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Established in Montreal in 1982.
Outstanding summer programs for teens since 1982
Costa Rica Volunteer Program for Teens
Travel to Costa Rica this summer for a teen community service program you won’t forget! Work alongside some of our long-standing service partners on projects such as taking part in a community infrastructure project in Central Valley, working to protect endangered sea turtles and helping cook for and run a food bank for a disadvantaged community. This Costa Rica student trip uses a service-learning framework tailored for high school students, where our staff provide guidance and reflection on the impact of the work we do throughout the program and promote the value of empathy and cultural sensitivity. When not volunteering, you’ll be off on amazing adventures like learning to surf, rappelling down a waterfall and exploring Manuel Antonio National Park, where you might even see a sloth or wild monkey! It won’t be long until you will fall in love with all things Costa Rican and the Pura Vida lifestyle.
Program Highlights
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Work on a community project like helping to build homes.
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Learn to surf with professional instructors.
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Protect endangered sea turtles through volunteer work with LAST.
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Experience a canyoning adventure in Arenal.
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Enjoy a thrilling whitewater rafting adventure.
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Zip-line over one of the most recognized cloud forests in Monteverde.
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Explore Manuel Antonio National Park on a guided tour.
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Help clean local beaches and protect oceanside wildlife.
Service Projects
Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center - Central Valley
Volunteer at this animal sanctuary, where different animals and wildlife are rescued, rehabilitated, and released back into their natural habitat.
About the Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center
The Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center is dedicated to protecting and helping endangered Costa Rican wildlife. This center ensures the welfare of different animals and helps them recover from both physical and psychological wounds.
Siempre Amigos (Always Friends) - Flamingo Beach
Flamingo is a quintessential beach town with pristine blue waters and stunning beaches, home to one of Costa Rica's beloved coastal communities. The impact of tourism and development has created economic and environmental challenges for the locals. Our groups have helped in beach preservation, painting and building local homes for underprivileged residents, sprucing up the soccer facility, and renovating a local classroom – which has all contributed to improving this community’s quality of life.
About Siempre Amigos
Founded in 2011, Siempre Amigos is an NGO partner organization that focuses on social responsibility with the mission to assist low-income families in the rural areas of Guanacaste, specifically in the improvement of living conditions. Siempre Amigos facilitates short-term projects with both local and international volunteers.
Life Monteverde Co-op - Monteverde Cloud Forest
Our groups have aided in reforestation and rainforest rejuvenation by planting trees and plants native to Costa Rica. Under the supervision of a local guide, our students learn how to protect growing plants from invasive species at this local co-op. Students also enjoy learning about coffee plants' care and growth.
About the Life Monteverde Co-op
Life Monteverde is a co-operative in Monteverde, Costa Rica, with a strong background in agriculture and nature conservation. Their mission is to produce, protect, and educate to help perpetuate a sustainable life on Earth.
Latin American Sea Turtles (LAST) - Costa Rica
Help with various tasks with LAST including boat trips to conduct in-water studies, lending a helping hand in the sea turtle rescue center, work on mangrove reforestation project and with beach cleaning.
About LAST
For close to thirty years, their vision has been to realize a future where all inhabitants of the Costa Rican coasts can live together in balance; where healthy populations of sea turtles fulfill their ecological roles and critical natural habitats are sustainably managed.
Somos Picnic - Central Valley
You will work in food-insecure neighborhoods helping to bring sustainable nutrition & education to families in need both through direct contact and food banks. Volunteer by helping with the preparation of the food, distribution of meals, and helping to improve the infrastructure of the communal spaces, as well as help with planting community gardens and local beautification projects.
About Somos Picnic
Somos Picnic seeks to promote the relationship between individuals and the collective communities they live in, combining economic growth, environmental protection and social welfare. They work in local communities and have various projects including breakfasts for those experiencing homelessness, grocery delivery for vulnerable families, delivering school supplies for children in need and more!
Activities
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Central Valley, Costa Rica
Kick off the summer with a thrilling whitewater rafting adventure! Taste famous and delicious Costa Rican coffee while learning how it’s grown at the Doka Coffee Plantation and join a Latin dance class.
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Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
Visit the town of La Fortuna and relax in the thermal hot springs. Experience a canyoning adventure surrounded by a beautiful rainforest.
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Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is home to unique wildlife. Go on hikes through the lush cloud forest, zip over the rainforest canopy and challenge the locals to a soccer game!
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Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica
On this retreat, horseback ride to Las Chorreras Waterfall and relaxing at the mud baths. Enjoy some downtime by the pool at our eco-resort. Cool off with a rewarding swim after hiking to a beautiful waterfall.
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Flamingo Beach, Costa Rica
Get ready for professional surf lessons at Tamarindo Beach, you’ll be on the board in no time! Kick back and relax by an evening bonfire on the beach.
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Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
Relax on sandy beaches, go on a sunset sail cruise and enjoy a guided tour with your close friends at this incredibly beautiful National Park. In addition, hike through lush rainforest and view iguanas and the rare white-faced monkeys. Maybe you’ll even see a sloth!
Accommodations
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Central Valley, Costa Rica
Our groups will be staying at a few carefully selected hotels in the Central Valley. Properties include Hotel Adventure Inn and Hotel Aeropuerto. Amenities at all hotels include air conditioning, internet access, and a swimming pool to enjoy.
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Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica
Your group will stay at Hacienda Guachipelin. Facilities include a pool, patio with hammocks, air-conditioned rooms, Wi-Fi, and recreation space.
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Flamingo Beach, Costa Rica
Our group will be staying near Flamingo Beach at Hotel Casas del Toro Hacienda. Amenities at this hotel include air conditioning, internet access and a swimming pool to enjoy.
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Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
Enjoy incredible views of the Cloud Forest while staying in Monteverde at Hotel Don Taco. All rooms have Wi-Fi.
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Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
Your group will stay near the Arenal Volcano at Hotel Lavas del Arenal. This hotel offers great views of the volcano and surrounding area. Rooms are air-conditioned, Wi-Fi enabled, and have refreshing swimming pools.
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La Palma, Costa Rica
Located close to our service project in the town of La Palma, Delfines del Golfo has air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a swimming pool.
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Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
Set amongst this beach resort area on the Pacific Coast, Hotel Mimos offers the ideal location to explore Manuel Antonio Park. The hotel features air-conditioned rooms, a pool, wireless internet, and a restaurant.
About This Program
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What It's Like
The perfect balance of meaningful service projects, cultural immersion and unforgettable adventures.
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Cultural Sensitivity
This program requires an open mind to experience a different culture, new foods and new surroundings.
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70 Service Hours
A letter of completion detailing the program's service hours and projects will be issued after the program.
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Recognition
Your service hours are eligible toward the President's Volunteer Service Award.
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Service Projects
Everybody participates together in each project. Specific projects are confirmed in late spring and are similar to those described.
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Local Guide
A professional guide accompanies the group to assist, educate and immerse the students into the local culture.
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Accommodations
Hotels & lodges.
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Meals
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
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Activities
Includes all recreation & activities listed.
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Transportation
Chartered, air conditioned motor coach with a professional driver.
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Group Size
Up to 24 participants.
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Dietary Options
We can accommodate most dietary preferences and allergies.
More Details
Frequently Asked Questions
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What if I need to contact my teen during the program?
Participants may bring their cell phones so parents may call and message their kids directly. You may also contact our Communication Centers which serve as the official link between programs on the road and parents. We are staffed every day during the summer and have somebody on call for after hours emergencies ready to assist you 24/7.
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Who are the staff and what are their qualifications?
Our staff are educators, guidance counselors, coaches, college and university students, former camp counselors, residence life coordinators, community volunteers, world travelers, and other leaders with diverse backgrounds. Many are former participants themselves who couldn’t get enough of the Westcoast experience! Learn more about our summer leaders.
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How are roommates assigned?
Giving everyone a chance to make new friends creates a cohesive group and the warmest and most welcoming social environments in our industry!
On our Active Teen Tours, Global Adventures and Community Service programs, rooming rotation is as follows:
To promote this we’ve found the best system is for the Program Director to assign the rooms for the first and second stops. For the first stop, independent travelers room with other independent travelers and any friends who enrolled can room together. All participants will be assigned a different roommate for the second stop. After the first two stops, choice of roommates is always up to you!On our Pre-College Enrichment programs & Career Experiences, rooming is as follows:
We assign independent travelers with another independent traveler for the duration of your stay. Any friends who enrolled together can room together.Important notes:
- Depending on the hotel bedding configuration, all friends traveling together may not be able to room together for the first stop.
- Roommates are assigned based on gender identity. We welcome all genders, inclusive of those anywhere on the gender spectrum.
- On a few programs where we spend an extended period of time at the first stop, participants have the opportunity to rotate after the first two nights.