Eco-Agriculture Conservation Volunteer Project in Costa Rica
Love coffee and want to do Eco-Agriculture volunteering in Costa Rica’s Central Highlands? International Volunteer HQ’s Eco-Agriculture Conservation project gives volunteers the unique opportunity to learn about Costa Rica’s world-famous coffee industry first-hand. Volunteers work alongside a local coffee farming family to help improve the local harvest and implement sustainable, effective agricultural practices while also respecting local farming methods.
Highlights:
- Programs start every Monday
- Affordable fees from AU$1438 for 2 weeks
- Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
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Help local farmers with family-run coffee productions
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Discover waterfalls, volcanoes and rainforests in Costa Rica
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Get a taste of rural life by staying with a family in the Central Highlands
Key information
This program is ideal for:
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Coffee beans from Costa Rica are recognised as being some of the best in the world and coffee has been a major industry and export for the country since the early 1800s. Past coffee farming practices led to large-scale deforestation and pollution of rivers and have now been outlawed by the Costa Rican government in a move towards a greener future.
The Eco-Agriculture Conservation project is an immersive permaculture experience where you’ll have a hands-on role in supporting a coffee farming family with all stages of production. Volunteers can help implement sustainable, effective practices that help regenerate the environment and combat climate change while also respecting local farming methods.
As an Eco-Agriculture volunteer you’ll need to help out wherever you’re needed and duties will changed depending on the season, but often tasks include:
- Harvesting coffee beans
- Roasting and packaging coffee beans
- Composting
- Replanting
- Clearing grounds for planting
Please note, there is a minimum duration requirement of 2 weeks for this project.
Why do Eco-Agriculture volunteering in Costa Rica with IVHQ?
When you volunteer on a coffee farm in the Central Highlands of Costa Rica you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Supporting sustainable farming practices
- Learning about coffee production
- Practicing your Spanish and helping locals to learn English
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining farming experience
- Immersing yourself fully in the Costa Rican culture
- Discovering the natural beauty of Costa Rica’s Central Highlands
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
- All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
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Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditRead reviews from Eco-Agriculture volunteers in Costa Rica
”I gained this new sense of awareness of how living a humble life is rewarding in many ways. That locals and farmers genuinely find passion and love in their everyday life and work. Seeing this from an outside perspective brings joy and inspiration to do so in your own personal life. You will be challenged in your own ways, maybe adapting to a lifestyle, lear...” read more
Mallee, Australian, 20
Read reviews from Eco-Agriculture volunteers in Costa Rica
Location
IVHQ’s Eco-Agriculture Conservation project is based in the Central Highlands of Costa Rica about four hours from the capital city of San José. The rural area is full of coffee plantations, forests, volcanoes and other natural wonders which make a stunning backdrop for volunteer work and offer many opportunities for adventure.
Arrival and orientation
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San José on the Sunday before your start date. When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in San José. This is included in your Program Fee.
As Eco-Agriculture volunteers you will stay in San Jose on your first night and then take a bus to your placement location; this is included in the Program Fee (as is your return to the local team’s office in San Jose at the conclusion of the program).
If you are travelling in Costa Rica prior to your program, you can meet the local team in San José on the Sunday before your program starts.
Orientation will be held in San José and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Costa Rica – an introduction to Costa Rica, its customs, language training details, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Costa Rica, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.
Volunteer schedule example
Weekdays - A typical schedule might look like this:
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast with your host family and walk to the project site. |
| 9:00 AM | Volunteer work begins. Depending on the season you may be picking or roasting coffee beans, digging and preparing the farm for planting, or working with farm animals. |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch and a long break. |
| 3:00 PM | Continue volunteer work. |
| 6:00 PM | Volunteer work ends. Get driven back to your host family for dinner. |
Weekends
Volunteers on the Eco-Agriculture Conservation project have weekends off to explore the area or relax. The more rural nature of these placements mean there are fewer city conveniences and entertainment options. Instead you can visit Costa Rica’s cloud forests where you might find thousands of different kinds of wildlife and several hundred species of birds and plants, hike up Costa Rica’s tallest mountains, see a plethora of breath-taking waterfalls or enjoy the authentic charm of smaller towns and villages.
Accommodation and WiFi
You’ll get to experience a true cultural immersion experience in a homestay hosted by a local farming family. Conditions in these remote locations are basic but comfortable. Bed linen is provided but you will need to bring your own towel and toiletries. You can typically expect to share a bedroom with 2 - 4 other volunteers of the same gender. Washrooms are shared by all volunteers, and have flush toilets and cold water showers. Due to the tropical environment you can also expect a variety of critters (insects, spiders, etc.) to be present.
WiFi is unavailable at the Eco-Agriculture Conservation site, so we recommend purchasing a local SIM card for an unlocked mobile phone during your program orientation in San José if you want to keep connected.
Meals
Volunteers on the Eco-Agriculture Conservation project are served three meals a day. These will be mainly traditional Costa Rican style dishes and light vegetarian meals like:
- Rice, beans and plantains are common
- Eggs, toast, cereal
- Fruit and vegetables on occasion
- Gallo pinto, casado and fried cheese are common traditional dishes
Breakfast can include toast, cereal and eggs. Tea, coffee, and toast will be available throughout the day. Purified drinking water is also available; we do not recommend that you drink the tap water unless it has been boiled.
If you have special dietary requirements, please let us when you apply so that we can make arrangements for you. However, you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home and need to be as flexible as possible. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of.
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | AU$1438 Equivalent to AU$103/day |
| 3 weeks | AU$2019 Equivalent to AU$96/day |
| 4 weeks | AU$2543 Equivalent to AU$91/day |
| 5 weeks | AU$3004 Equivalent to AU$86/day |
| 6 weeks | AU$3465 Equivalent to AU$83/day |
| 8 weeks | AU$4388 Equivalent to AU$78/day |
| 10 weeks | AU$5310 Equivalent to AU$76/day |
| 12 weeks | AU$6232 Equivalent to AU$74/day |
| 16 weeks | AU$8076 Equivalent to AU$72/day |
| 20 weeks | AU$9920 Equivalent to AU$71/day |
| 24 weeks | AU$11764 Equivalent to AU$70/day |
- Accommodation
- Meals
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on language lessons
- Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately AU$523) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in AUD.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, public transportation to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Costa Rica generally find US$150 - US$200 per week to be sufficient for expenses. For Turtle Conservation and Eco-Agriculture projects, volunteers can bring less spending money as the location is remote and all meals will be provided.
Free-time experiences & tours in Costa Rica
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Costa Rica! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Costa Rica program.
Immerse yourself in Manuel Antonio’s stunning natural beauty and thrilling activities on this 6-day adventure
Embark on a full-day adventure exploring La Paz Waterfall Gardens, an animal sanctuary, and a Poas Volcano Tour, followrd by a Coffee Farm experience.
Experience a comprehensive 6-day Mini Adventure, featuring Arenal Volcano, the Britt Coffee Tour, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, whitewater rafting, and a visit to the pristine Tortuga Island.
Embark on a full-day adventure exploring La Paz Waterfall Gardens, an animal sanctuary, and a Poas Volcano Tour, followrd by a Coffee Farm experience.
Immerse yourself in Manuel Antonio’s stunning natural beauty and thrilling activities on this 6-day adventure
Experience the natural wonder of an active volcano, where you’ll encounter active thermal activity, lush cloud forests, and enjoy easy hikes
Spanish language lessons
Fluency in Spanish is not a prerequisite for the IVHQ Costa Rica program, however, learning basic conversational Spanish will help you maximise the benefit of your program. The language lessons are tailored to each volunteer’s current level of Spanish and classes run from Monday through to Friday. The cost is very affordable and offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers. Please note these lessons are not available on the Holiday Experience, Eco-Agriculture or Turtle Conservation projects.
San Jose Language Lessons:
- 2-hour Small Group Classes: US$145 (approximately AU$230) per week
- 1-hour Private Classes: US$225 (approximately AU$357) per week
- 2-hour Private Classes: US$455 (approximately AU$723) per week
Check what's required to visit Costa Rica
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
| Capital | San Jose |
| Population | 5 million |
| Languages | Spanish |
| Currency | Costa Rican Colón (CRC) |
| Time zone | UTC−06:00 |
Weather and climate: Costa Rica is unequivocally a tropical country. Although you get much cooler temperatures in the mountains, the average annual temperature for most of the country lies between 71°F (21.7°C) and 81°F (27°C). The coolest months are from November through to January, and the warmest months are from March through to May. San Jose stands at approximately 1170 meters altitude and has a mean annual temperature of 69°F (20.6°C).
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