Description:
Costa Rica is a land of amazing diversity comprised of humid tropical forest, dense rain forest and majestic volcanoes whose width can span up to one kilometer. It is also home to some of the most beautiful and welcoming beaches of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Costa Rica is home to 6% of the world's biodiversity and 25% of the tiny country is designated for conservation and protection.
Along with all of these natural wonders, you will find some of the most welcoming people on Earth. They will charm you with their warm willingness to share with you their customs and culture, all of this in a peaceful and stable environment.
Highlights:
These projects need your help today. Please email or call us and we will answer any questions you may have.
Just Another Butterfly
This project is located in one of the best butterfly gardens (Mariposarios) in Costa Rica, near the beautiful cloud forest of Monteverde in the center of the country.
All volunteers will be trained to lead tours of the various gardens in English. During the tours, volunteers will sometimes be expected to handle the insects and always express enthusiasm for their subject.
A Cuddle And A Hug
Located in a daycare center situated in the north of San Jose, this is a non-governmental, non-profit organization created to look after some of San Jose's most underprivileged children.
Volunteers can choose to help watch over the small children and also lend their creative talents to organizing various recreational activities. Your main responsibility, however, will be to become a mentor, cultural ambassador and friend to these kids.
A Temporary Home
This project is devoted to the care of street children. The center houses young children between the ages of eight and ten who are on their way to becoming adopted. They live in this institution until their situation can be worked out. This program is located in the town of Santa Domingo in Heredia Province.
Volunteers in this program will work in the center helping the local staff with all general tasks. This can include watching over the children, playing games with them and organizing recreational activities.
Animal Rescue Center
This project's main objective is to rescue animals that have been endangered, injured or taken illegally as pets. The center aims to reintroduce all animals that can be nursed back to health as long as they have not been too domesticated. The Center is based in the Province of Guanacaste.
Wildcats Rescue Center
Costa Rica is home to 6 different species of wildcats. Volunteers will get the chance to help protect and rehabilitate some of these amazing animals. The program is located in Guanacaste and houses many different wildcats such as Jaguars, Pumas and Ocelots.
Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve
The Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is situated at the extreme southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. With its unique combination of climate and geographical location, it ranks among the most beautiful nature reserves in Costa Rica.
Volunteers will mainly be involved in the general maintenance of the park but environmental science students or anyone interested in the natural world are encouraged to apply.
Pacific Marine Park
This is a wonderful place where animals are rehabilitated but also where visitors (tourists and locals alike) come to learn about oceanic mammals, fish and habitats. It is located in Puntarenas City, two hours from San Jose.
Volunteers will get limited chances to assist in the Marine Rescue Center and help with tasks such as the treatment and feeding of the animals. Once acclimated to the park and the animals, volunteers will also collaborate in guided tours and other regular activities.
Construction in Costa Rica
Volunteers will be engaged in light construction projects, building small houses in severely impoverished communities. These neighborhoods reside on land that nobody wants (usually on steep hills leading down to polluted rivers). It is for this reason that the poorest members of Costa Rican society, including many illegal immigrants, build their shelters here with what little resources they have and make a home for themselves as best they can.
Volunteers in this program will get a chance to build a modest house for pre-selected families. While everyone in these neighborhoods have their own problems, these families have been selected because their condition is severe. This project is only offered a few times during the year. Please see the Fact File for dates.
Costa Rica Rescue
The Costa Rica Rescue program involves working with a private ambulance service based in the suburbs of San Jose. This organization services the public and private hospitals of Heredia, Alajuela and the metropolitan San Jose area.
Volunteers in this program must be qualified medical students or professionals. Depending on the volunteers level of training, they will be teamed up with an Ambulance Technician/Paramedic and will respond to a variety of emergencies and participate in actual calls.
Helping Out At School
This program is based in a public school in the provincial capital of Heredia (about an hour outside of San Jose).
Volunteers in this program will mainly work as a teachers assistant, helping the local teacher to provide basic English lessons as well as helping with other general tasks around the classroom
Qualifications / Skills Needed:
18+ and in good health.
Minimum Education: Diploma/Certification
Language:
Spanish
Cost in US$: Please see each specific program for price.
Cost Includes:
Emergency evacuation services,
Food,
Housing,
In-country orientation/Training,
In-country staff support,
Medical insurance,
Pre-departure orientation/Training,
Registration fees,
Written materials abroad
and Written materials pre-departure
Experience Required: no
Typical Volunteer Projects:
animal welfare,
building maintenance,
English teaching,
environment,
health,
health care,
medicine,
nursing,
planting,
renovation,
repairs,
restoration,
sea turtle protection,
street kids,
teaching,
trail building,
tree planting
and volunteering
Age Range: 18+
This Program is open to
World Wide
Participants.
This Program is also open to
Families, Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangements:
Group living
and Home-stays
Participants Travel to Costa Rica
Independently
Typically Participants Work
Independently
Application Process Involves:
- Online Application plus Application Assessment
- Phone Interview
Post Services Include:
- Alumni Network
- Exit DebriefingAbroad
GeoVisions's Mission Statement: GeoVisions is committed to help individuals develop global skills to succeed in the twenty-first century. These skills will ultimately lead to greater cooperation and understanding among nations and peoples of the world. We are committed to treating every person on a GeoVisions program with respect, and devoting our energies to helping participants meet their individual and collective goals.
Year Founded: 2001