| Costa Rica is one of the few regions in the world that | | | | research on Jaguars using camera traps, research on |
| has an amazing diversity of flora and fauna. Situated in | | | | migratory birds etc. There is no technical experience |
| Latin America, Costa Rica has some of the most | | | | required. The important thing is that if you love to work |
| beautiful and mysterious wild life living in the tropical | | | | with and around animals then you will be fine and might |
| forests or rain forests. Some of the tropical mammals | | | | have a better time in the rainforest than in a crowded |
| that you will find here include sloths, monkeys, tapirs, | | | | city. |
| and then there are the wild cats like jaguars. There are | | | | 3. Orphans: Working with orphaned children can be |
| over 850 species of birds, 200 species of animals, | | | | demanding as well as satisfying. As a volunteer in |
| 35,000 species of insects, 200 species of reptiles, and | | | | Costa Rica, you will get to work with orphaned children |
| 9,000 species of plants. 25% of the country landmass | | | | and this can include everything from taking care of |
| is considered as a protected area and there are | | | | them to imparting education and take them on an |
| several national parks like the Rara Avis Reserve, | | | | adventure tour. |
| Whale Marine National Park, Santa Rosa National Park, | | | | 4. Street Children and Youth: There are several youth |
| and Corcovado national park among many others. | | | | programs in Costa Rica that you can volunteer for. |
| Why Volunteer In Costa Rica | | | | These programs are targeted at making life better for |
| Volunteering in Costa Rica is a part of a more beautiful | | | | the troubled youths and the street children who have |
| experience, one that you can't compare with any other | | | | experienced every form of depravity. As a volunteer, |
| experience you have had so far. As a volunteer in | | | | you will be living with these children and share a part of |
| Costa Rica, you will get to become a part of their | | | | their life. You will help them to change their lives. |
| vibrant and unique culture, which will provide you with | | | | Volunteer Requirements |
| the base for fostering a meaningful working relationship | | | | Age: The minimum age for volunteering in Costa Rica |
| with the local community. Costa Rica offers different | | | | should be 18 or older. For conservation projects, the |
| types of volunteer projects but a larger number of | | | | maximum age limit is 50. |
| programs deal are focused on the conservation | | | | Duration: The standard duration of most projects is 5-8 |
| aspect. As a volunteer in Costa Rica, you will get an | | | | weeks although they can also vary from 1-2 weeks or |
| opportunity to be a part of their environment and take | | | | 9-12 weeks. |
| back home more than just a certificate of completion. | | | | Fitness: A high level of fitness is required for working in |
| Types Of Projects Available | | | | wildlife and conservation projects. |
| As a part of volunteering in Costa Rica, you will get to | | | | Fee and Other details |
| choose the kind of project you are interested in. The | | | | There is a fee attached to each of the projects that |
| different types if projects available include: | | | | you volunteer for. The fee is charged in advance and |
| 1. Teaching: There are many schools in the rural areas | | | | is charged for the following: |
| of Costa Rica who don't have enough funds or | | | | 1. Accommodation |
| resources to facilitate a good education system. As a | | | | 2. Emergency evacuation services |
| volunteer, you will get the opportunity to share your | | | | 3. Food/meals |
| learning over the years with the students of these | | | | 4. Travel insurance |
| schools. Subjects can vary from teaching English to | | | | 5. Transportation within the region |
| science, arts, sports and others. There are plenty of | | | | 6. Emergency support |
| opportunities in far off regions like the Guanacaste | | | | 7. All types of training material |
| province. | | | | 8. Supervision by local staff |
| 2. Wildlife Conservation: Wildlife conservation is one of | | | | 9. Orientation on arrival |
| the integral conservation projects in Costa Rica. There | | | | 10. Local sightseeing & recreational activities |
| are several species of wildlife that are considered | | | | Conclusion |
| endangered including the Jaguar. As a volunteer, you | | | | Volunteering in Costa Rica will bring you closer to |
| will get an opportunity to work with wildlife rescue | | | | nature and wildlife and also the warm people who are |
| centers in the Alajuela or Guanacaste provinces in | | | | ever ready to help you become a part of them. As a |
| Costa Rica. Depending on the type of conservation | | | | volunteer, you will get to enjoy the limitless opportunities |
| projects, you will get to work on marine turtle research, | | | | and attractions that Costa Rica has to offer. |