned about specific diseases found in Central America. I even experienced taking an ultrasound of a 18 week pregnant mother's womb. It was a beautiful experience.
The social aspect of a VIDA adventure was equally enlightening. I made friends that will last a life time and the relationships foraged with the interpreters and doctors was invaluable. Overall VIDA is a fantastic opportunity for pre-health and non-health students alike. It really opens your eyes to the good that can be accomplished when we all work together.

123 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
PuraVida
33
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wow! I want to come back every year.

Apr 16, 2012

This trip was absolutely life-changing, both in my professional and personal life. I learned an incredible amount from the doctors I worked with. They were incredibly patient and truly wanted us to learn everything. The patients we encountered were so sweet and grateful. The social scene was amazing as well. We had plenty of time to ourselves to explore the towns and have fun. The staff joined us in almost everything and I got just as close with some of them as I did with the rest of the volunteers. I still keep in close contact with number of volunteers, doctors, and staff that I met on this trip.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was playing soccer with everybody at a restaurant in Puerto Jimenez. It was the most fun game of soccer I've ever played. I also really enjoyed snorkeling in the islands of Bocas del Toro, Panama. We saw tons of animals including dolphins. I really enjoyed exploring this town and meeting locals.

I loved that VIDA took us to numerous cities throughout Costa Rica and Panama. I experienced the busiest of cities as well as the most rural of towns. The inhabitants were so different yet all so kind.

I would highly recommend VIDA to anyone. I am currently returning this summer for a second trip to Costa Rica and Nicaragua. It is completely worth it. It opened my eyes to the rest of the world, and it helped me realize that I had chosen the best career for me. Helping people who need so much help is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.

138 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
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Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Jackson Stromberg

Program
Vida Medical, Dental & Veterinary Programs in Costa Rica

Why did you choose this program?

I chose Vida because of the great reviews I heard from others about the program. All previous participants talked about how great and rewarding the program was, the great friends they made, and the memories they will cherish from this experience. I was a bit worried about the reliability of the program, but the program was more than reliable.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The program provider for the University was more than helpful. She was able to give me a very informative review of the entire program, what to expect, and how to approach the trip. She told me what to get, what I should bring, and what I will be doing on the trip during clinic days and recreation days.

All I had to do was sign up and get my flights.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

To whoever is going to experience this amazing opportunity, I would recommend that they pack their suitcase and bags earlier than a few days ahead of the trip. I forgot some clothing that would have helped with my off days, and I forgot some materials that would have made homestays even easier. Stick to the list they provide.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

As a participant, the clinic days look like organized chaos. It mainly depends on the program you go into, but for medical I would say organized chaos.

You, your group, and your translator pick up a patient, then working as a team you figure out what is bothering the patient and take their vitals. Then the doctor comes and you work together to create a diagnosis.

The recreation days are groups going out to explore or eat local food.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was at the beginning of the trip was being picked up by the correct group when arriving at the airport. Or, in fact, there is not a group to pick me up at all.

One of my family’s fears was whether or not the program was reliable and there to pick you up. Which they were, so that was not a worry.

When I was first getting ready for it, I wanted to know, how are the other people on the trip?

By the end of the trip, it felt as if I had known the entire group for my entire life. They felt like very close friends at this point, and frankly, I was sad that the trip had to come to an end.

I have kept in touch with all of those who didn’t go to my university, but all those here I do keep in touch with them.

Location

Location:
Costa Rica
Currency:
Costa Rican Colón
Weather:
Jan-Mar
83 F / 67 F
Apr-Jun
85 F / 69 F
Jul-Sep
85 F / 69 F
Oct-Dec
83 F / 67 F
Airports:
Juan Santamaría International Airport
( SJO )
Limón International Airport
( LIO )
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport
( LIR )

A pioneer of ecotourism, Costa Rica draws many tourists to its extensive series of national parks and other protected areas. Costa Rica began reversing deforestation in the 1990s, and they are moving towards using only renewable energy. Head to the cloud forest, relax on the beautiful beaches, or visit a coffee farm.

About Vida Volunteer

Vida Volunteer is a nonprofit organization that strives to promote human and animal health through empowering Service-Learning trips to Central America. We currently intervene through three main fields of work: Medical, Dental, and Veterinary, which are designed to promote health, ensuring a long-lasting impact while participants develop both...

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