Description:
Costa Rica, located in the heart of Latin America, is a varied mix of landscapes and cultures. Its fine range of attractions includes volcanoes, tropical rainforests, magnificent waterfalls, and beautiful sandy beaches. Costa Rica is an environmental wonderland. It is renowned for its biodiversity and many national parks while boasting an array of wildlife, from crocodiles and monkeys to whales and dolphins.
Costa Ricans - commonly called Ticos - are well known for their friendly hospitality. For over 50 years Costa Rica has been without an army and, unlike many neighboring countries, peace and stability has lasted. Time and effort has been dedicated to sustaining the wildlife and improving the standards of living.
While Costa Rica now leads the way in terms of ecotourism, many Costa Ricans still live in very basic conditions. The growth of tourism in the country has lead to an increased demand for English speakers.
Our projects are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world - whether you are on a gap year, a summer placement, or a career break.
Projects Abroad offers international volunteer opportunities in Teaching, Care, Sports, Journalism and Learning Spanish. These projects are based in or near the town of Liberia, in northwestern Costa Rica. We also have a Conservation & Environment project where volunteers are based in a variety of national parks up to three hours from Liberia.
In Liberia, you'll live with a local host family who will make sure you have a great experience in their hometown. Life in this quiet town takes place on a large main plaza and a pedestrian area, fringed with coconut palms. You will be just four hours from the cosmopolitan capital of Costa Rica, San José, under two hours from the Nicaraguan border and less than an hour from an enviable choice of Pacific beaches.
The Conservation & Environment placement is located at Barra Honda National Park. Volunteers are involved in a wide variety of projects including studies of mammals and butterflies within the park, trail maintenance and mapping the numerous caves for which the park is famous.
The international volunteer projects we offer in Costa Rica allow you to experience the true essence of this beautiful country and give you a wonderful opportunity to fully immerse yourself in Costa Rican community life.
Highlights:
Liberia is a friendly small town that is full of colorful, colonial style, clay built houses. Throughout the year there are several local fiestas often with horse shows, rodeos and roving marimba bands. The town is also an excellent base from which you can take advantage of the great transport links available; from Liberia its very easy to visit neighboring Nicaragua or explore Costa Rica further.
Costa Rica is a rugged and mountainous place, and numerous national parks and volcanoes are within easy reach of Liberia, if you're looking for activities on your days off. The town is close to many of Costa Rica's natural attractions, including the Guanacaste National Park - which is on the World Heritage list - the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and Santa Rosa National Park.
But you're never far from the coast in Costa Rica. You'll be spoiled with choices for the number of idyllic beaches to go to and will have plenty of opportunities for water based activities like surfing, swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving in your time off on both the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. The laid back life of Costa Rica is infectious and you will find it hard to leave.
Qualifications / Skills Needed:
none
Languages:
English
and Spanish
Cost in US$: Please go to our website for prices.
Cost Includes:
Food,
Housing,
In-country orientation/Training,
In-country staff support,
Medical insurance,
Medical services,
Pre-departure orientation/Training,
Registration fees,
Travel while in host country,
Written materials abroad
and Written materials pre-departure
The price of each placement includes all your food and accommodation, transfers to and from the airport, full travel and medical insurance plus support and 24 hour back-up from our staff based around the world.
Experience Required: no
Typical Volunteer Projects:
athletics,
childcare/children,
community centers,
community development,
consciousness-raising,
conservation,
culture,
eco-tourism,
English teaching,
health,
orphans,
sports,
volunteering,
wildlife surveying,
youth
and youth development
Typical Volunteer: Open-minded with a desire to travel.
Age Range: 16-80
This Program is open to
Worldwide
Participants.
This Program is also open to
Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangement:
Home-stays
Participants Travel to Costa Rica
Independently
Or
in Groups
Typically Participants Work
Independently
Or
in Groups
Application Process Involves:
- Letters of Reference
- Written Application
Typically The Application Process Time Is 10 days
Post Services Include:
- Alumni Network
- Exit Debriefing Abroad
- Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.
Year Founded: 1992