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Volunteer Childcare Program in Costa Rica

Volunteers in the Childcare Program work in child care centers, orphanages,community child care centers, community soup kitchens and day care centers` in an around the capital city of San Jose. Due to a regular and consistent migration of people from nearby poor countries such as Guatemala, there has been an increase in poverty and homeless people. 
 
The Orphanages and child care centers support and protect the homeless children and also those who are under fed and malnourished.
 
As a volunteer you will help the local staff in providing love, care and much needed attention to the children. Volunteer work varies from day to day but you would be generally acting as mentors for the children, provide individual love and affection for the children, organize different activities for the children, help the local staff in their work and make suggestions to them for improvement. 
 
Volunteers work for 5-6 hrs in a day for 5 days in a week. During the weekends , you will have free time to explore the beautiful area of Heredia as well as San Jose.
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Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the beginning of the program. Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. You should have love for children, plenty of patience and understanding and enthusiasm to make a difference. Volunteers need to have a basic level of Spanish for this program .
 

Project Location

The project placements are located in and around the city of San Jose. Our Volunteer placements are located in Heredia , Santa Barbara and Alajulela region , which are located a short distance away from the capital , San Jose. Most of the volunteer projects are located at within close proximity from the accommodations and volunteers travel by either bus or taxis.
 

During your Free Time 

Volunteers are free to visit and see places or do shopping during their free time. You can explore the local markets or travel to the beaches which can be visited on the weekends. The country offers unparalleled natural beauty, active volcanoes, rainforests, and a wide range of national parks and eco-tourism. In addition, Costa Rica has over 1,000 miles of gorgeous white-and-black sand beaches.


What we provide

Airport Receive/ Transfer: Volunteers are picked up from the San Jose International Airport by the local coordinator or representative. Those volunteers who are arriving overland or are already in Costa Rica will be picked up at a meeting point decided beforehand. 
 
Orientation: All volunteers are given an Orientation beginning on their project start date. Orientation is conducted by the local staff and covers topics such as Costa Rican Customs, Rules and Expectations, Safety and Introduction to your project and placement. After the orientation , you will be taken to your accommodations and introduced to the host family.
 
Lodging: Volunteers are provided accommodation with local host families. By staying with a host family you will experience the local culture, customs and way of living. Volunteers are hosted in shared bedrooms with other volunteers. Accommodations are clean and comfortable and have got good facilities available.
 
Food: Volunteers are provided with three cooked meals a day at the host family house. Local Costa Rican cuisine is a fusion of cuisines from different parts of the world. Common foods are Rice, Vegetables, Beans, Pork , Meat , Chicken etc.
 
Insurance: Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To buy insurance from Volunteering Solutions, please click here
 
In-country travel assistance: Volunteers are assisted by the local staff and coordinators for any kind of assistance they need for their travel arrangements. The local staff and coordinators will be happy to assist you in making travel arrangements to different areas in Costa Rica.
 
In-country support: 24 hours support provided by our local staff. You will be provided with the contact details of the local coordinator and staff who will be contactable 24 hrs once you are in country.
 
Pre-departure information: After we receive full and final payment all participants are provided by a pre-departure information booklet by e-mail which will have all vital information about your program. The Pre Departure Information Booklet provides the complete details of the country, project locations, Visas, Immunizations, Things to Pack list, Accommodations, Contact Information etc.

Start Date

Volunteers can begin their project placement on any Monday of the month. Volunteers need to arrive one day prior to their program start date.
 

Program Costs

Volunteering Solutions strives hard to keep costs low and offers one of the most affordable volunteer abroad programs. Compare our prices and services to other organizations and you would be surprised to see the difference.
USD GBP EUR
1 Week2 Weeks3 Weeks4 Weeks5 Weeks6 Weeks7 Weeks8 WeeksExtra Weeks
$500$720$940$1150$1380$1640$1840$2070$225
Please Note: -An application fee of $200 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.
1 Week2 Weeks3 Weeks4 Weeks5 Weeks6 Weeks7 Weeks8 WeeksExtra Weeks
£350£504£658£805£966£1148£1288£1449£158
Please Note: -An application fee of £140 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.
1 Week2 Weeks3 Weeks4 Weeks5 Weeks6 Weeks7 Weeks8 WeeksExtra Weeks
€400€576€752€920€1104€1312€1472€1656€180
Please Note: -An application fee of €160 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

    What are you Paying For ?

    • 24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
    • Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
    • Pickup from San Jose International Airport and transfer to accommodation
    • Orientation on arrival
    • Accommodation 
    • Meals 
    • Internet access at local office

    What's NOT Included ?

    • Airfare 
    • Visa and Visa extension fee 
    • Airport taxes 
    • Local Transportation
    • Any personal expenses 

What are the Program locations in Costa Rica?

Volunteering Solutions offers programs in Heredia, Alajuela and Santa Barbara (Suburbs of the capital, San Jose).The Turtle Conservation work projects are located in both Pacific and Caribbean coast.

Does Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?

Receiving a tourist visa for tourism purpose is the volunteer's responsibility. Volunteering Solutions strongly recommends all volunteers to apply and get a tourist visa before departing for Costa-Rica, although a visa on arrival could also be obtained by most countries nationals. If needed, Volunteering Solutions do provide with written document which would help volunteers in getting the Visa.

When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Costa Rica?

We are able to offer placements on the first and third Monday of each month year round. Because of the increasing volume of applications, participants are requested to apply in advance to secure their spots.

How long does it take to process my application?

Once you have applied, we will send you details of your placement usually within 7-10 working days.

When do I need to arrive in Costa Rica for my program? What will happen once I arrive in Costa Rica?

All volunteers need to arrive one day before their program start date. Volunteers are picked up from the Juan Santamaría International Airport by the local coordinator or representative. Those volunteers who are arriving overland or are already in Costa Rica will be picked up from the bus station or at a meeting point decided beforehand.

How do I get to the program location?

Your country coordinator will take you to your placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program/city/culture etc.

I want to know more about accommodation arrangements?

We provide you with accommodation from your start date to the end of the program. Accommodation will be provided in a host family or homestay.  You will have your own room, which you might share with another volunteer. You should bring along things like towels and toiletries. Accommodation will be neat, clean and basic.
 
In the Turtle Project, volunteers are provided accommodation in ranger houses on the coast. Accommodation is basic.

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Costa Rica-based volunteer programs?

The only qualifications are: -
 
-- Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program
-- Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.
-- The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
-- Be in good health.

What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?

We recommend you speak to your doctor before coming. The following are recommended vaccinations: - 

  1. Hepatitis A and B
  2. Typhoid

Are there more expenses once I arrive in Costa Rica?

Your program fee covers you for food, accommodation, airport pick up, Orientation, Pre departure information and in country staff support. You will need to cover yourself for your personal expenses, such as traveling, telephone, internet, shopping, sightseeing etc. Traveling from Bus within Costa Rica is cheap; however, you should carry around $60 - 70 per week for your basic personal expenses, such as water, local transport, phone etc.

Is there phone and internet available on projects?

Yes there is usually a phone at every placement we provide. However you will have to use Internet café’s to use Internet. It is strongly recommended that you carry a mobile phone while traveling to Costa Rica. You can get international roaming or can simply buy a local sim-card from the airport when you arrive.

What hours will I volunteer every day?

Volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day depending on their program. You will have weekend off so you can go to travel on weekends. However some organizations will need you to work on some Saturdays as well.

Where can I change my money in Costa Rica? Are there ATM’s in Costa Rica?

You can change money in any bank or at the airport by showing your passport. There are ATM's located all around the capital city, San Jose.

Can couples or families join the volunteer program?

Yes, couples and families are welcome to join our programs. We make special provisions for families joining our volunteering programs; we will be able to provide them with program placements and accommodations together.

What will be the food arrangement?

Depending on your host family you will be provided with two or three meals a day. Food is usually vegetarian and a mix of meat and salads.

Do I need to buy health insurance?

Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To buy insurance from Volunteering Solutions, please click here

What sorts of clothes are required for Costa Rica?

Lightweight clothing and rainwear is recommended as well as warmer clothing for the evenings (light jacket and/or light sweaters). A pair of walking shoes is highly recommended as well.

Do you recommend any cheap airlines flying into Costa Rica?

For cheap airline flying into Costa Rica, Kindly visit, http://www.kayak.com/flights, http://www.orbitz.com

Jeannie Hare and Group (Canada)
Jeannie Hare and Group-Volunteer Childcare Program We thoroughly enjoyed our program placement. Had a wonderful time in San Jose. Thanks to VS...... read more