10 Affordable Costa Rica Volunteer Programs

August 2024 · 7 minute read

Volunteering abroad is an incredible opportunity that is increasingly becoming a rite of passage for young people today and nowhere is that more popular than Costa Rica! The land of Pura Vida and rice ‘n beans is a perfect place to try your hand at volunteering abroad because it is safe, accessible and full of wonderful options for international volunteers! 

Costa rica landscape

Costa Rica volunteer programs don’t have to break the bank—though the landscapes might accidentally blow your mind.

While the act of volunteering is free, most Costa Rica volunteer opportunities are not free (same rings true for most international volunteer programs out there), and unfortunately, most of the Costa Rica volunteer programs listed here are not without a price tag. Because it takes time, effort, and resources to coordinate programs, there will be a cost for the volunteer but with these selections. However, we’ll help you keep your costs as low as possible for volunteering in Costa Rica. 

Our roundup of 10 affordable volunteering opportunities in Costa Rica

Whether you are passionate about the environment or children or healthcare, there is a program out there for you! Take a look at your expenses and budget to determine your price range, and then scroll through our favorite cheap volunteer opportunities in Costa Rica! 

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1. IVHQ

As one of the largest volunteer providers, IVHQ offers a wide range of ways to volunteer in Costa Rica for cheap. Availability is open all year round and volunteers can choose from teaching English, childcare work, turtle conservation, healthcare, and construction and renovation work. This diverse offering of programs in Costa Rica allows you to build your ideal program—and did we mention it also has practically free room and board?

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2. Oyster Worldwide Volunteer with Turtles

Have you always loved the beauty and majesty of sea turtles? Then this is the program for you! You will spend time in the coastal regions of Costa Rica where you will volunteer to help protect adult and baby turtles. This is an opportunity to ensure that the fragile global population of sea turtles grows by helping the babies get out to sea.

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3. Kaya Responsible Travel Turtle and Marine Conservation

This project supports conservation efforts in and around Limon, Costa Rica by providing protection of up to four of the seven different species of sea turtles: loggerhead turtle, hawksbill turtle, green turtle, and leatherback turtle. As a turtle sanctuary volunteer, you will be doing a little bit of everything—caring for injured animals, moving eggs to hatcheries, and collecting biometric data— all of which helps further the mission of the conservation team. 

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4. Love Volunteers

Another option for low cost programs for volunteering in Costa Rica is Love Volunteers. They work with local organisations to keep costs minimal while pumping as much money as possible into the local community, ensuring the long-term sustainability of their projects. Love Volunteers offers a variety of volunteering opportunities including teaching, construction, environmental, conservation and community based projects. 

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5. Animal Rescue Center Project with Greenheart Travel

Do you love caring for animals? Well then Greenheart Travel’s Animal Rescue Center project might be just the cheap volunteer opportunity in Costa Rica for you! You will volunteer at a family-owned animal rescue project to rehabilitate exotic animals with the hope of releasing them back into the wild. You’ll be working with animals like monkeys, parrots, wild boars and more! You can also sign up for Spanish lessons during your project to ensure you are immersing yourself in the Costa Rican language and culture.  

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6. GoEco’s Sea Turtle Conservation

Although free volunteering in Costa Rica can be hard to find, Go Eco’s excellent sea turtle conservation program makes pay a cheap price worth it! The main goal of this project is to ensure the protection of turtles species on the coasts of Costa Rica. Each season, volunteers help with research and conservation work, such as night patrolling, working in the hatcheries, collecting eggs and rescuing turtles, to help protect the delicate health and hatching of baby turtles.

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7. Teach English with GVI

Teach English to local children and community members with this low cost program for volunteering in Costa Rica. Since tourism is such a large part of the economy in this part of Costa Rica, being able to speak and write in English is vitally important to young people. It helps guarantee long-term economic sustainability and job access, so you will be a critical part of building a strong English-speaking community.

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8. Maximo Nivel

Not sure what type of program you might be interested in? Thankfully, Maximo Nivel offers a variety volunteer abroad projects all over Costa Rica, including working with kids, organic farming, medical volunteering and more. They encourage all their volunteer to use their skills and creativity to create an experience that fits for you! 

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9. Marine Conservation with Gapforce

In addition to focusing on marine conservation, you’ll leave this Costa Rica volunteer project with internationally recognized PADI Dive qualifications! Marine conservation volunteers are needed on this project to work with protecting marine life including sea turtles, dolphins, manta rays, sharks and even whales. Get ready for days full of sun, sealife and stunning Costa Rica shoreline!  

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10. Volunteering in Costa Rica - Teaching, Sea Turtle or Medical

By enrolling in this affordable volunteer opportunity in Costa Rica with Volunteering Journeys, you'll have the option to work on either teaching, sea turtles, or medical projects. Additionally, you'll also find opportunities in women's empowerment and NGO placements, so keep your options open! Programs last from one week to 12 weeks.

[Explore ALL Costa Rica Volunteer Programs]

4 extra tips to keep your costs down while volunteering in Costa Rica

Someone scuba diving in costa rica while volunteering abroad

Find (nearly) free volunteering in Costa Rica opportunities to support marine biodiversity.

In addition to your program price, there are a few other costs to consider when planning to choose a volunteer project in Costa Rica. Things like airfare, accommodations, and food may or may not be included in your program fee. Be sure to read the fine print about inclusions before enrolling to ensure that you’re getting the full picture of how a volunteer project will fit into your budget. Thankfully, there are always other ways to minimize costs!  

  • Keep your timing flexible. Since Costa Rica is a popular tourist destination, costs for flights and accommodations tend to be more expensive during peak season. Considering volunteering in the winter or flying out in the middle of the week instead of the weekend! 
  • Cook your own food: Just because you can’t find Costa Rica volunteer opportunities for free doesn’t mean you can’t take your best budget-friendly habits abroad with you! Eating out at restaurants can really chew into (see what we did there?) your budget, so embrace the local cuisine and cook some of your own food! Pick up supplies at the market to keep costs even lower. 
  • Look for cheap accommodations. If your program doesn’t offer accommodation as part of the program fee, research low cost accommodation options. Ticos are incredibly welcoming and hospitable so maybe consider a homestay or couchsurfing! 
  • Fill your spare time with free activities: Regardless which program you choose, you will have free time on your weekends, and for the budget conscious, this can be a slippery slope to going over budget. Look for free activities like hiking, swimming, or walks on the beach for your time off. 

    • You’re ready for volunteering in Costa Rica (without putting a huge dent in your savings)

    Costa Rican woman smiling at camera

    The chance to make REAL relationships with Costa Rican locals and other volunteers alike? Priceless.

    Although you may not be able to find free volunteer programs in Costa Rica, we hope this list will help inspire you to save for your next volunteer abroad adventure. There are many affordable projects available for all different kinds of budget that still offer international volunteers the opportunity to make an impact in communities throughout Costa Rica. Start counting those pennies today! 

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