Working with Children Volunteer Program (Costa Rica)

Project Summary

Though Costa Rica is a beautiful country full of natural wonders and fascinating cultures, many people live in poverty and these poor parents are unable to fend for their children or afford childcare. This project focuses on helping children and youth who have either been abandoned, abused, or are facing adversity and personal risks. Many of these children lack the love and care every child deserves.

The idea behind this project is to facilitate a healthier environment and lifestyle for the children. Volunteers will be working with children who are left unsupervised and grow without a support system to care for, nurture, and play with them. Volunteers will be offering love, compassion, and education. You will be working directly with the youth, the orphanage, and other institutions that aim to help these children lead a better life and reach their full potential.

Contact RCDP today to learn more about the Working with Children Volunteer Opportunity in Costa Rica.

Skill/Qualification

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, and we expect our volunteers to be flexible and patient as working with children can be a little tricky at times. You should also have plenty of passion and drive to help the children. Volunteers who are at least 16 years old can also volunteer with parental consent. Those below the age of 16 years old need to be accompanied by an adult guardian or parent.

Though not mandatory, it will be helpful to have basic knowledge of Spanish for a more immersive experience. If you want to learn Spanish, we offer Spanish classes that you can take while volunteering. Volunteers also need to go through a background check.

Volunteer's Responsibilities

You will assist the local staff in caring for and supporting the children. You will be expected to teach children English or other subjects, help them out with homework, organize games and plays with them, keep the children tidy and clean, and keep their beds and rooms clean. If required, you might be asked to help with kitchen work and other chores around the center. You will also organize fun activities, games, sports and share your skills with the children such as art & crafts, music, dance etc. You can get involved in fundraising activities to help bring in funds to improve the infrastructure of the center.

Project Location

We offer the Working with Children Volunteer Program in Costa Rica in two locations- San Jose and Manuel Antonio.

San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica and the nation's largest city. It is a cultural hub, whose diversity is one of the attractions of the beautiful country. The presence of numerous historically important buildings and mind blowing museums makes it even more special, along with the fine restaurants and old bars that have been there for decades.

Manuel Antonio boasts some of the most beautiful beaches and is located in the Central Pacific Conservation Area located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, just south of the city of Quepos, Puntarenas.

Accommodation/Meals and Supervision

Volunteers in Costa Rica will stay in a volunteer hostel or with a host family. The host family is well screened and used to having volunteers. The local coordinator will place you in the location they think is best. In either location you will have the opportunity to practice your Spanish and meet other volunteers and locals.

If you stay with a host family, you will have a shared room with kitchen and bathroom facilities. You will have the opportunity to do your own laundry or pay a small fee for someone else to do it for you. This can be arranged with your hosts. You will be provided 2-3 meals per day depending on the project, and can request a lunch "to go" if need be.

Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. With longer placements, we visit our volunteers every two weeks (when possible) and volunteers are always welcome to contact the local country coordinator at any time.

On-going volunteer programs in Costa Rica

The Fee and Dates

RCDP Costa Rica Volunteer Programs start every Monday throughout the year.

Volunteer Program in Costa Rica

Every year hundreds of volunteers working with UK and USA based organizations end up paying up to $2500 to volunteer in Costa Rica for 2 weeks. Unfortunately, only a small portion of that money actually goes to host the local projects and host families. The local host projects, childcare centers, schools, and local NGO’s in Costa Rica are poor and need external support to run their programs. In our program, you will pay your fee directly to host families and projects upon arrival in Costa Rica. When you join our program, we will make sure that all of your money goes to the projects and host families. Part of your fees also helps us to cover our expenses. The program fee is divided into a registration fee ($279) and weekly fee for room, food, coordination, and project donation.
Click to find the allocation of $279

In Costa Rica, the weekly program fee is divided between coordination (services of local staffs), host family (room/2-3 local foods a day depending on the project), and project donation. Costa Rica is an expensive tourist destination; therefore, nearly 90% of your weekly fee goes to covering your food, room, and coordination. While 10% of your fee goes to the project as a material donation (not cash). Below is the breakdown of cost in on a weekly basis.

San Jose & Manuel Antonio Program Fees (US$)

Turtle Conservation Program Fee (US$)

• Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3.49/day ( below 28 years) and $4.49/day ( above 28 years) »
• No Spanish Language Program with the Turtle Conservation Project

• Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3.49/day ( below 28 years) and $4.49/day ( above 28 years) »
• Wildlife Conservation Program - Transportation from Airport Juan Santamaria $100/one way