Service Opportunities
Project Costa Rica: A Transformational Volunteer Experience
Our 20-Day Project Costa Rica Community Service Program is more than just volunteering—it’s an opportunity for personal growth, cultural immersion, and making a real impact. This is a chance for teenagers to step outside their comfort zones, form meaningful connections with local communities, and return home with a profound sense of accomplishment. Through hands-on service, participants will develop leadership skills, empathy, and a deep appreciation for giving back while exploring one of the most breathtaking countries on Earth.
Each participant will earn 56 hours of community service credit while volunteering four hours per day, Monday through Friday. In La Fortuna, each teen selects a single service project to dedicate their time and energy to for two weeks, allowing for deeper engagement and stronger connections. In the final week of the program, everyone comes together to tackle large-scale group projects in both Monteverde and Playa Carillo, working on conservation efforts, sustainability initiatives, and environmental protection. By the end of the experience, participants will feel an overwhelming sense of pride, knowing their efforts have made a tangible difference.
La Fortuna: Meaningful Service with a Lasting Impact
While in La Fortuna, participants choose ONE of the following service projects to focus on for two weeks:
Sustainability Project – Restoring the Rainforest for Future Generations
Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, but its ecosystems need our help to thrive. If you are passionate about nature and sustainability, this project is for you! Volunteers will work on a trail-building project in the rainforest, creating accessible hiking paths for people with disabilities. Working alongside local professionals, participants will build, restore, and maintain the trails, paint educational signs, and help with eco-preservation efforts. The trails are also used as an educational tool for local schoolchildren, helping them learn about the importance of conservation and biodiversity.
Wildlife Rescue Center – Protecting & Rehabilitating Exotic Animals
Nestled on an 8-acre reserve at the edge of the rainforest, the Wildlife Rescue Center provides a haven for injured, abandoned, and displaced animals, with the ultimate goal of rehabilitating and releasing them back into the wild. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of some of Costa Rica’s most fascinating creatures. Resident wildlife has included monkeys, sloths, kinkajous, peccaries, parrots, and other exotic animals, all receiving expert care in the hopes of one day returning to their natural habitat.
As a volunteer, you’ll take part in the daily operations of the rescue center, contributing to its vital mission. Your work will include preparing meals for the animals, cleaning and maintaining enclosures, and assisting with habitat restoration projects that improve the center’s facilities. Past projects have included building new enclosures, painting and repairing structures, clearing pathways through the jungle, and enhancing the rescue center’s environment to create a better quality of life for its residents. Every task you take on plays an essential role in the well-being of these animals and helps support the center’s long-term conservation efforts.
While direct handling of the animals is restricted by Costa Rican law, our work behind the scenes is just as important. Through this hands-on, rewarding experience, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of wildlife rehabilitation, environmental conservation, and the impact humans have on rainforest ecosystems. By the time you leave, you’ll not only have helped provide a better future for these incredible animals, but you’ll also walk away with greater appreciation for Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity and the role we all play in protecting it.
Childcare Community Center – Helping Shape the Future of Costa Rican Youth
The Cen-Cinai Center, or “Cen” as it’s known locally, is a government-funded organization dedicated to providing educational support and essential care to young children in impoverished communities across Costa Rica. The center’s mission is to give pre-kindergarten children the tools they need to reach their physical, intellectual, and social potential, helping them build a brighter future. By volunteering at Cen, you’ll play a direct role in creating a nurturing, inspiring space for these children to learn, grow, and thrive.
During the first week of the program, while schools are still on break, our volunteers will focus on hands-on projects that enhance and improve the center’s facilities. Past volunteers have painted and refurbished classrooms, rebuilt playgrounds, and planted vibrant flowers and greenery to beautify the space. These efforts make a lasting impact and create a more inviting and stimulating environment for the children when they return.
During the second week, once school is back in session, our volunteers will have the incredible opportunity to interact with the children, working alongside teachers to assist in their daily activities and lessons. Whether it’s leading arts and crafts, helping with basic reading and writing skills, or simply playing and engaging with the kids, every moment spent at Cen makes a difference in their lives. This experience isn’t just about giving back—it’s about forming meaningful connections, gaining a deeper understanding of different cultures, and leaving with a heart full of unforgettable memories.
Monteverde and Playa Carillo: Giving Back to the Environment
During the final week, all participants volunteer together on large-scale environmental projects in two of Costa Rica’s most breathtaking locations:
Monteverde – Volunteering in the Children’s Eternal Rainforest
In Monteverde, we have the incredible opportunity to volunteer at Bosque Eterno de los Niños (BEN), the Children’s Eternal Rainforest—Costa Rica’s largest private reserve and one of the most ecologically diverse places on Earth. This 56,000-acre rainforest exists thanks to the generosity of children from around the world, who helped fund its protection. Today, it remains a global conservation success story, safeguarding thousands of species of plants and animals while serving as a vital research and education hub.
As volunteers, we’ll play a hands-on role in maintaining and protecting this precious ecosystem. The dedicated BEN staff will guide us through meaningful conservation work while teaching us how each task directly contributes to the long-term sustainability of the reserve. Our projects may include:
- Sweeping Walkways – Unlike heavy machinery, this simple yet effective technique protects the animals by reducing noise pollution and preserving the natural habitat, ensuring a peaceful experience for visitors and wildlife alike.
- Painting and Maintaining Structures – The rainforest’s humid climate takes a toll on infrastructure, so we’ll help restore signs, educational stations, and visitor facilities to keep them functional for researchers, conservationists, and tourists.
- Trail Maintenance – By reinforcing hiking paths with natural materials like grava (crushed rock), we’ll help prevent erosion, making the trails safer and more sustainable for future visitors.
This immersive experience is more than just volunteer work—it’s an opportunity to be a part of something bigger. As we contribute to this global conservation effort, we’ll gain a deeper understanding of how small actions can have a lasting impact on the environment. Surrounded by the lush, misty beauty of Monteverde, we’ll leave with a newfound appreciation for nature’s delicate balance and the importance of protecting it for future generations.
Playa Carillo & Ostional National Wildlife Refuge – Protecting Costa Rica’s Sea Turtles
Welcome to Playa Carillo, a breathtaking Pacific paradise where golden beaches and lush coastal forests create the perfect backdrop for one of the most extraordinary conservation efforts in the world. Here, we’ll partner with the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, a globally recognized sanctuary dedicated to preserving the olive ridley sea turtles, one of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures.
Ostional is one of the only places on Earth where arribadas—mass sea turtle nestings—occur. During these rare and awe-inspiring events, tens of thousands of turtles emerge from the ocean at once, covering the beach as they dig nests and lay their eggs. Ostional hosts the highest frequency of these mass-nesting events anywhere in the world, making it a true natural wonder. However, because arribadas are unpredictable, we may not witness one firsthand—but whether or not we see the turtles nesting, our conservation efforts play a crucial role in protecting them year-round.
As volunteers, we’ll engage in hands-on projects that help ensure a safe and healthy environment for both sea turtles and the local ecosystem. Depending on the timing of our visit, we may assist with egg excavation and data collection, which helps track hatchling survival rates. We’ll also take part in beach clean-ups, recycling initiatives, and facility maintenance, all of which contribute to the protection of this critical nesting site. No matter what tasks we take on, our efforts directly support the long-term survival of the species.
This experience is more than just volunteering—it’s a chance to make a real impact on wildlife conservation while gaining a deeper appreciation for marine ecosystems. Through this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, we’ll leave Costa Rica knowing that we played a part in protecting one of nature’s greatest wonders.
Why Project Costa Rica?
This program is not just about volunteering – it’s about growth, discovery, and adventure. Every participant will learn valuable life skills, build confidence, and develop a deep sense of social responsibility while making unforgettable memories. Through hands-on projects, cultural immersion, and breathtaking exploration, teenagers will leave Costa Rica forever changed, with a heart full of purpose and a passion for making a difference.
By joining Project Costa Rica, you’re not just traveling—you’re impacting lives, preserving nature, and gaining a deeper understanding of the world. Are you ready to be a part of something bigger? Join us this summer for the adventure of a lifetime!
Service Details
- Meaningful, Immersive Service – While in La Fortuna, each participant will select one dedicated service project and volunteer with the same organization for two weeks. This structure allows for deep connections with the people, animals, or ecosystems being helped, ensuring that your contributions are both impactful and rewarding.
- Diverse Group Projects – During our third week in Monteverde and Playa Carillo, everyone will join forces for larger group service projects, working together to assist environmental, educational, and conservation-based initiatives across these incredible regions.
- Earn 56 Hours of Community Service – Participants volunteer four hours per day on service days, logging a total of 56 hours of certified community service throughout the program.
- Limited Project Space – Each volunteer site in La Fortuna has limited availability, and placements are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrollment.
- A Transformative Experience – The goal of this program isn’t just to give back to the local communities—it’s also about personal growth, cultural understanding, and discovering the power of making a real difference. Through hands-on work, meaningful relationships, and unforgettable experiences, you’ll leave Costa Rica with a new perspective, lifelong friendships, and an incredible sense of accomplishment.
