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Volunteer Teaching English in Costa Rica
Volunteer in Costa Rica and inspire young minds by supporting classroom learning or teaching subjects you’re passionate about.Make a lasting impact while working with children and teens in schools and after-school projects.
This program places you in local schools, community centers, and childcare centers in and around San Ramón de Alajuela, Costa Rica. Day to day, you assist local teachers with lesson delivery, plan and teach English (and, depending on your skills, subjects like math, science, music, or art), run reading and interactive activities, and support students aged 6-12 or 13-17 with assignments and group work. It suits adults (18+) with no teaching experience required, though a patient, flexible attitude and some Spanish help.
Placements run for 2–24 weeks, with starts twice a month (sundays), next on 20 Sep 2026. You live with a host family in San Ramón, in your own room or sharing with another volunteer, with two cooked meals a day included. Prices start at $1,263 (deposit included). Weekends are free, and San Ramón's location gives easy access to waterfalls, the Monteverde Cloud Forest, Arenal Volcano, and coffee tours around Heredia and San José.
- Volunteers in the Teaching English Program teach English to primary and middle school students in schools, community centers as well as childcare centers
- During the program, volunteers assist the local teachers, plan and conduct their own lessons and teach the kids
- Learning English goes a long way in helping the underprivileged in taking up more rewarding careers in their lives because of the professional viability of the language
- Engaging children in interactive activities and reading books to them are also activities that can be taken up
- Weekends are free to explore the beautiful area of Heredia as well as San Jose
Your role on this program
- Assist local teachers during classroom sessions, supporting lesson delivery and student engagement
- Plan and teach lessons in English or another subject matching your skills, for students aged 6-12 or 13-17
- Support students with assignments, group work, and individual learning needs
- Lead interactive activities and read books to engage children
- Assist with after-school educational activities and enrichment programs
- Help build an inclusive, supportive classroom atmosphere
- Collaborate with local staff and fellow volunteers on lesson planning and delivery
Exact duties vary with the placement's needs, the season and your experience.
Role boundaries
You assist local teachers rather than replace them; classroom sessions remain under the supervision of the school's own staff and the local placement coordinator. Your role does not extend to setting curriculum, formal grading, or unsupervised responsibility for a class, and a clean criminal background check is required before you work with children.
A typical day and week
Volunteers in the Teaching Program work from Monday to Friday generally from 8 am -12pm, or 8am – 3pm. Weekends are free for sightseeing or exploring other areas of Costa Rica.
Timings are the placement's usual pattern; the local team confirms your hours at orientation, and they can change with school terms, clinic rotas, weather and the project's needs.
Who can join and what you need
- Minimum age 18
- No prior teaching experience required, but you should be flexible, patient, and proactive
- Beginner to intermediate Spanish is an advantage
- A clean criminal background check report, issued within 12 months of your start date, is required for work with children
- Travel and medical insurance, either your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges
- Comfortable working with children aged 6-12 or teens 13-17 in a school or after-school setting
- An open, flexible attitude toward a new cultural and working environment
The placement, its limits and your part in it
You work within local schools, community centers, and childcare centers in San Ramón de Alajuela, alongside the school's own teachers and a local placement coordinator who organizes your schedule and orientation. Classes stay under the responsibility of the school's regular staff; you support lesson delivery and student engagement rather than direct the classroom on your own.
Because the role involves children, a clean criminal background check is required before you start. Your contribution is a supplementary one: extra hands for small-group work, reading, activities, and lesson support that the school's own staff decide are useful, not a substitute for a qualified, permanent teacher.
Our standards
- Responsible volunteer travel policyHow we choose, run and review every project
- Safeguarding policyBackground checks, supervision and our code of conduct with children
- Child & vulnerable adult protectionThe rules every volunteer follows on placement
- Certified B CorporationSocial and environmental performance verified by B Lab
- How we volunteer responsibly in Costa RicaCountry-level partner context and standards
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Program fees by duration
Prices include your $249 booking deposit — which is deducted from your total program fee. Your deposit stays valid for one year, during which you may enroll in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Total price | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $1,263 | |
| 3 weeks | $1,575 | |
| 4 weeks | $1,901 | |
| 5 weeks | $2,027 | |
| 6 weeks | $2,155 | |
| 7 weeks | $2,284 | |
| 8 weeks | $2,412 | |
| Each additional week | +$175 / week |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- Pre Departure Support and Communication
- Pre Departure Information Guide
- Host family accommodation with two meals per day
- Participation in cultural activities
- Local support
- Placement coordination
- Orientation
- Welcome at airport with transport to host community/ one way
- Certificate of program completion (On Request)
Not included
- Return Airport Drop
- Airfare
- Travel health insurance
- Weekend leisure travel
- Personal expenses
- Laundry
Accommodation & meals
Airport Transfer
Volunteers are picked up from the San Jose International Airport or hotels located in close vicinity of the airport on the scheduled arrival day.Airport pickup is provided between 8am – 10pm only.Please note that if you arrive later(planned or by delay) than 10 pm you might be asked to pay for a hostel/hotel for the first night.If a participant can’t make it on specified dates, a $75 fee is added to the program to cover extra transportation and private orientation.
Accommodation
As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse in the local culture by staying with a local host family. By living with a host family, you’ll get to know more about the way of life of locals. It’ll also be a great opportunity for you to polish your Spanish skills. Comfortable and safe accommodation is ensured for all volunteers.While staying with a host family, participants get their own room or share with another participant if staying at the same family.
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.
Meals
Volunteers are provided with two 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.
During your Free Time
Volunteers are free to visit and see places or do shopping during their free time. San Ramón, located in the central valley of Costa Rica, offers a variety of attractions that showcase both natural beauty and cultural significance. Here are some must-see things in and near San Ramón:
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La Fortuna Waterfall – Although not in San Ramón itself, this stunning waterfall is just a short drive away and is one of the most popular natural attractions in the region.
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Catarata Río Bonito – A beautiful, lesser-known waterfall located near San Ramón, perfect for hiking, swimming, and enjoying the surrounding rainforest.
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Museo de San Ramón – A local museum that provides insight into the history, culture, and development of the area, showcasing historical artifacts and exhibits about the region’s heritage.
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Cultural Events – San Ramón is known for its cultural scene, with local festivals, music, and theater events throughout the year. Be sure to check out what’s happening during your visit!
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Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve – Although it’s a bit farther from San Ramón, the Monteverde Cloud Forest offers breathtaking views and wildlife sightings, including a diverse range of plant and animal species.
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Volcán Arenal – A major tourist destination nearby, where you can explore the Arenal Volcano National Park, take a hike, relax in hot springs, or enjoy the scenic beauty of the area.
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Santo Cristo Waterfall – A more remote and tranquil waterfall, located outside of town, great for nature lovers seeking a peaceful environment.
Coffee Tours – Explore the coffee plantations in and around San Ramón to learn about the coffee-making process and sample some of the best coffee in Costa Rica.
Life on the program
Getting there and who looks after you in Costa Rica
Airport pickup
You are picked up from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, or from a nearby hotel, on your scheduled arrival day, with pickup provided between 8am and 10pm. If you arrive outside this window, you may need to cover your own accommodation for the first night.
Host family transfer
From the airport you are transferred to your host family in San Ramón, where you get your own room or share with another volunteer.
Orientation
Orientation begins on your project start date and is run by local staff, covering Costa Rican customs, rules and expectations, safety, and an introduction to your placement.
First project day and ongoing support
You begin at your school or center following the Monday to Friday schedule. Local placement coordinators in San Ramón provide ongoing support, and a 24-hour emergency contact is available throughout your stay.
From volunteers in Costa Rica
Frequently asked questions
What will I actually do as a teaching volunteer in San Ramón?
You assist local teachers in schools, community centers, or childcare centers, planning and teaching English or another subject you know, running activities, and supporting students aged 6-12 or 13-17 with assignments and group work.
Do I need teaching experience or qualifications?
No teaching qualification or prior experience is required, though you should be patient, flexible, and comfortable working with children.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Spanish is not required, but a beginner to intermediate level is an advantage in the classroom and with your host family.
What does a typical day and week look like?
Volunteers work Monday to Friday, generally 8am-12pm or 8am-3pm depending on the placement, with weekends free for sightseeing.
How long can I volunteer and when do programs start?
Programs run for 2–24 weeks, with new starts twice a month (sundays); the next start date is 20 Sep 2026.
What does the fee include and what does it cost?
Prices start at $1,263, deposit included, and cover host family accommodation with two meals a day, airport pickup, orientation, local placement support, and pre-departure guidance. Return airport transport, flights, insurance, weekend travel, and personal expenses are not included.
Where will I live and eat?
You stay with a host family in San Ramón, in your own room or sharing with another volunteer, and receive two cooked meals a day at the family's home.
How does airport pickup work?
You are picked up from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) or a nearby hotel on your scheduled arrival day, with pickup available between 8am and 10pm; arriving outside that window may mean covering your own accommodation for the first night.
What support is available once I arrive?
Local placement coordinators in San Ramón manage your placement and orientation, and a 24-hour emergency contact is available for the duration of your stay.
Is a background check required?
Yes, since the placement involves working with children, you must provide a clean criminal background check report issued within 12 months of your start date.
What about insurance and visas?
Travel and medical insurance is compulsory, either your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges; specific visa or vaccination guidance, where relevant, is sent before departure.
Who is this program a good fit for?
It suits volunteers aged 18 and older who are flexible, patient, and interested in supporting classroom teaching rather than leading a curriculum on their own.
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