Costa Rica Volunteer Programs & Adventure Travel Tours

ISV Costa Rica provides several volunteer opportunities and adventure tours to this tropical paradise that will take your breath away!

ISV has many Volunteer Projects including:

• Sea turtle & manatee conservation
• Community construction projects
• Wildlife conservation of endangered species
• Rainforest regeneration  
• Sustainable farming and education programs
• Gather research on spotted dolphins

Then, go on an adventure of a lifetime!

• Snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean
• White water rafting on the Pacuare River
• Treks through several ecological reserves, including the cloud forests of Monteverde
• Jungle kayaking in the canals of Tortuguero National Park
• Horseback riding through a private forest with views of the Pacific Coast
• Zip lining in cloud forests
• Observe Costa Rica's most active volcano and bathe in geothermal hot springs
• Rappelling in La Fortuna
• Exploring the local nightlife in Heredia

You'll also have the option to leave early for ISV's awesome Spanish language and salsa dance course.

The ISV Costa Rica Program is four weeks in length and consists of a two-week Volunteer Work Project and a two-week Adventure Tour within Costa Rica. 

You can travel to Costa Rica and also choose a Customized ISV Program and select an additional Volunteer Work Project within Costa Rica, extending their Program to a total of six weeks.

The Customized ISV Program also gives you the option to travel to a second or third country for additional Volunteer Work Projects and/or Adventure Tours as outlined in the Customized Program Options under “Terms and Conditions”.  Please click on the Terms and Conditions link on this website for specific dates, costs and policies.

*** Spanish lessons: ISV is pleased to provide you with a wonderful opportunity to enhance your experience in Costa Rica with Spanish language and Latin dance lessons while living with a local host family prior to the beginning of your ISV program (please see “Optional Spanish Lessons” link under Costa Rica page).

Programs run between May 15 and Sept 19, 2008

Conservation or Community Development Volunteer Projects

A) Conservation Volunteer Project:

Each project runs for two weeks and is operated in partnership with well-established local organizations including non profit and private groups, government departments and local grassroots groups or researchers. Projects are based in various locations throughout the country. Each volunteer project team will be supervised and directed by professional staff from the host organization and an ISV project leader. The volunteer work team will consist of around 8 - 15 like minded people. depending on the project. *Please note that certain projects only operate on specific program dates.*
No prior experience or expertise in environmentally-related fields of study is required in order to participate. Accommodations vary with projects, ranging from National Park huts, dormitory style accommodations or home-stays with local families. ISV will send you a Project Overview prior to departing to Costa Rica, and you’ll gain all the skills and training you need to participate fully in all aspects of the program. Prepare to be challenged in a safe, comfortable and fun setting where you will learn so much about the environment and culture in this part of Central America! All your meals (3 per day) will be provided during the volunteer project and will reflect the local cuisine.

Conservation Host Organizations (the following project list is updated regularly):

ANAI - Gandoca is a non-government and non-profit organization that has been working for the conservation and sustainable development of the Talamanca Region of Costa Rica since 1978. ANAI seeks to integrate conservation of the sea turtles and their eggs with sustainable development through the commitment and participation of the local community, in close collaboration with national and international volunteers and scientists. These projects will put into practice methods aimed at eliminating the destruction of sea turtle nests in Costa Rica and strengthening the processes that seek to stop the slaughter of nesting turtles.

Carey Wildlife Project is a research project focused on the conservation of endangered species of frugivores ("fruit eaters") in the Osa Península, Costa Rica, and their role in the regeneration of tree species through seed dispersal. The information gained will be used to help establish wildlife conservation priorities and strategies within the Osa Península, and to increase public awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy populations of spider monkeys and other frugivores in the area.


Kéköldi Indigenous Reserve hosts a research project focused on the conservation of natural resources in this Reservation located in Talamanca, Costa Rica. The project looks at the importance of different groups of birds and plants as indicators of ecosystem health and aims to develop alternative activities for the sustainable use of biodiversity. These are mainly through specialized ecotourism, volunteer participation and cooperation with researchers. By combining scientific research and community development, Kéköldi Project hopes to contribute to the sustainable development of the community while conserving the integrity of the Kéköldi Indigenous Reserve.

Ostional Sea Turtle Conservation. Located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Ostional has long been known for the “arribadas” (mass nesting) of the Olive ridley turtles; however, more recently this site is also being considered as one of the most important Leatherback nesting beaches on the Pacific coastline of the Americas. Currently, ISV Costa Rica is working together with the Ministry of Environment, as well as with the community of Ostional to help conserve the Leatherback turtles that nest at Ostional through monitoring, research and protection of nests.

Wildlife Survey in Golfo Dulce. Surrounding by pristine tropical fiords, this is researching of the living marine and wildlife resources in Osa Peninsula implemented by Vida Marina Foundation.  The present project on the determination of habitat use of indicator species in land and marine habitats such rainforest frogs and spotted dolphins, will constitute an important asset to the understanding of the ecological dynamic of Osa’s ecosystems. This project will provide a head start towards achieving a comprehensive baseline in the development of management strategies for the area.

San San Pond Sak (Sea Turtle & Manatees Conservation Program, Panama) Located on the Caribbean coast of Panama, immerse in lush greenery and surrounded by pristine water mirrors, this non-governmental, non-profit organization has been devoted since 2005 in the protection of sea turtles and manatees with the support of Panamanian and international researchers and foundations. The populations of manatees on this wetlands are the largest in all Central America and you’ll be monitoring them while paddling a canoe during the days, and also will be patrolling the beach at night in search of nesting turtles and their eggs.

Please note: Projects are available on specific dates only. Hence, depending on each participant’s assigned departure date, only certain projects will be available. Please be flexible in their project preferences; these are ALL great projects in amazing locations with significant conservation and educational value.

Project Locations:

B) Community Development Volunteer Work Project:

Each project runs for two weeks and is operated in partnership with well-established local organizations including non profit and private groups, and local grassroots groups. Projects are based in various locations throughout the country. Each volunteer project team will be supervised and directed by professional staff from the host organization and an ISV project leader. The volunteer team will consist of around 8 - 15 participants, depending on the project. *Please note that certain projects only operate on specific program dates.*  ISV will send you a Project Overview prior to departing to Costa Rica, and you’ll gain all the skills and training you need to participate fully in all aspects of the program. Prepare to be challenged in a safe, comfortable and fun setting where you will learn so much about the environment and culture in this part of Central America!   

Participants involved in community development volunteer projects in Costa Rica will generally undertake a variety of tasks and activities including light to moderate construction and painting, gardening, some basic English teaching, and general assistance with the livelihoods of the community members (depending on project location and specific community). No prior experience or expertise in community development is needed in order to participate. Accommodations during these projects will usually be home-stays with local families. All your meals (3 per day) are provided during the two week volunteer project and reflect the local cuisine. You do not need to be able to speak fluent Spanish, but some Spanish is helpful, as several host family’s members speak little English.

Community Development Host Organizations (the following project list is updated regularly):

Alianza Garabito. A community alliance formed by members of Garabito de Aguas Zarcas, a village in the Zona Norte region of Costa Rica whose main objective is to establish a sustainable income for the community, while protecting the local environment, in particular, the water resources of the area. The long-term goal of the community is to become an example of a successful, sustainable-developed community, in which all the families enjoy healthy lifestyles and employment opportunities.

APROSAMA, San Marcos. The Association of Agro-forestry Producers and Environmental Management, located in San Marcos de Cutris, was legally constituted as a non-profit association in 1992 with the mission to improve people’s quality of life in the Northern Region of Costa Rica. In order to achieve that, APROSAMA has created and implemented projects in three strategic areas: sustainable production; environmental management and education; and agro-ecotourism maintaining the local culture.

APECH, San Jerónimo. El Chirripó Producers Association (APECH), located in the slopes of Chirripó National Park, unites local producers to provide agricultural and social development alternatives for the surrounding community. Their main activity and source of income is the production of citrus fruits. APECH is helping to design and implement an agro-ecological program to enhance the Association's organic agriculture, environmental education, and reforestation programs.

ASOMOBI, Biolley. The Organized Women’s Association of Biolley (ASOMOBI) was established in 1996 by a group of 15 women from Biolley,a community located in the slopes of La Amistad Biosphere Reserve. ASOMOBI was created to generate productive options that would allow its members to make their living in an environmentally and culturally sustainable manner, and through these opportunities, the organization also served as an alternative for the locals who would otherwise migrate due the lack of jobs in the area. Members of the Association are currently involved in the coffee process and production, aswell overing ecotourism services.

ASOPROLA, Altamira. The Association of Producers, La Amistad (ASOPROLA) develops projects that allow the region’s inhabitants to make their living in an environmentally and culturally sustainable manner. They develop environmental education programs to promote natural resource conservation in the area, as well as sustainable community development.

El Yüe, Organic Farmers. The Association of Producer Families El Yüe was established by 12 women from three small communities in the Province of Limon, who were concerned about the unsustainable use of the natural resources in this region. Their goals include increasing the number of families working as organic farmers in the region, the development of alternatives to improve their quality of life through sustainable and environmentally friendly means, and improving the health of their communities by producing pesticide-free products.

QuizarráForest Conservation Committee, (Cocoforest). Located in the village of Quizarrá, in Pérez Zeledón County, the organization’s mission is to protect areas surrounding Los Cusingos Sanctuary for Neotropical Birds, and the Alexander Skutch Biological Corridor. This will help to counter the loss of forests due to logging and farming, enhance the remaining areas of evergreen tropical rain forest, promote environmental education, and develop environmentally sustainable employment opportunities in the community.

Santa Elena de Pital. The Asociación de Mujeres Amigas (The Association of Women Friends) was founded in June 1995 by a group of women in the community of Santa Elena de Pital who were looking to improve their educational opportunities and provide a more just income for their families as well as encourage the development of their community through various projects. Their mission is “Constant improvement, protection of the remaining patch of forest, and the conservation of flora and fauna”, and their vision is to achieve an improved standard of living for themselves and their families. 

PROTURCO, Santa Cruz de Leon Cortes. The Association to Promote Tourism of the Hills is nestled in high lands of Los Santos Zone, were develops projects and programs related with agriculture-tourism, and the promotion and use of these activities for the community as another source of revenue, avoiding the high dependency of the marketing of two products: gourmet coffee and avocado.

Please note: Projects are available on specific dates only. Hence, depending on your assigned departure date, only certain projects will be available. Please be flexible in your project preferences; these are ALL great projects in amazing locations with significant social/developmental and educational value.

Costa Rica Adventure Tour