Immerse yourself in one of the most biodiverse and culturally rich countries in the world!

"I find myself at a loss for words when trying to describe an experience that I feel truly left a visible impact on me. After spending four weeks in Costa Rica, first performing service for a community and then later travelling around to discover the true beauty that this country embodies, I feel that I have accomplished more in a wealth of lessons, experiences, and friendships than some can say they have accomplished in a lifetime." - Illana Hearshen, University of Michigan

About ISV's Costa Rica Projects

As a developing nation dependent on agriculture and tourism; environmental protection and community initiatives are essential components for the sustainable development of Costa Rica. The majority of ISV’s projects are grassroots initiatives, created in direct consultation with local communities for the benefit of the local people. Many community-based projects are a marriage between conservation and community development. If conservation research is your passion, you can volunteer alongside ISV’s selected private researchers and NGOs to gather scientific data on species and ecosystems. With ISV, you have a multitude of options that will enable you to make a difference in this unique country! Whether you choose to work in one of the communities or conservation projects, you'll no doubt meet new friends for life and really enjoy getting to know what life is really like in a typical Costa Rican community.

Key achievement for 2008: Over 2,223 hrs of wildlife surveying, research and monitoring efforts, 34 community facilities built or repaired and more than 1500 people involved in ISV's Conservation Projects

ISV's Projects

ISV has projects spread across the continent. By volunteering with ISV in Costa Rica you could find yourself assisting in any of these areas:

• Animals, Buffer Zones and Natural Reserves: Work alongside community members trying to preserve and protect natural resources and native species!
  ISV volunteers will help local residents to protect natural areas such as National Parks, beaches and reserves. Primary tasks can include: trail building, cleaning and maintenance, monitoring of flora and fauna, supporting recycling start-up programs, organic farming, reforestation, waste campaigns, signage, building and painting, English classes with children and community members and other community initiatives regarding rural tourism.



• Community Support Projects: Get 'Hands-on' and Volunteer in a Costa Rican village!
  If you volunteer in one of ISV’s selected Costa Rican communities you will become part of realizing the community’s vision for their sustainable development. All community support projects involve home-stays which provides for amazing cultural exchanges between you and your host family. All community volunteer projects play an important role by assisting with many tasks such as: organic farming, painting murals at schools or local buildings, supporting local product initiatives (such as bananas, medicinal plants, coffee and oranges). Education, conservation and economic development are highly related in Costa Rica, as these are some of the basic building blocks of sustainable development. You will also take part in teaching English classes and sports, assist local schools, organize river and beach clean ups and reforestation efforts, help the elderly with farming tasks, plant trees, help out in locally owned plant nurseries, trail building, maintenance and construction.



• Art in Communities: Engage, Educate and Inspire Costa Rican kids through dance, music and theatre!
  ISV realises that children are the heartbeat of our communities. This new program will allow local kids and volunteers to explore, learn, and have fun through theatre, music and dance. These activities will provide an extended and creative way to increase children’s skills, values and basic understanding of concepts such as: recycling, water-use, conservation, friendship, respect, motivation and self confidence. Volunteers will creatively use recycled materials to produce instruments, rhythms and dances, teaching kids along the way. This is an amazing opportunity to engage, educate and inspire children and help them reach their potential within their local communities.
  
  You will also take part in teaching English classes and sports, assist local schools, organize river and beach clean ups and reforestation efforts, help the elderly with farming tasks, plant trees, help out in locally owned plant nurseries, trail building, maintenance and construction.



• Animal Conservation, Research and Scientific Monitoring: Be part of researching, data collection and monitoring endangered species!
  Costa Rica is known as a country of outstanding biodiversity and natural beauty; Costa Ricans desire to keep their country this way. Scientists, biologists and locals are combining their efforts to try to protect the environment. By volunteering in Costa Rica you will be part of important research which is critical to the success of long term conservation management strategies. The primary goal of these projects is to obtain scientific data that can then be interpreted and shared with the wider scientific community plus local authorities who manage natural resources. Tasks will include: monitoring dolphin, monkey and frog populations, beach patrols to protect the nests of leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles, recording and analysing data from beach surveys, construction and monitoring of hatcheries where endangered nests are relocated and beach cleaning. ISV volunteers also help support alternative tourism by participating in family home stays and providing English classes to local Costa Ricans.

Project Locations

Projects are located from the Caribbean side of the country to the Pacific Coast at the Osa Peninsula.

Please note: Depending on your assigned departure date, only certain projects will be available. Please be flexible in your project preferences; these are ALL great projects with significant conservation/community development and educational value in phenomenal locations.

More on ISV's Projects

Each project runs for two weeks and is operated in partnership with well-established organizations including government and non government organisations (NGOs), private reserves and farms, and local grassroots community groups. Projects are based in a variety of locations, from the Caribbean coast to urban hubs. Each volunteer 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 - 14 people, depending on the project.

Please note: certain projects only operate on specific program dates.

No prior experience or expertise in community development or 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. All your meals (3 per day) will be provided during the volunteer project and will reflect the local cuisine.