Job Discussion Forums

Randomguy · Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

Just wondering if anyone knows of any good volunteer organizations (not teaching English) in Costa Rica? It seems that most of the ones I find on the internet are volunteer abroad programs that involve paying a fee to them. I will be down there in September and am hoping to put some of my free time to good use down there. I am open to doing anything constructive, so if anyone knows of good programs down there I would be appreciative.

OleLarssen · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 337

Ask John Hall!

...

There's a bunch of volunteer programs around Costa Rica. What kind of background do you have? Most of these, as you correctly point out, require that you pay a fee to them, which kind of sucks. But sometimes, if you have a relevant background, you can get hired without being asked to pay up.

tsarina_darci · Joined: 25 Jun 2007 Posts: 3

check this out - i'm not 100% sure of the website right now, but it's called fundacion crear - affiliated with Intercultura Costa Rica (the beach campus in Samara) - if you don't get Fundacion Crear in a google search, try the Intercultura, then the beach campus, then volunteering oppty's.

and there's another place, in the jungle rather than on the beach... crap what's it called... Sarapiqui (i think) that does ESL and environmental work, and they take volunteers as well... one of the ppl who writes in TransitionsAbroad.com did an 8 month stint w them, worth checking out.

good luck! Smile

Randomguy · Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

Thanks for the replies. I will definitely check out Fundacion Crear.

I have a degree in psychology and would love to get in on some social work while I am down there. It does seem rather sad that you simply can't give away your effort for free these days Razz

snorklequeen · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 11:02 pm Post subject: Volunteer work in Costa Rica

if you have any interest at all in rescuing sea turtles as a part of your volunteer work, there is a town called Parismina on the eastern coast [the Caribbean side] that takes volunteers for the turtles; i read about it on the internet. they do charge for a homestay, i believe, but it's not much. you can stay a week, two weeks, or longer if you wish. if you do an internet search for "Parismina" you'll find it. you might find opportunities for social work develop as you get to know the people. it's not a luxurious area. i'm going to check it out in the future, next time i'm on the Caribbean side, as i plan to do sea turtle rescue as a volunteer.

Queenie
Cool

Randomguy · Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 3

Thanks for the info Snorkelqueen. I will look into Parismina.