... Volunteering in Costa Rica ...
by infocostarica.com staff

Searching for something exciting to do next vacation? Are you interested in traveling to new places, meeting new people and doing something worthwhile at the same time? Maybe you’re just tired of the beaches and tour routine and would like to experience something unique. Whatever your motivation, volunteering in Costa Rica will give your vacation a purpose and an itinerary as well as the opportunity to make a difference in the environment and/or people’s lives.

People volunteer for a wide variety of reasons - to donate professional skills, to have an impact on a society or culture, to learn something new, to make new friends or simply to gain a sense of satisfaction from accomplishment. Through your daily work and interactions with members of a local community, you'll gain a better understanding of the Costa Rican culture, as well as the issues that affect this part of the world.
When choosing a volunteer program, consider the following factors: duration and time of year, type of volunteer organization (non profit or for profit), your skills and cost of the program. Most of the programs in Costa Rica that offer volunteer opportunities charge volunteers a modest fee in order to cover operational costs and room and board for the participants.

Volunteer programs in Costa Rica usually come under the category of Community Development or Environmental programs. A community development program might involve building a school, setting up a water treatment facility, cleaning the streets or planting trees. Volunteers serving in an environmental program might be working in a national park or nature reserve constructing trails or monitoring endangered species.

According to the authors of "The Peace Corps and More", "you should prepare yourself to be tolerant of uncomfortable bus trips and food you cannot recognize. You might encounter people with different concepts about time and personal space. Be ready to learn about and observe differences without being judgmental. The differences you observe while abroad will undoubtedly enrich your understanding of your own culture."

The following is a list of organizations that either sponsor volunteer programs in Costa Rica or provide useful information for prospective volunteers.

Alliances Abroad
2423 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C., 20037, USA ( Tel: 866 5ABROAD; infola@alliancesabroad.com; www.internshipsabroad.com). One month of intensive language classes followed by 1-11 months of volunteer work in social services, humanitarian organizations, women's services, health care, environment, national parks.

Amigos de las Americas
5618 Star Lane, Houston, TX 77057, USA (Tel: 1800 231 7796; fax 713 782 9267; www.amigoslink.org). Amigos de las Américas (AMIGOS) creates opportunities for young people to excel in leadership roles promoting public health, education and community development. Founded in 1965, AMIGOS is a non-profit organization that provides exceptional leadership training and volunteer service opportunities in the United States and Latin America. Sends high school and college students in groups of 2-3 to work in rural Latin American communities for up to 8 weeks.

Cross-Cultural Solutions
47 Potter Ave., New Rochelle, NY 10801, USA (Tel: 800 380 4777 or 914 632 0022; fax 914 632 8494; www.crossculturalsolutions.org). Cross-Cultural Solutions is a not-for-profit international volunteer organization that operates volunteer programs in Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Peru, Russia, Tanzania, and Thailand.

Earthwatch
3 Clocktower Pl. Suite 100, Box 75, Maynard, MA 01754, USA (Tel: 800-776-0188 or 978-461-0081; www.earthwatch.org). Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.

Global Routes
One Short St., Northampton, MA 01060 (Tel: 413 585 8895; fax 413 585 8810; mail@globalroutes.org; www.globalroutes.org). Four- to six-week summer volunteer abroad programs focused on community service projects and volunteer teaching jobs abroad.

Habitat for Humanity International
121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709, USA (Tel: 229 924 6935 ext. 2551; www.habitat.org). Habitat for Humanity International's Global Village trips give participants a unique opportunity to become active partners with people of another culture. Team members work alongside members of the host community, raising awareness of the burden of poverty housing and building decent, affordable housing worldwide.

ASVO, Asociación de Voluntario de Areas Protegias Silvestres
Calle 1, Av. 10/12, San José, Costa Rica (Tel: 233 4989; 256 8467 ext. 27; asvo89@co.cr). A link to virtually every national park in Costa Rica. Although some parks prefer that volunteers contact their conservation areas directly, you can always reach a specific park through this office. Live and work in the same conditions as the park rangers.