Costa Rica Program Fees and Information

2 Weeks	4 Weeks	8 Weeks	12 Weeks	24 Weeks	Extra Weeks
$650	$925	$1275	$1600	$2695	$90

Read how your fees are spent or compare our prices with other volunteer organisations.

View our prices in other volunteer locations's or combine your stay in Costa Rica with stays in other locations as part of a combination stay.

What you receive

Orientation upon arrival
24 hour support
Accommodation & Food
Regular follow-up meetings
Costa Rican Introduction such as cooking classes and special events
Spanish Classes

Apart from our fees, you must pay for:

Your travel to San Jose
Vaccinations
Travel and health insurance

Application Process

Our application process typically takes two or three weeks, but can be speeded up if there is a need for that. When we receive the initial application from you, we will send you our Full Application Form.

(1) Complete the Initial Application Form:
The first stage of the application process is to fill out the brief initial application form. Upon receiving this we will send you a link to our full application form.

(2) Complete the full application form:
Fill out the application form. After receiving this we will assess your suitability and place you on one of our programs.

(3) Placement info:
We will then email you your detaled placement information and an Invoice. If you accept the placement you should email us confirmation.

(4) Program Fee:
The program fee should be paid to us at least 2 months before you are due to start your placement. However please be aware that we have a limited amount of placements, so placements will only be secured when we have received your payment.

(5) Communication:
We encourage you to keep in touch and we are happy to answer to try and answer all of your questions.

Once you have made your travelling arrangements you should mail your time of arrival and the means of transportation and we will confirm your pick-up details.

Project Duration and Arrival Dates

You can join either of our Costa Rica programs for any amount of time between 2 weeks and 6 months.

We recommend a trip of 3-6 months since it offers the best value. Regardless of the length of your stay, you will be able to learn Spanish and you will have time to get to know a new culture, come to know its people, and form relationships that will outlast the duration of your stay. Participants should arrive in Samara 3 days before the project start date.

Dates for the Year 2010:
Sat 07 Aug 10, Sat 21 Aug 10, Sat 04 Sep 10, Sat 18 Sep 10, Sat 02 Oct 10, Sat 16 Oct 10, Sat 30 Oct 10, Sat 13 Nov 10, Sat 27 Nov 10, Sat 11 Dec 10, Sat 25 Dec 10

Dates for the Year 2011:
Sat 08 Jan 11, Sat 22 Jan 11, Sat 05 Feb 11, Sat 19 Feb 11, Sat 05 Mar 11, Sat 19 Mar 11, Sat 02 Apr 11, Sat 16 Apr 11, Sat 30 Apr 11, Sat 14 May 11, Sat 28 May 11, Sat 11 Jun 11, Sat 25 Jun 11, Sat 09 Jul 11, Sat 23 Jul 11, Sat 06 Aug 11, Sat 20 Aug 11, Sat 03 Sep 11, Sat 17 Sep 11, Sat 01 Oct 11, Sat 15 Oct 11, Sat 29 Oct 11, Sat 12 Nov 11, Sat 26 Nov 11, Sat 10 Dec 11, Sat 24 Dec 11

Getting Here

San Jose

We meet and greet all volunteers at San Jose's International Airport (Juan Santa Maria) in Costa Rica. One of our staff members will be holding a placard with your name on it.

3. If you miss the last bus from Nicoya to Samara your final option is to take a taxi from Nicoya to Samara which should cost around $20.

On arrival if you need any assistance with your travel or you miss a bus etc, please do not hesitate to call the country coordinator or the Costa Rican head office number (656-0373) and we’ll help the best we can.

Reception

All volunteers will arrive to Samara by Bus or by air. We will meet you at the bus station in Samara or at the airport in Carrillo. We will show you around the town and introduce you to Samara. Our Costa Rican representatives will prepare you for your placement, discussing program and formalities.

Food

Volunteer Work

Apart from teaching English, volunteers can teach maths, sports, music, art, and run workshops. Our work in Costa Rica can also involve teaching in child care centres and community classes for adults. A typical day will involve between 2 and 4 hours of work, and weekends are usually free.

If you are not working in a school, your work schedule will depend on the project you have chosen.

Accommodation

We offer a choice of home stay accommodation and small volunteer dorms that hold up to 4 volunteers sharing. You will be in a clean friendly environment but please do not expect too many luxuries.

Vaccinations

Malaria: Prophylaxis with chloroquine is recommended for the provinces of Alajuela, Limon (except for Limon City), Guanacaste, and Heredia.

Hepatitis A: Recommended for all travellers.

Typhoid: Recommended for all travellers.

Hepatitis B: For travellers who may have intimate contact with local residents, especially if visiting for more than 6 months.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): Two doses recommended for all travellers born after 1956, if not previously given.

Tetanus-diphtheria Revaccination recommended every 10 years.

More information available from the WHO's (World Health Organisation) Travellers health information

Insurance

One of the conditions of entry onto our programs is that volunteers have travel insurance. Most importantly the insurance needs to include medical treatment and repatriation in case of unforeseen accidents or illnesses. Volunteers should purchase insurance independently and bring a copy of their insurance certificate with them for their local co-ordinator to check before starting their program. Read our terms and conditions.

Visas

Please see our visa information page for details.

Certification

You will get a Travel to Teach certificate stating the time and place you have been teaching.