Eco-Tourism Volunteering in San Jose, Costa Rica

Maximo Nivel is a locally based organization in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Volunteer abroad—get involved, make an impact, and learn to serve by working on local projects: - Working with Kids - Teaching English - Conservation - Construction - Animal Care - Eco-Agriculture - Medical and Healthcare To qualify: - Volunteers must be 18+ years of age or accompanied by a parent or guardian. - We require background checks from our volunteers. - Come with a great attitude and a willingness to pitch in. Since 2003, Maximo Nivel has been a leader in educational travel and study abroad. Our work-study-travel programs host more than 4,000 people per year. We are a professional, ethical, and hard-working organization that is completely dedicated to providing a great experience to every participant, student, traveler, and client! Every day, we strive to set ourselves apart and provide the best volunteer, education, and cultural experiences in Latin America, along with top-notch client service and great home-based facilities. Live it!

Discover the joy of family volunteering with GoEco, the leading platform for award-winning volunteer projects abroad. Our carefully selected programs provide an opportunity for families to bond over shared experiences while making a meaningful difference in communities worldwide. From sea turtle conservation in the Maldives to social upliftment initiatives in Cape Town, there's a project to match every family's interests. With GoEco, family volunteering is more than just travel - it's an opportunity to educate, inspire, and create lasting memories.

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

Travel to Costa Rica with GoBeyond to help improve the harsh conditions of the local community and its people. GoBeyond students participate in variety of humanitarian projects led by Gail Nystrom, head of the Costa Rica Humanitarian Foundation. As an ex-Peace Corps worker, Gail has established herself and her organization in communities all around Costa Rica. Through her partnership, GoBeyond students will work to empower impoverished communities through cultural immersion and meaningful service, all while experiencing the "Pura Vida" lifestyle that Costa Rica is known for! Adventure, service, and cultural immersion blend seamlessly in this three week excursion from coast to coast.

San José, the capital city, is in the central valley of the Costa Rican rainforest. As the cultural, economic, and political center of Costa Rica, this is where most people live, work, and play. Here, you can experience a vibrant and busy Latin American metropolis while also having the rest of the country's pristine natural wonders nearby. We provide opportunities to serve dozens of local NGOs, schools, clinics, and businesses through structured programs offered all year round. Program participants can work with host organizations in a variety of fields and areas: museums, local schools, youth and disability centers, health clinics, and several others. Through service at a local organization and guided reflection-based curriculum, our goal is to help you gain a better understanding of the local language, culture, and community. Each service-learning placement is unique, so visit our website to learn more about the specific program options available. We especially recommend San José for students interested in education or working in museums.

Our family volunteer programs take place in 6 child friendly and popular travel locations in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Peru and Costa Rica. They are short-term programs that are designed to fit in with your children’s school semesters and school holidays. Our family volunteering programs range from 1-week to 2-weeks with flexible start dates, making them ideal for families travelling with children under the age of 18. We work closely with you to tailor the program to suit your interests, age groups, and needs. See below for more details on each of our family volunteer destinations. Our family volunteers can choose existing programs helping children with English teaching in school in India, after school clubs in Peru, or working with sea turtles in Maldives Costa Rica, and school renovation projects in Sri Lanka.

Study Spanish and volunteer in one of a variety of projects in Costa Rica with The National Registration Center for Study Abroad. Volunteers spend 20 hours per week for two or more weeks in 50-minute group Spanish classes with a maximum of five students. Although volunteers may enroll for as many weeks as they desire, beginner Spanish learners need to study for four to 12 weeks, while intermediate and advanced learners need to put in about two to 12 weeks. After spending at least one week in Spanish classes, volunteers will work on a placement for a minimum of two weeks. In San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, they can contribute to projects at national parks, orphanages, retirement centers, drug rehabilitation institutions, special education schools, hospitals, and museums. Recycling and English teaching positions are also available.

Think of an animal cuter than a sloth. Hard, right? We agree! Here is your chance to help these iconic and adorable South American creatures. Our volunteer placement is with a carefully selected partner known for their incredible and impactful work. Make a genuine difference, not only for sloths but also for numerous other rescued exotic animals in need. Spend your days working in a rehabilitation center, taking care of incredible creatures on the road to recovery. The work will be hard but highly rewarding. You’re going to leave knowing that you truly made a difference. In your time off, discover a truly breathtaking part of Central America! With pristine beaches on both sides and rainforests, Costa Rica is utterly stunning from top to bottom. Make lifelong friends and memories while doing some truly meaningful work getting up close and personal with some amazing animals in this program with pretty much everything you can think of already included!

Uncover the spirit of Central America on a 10-week journey through Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. Trek lush rainforests, hike volcanoes, raft wild rivers, and explore ancient Mayan ruins. More than just adventure, this program invites you to live alongside local communities, learn Spanish through immersion, and engage in meaningful sustainability projects that leave a lasting impact. Designed for students and young adults seeking growth, clarity, and purpose, Pacific Discovery blends challenge with support. You’ll gain confidence traveling with a small group and experienced instructors who mentor you through guided reflection and leadership activities. Days balance cultural exchange, service, and personal exploration—so you’re not just passing through, but truly connecting. Whether you’re taking a gap year, looking for an alternative to study abroad, or craving a deeper cultural experience, this program helps you grow, give back, and discover your place in the world.

Discover Costa Rica—a country rich in biodiversity, natural beauty, and adventure. From white sand beaches and lush rainforests to volcanoes and vibrant cities, it's a destination for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike. Whether you're into hiking, surfing, ziplining, or white-water rafting, Costa Rica offers it all. While the country is peaceful and safe, many communities face economic hardship and environmental challenges. As a volunteer, you can make a meaningful impact by joining projects in education, healthcare, construction, turtle or beach conservation, or through specialized internships in fields like human rights, hospitality, micro-business, and veterinary care. During your stay, you'll live with a friendly local host family, gaining a true taste of Costa Rican culture and hospitality.

Green Life Volunteers is a registered non-profit organization or association in Costa Rica. We just earn enough to cover operational expenses, like payments for office space, employee services, and basic organizational costs. We work hard to provide volunteers with an amazing experience, with a lot of hours thrown into administration, logistics, phone calls, Skyping, emailing, and so forth. The minimal fee to cover the basic operational needs will be covered through the higher program fee required in the first week. We have excellent projects throughout Costa Rica, which are a result of many years of collaboration and research. The projects we collaborate with are in actual need of help and have experience working with volunteers. This guarantees that you will have a great time and an awesome experience. The projects are always run by local members of the community, non-profit, and with a benefit for people, nature, or animals. The guest families have been handpicked by local staff, and all of them have years of experience hosting foreigners and volunteers. They are always happy to welcome you, and they will be your family away from home.

We believe that the best things in life are personalized; so we’ve launched our custom courses for 5 or more people. Tell us your dates, duration, and activities—we’ll do the rest! Step by step, we’ll create an unforgettable adventure to Costa Rica or Panama. Bring 7 others on your custom course and you will come for free! Our custom courses are for friends & family, sports teams, youth groups, Girl Scout Troops, and even business teams! Mix and match activities from the following categories: Outdoor Adventure, Volunteering, Skills & Training to create your perfect adventure. No matter your age, the activities you’re taking part in or who you’re here with you will be challenged, you will gain new skills and you will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. *Please note that, for the health and safety of our participants, OBCR has made program adjustments to these courses. Please visit our website to view our COVID-19 considerations.*

Volunteer in Costa Rica with A Broader View Volunteers, a highly rated non-profit charity organization. Volunteer placements are available throughout Costa Rica, mainly in San Jose and Escazu and the Pacific and Atlantic coastal regions. There are 19 program options available for volunteers to choose from. A Broader View can accommodate up to 30 volunteers with housing. The organization has hosted numerous university student groups, Peace Corps alternative teens, and family volunteer programs in their Costa Rica turtle programs. Customized programs can also be arranged for groups of 5 or more volunteers. A Broader View Volunteers has extensive experience working with students, teachers, and families, providing tailor-made service trips for small groups. Costa Rica, known as the "Rich Coast" in Spanish, is a popular destination that attracts over a million visitors yearly. With its year-round mild climate, relaxed visa requirements for travelers, and friendly locals, Costa Rica is an ideal place to volunteer.