20 Jul Best Places for Short-Term Volunteering In Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a vibrant country and checks all the boxes for an ideal vacation destination – bustling cities, tropical beaches, and lush nature. Luckily, for the travelers interested in volunteering for a day or two during vacation, there are plenty of opportunities in the country. Below, we’ve compiled some of the best short-term volunteering from Give a Day Global in the top travel spots across Costa Rica. And if you haven’t planned your itinerary to Costa Rica yet, this is a great starting point – given that the whole country is about the size of West Virginia, it’s definitely possible to visit all these different places in one trip. 

Guanacaste 

Guanacaste, on Costa Rica’s Northern coast, is considered the top vacation destination in the country. The province has miles of gorgeous beaches, especially popular for surfing, and lots of rainforest nature. The area has grown substantially due to the influx of tourism and has its own airport and a lively nightlife in the main city, Liberia. For short-term volunteering opportunities in Guanacaste, Plant a Tree, an environmental nonprofit, and Build Bright Beginnings (Pasitos), a childcare/education nonprofit, both offer opportunities starting at just one day.

Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio is a can’t-miss town on the beautiful Southwest Coast of Costa Rica. Similar to Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio is a mecca for all things nature, as it has beautiful beaches nestled alongside lush rainforest. The town’s national park (self-named Manuel Antonio National Park) is a special highlight of the city; in the park, you’ll find scenic hikes, stunning beaches, and some of the best animal-watching in the country. If you’re looking for short-term volunteer opportunities here, Help Rescued Animals is a great choice.  

Osa Peninsula 

Even further Southwest of Manuel Antonio lies the Osa Peninsula –  one of the most famous destinations across all of Central and South America. While it might be slightly “off the grid”, the Corcovado National Park makes the logistics of navigating there all worth it. If you’re a turtle lover, there are some wonderful short-term volunteer opportunities available; Sea Turtle Conservation with the Latin American Sea Turtles Association is a fantastic choice. 

San José

San José is the capital of Costa Rica, where many travelers fly in and out of. Located in the central part of the country, It has a bustling downtown, a plethora of nightlife and restaurant options, and fascinating museums. There are also a number of volunteer opportunities in San José – if you’re looking for a one-day volunteering opportunity during your time in the capital, check out the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children’s Clinic and Soup Kitchen for volunteer opportunities where you can give back to the community in shifts that are just 4-6 hours each.

For even more one-day volunteering opportunities in Costa Rica, check out Give a Day Global’s Costa Rica page. And if you’re traveling through the country, why stop at just one day of volunteering? With all the options available, you can find somewhere to volunteer for a day in each location you travel to!