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Volunteering Projects and Internships in Central America - Costa Rica

• Placement locations: Liberia, Heredia/San Jose, Barra Honda National Park
• Project lengths: From two weeks
• Accommodation: Host families, shared dorm style accommodation for Conservation Project
• Prices: from £995
• Top places to travel: Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste National Park, Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, Santa Rosa National Park
• Projects available: Care, Conservation and Environment, Journalism, Medicine, Physiotherapy, School Sports, Teaching, Spanish Language Course

Volunteering Projects and Internships in Central America - Costa Rica

Costa Rica, in the heart of Latin America, is a country of contrasts and 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 its many national parks, and boasts an array of wildlife; from crocodiles and monkeys to whales and dolphins.

Costa Ricans - commonly known as Ticos - are well-known for their friendly hospitality. For over 60 years Costa Rica has been without an army and, unlike many neighbouring countries, peace and stability has lasted. Time and effort has been dedicated to sustaining the wildlife and improving 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 led 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.

Volunteer work opportunities for you in Costa Rica

Projects Abroad has volunteering opportunities in Teaching, Care, Sports, Journalism, Physiotherapy, Medicine and Learning Spanish. Most of these projects are based in or near the town of Liberia, in north-western Costa Rica, but our Medical project and some Care placements are based in the lively university city of Heredia, just a few kilometres from the capital, San Jose. We also have a Conservation & Environment project where volunteers are based in Barra Honda National Park, about two hours from Liberia.

In Liberia and Heredia you'll be placed with a local host family, who will make sure you have a great experience of their home town. Liberia is 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 larger city of Heredia is just outside the capital, and benefits from excellent transport links all over Costa Rica. Situated in a green valley surrounded by hills and volcanos, it is an excellent base for exploring the surrounding coffee plantations, volcanos and national parks.

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 overseas voluntary work 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.

Travel and Tourism in Costa Rica

Liberia is a friendly small town, full of colourful, colonial-style, clay-built houses. Life here centres on a large main plaza and a pedestrian area, fringed with coconut palms. 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 it's very easy to visit neighbouring Nicaragua or explore Costa Rica further.

Some of our placements are located in the vibrant university city of Heredia, situated in the heart of Costa Rica’s coffee-growing country, the Central Valley. With its large student population and close proximity to the exciting capital city of San Jose, Heredia has an active cultural and social scene and has plenty to offer to keep you entertained. Its central location means that Heredia is perfectly placed for exploring the rest of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is a rugged and mountainous place with numerous national parks and volcanoes within easy reach of both Liberia and Heredia. From Liberia you can travel 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; whilst from Heredia you can easily reach the impressive Poas and Irazu volcanos.

But you're never too far from the coast in Costa Rica. Spoilt for choice by the number of idyllic beaches, you'll have plenty of opportunities for water-based activities like surfing, swimming, snorkelling or scuba diving in your time off from volunteering abroad, on both the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. The laid-back life of Costa Rica is infectious and you will find it hard to leave.