How far in advance should I book?

We recommend you reserve your place between 5 to 6 months before, although we can accept applications up to three months prior to departure.

VOLUNTEER IN COSTA RICA

Q: Will I need to do any training before I arrive?

All volunteers are invited to attend a Pre-Expedition Training Event to meet other volunteers and here more about Expedition. We recommend you learn as much Spanish as you can before you come; this will make communicating with members of the community and partner organisations easier. We also recommend practising hiking in preparation for the trek, but this is not necessary.

Q: What sort of food will I be eating?

Raleigh provides dry and fresh food, and volunteers rotate to cook for the group. The staple food in Costa Rica is rice and beans, which can be accompanied by different vegetables and proteins. Tropical fruits are delicious and very sweet, and we eat them frequently.

A tropical paradise where you’ll work to support the fragile ecosystems and with indigenous communities on access to education and sanitation.

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Home | Raleigh Expeditions | Volunteer in Costa Rica

Why volunteer in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is naturally rich in ecosystems and species; however, many environmental NGOs consider it’s natural environment fragile and vulnerable. You’ll volunteer on projects to help improve access to national parks and preserve its natural resources.

Raleigh Costa Rica partners with indigenous communities so you’ll help work on infrastructure projects we support. They aim to increase access to education, raise awareness through campaigns and workshops, and improve access to water and sanitation.

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“Raleigh gave me the drive I needed when I was dealing with. Difficult home life and made me determined to raise the money and get on my Expedition.”

Emma | Raleigh Alumni

Expedition life in Costa Rica

You can get involved in up to 3 phases: Community, Environmental and an Adventure Trek. You’ll also spend time at Fieldbase for your induction, ‘changeover’ between phases and to say your goodbyes at the end.

Venturer carrying wood on community project

Community Phase

Sustainable development goals:
1 – end to poverty. 3 – access to education. 8 – economic growth. 9 – infrastructure. 11 – sustainable communities

Why are we there? To improve access to education in indigenous communities

Costa Rica has 24 indigenous territories inhabited by eight different peoples. These regions face significant educational and infrastructural challenges, making volunteer involvement crucial. Raleigh Costa Rica partners with a number of the indigenous communities where Venturers contribute to improved access to education, infrastructure development, and public services, while fostering long-lasting connections with these communities.

For example: The Alto and Bajo Chirripó Indigenous Territory is one of the most remote areas in Costa Rica. There are low levels of school attendance, high levels of illiteracy, and high levels of poverty. One of the key barriers to culturally appropriate development is a lack of education due to poor facilities and difficult access. Venturers work on building school buildings and raising awareness activities with the community on topics like waste management and climate action.

Environmental phase

Sustainable development goals
12 – responsible consumption and production. 13 – climate action. 14 – life below water. 15 – life on land

Why are we there? Costa Rica boasts an impressive 5% of global biodiversity but has areas which are biologically vulnerable.

The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is a true natural treasure. The border area with Panama is facing challenges such as deforestation and habitat loss. These issues intensify the impacts of climate change, leaving indigenous communities who depend on these lands.

What you’ll experience:

Implement eco-friendly practices to promote sustainability and build environmental awareness.
Engage with the community to learn about their traditions and approaches to sustainability.
Acquire essential survival skills such as shelter-building, creating a camp kitchen and locating water sources.
Attend speeches led by an experienced biologist
Participate in trail design and clean-up efforts
Building bird feeder stations
Hawkwatching – identification and data gathering
Food garden and nursery planting

Adventure Challenge

You’ll trek approximately 260 km through varying landscapes – rainforest, mountainous and rural community areas.

Trek takes you on a journey of personal growth that will continue for the rest of your life. No matter what trekking experience you have, everyone starts and finishes trek together – come rain or shine!

Supporting one another, not giving up and sharing your achievements together will be some of the most memorable and defining moments of your Expedition.

Costa Rica – Pura Vida trek route

This route is one currently being done by Venturers in Costa Rica. When your time comes, we may be using a different route but it will be similar in length and terrain. Specific trek details will be given out nearer to the time of your departure.

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Day 1: Alto Quetzal- Dorbata School

Distance: 9.89 miles
Elevation gain: 1093ft
Terrain: moderate

Day 2: Dorbata – Bajo Pacuare Campamento la Hondura

Distance: 4.61 miles
Elevation gain: 636ft
Terrain: moderate

Day 3: Bajo Pacuare – Finca Vialey Pacayitas

Distance: 6.59 miles
Elevation gain: 2149ft
Terrain: moderate

Day 4: Pacayitas – Atirro

Distance: 11.06 miles
Elevation gain: 2231ft
Terrain: moderate

Day 5: Atirro – El Copal

Distance: 11.23 miles
Elevation gain: 1926ft
Terrain: moderate

Day 6: El Copal/Selva – Hacienda Tapantí (rest here on day 7)

Distance: 7.06 miles
Elevation gain: 28231ft
Terrain: moderate

Day 8: Hacienda Tapanti – Muñeco de Navarro Casa Tanin

Distance: 12.31 miles
Elevation gain: 2215ft
Terrain: moderate

Day 9: Muñecode navarro – Estrella church

Distance: 7.35 miles
Elevation gain: 3179ft
Terrain: moderate

Day 10: La Estrella – Cedral / la Lucha

Distance: 10 miles
Elevation gain: 3875ft
Terrain: moderate

Day 11: Muñeco de Navarro – Tanin House/La Estrella church

Distance: 5.74 miles
Elevation gain: 2113ft
Terrain: moderate

Day 12: Cedral /La Lucha – Quercus

Distance: 11.87 miles
Elevation gain: 1070f
Terrain: moderate

Day 13: Quercus – San Francisco’s community Center

Distance: 8.34 miles
Elevation gain: 1529ft
Terrain: moderate

Day 14: San Francisco – Alto Aguacate

Distance: 8.88 miles
Elevation gain: 948ft
Terrain: moderate

Day 15: Alto el Aguacate -San Juan Community Center (Vegas)

Distance: 12.88 miles
Elevation gain: 1916ft
Terrain: moderate

Day 16: San Juan – Playa Palo Seco airport

Distance: 11.87 miles
Elevation: 56ft
Terrain difficulty: moderate

Day 17: Travel back to Fieldbase

Fieldbase

Induction
At the start of your Expedition you’ll arrive at Fieldbase and have time for training – including safety briefings, codes of conduct and plenty of teambuilding activities to get to know each other.

Changeover
During each phase you’ll return to Fieldbase to ‘changeover’ groups, wash and sort out your kit, learn about your next project and pack up again for the next phase.

Endex
This is when you’ll get the chance to reflect on all your experiences, receive some final feedback from our Venturer Managers and other staff members which should help you continue your personal development and time to say your goodbyes (or plan your next adventures together).

Example itinerary for Costa Rica

Everyone’s Raleigh Expedition is slightly different – depending on how long you stay and what time of year you go. This is an outline of what you can expect from a 10-week Expedition to Costa Rica. For a information on camp life and project info, download a sample itinerary.

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Arrive at San José airport

You will be met by the country team

Induction and training (4-7 days)

Get to know your fellow Venturers and prepare for Expedition life. You’ll receive essential training on topics such as health and safety and cultural awareness.

Community Project (18-19 days)

Venturers work together on community projects agreed with partners and community leaders. Your accommodation will mostly likely be a school or community building and use the facilities attached to it (bathrooms, showers, kitchen).

Debrief at Fieldbase (2-3 days)

At the end of each phase, everyone returns to Fieldbase for a few days before moving on to your next project. You’ll catch up with the rest of the Expedition team and start to prepare for your next project. Project groups will change between each phase, this is an important part of the Expedition experience.

Adventure Trek (18 – 19 days)

On this trek, every day is different, including the weather and the accommodation. Go from camping in mountainous areas and sleeping under the stars to bunking in a community centre.

Environmental Phase (18 – 19 days)

Venturers will support the maintenance and conservation of existing ecosystems and assist local communities to preserve such a biodiverse nature.

Final review at base (2 days)

All Expeditions end with everyone coming together for a final few days back at Fieldbase. Catch up with friends and celebrate all you have achieved together.

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Price overview

10 weeks

£5490$6870$6870$6870

7 weeks

£4400$5500$5500$5500

5 weeks

£3700$4650$4650$4650

All dates and prices

Where will I be in Costa Rica?

You’ll arrive at San José airport and transfer to our Fieldbase in Turrialba. It’s in the lush and beautiful Central Valley in Cartago province. The area is known for its beautiful mountains and rich shade-grown coffee. The other areas you’ll visit will depend on which projects you get allocated.

25% of Costa Rica’s land is protected to be used as National parks or to home refugees. It makes up a staggering 5% of the world’s biodiversity despite only being 0.3% of the land mass.

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Costa Rica Expedition gallery

Raleigh Costa Rica Venturers community project fun

Raleigh Costa Rica Venturers on their trek

Raleigh Costa Rica Venturers together on the beach

Raleigh Costa Rica Venturers community project

Raleigh Costa Rica Venturer working on community project

Raleigh Costa Rica Venturer taking photo on trek

Raleigh Costa Rica Venturer on trek with the view

Raleigh Costa Rica Fieldbase group photo

Raleigh Costa Rica environmental project 1 (1)

Raleigh-Costa-Rica-environmental-project-2

Raleigh-Costa-Rica-environmental-project-3

Raleigh Costa Rica classroom build in Chirripo Hills

Raleigh Costa Rica community project classroom build

Raleigh Costa Rica Venturers on trek getting wet

Raleigh Costa Rica Venturers on trek in forest

Raleigh Costa Rica river crossing on trek

Raleigh Costa Rica Venturers on Guanacaste trail

Raleigh Costa Rica sloth on Guanacaste trail

Raleigh Costa Rica Venturers clear plastic on beach near San Pedrillo

Raleigh Costa Rica gambito tree 350 years old

Raleigh Costa Rica waterfall near San Pedrillo

Raleigh Costa Rica Loroco Bri Bri organic farm