Int’l Internship & Volunteer Network Discover Infinite Possibilities   Discover Costa Rica Independent Programs   San Joaquín de Flores, Heredia and San José    In and around San José and Heredia you will find the heart of the business, political, educational, cultural, health and social services sectors of Costa Rica. From busy downtown streets to the cooler slopes of coffee country, the opportunities for an amazing experience await you!   ~ ~ ~   Program & Placement Opportunities Applicant Requirements Start Dates & Duration Program Fees & Inclusions Application Process ~ Benefits of Participation Other Important Information   ~ ~ ~

Program & Placement Opportunities   Interning or Volunteering in Costa Rica is a great way to get involved, improve the community, make friends, practice your Spanish and learn new skills.    Program opportunities are not limited to the urban centers of San Jose and Heredia.  As one of the top “ecotourism” spots in the hemisphere, with over one third of its territory converted into protected conservation areas and national parks, IIVN also offers you the opportunity to work in conservation management with dedicated professionals and volunteers. Here you are able to help Costa Rica as it faces the challenge of maintaining a balance between increased tourism and preservation of its forests and wetlands.   For those who love history, working with the elderly offers you an unusual opportunity to polish your Spanish while you listen to Costa Rica’s older citizens recount historical memories of the country, in addition to their own lives and adventures.  Contribute directly to the rewarding process of recovering and preserving Costa Rica’s oral tradition as you compile these stories into written testimonials.   Teaching and working in local schools is particularly rewarding and may help to guide you in your future career choices. Private organizations and governmental institutions in Costa Rica allow participants to be involved in a wide range of activities, including teaching English and providing support for teachers in public schools and adult education   Basic assistance in the Red Cross; giving workshops to school children about the importance of recycling; following up a particular interest of yours, perhaps in politics, international relations, human rights, immigration issues or economics through a research project with the National Congress provides a very special opportunity.  Internships related to earthquakes are also available in Costa Rica’s Sismological Observatory, as well as in the related fields of geology, psychology and education in the study and management of natural disasters.  All of these are opportunities available in the Central Valley area of this exciting country.

Following are additional fields of interest that are available:   Agriculture Organic Agriculture Dairy Farms   Business Multinational Companies   Education Public Elementary Schools Public High Schools   Environment Reforestation and Management of River Banks Recycling Turtle Rescue Cooperatives National Parks   Social Service and Health Care Public Hospitals and Clinics - specifically the Cruz Roja and a hospital in Heredia, in which participants may observe and assist in activities related to patient care. Care of the homeless, of which many are mentally challenged. Senior Citizen Care Centers for indigent and drug dependent individuals. Training Centers for families in poverty. Half-Way houses for young girls and adolescent women. Nurseries   Should you not find the field you are most interested in listed, just let us know.  It would be our pleasure to customize a program that would meet your needs!     ~ ~ ~

Start Dates & Program Duration    Our Independent* Programs are offered year-round, and program duration is customized to meet each participants needs.   *Programs are not offered during the Christmas Holiday.   Participation may be extended up to a maximum of 6 months for an additional fee per week.   ~ ~ ~   Accommodations, Meals & Transportation     Accommodations:  Although housing is not included in our independent program fee, we will be happy to provide you with resources and recommendations for options that are affordable, safe and in an area convenient to your placement location. Housing is available in hostels (small hotels), apart-hotels and family homes.      It is the participants’ responsibility to secure and confirm their housing arrangements!   The costs of accommodations vary greatly in Costa Rica, depending on type and location. Family home stays with all meals are approximately $300 USD per month; local hostels with breakfast, furnished apartments and apart-hotels range anywhere from $450 USD to $1000 USD, depending on location and quality.   Participants interested in a family home stay must advise IIVN as soon as possible in order to determine availability.  All family home stays are hand selected and carefully interviewed, in addition to the fact that each maintains established rules related to the use of the house and its facilities, in an effort to ensure that your stay is free of stress.   Meals:  Independent program participants will be on their own for all meals.  Typical Costa Rican food is inexpensive and quite good.  A large lunch or dinner plate is about $5 USD. The food in Costa Rica is as diverse as the international population. There is great Italian, Japanese, French, Mexican, American and of course, Costa Rican food.  Dining out and sampling all of the different cuisine can get expensive.   Transportation:  We are pleased to provide participants with transportation to/from the airport of the host country to their housing location.    In and around Costa Rica, there are multiple means of transportation to choose from. Public and private bus services are very popular and less expensive ways of traveling.  Locally, busses and taxis are the most common ways of getting around town. There are also several airlines that service various airports around the country.          ~ ~ ~

Other Important Information    When planning a trip to Costa Rica, you should budget spending around $500-$1500 USD per month, depending on your housing option and how often you go out. In most cases, this is sufficient to cover your housing, food, transportation and social activities.   Currency Exchange/Bank Machines/ATM's:  Costa Rica’s Currency is the Colón. Although currently the exchange rate is about 525 Colones / us$ 1, it is not fixed and can fluctuate.  Banking Hours are from 9 AM to 6 PM and ATMs are readily available 24 hrs a day.   Language Proficiency & Lessons:  Participants interested in a placement in Costa Rica must possess an intermediate+ Spanish language level.  Language schools are a great way to refresh your skills and learn something new at any level.  Should you be interested in Spanish Language classes prior to or during your program, it would be our pleasure to provide you with information in regard to this.   Vaccinations Required:   We recommend participants personally contact their primary care physician to determine exact vaccinations that are required for their trip.    Additional vaccination information may be found by visiting the following links;   Center for Disease Control - Provides country by country health information for international travel.  Includes vaccine recommendations, health recommendations, updates on disease outbreaks, with descriptions and recommended treatment.   World Health Organization - Can view risks by country or by disease.  Provides vaccination requirements, information on accidents, infectious diseases, and traveler checklist.  Provides health and disease alerts.    Visa:  Participants must obtain a TOURIST VISA to enter Costa Rica.  We strongly encourage participants visit the Costa Rican Embassy web site in their home country for further details in regard to visa & legal document requirements.     ~ ~ ~   Apply for a Program Return to Home Page     ~ ~ ~