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Volunteer Abroad Planning a Gap Year in Costa Rica

Planning a Gap Year in Costa Rica

Planning a Gap Year in Costa Rica opens the door to an unforgettable journey through one of the world's most sustainable and captivating countries...

Planning a Gap Year in Costa Rica opens the door to an unforgettable journey through one of the world's most sustainable and captivating countries. Costa Rica's reputation for environmental preservation and biodiversity makes it an ideal destination for volunteering and exploration. Get involved in Costa Rica's sea turtle conservation, engage with sloths, monkeys, and even the elusive jaguars that inhabit the lush canopy of the tropical rainforest.

Teaching and medical volunteering opportunities predominantly center around San José, the vibrant capital city. From the breathtaking Pacific to the enchanting Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica offers a spectrum of exceptional volunteer programs to choose from. Immerse yourself in the essence of 'la Pura Vida' – the pure life – as you make a meaningful impact during your Gap Year adventure in this remarkable land.

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Activities Bird Conservation Americas Costa Rica Central America Sloth Sanctuary Sea Turtle Conservation Animal Monkey Conservation Three-toed Sloth Wildlife Conservation Animal Sanctuary Leopardus Conservation Ocelot Parrot Macaw Vegan Families with small kids Two-toed Sloth Leatherback Turtle Green Sea Turtle Howler Monkeys Waste Reduction Reptile Conservation Marine Life Bear Conservation Kinkajou Hotspots Plastic Reduction Planting Trees Capuchin Monkey Scouts Toucan Manuel Antonio Crocodile Iguana Hawksbill Turtle Environment Conservation Work Reforestation Yoga Spider Monkey Jaguar Conservation Beach Cleaning Limon Marmoset Mexican Jaguar Tapir Tapir Conservation Cockatoo Intern Abroad Olive Ridley Turtle Education Kemps Ridley Turtle Veterinary Training Flatback Turtle Anteater Conservation Silky Anteater English Teaching Surfing Language Course Spanish Courses Tamarin Squirrel Monkey Horse Volunteer and Travel Voluntourism Nursing Internship Galapagos Machu Picchu Sports National Park Street Animals San Jose Pantanal Jaguar Owl Natural Horsemanship Ocean Cleaning Community Horse Conservation Animal Shelter Childcare Ecological Farming Peruvian Jaguar Agriculture Cats Coffee Dog Soccer Teaching Internship Premium Primary School Manatee Conservation Manatee Loggerhead Turtle Orphanage Puerto Viejo Margay Woolly Monkey Social Work Medical Training Healthcare Ecological Building Construction Internship Giant Anteater Physical Therapy Internship Working with Seniors Elderly Care NGO Support Marine Conservation PADI Divemaster Humpback Whale Coral Reef Whale Conservation Diving certificate Diving Butterfly Conservation Insect Conservation Hiking NGO Management Human Rights Shark Conservation Possum Leopard Shark Possum Conservation Puerto Jimenez Dental Internship Otter Conservation Caiman North American River Otter Costa Rican Cougar Cougar Conservation Mangrove Plant Conservation Horse Trekking Construction Building Schools Music Culture and Arts Sloth Bear Business Development Amazon Rainforest Southern Tamandua Women Empowerment Pediatrics Volunteer Special Needs Energy and Water Bee Conservation Journalism Internship Youth Teaching Hammerhead Shark Beehive Tortoise Conservation Blacktip Reef Shark Giant Tortoise Sea Otter Whitetip Reef Shark Teaching German Abroad
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Filter
 Animal Wildlife Rescue
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Guácima, Costa Rica
Rescue Center Costa Rica

Animal Wildlife Rescue

Very Good 4.4
(150)
⭐ Popular Video Flex Option
305 €  per week · 1  ‑  12  weeks · Age  16+ · Has Wifi

Join us in the crucial mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and, whenever possible, releasing injured and displaced wildlife. Your support is vital for our shared goal! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Sea Turtle Conservation Ambassador
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Quepos, Costa Rica
Tortugas de Pacuare

Sea Turtle Conservation Ambassador

Great 4.5
(256)
⭐ Popular Video Flex Option
260 €  per week · 2  ‑  30  weeks · Age  17+ · Has Wifi

Volunteer and save turtles, make a difference and meet one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Join us in Pacific Costa Rica! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Animal Keeper Assistant
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica San Jose, Costa Rica
Refugio Animal de Costa Rica

Animal Keeper Assistant

Perfect 4.7
(45)
⭐ Popular Video Flex Option
297 €  per week · 1  ‑  50  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Hands on contribution with everyday chores like feeding, cleaning and giving animals any care they need, to help them recover and go back to nature! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Reforestation and Community Development
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Matapalo, Costa Rica
WeVOL

Reforestation and Community Development

Excellent 4.8
(72)
Flex Option
405 €  per week · 1  ‑  8  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Be part of and spearhead a variety of community and reforestation projects in a tropical beach town. Join the fun & make a difference in beautiful Matapalo, Costa Rica! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Sloth Monitoring and Turtle Conservation
Life Below Water Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Quepos, Costa Rica
Tortugas de Pacuare

Sloth Monitoring and Turtle Conservation

Great 4.5
(256)
Video Flex Option
269 €  per week · 2  ‑  28  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Join us in Quepos to actively conserve sloths and turtles, monitoring these beautiful creatures. Make a significant impact on wildlife and nature! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Leatherback Turtle Ambassador
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Limón, Costa Rica
Tortugas de Pacuare

Leatherback Turtle Ambassador

Great 4.5
(256)
Video Flex Option
246 €  per week · 1  ‑  35  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Get in direct contact with turtles and help us conserve the biggest turtle in the sea! Here you will have the chance to meet and work with awesome animals! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Be the reason a Baby Sea Turtle reaches the ocean
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Quepos, Costa Rica
Tortugas de Isla Damas

Be the reason a Baby Sea Turtle reaches the ocean

Brilliant 4.8
(31)
Video Flex Option
384 €  per week · 1  ‑  30  weeks · Age  17+ · Has Wifi

Join us near Manuel Antonio, protect endangered turtles, and watch many babies hatch. Make a real impact while enjoying a great volunteer beachfront experience! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Aranjuez, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
NATUWA Wildlife Sanctuary

Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue

Very Good 4.4
(21)
Video Flex Option
278 €  per week · 1  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

NATUWA is a sanctuary dedicated to protecting and rehabilitating Costa Rica's wildlife, nurturing a diverse array of species back to health within a lush natural habitat. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Let's Protect the Caribbean Wildlife
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Limón, Costa Rica
Tortugas de Pacuare

Let's Protect the Caribbean Wildlife

Great 4.5
(256)
Video Flex Option
215 €  per week · 1  ‑  46  weeks · Age  17+ · Has Wifi

At Pacuare, you can observe over 300 species of animals such as mammals, reptiles and birds of the Caribbean zone, and you can actively participate protecting them. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Veterinary Internship With Wildlife
Life On Land
Costa Rica Aranjuez, Pitahaya, Costa Rica
NATUWA Wildlife Sanctuary

Veterinary Internship With Wildlife

Very Good 4.4
(21)
Flex Option
540 €  per week · 1  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

The internship offers training in veterinary medicine, emphasizing wildlife care, rehabilitation techniques, and conservation practices in a vibrant sanctuary setting. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Wildlife Conservation and Surfing
Life Below Water Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Parrita, Costa Rica
Tortugas de Pacuare

Wildlife Conservation and Surfing

Great 4.5
(256)
Flex Option
677 €  per week · 1  ‑  8  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Learn surfing and enjoy one of the best beaches with perfect waves while being part of the wildlife conservation programs in a paradisiacal place full of nature. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Kids English Teacher
Quality Education
Costa Rica Matapalo, Costa Rica
WeVOL

Kids English Teacher

Excellent 4.8
(72)
Flex Option
403 €  per week · 4  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Become an important member of our language school in a tropical beach town. Join the fun & make a long lasting difference for learners in beautiful Matapalo, Costa Rica! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Real South America Encounter
Good Health And Well-Being Quality Education Reduced Inequalities
Costa Rica San José, Costa Rica
Plan My Gap Year

Real South America Encounter

Excellent 4.9
(1322)
Video Flex Option
294 €  per week · 6  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Embark on this stunning trip across Costa Rica, Ecuador & Peru where you are guaranteed to experience all aspects of South American lifestyle and culture. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Turtle Conservation Camp Supporter
Life Below Water
Costa Rica Limón, Costa Rica
Tortugas de Pacuare

Turtle Conservation Camp Supporter

Great 4.5
(256)
Video Flex Option
283 €  per week · 2  ‑  32  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Join Tortugas de Pacuare team and experience saving turtles and meeting people around the world and enjoying the most exuberant nature of the Caribbean coast Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Kids Sports Coach
Good Health And Well-Being
Costa Rica Matapalo, Costa Rica
WeVOL

Kids Sports Coach

Excellent 4.8
(72)
Flex Option
405 €  per week · 1  ‑  8  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Lead meaningful cross-cultural sports lessons for local children while sharing your athletic knowledge and skills. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Rescue Center Assistant
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Alajuela, Costa Rica
Volunteer Now Costa Rica

Rescue Center Assistant

Good 4.2
(52)
Video Flex Option
349 €  per week · 1  ‑  12  weeks · Age  16+ · Has Wifi

Join the mission! Contribute to the shelter by feeding, maintaining, and caring for animals. Ideal for vets students, families and animal lovers. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Animal Rescue Center Supporter
Life On Land
Costa Rica Alajuela, Costa Rica
Volunteer Now Costa Rica

Animal Rescue Center Supporter

Good 4.2
(52)
Video Flex Option
349 €  per week · 1  ‑  50  weeks · Age  16+ · Has Wifi

Experience the joy of nurturing, the satisfaction of knowing you're making a difference, and the warmth of these wonderful creatures' company. Come and join us! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Classical Horsemanship & Liberty
Life On Land
Costa Rica Tucurrique, Costa Rica
Finca Soley

Classical Horsemanship & Liberty

Fantastic 4.5
(38)
Video Flex Option
857 €  per week · 1  ‑  6  weeks · Age  16+ · Has Wifi

Learn how to rehabilitate horses to become strong, healthy and happy. Liberty training. Learn and Practice! Horses, Nature and Farmlife. Spanish Course available! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Costa Rica English Teaching Volunteers
Quality Education
Costa Rica San José, Costa Rica
Plan My Gap Year

Costa Rica English Teaching Volunteers

Excellent 4.9
(1322)
Video Flex Option
311 €  per week · 2  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

The youngsters of Coronado eagerly waiting to learn and play with you at school. Help them practice English and subjects you are passionate about. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Work in a National Park
Life Below Water Life On Land
Costa Rica Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
South America Inside

Work in a National Park

Brilliant 4.8
(161)
Video Flex Option
394 €  per week · 2  ‑  24  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Help preserve Costa Rica's breathtaking nature, protect local wildlife and educate day visitors. Enjoy dream beaches, deep forest and Costa Rican PURA VIDA! 🇨🇷 Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
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