Volunteers will be housed with local families in Atenas. Homestay families will be responsible for providing most meals. Each home is equipped with running water, electricity and indoor plumbing. Most families live within walking distance or a short bus ride of the city center.

Volunteer placements are customized for the applicant and based on their interests and previous experience. The following are fields in which previous volunteers have been placed:

Community Development, Non-Profit Organizations, Conservation, Children’s Homes, National Parks, Social Work, Teach English, Agriculture, Nutrition, Orphanages, Wildlife Reserves

*Placements at Orphanages/Children's Homes and Nutrition Centers have a 1 month minimum volunteer stay.

*Additional placements may be available

*Volunteers interested in placements at National Parks or placements outside Atenas will need to pay a minimum of $250, in addition to the program cost

Centro Cientifico Tropical (Reserva Monteverde): This organization administers the world famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

ECAG: This agricultural and wildlife school is famous in Central America for environmental and wildlife projects.

Recycle Center: This center is run by citizens with disabilities of Atenas and all money earned goes to them and the maintenance of the center.

Reforestation in Barrio San Jose: This project involves the maintenance of a rural aqueduct, assisting with tree planting as well as other related conservation activities.

Africa Mia: This is an ecotourism project which involves working with many species from Africa such as antelopes and gazelles.

Orchid Project: This women’s project began due to the coffee crisis in Costa Rica. Through this project women work to diversify their income base by growing orchids and selling them locally as well as overseas.

Municipality Options: Projects vary, but are all related to city improvement in Atenas.

Centro de Salud, Atenas: This project involves working with rural health or with a group of nurses who make house calls and provide basic health care such as vaccinations.

El Rostro de Maria, Alajuela: This is a non-profit organization founded to assist women with children who were abandoned by their husbands or abused; children 12 and under who come from broken homes or whose parents suffer from alcoholism or drug addictions; men and women over 60 from low income backgrounds.

Hogar de Vida (Place of Life): This is a non-profit organization founded to provide housing, as well as, physical, psychological, educational, emotional and spiritual restoration to every child.

Centro Nutricion Invue Las Cañas, Alajuela: This center serves the nutrition needs of the children from poor families in the area. Other locations include Santa Eulalia, La Garita and Orotina, all of which are located outside of Atenas.

Atenas Day Care: This is a pre-school and day care site created for working mothers.

Barrio Los Angeles: This project is located at a local elementary school which allows volunteers to work with students in the classroom. Other elementary school locations include: Barrio Mercedes, Barrio San Jose, Escuela Fatima, Green Valley School, Sabana Larga, and Santa Eulalia.

Ganaderia 8 Estrellas: This ranch placement allows volunteers to work with horse training and breeding programs.

Finca Los Angeles, Liberia: This ranch placement allows volunteers to work directly with cattle, horses and pigs among other animals.

Carara National Park: This location has many projects dedicated to the protection of macaws, which reside within the park.

La Marina Rescue Center: This is a privately funded rescue center where animals which were taken illegally as pets, suffered loss of habitat or have been injured are brought for rehabilitation.

Available throughout the year

*Those interested in working at schools should keep in mind that the school year begins the first Monday of February and ends around the 22nd of December. Mid-year vacations are the first 2 weeks of July every year and there are no school placements during this time or during Holy Week (Easter).

• 2 weeks: $1,575
• 1 month: $1,975
• 2 months: $2,875
• 3 months: $3,775

*cost may change at any time due to the currency exchange.

*Longer Placements Available

• Volunteer/Internship Placement
• Housing
• Most Meals
• Laundry
• Spanish Language Training
• 1 Culinary Class
• 1 Dance Class
• Health and Travel Insurance
• Airport Pickup
• On-Site Support Services

• Fill out the IEP Application and review information on the Apply page.
• Complete the IEP Pre-Placement Form
• Pay a $200 deposit to International Education Programs.

Send the above materials to:

International Education Programs
Jacksonville University
2800 University Blvd North
Gooding 105
Jacksonville, Florida 32211

"This was the best experience I've had in college.  It was just incredible.  Costa Rica is a beautiful country with wonderful people who love their country and their culture."

Amy