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Participants will collaborate in a country located in Central America, between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It borders Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the southeast. Almost 5 million people live in Costa Rica. The capital city is San José, which is also one of the most populous cities. The official language is Spanish.
Costa Rica has much to offer; it is a very safe country with good infrastructure, making it easy to get around. It is one of the few countries in the world without an army, having more teachers than police officers. It also boasts one of the most beautiful natural environments in South America, ranking fifth globally in the 2012 Environmental Performance Index.
The rainy season in Sámara is from October to November, and it can rain more than usual.
Costa Rica is in the Central Standard Time Zone (CST), which is UTC-6.
The official currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colón. 1 colón is approximately equivalent to 0.001 euros.
In Costa Rica, volunteer experience programs are located in Sámara, in the Pacific region.
The stay begins when the participant arrives at the destination and is picked up.
Meals provided at the accommodation are included in the project/destination. However, meals are not provided during journeys to the destination or during excursions.
The specified pick-up times in each destination/project must be respected. Participants arriving outside the pick-up time/day will be subject to an additional cost depending on the destination.
In Costa Rica, volunteer programs are located in Sámara.
Samara, in Guanacaste, is a small coastal town with crystal clear waters and quiet beaches. In Sámara, you will find different programs, ranging from teaching, environment, turtles, community, and sports. All are focused on community development.
For programs in Sámara, arrival is every Friday. There are several options for getting to Sámara.
You can fly to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and take a bus from San José for €10 directly to Sámara, where the local team will pick you up.
You can also fly to Guanacaste Airport (LIR) and pay for extra pickup at that airport (the cost will depend on the number of people arriving at the airport at the same time). The team will explain all the pickup options step by step.
-Teaching Program
-Environmental Program
-Sports Program
-Women’s Empowerment Program
-Medical Program
-Turtle Program
Given the diverse nature of Costa Rica, the volunteer will enjoy a fusion cuisine of indigenous and European culinary traditions. The staple ingredients are corn, beans, potatoes, rice and yucca. The casado is one of the most typical Costa Rican dishes, consisting of boiled rice served with beans, fried banana and meat. Another traditional dish that can be enjoyed by the volunteer during their stay in Costa Rica is the gallo pinto.
Costa Rica is situated in a unique natural location, with a geography that is brimming with protected areas and natural parks. Many of the tourists who come to Costa Rica are attracted by eco-tourism. Nature is the main attraction for tourists visiting Costa Rica. However, many people also visit the country to relax on its several beaches.
For programs in Sámara, arrival is on Friday, and the program begins on the Monday following the Friday of arrival.
Participants can do the volunteer experience program for a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 3 months.
To get to Sámara, you have two options:
a) Fly to Juan Santa María International Airport (SJO) and take a bus from the “TIG” terminal in San José. The bus ticket costs approximately €10. The local team will pick you up when you arrive in Sámara.
b) Fly to Guanacaste Airport (LIR) and pay for the extra car pickup from Liberia to Sámara. The local team will organize everything for you.
The motorways in Costa Rica are relatively congested and not particularly safe. For volunteers, the easiest way to get around is by car. However, it’s important to note that journeys may take longer than expected due to the poor state of the roads. In any case, buses are an alternative for those who prefer not to use a car, but it’s not strongly recommended because there are limited bus lines, and the buses do not run very frequently.
For volunteers participating in the teaching, community education, and disabled children support programs, it’s possible to walk to work from the volunteer house. However, for those involved in the orphanage, construction, and sports volunteer programs, there is a daily commuting cost of approximately €1.
Our school support program in Samara is an initiative dedicated to support the academic and personal growth of students of various ages. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the integral development of children and youth through educational, recreational and school support activities. With language and other workshops, in collaboration with the teachers of the center and always following their instructions, you will help in different ways to the educational development of the children of Samara and surrounding areas.
The program is focused on providing educational reinforcement, organizing workshops, carrying out extracurricular activities and accompanying students in their learning process. Participants can collaborate in various areas, such as math, science, language and sports classes, helping to strengthen both academic and social skills.
This program not only benefits the students, but also provides participants with an enriching experience by being part of an educational community that values cooperation, inclusion and the development of each individual.
It is divided into two different activities: in-school and after-school English workshops and general school support. The schedules and activities will depend on the needs encountered. The community support activities in the school and educational area could be in the afternoons or mornings.
English classes for adults in the Torito community will also be held several days per week.
Available from June 2025
Note: At the beginning of July there are school vacations for two weeks. During the school vacations a school camp is organized with children and youth from the community.
In Samara there is a great community atmosphere. In the afternoons, you can participate in soccer practices, different sports and games with children from the community who have nothing to do while their parents work or are absent. In addition, you will be able to organize workshops and mix them with other sports to generate healthy habits and collaborate with the community.
The development of this program will take place in the afternoons, and you will be able to prepare the activities in the mornings together with the local team.
Sports are essential for children to grow up in a nutritious and healthy environment, away from other types of addictions. It is a healthy and safe space for them and for their development.
In the afternoons, you will be able to develop a sports program (of different kinds) in the communities of Samara and Torito, with the objective of providing the children of the area an integral development away from the vandalism of the streets.
Available from June 2025
The women’s empowerment volunteer program supports women in their quest for healthy and sustainable livelihoods. The women’s groups offer a discussion of issues such as family health, women’s rights, access to resources, income generation and other challenges women face in their daily lives.
Volunteers have the opportunity to exchange ideas and collaborate with ongoing projects. They can also provide support in many other ways, depending on their skills and interests and the needs of the local community.
LOCATION: Sámara
MINIMUM DURATION: 1 week
The main objective of this program is to collaborate with the community and environmental development of Costa Rica, seeking to generate the maximum possible positive impact. To this end, we work around two fundamental pillars: community and environment.
Our objective with environmental awareness is to encourage education and action in individuals and social groups, promoting an informed and committed approach to the environment. We seek to generate a critical and innovative attitude that promotes environmental care, working towards a more sustainable society, aware of its decisions and focused on a constructive future.
You will carry out environmental care activities, having the opportunity to share ideas in schools through periodic educational talks, also to the community.
You will be able to collaborate in community activities that will vary according to the needs inherent to the moment of your volunteer experience, always responding to the guidelines of a local team conscious of community development.
The activities will be multiple and will vary depending on the date you travel to your destination, according to the needs inherent to the area (cleaning of beaches, river basins, tree planting, community talks, creation of workshops…).
Available from the beginning of June 2025
Volunteers will work on turtle and environmental conservation and prevention tasks on the Pacific coast, covering two beaches as needed.
There are seven species of sea turtles in the world, five of which are found in Costa Rica, and four of them nest in Camaronal. These four are the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), green/black turtle (Chelonia agassizii), olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), and hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). They are considered endangered or vulnerable species. In Camaronal, the most common nests are those of the olive ridley turtles. Nests of leatherback, green, and hawksbill turtles are rare and are protected in the hatchery to ensure a higher survival rate.
The Camaronal Wildlife Refuge is part of the Tempisque Conservation Area on the Pacific coast of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica.
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
➢ Assistance with research work.
➢ Environmental education.
➢ Tourist information.
➢ Cleaning of facilities.
➢ Collection of scientific information.
➢ Working with turtles.
➢ Beach patrols.
➢ Beach cleanups.
➢ Maintenance of green areas and trails.
Beach cleaning and recycling of plastics, aluminum, and glass are also carried out.
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM SCHEDULE
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Morning work includes station maintenance, beach cleanup, data entry, and other activities depending on the weather and the week. (1-2 hours)
12:00 p.m. Lunch.
3:30 p.m. Afternoon work includes station maintenance, beach cleanup, data entry, and other activities depending on the weather and the week. (1-2 hours).
6:00 p.m. Dinner time is up to the volunteer. Dinner will be prepared, and volunteers can heat it up and eat whenever they want.
7:00 p.m. Night patrol times depend on the tide, lunar cycle, and daytime activities. (4 hours)
Volunteers will be given sufficient rest time. Some weeks, volunteers will participate early in the morning (6:30 a.m.).
In the Sámara programs, you will stay in shared accommodation, a house with shared rooms with bunk beds, divided by gender. The accommodation has a common area where you can spend time with the other participants and a kitchen, and is relatively close to the volunteer projects. You have to walk everywhere, as Sámara is a coastal town where everyone walks.
Three meals a day are included 7 days a week. These will be local meals adapted to a set menu.
During the low season, from September 2025 to June 2026, accommodation will be in an apartment.
Accommodation in Turtle Program
The volunteer house building has 5 bedrooms. Each bedroom has 2 bunk beds (4 people per room), 6 bathrooms, 4 showers. Each volunteer will receive their own keys to their bedrooms. The common area is used for dinners, meetings, workshops, and general relaxation. The refrigerator in the volunteer house is available for volunteers to store their personal food. The library has books in several languages and there is a take-a-book-leave-a-book system. There is a designated sink for washing clothes and shared clotheslines. An observation tree house is available for volunteer relaxation. Wireless internet and phone access are available at all times.
Meals are prepared by our friendly local cooks. Any dietary restrictions, such as allergies and vegetarian/vegan diets, can be accommodated. Breakfast and lunch schedules are expected to be strictly followed, and it is important to note that food will be shared among volunteers, rangers, and other staff members.
Meals will be prepared 3 times a day, 7 days a week. Fruit, fresh fruit juice, and cold tap water will be available outside of meal times. If volunteers wish to bring food from home or purchase food locally, they are free to do so.
If volunteers wish to eat out (e.g., dinner at a restaurant), they should notify staff or the cook in advance to avoid excessive food waste.
The total cost of volunteering is divided into two parts: the registration fee paid to book your placement, which is 210€ and the program cost, which is paid afterward.
€435 per week
The Environment and Community Program and the Women’s Empowerment Program in Sámara have an additional cost of €50 per week.
Visa, flights, travel insurance (compulsory), vaccinations, transfer back to the airport, lunch costs, other expenses.
(*** volunteers in Costa Rica usually find that 40 € (US$ 50, approx) is enough for basic weekly expenses) Weekends usually have about 170 € (US$ 200, approx) of expenses due to extra tourist activities.
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Our volunteers will be able to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.
What does volunteering focused on university practices involve?
At Cooperating Volunteers, we make agreements with different universities to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.
The specialties we work with are extensive: medical volunteering, nursing, education, social work, psychology, physiotherapy, engineering, architecture…
The practices can be carried out in our designated destinations for this purpose, as well as in Spain.
If you choose an international destination, it’s a unique way to live an unforgettable and enriching experience, as you will have the opportunity to continue your education in another country, with a completely different culture.
Stepping out of our comfort zone and being part of the various projects at the destination will allow us to grow both personally and professionally, creating a more extensive curriculum.
And we are fully convinced that this experience will accompany you throughout your life.
You will be able to visit hospitals, schools, centers, orphanages, and participate directly and actively in the daily lives of all those people at the destination, always accompanied by other professionals willing to collaborate hand in hand with you and guide you in daily tasks.
If your university is not part of the agreement with Cooperating Volunteers, you can contact cristina@cooperatingvolunteers.com so that we can get in touch and make this experience a reality.
Corporate volunteering consists of tailored programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills.
It is proven that teamwork directly impacts productivity.
Collective effort surpasses individual capabilities, promotes diversity of skills, stimulates creativity, and facilitates problem-solving in the face of various challenges.
Therefore, it not only maximizes efficiency but also enriches the work environment.
We conduct corporate volunteering programs that consist of customized programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills, improve performance, and foster unity among employees.
We tailor projects to the corporate identity and size of the company, and we can adjust them to any destination and time of the year.
The advantages of corporate volunteering include:
The future is aligned with a more responsible society, and participating in social projects positions our company among the list of revolutionary businesses that want to be part of the change.
If you resonate with this message, corporate volunteering is a unique experience both individually and collectively, and at Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the process to make it a unique journey.
Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members.
Spending quality time with family and being able to disconnect from our hectic routines is not only enriching but also necessary.
Sometimes we forget to communicate, connect, and dedicate time to each other. Each one of us lives focused on our jobs, schools… And it’s necessary to find the opportunity to pause and take care of ourselves.
Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. And of course, it creates lifelong positive memories.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we suggest moving away from those ‘more superficial’ trips (which can also be fantastic), but we invite you to live this experience to bring out our most empathetic and humanitarian side.
Family volunteering gives us the opportunity to be part of a positive impact, promoting values of solidarity and social responsibility.
There are many families who choose to experience these trips focused on cooperation and direct involvement with different communities around the world, where living conditions are very different and sometimes entirely precarious.
Projects are tailored to different ages, allowing us to work together.
An incredible way to fill our suitcase with memories, learning, and knowledge.
And although stepping out of our comfort zone often feels daunting, we assure you firsthand that it’s worth it.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the entire experience, from start to finish, to make it unforgettable.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we believe it’s never too late for anything, especially for volunteering and living a unique and unforgettable experience.
There are many people, increasingly so, who opt for responsible travel that involves social work.
Accustomed to organized and mostly touristic trips, at Cooperating Volunteers, we want to advocate for a more enriching experience, one that transforms us from within and allows us to be part of the change the world needs to see.
We can adapt both the destination and the duration of our projects to fit your needs.
It’s an opportunity full of emotions that allows us to significantly contribute to different communities and their evolution. And you can participate in different areas such as education, social support, or assistance in different centers.
Some of the benefits include:
Living this experience will undoubtedly be a before and after.
A volunteering initiative with leadership and impact through the educational action program.
When we talk about social volunteering, we refer to all those actions and activities carried out altruistically, selflessly, and with the aim of addressing multiple problems and needs of different communities, always focused on education and self-sufficiency.
Education is essential because it provides the tools and knowledge necessary for personal, social, and economic development.
Our goal is to create self-sufficient communities and provide opportunities for the future personal development of each member. The message is not to ‘give’, but to accompany in the process of training for self-managed provision.
At Cooperating Volunteers, many of our destinations and projects embrace this type of volunteering. Some of our projects include: community programs, education, women’s empowerment…
And although they are completely different from each other, they share a single objective: progress towards a society that can embrace us all in the same way.
If you are someone who is restless, who needs to see a change in the future, volunteering is an experience tailor-made for you.