Costa Rica Volunteering with IVI - Impactful & Trusted Programs

Because of the rain, I couldn't go to school and I jumped into another project. It didn't match my son of 2.5 years old. The first week has been really hard. The second week was better. The team who supported me in the project has been fantastic. They listened to me, and gave me support and options. From the third week, my son and I could start properly our volunteering job in the school. From that moment it has been amazing. The teachers and the children were great.

I got the opportunity to teach my first yoga class with kids and we were included in the Christmas festival ( my son has been on the stage with the kids of our class). The local team has been fantastic and awesome. Great skills in Listening to, supporting, and helping. Good time with the family host.

I taught English to people in a rehab center. My lessons were every morning from monday to thursday. I was able to choose the content of the lessons myself. They especially liked when I taught them songs with english lyrics. The people there were incredibly nice and grateful. I actually cried when saying goodbye. I had so much fun teaching English.

My host family became an actual family, I’ll never forget them. Food was delicious, I had lots of “Gallo Pinto”. My accommodation was nice as well, I even had a fan close to my bed.

Before arriving in country, and while there, they were extremely communicative and helpful with every aspect of my experience. My volunteer placement was a short bus ride from my home stay and the kids were wonderful! I also enjoyed talking and working with the teachers, all of whom were very welcoming and friendly. My supplemental Spanish classes were very helpful and schedules are flexible when doing two programs at once. The whole staff is friendly and accommodating. I enjoyed doing many of the free optional activities they offer such as cooking classes, hikes, and a fun fruit farm tour. My host family was incredibly friendly and I made a lot of friends in the fellow students/volunteers staying with us. Overall a great experience volunteering in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica!

I was looking to do a program like this for months and I am so happy I chose to do it. You guys were so supportive in everything I wanted to do. My goal when I came here was to help children and try to make an impact on their lives the best way I could in the three weeks I had and with your guys help, I feel like I was definitely able to do that and I am so grateful for the opportunity to do so. Costa Rica is such an interesting place and I am very happy I chose to do the program here. People and staff are so friendly and my host family was so kind and generous. I met so many great people here along the way, saw so many cool and interesting things, and I can´t wait to come back and to keep traveling to help more kids through your organization!

I volunteered in Costa Rica for 5 months and it was the best choice I have ever made! I worked alongside nurses and doctors in a retirement home and learned so much! As a nursing student, I felt the medical project really helped me become eager to learn more about healthcare in poverty countries. The staff was beyond helpful and so compassionate, they always made sure I felt at home and never had any questions! Even my host family felt like real family by the end of my trip. My housing was beautiful as well, and I still keep in contact with the family! I highly recommend volunteering, even if you can only make time for a week, take the chance and do it anyways. It truly is life changing!