I feel I gained a lot more confidence in my ability to travel, make friends, try new things and communicate. This has opened a door where I feel I will definitely continue to travel and explore other projects like this.
Volunteer Summer Camp for Teens in Costa Rica
Purpose
Support local communities
Start dates
Available during summer
Duration
Choose from 1-3 weeks
Volunteer hours
4 hours per day
Age
Volunteers aged 16 and 17
Accommodation
Homestay
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
16 and 17 year old volunteers who want to make a difference abroad, experience a different culture, and make new friends during the summer holidays!
Project details
Are you 16 or 17 years old and wanting to volunteer abroad as a teen in Costa Rica this summer? International Volunteer HQ’s Summer Camp for teen volunteers is a awesome way for 16 and 17 year old volunteers to spend part of their summer holidays contributing towards important community initiatives and learning about Costa Rican culture. Volunteers are able to take part in community volunteering, cultural activities, sports, and tourism activities for 1 - 3 weeks on this special summer camp project.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
The Teen Volunteer Summer Camp is an incredible cultural immersion experience available to solo volunteers aged 16 and 17 and it is fully chaperoned.
Participants will take part in planned activities including volunteering in local community projects, taking salsa lessons, going on cultural adventures, and joining nature tours led by our professional guides and chaperones.
While this project is only available for 16 and 17-year-olds through IVHQ, there may be younger teens participating in the project at the same time.
The Volunteer Teen Camp has two available start dates in June and July 2026. The first is available on June 29th, 2026 and participants can join for a 1 - 3 week duration. The second start date is July 13th for a maximum of 1 week. Each week will take place in a different location:
- Week 1 - Manuel Antonio
- Week 2 - San Jose
- Week 3 - Manuel Antonio
What’s included:
- Counselors 24/7; 8:1 student-counselor ratio
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Program and safety orientation
- Host family accommodations (laundry included)
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, 7 days/week
- All tours and social activities
- Private transportation to/from all activities
- Official volunteer certificate
- Souvenir camp t-shirts (2)
- WiFi and computer lounge
- Salsa dance classes
- Cooking classes
- On-site snack bar
- Institute is open 7 days/week
- Emergency contact number 24/7
Why join the Volunteer Summer Camp in Costa Rica with IVHQ?
When you volunteer as a teen in Costa Rica, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Contributing to community-driven volunteer projects
- Developing your communication skills
- Immersing yourself in Costa Rica’s culture, food, history
- Connecting with local people in an authentic way
- Discovering Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches, national parks and cities
Volunteer requirements
Volunteers need to be 16 or 17 by the time they start the program.
Volunteers will need to provide two character reference letters.
Volunteers aged over 18 on their start date are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
All volunteers must speak English and have adequate volunteer travel insurance.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Costa Rica photo gallery
IVHQ Women's Empowerment project
IVHQ Teen Summer Camp project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Teen Summer Camp project
IVHQ Holiday Experience project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Dentistry project
IVHQ Teen Summer Camp project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Holiday Experience project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Teen Summer Camp project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Teen Summer Camp project
IVHQ Dentistry project
IVHQ Teen Summer Camp project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Holiday Experience project
IVHQ Teen Summer Camp project
IVHQ Holiday Experience project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Teen Summer Camp project
IVHQ Holiday Experience project
IVHQ Holiday Experience project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Medical project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Teen Summer Camp project
IVHQ Dentistry project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Holiday Experience project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Holiday Experience project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Dentistry project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Teen Summer Camp project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Teen Summer Camp project
IVHQ Dentistry project
IVHQ Teen Summer Camp project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Teen Summer Camp project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Dentistry project
IVHQ Teen Summer Camp project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Teen Summer Camp project
IVHQ Holiday Experience project
IVHQ volunteer orientation
Exploring Costa Rica during the weekend
Exploring Costa Rica during the weekend
Exploring Costa Rica during the weekend
Exploring Costa Rica during the weekend
Exploring Costa Rica during the weekend
Exploring Costa Rica during the weekend
Exploring Costa Rica during the weekend
Exploring Costa Rica during the weekend
Exploring Costa Rica during the weekend
Exploring Costa Rica during the weekend
Exploring Costa Rica during the weekend
Exploring Costa Rica during the weekend
Academic course credit
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 creditLocation
Location
The Teen Volunteer Summer Camp in Costa Rica is either based in San José or Manuel Antonio, depending on the week you choose to participate.
San José is Costa Rica’s modern, metropolitan, cultural hub. The capital city has been hailed as one of the most visited destinations in Central America and is the central point for tourists arriving in Costa Rica. It’s got excellent eateries, an interesting variety of museums, markets, shops, parks and nightlife and is only a short trip to any of the numerous natural attractions and adventures in the region.
Manuel Antonio is a popular tourist destination, with its main attraction being a small but glorious national park known for the unparalleled biodiversity found at its forests, beaches and coral reefs. It’s a nature-lover’s paradise and adrenaline junkies will also find plenty of adventure to be had in the surrounding area. The small local population relies on the tourism industry for jobs and economic growth.
Arrival and orientation
Arrival and departure for this project will depend on the start date and duration you select:
Start date #1: June 29th
- 1 week: Arrive - Saturday, 27th June and Depart - Sunday, 5th July 2026
- 2 weeks: Arrive - Saturday, 27th June and Depart - Sunday, 12th July 2026
- 3 weeks: Arrive - Saturday, 27th June and Depart - Sunday, 19th July 2026
*Start date #2: July 13th
- 1 week (maximum): Arrive - Saturday, 11th July and Depart - Sunday, 19th July 2026
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San José. When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in Manuel Antonio, which will take approximately 4 hours. This is included in your Program Fee.
We recommend that participants under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation. If you are traveling in Costa Rica prior to your program, the local team will pick you up at your San José accommodation the day before your orientation.
Volunteer schedule example
The schedule below presents the project plan for 2025. Once the activities for 2026 are finalized, the schedule will be updated accordingly, though it is anticipated to remain largely consistent with the 2025 plan.
WEEK 1 (Manuel Antonio):
| Sunday, June 29th | Transport to Manuel Antonio, lunch, orientation, dinner with host family |
| Monday, June 30th | Surf lessons, volunteering, and salsa class |
| Tuesday, July 1st | Catamaran tour, volunteering, and Jungle Night tour |
| Wednesday, July 2nd | Jungle Zip-line, volunteering, and cooking class |
| Thursday, July 3rd | Scuba Course, volunteering, and karaoke night & language speed tandem |
| Friday, July 4th | Scuba Course, volunteering, and 4th of July celebration |
| Saturday, July 5th | Beach morning, return to San Jose, dinner with host family |
| Sunday, July 6th | Airport drop off, or day with host family for volunteers staying in the country |
WEEK 2 (San José):
| Sunday, July 6th | Airport pick up for new volunteers arriving. Day with host family for volunteers coming from Manuel Antonio |
| Monday, July 7th | La Paz Waterfalls tour and volunteering |
| Tuesday, July 8th | Scavenger hunt, volunteering, and Go Karts |
| Wednesday, July 9th | Coffee Farm tour, volunteering, and cooking class |
| Thursday, July 10th | Volcan Irazu & Sanatorio Duran Tour, volunteering, and traditional Costa Rican dance show |
| Friday, July 11th | Panoramic City tour, souvenir market, volunteering, Karaoke Night & Language Speed Tandem |
| Saturday, July 12th | San Luis Zipline |
| Sunday, July 13th | Airport drop off |
WEEK 3 (Manuel Antonio):
| Sunday, July 13th | Transport to Manuel Antonio, and orientation for week 3 starters |
| Monday, July 14th | Surf lessons, volunteering, and salsa class |
| Tuesday, July 15th | Rainmaker hanging bridges tour,, volunteering and movie night |
| Wednesday, July 16th | Manuel Antonio National Park, volunteering, and cooking class |
| Thursday, July 17th | Scuba Course, volunteering, Costa Rican-style BBQ |
| Friday, July 18th | Scuba Course, volunteering, and Karaoke Night & language speed Tandem |
| Saturday, July 19th | Beach morning, return to San Jose, and souvenir shopping |
| Sunday, July 20th | Airport drop off |
Please note that the schedule may occasionally change due to weather, public or school holidays, or other unforeseen events that could affect your placement. We recommend checking in advance whether your intended travel dates coincide with any public or school holidays.
Accommodation and WiFi
Participants are accommodated in homestays with local families who have been vetted and approved by our local team, and their chaperone is also accommodated in the homestay in a separate room. We have been working with these families for 10+ years and the homestays provide participants with a cultural immersion experience like no other. You will find living conditions are comfortable and you can expect your accommodation to have electricity, drinkable running water and western bathrooms. Low pressure showers are common and the water is not always heated. Rooms are comprised of single and bunk beds and participants typically share a room with 3 - 4 other campers of the same gender.
Meals
Breakfast and dinner are provided by the host families every day, and all lunches are catered by the local team.
As this is an all inclusive camp, participants do not need to budget for things like tours, meals, or activities. However, we typically recommend between US$100 - $150 spending money per week for additional snacks and souvenirs.
Typical volunteer meals
Typical volunteer meals
Typical volunteer meals
Typical volunteer meals
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer dinner
Typical volunteer dinner
Typical volunteer dinner
Volunteer accommodation dining room
Accommodation homestay kitchen
Volunteer accommodation living room
Accommodation homestay living room
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Accommodation homestay bedroom
Accommodation homestay bedroom
Accommodation homestay bedroom
Accommodation homestay bathroom
Accommodation homestay shower
Volunteer accommodation
Accommodation homestay
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$329 (approximately CA$483), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$329 (approximately CA$483) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
|
Duration
|
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $2,395 Equivalent to $342/day |
| 2 weeks | $4,790 Equivalent to $342/day |
| 3 weeks | $7,185 Equivalent to $342/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately CA$483) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- We recommend budgeting between US$100 - $150 per week for spending money if you wish to purchase additional snacks or souvenirs.
- Volunteers are required to bring a credit or debit card with them for emergency use with a suggested minimum available balance of US$2,500. Upon arrival, our local team is happy to store the cards along with students' passports in a safe at their office until their day of departure to avoid loss or theft of these items. Volunteers will be provided with a copy of their passport to keep during the program.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Return transportation to volunteer placement and activities
- Chaperone supervision
- Laundry
- Tours listed in the schedule
- Activities listed in the schedule
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country emergency support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
- 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.
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations (if required)
- Personal spending money for snacks and souvenirs
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in San Jose
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ San Jose program.
Beach and Jungle Mini Adventure - Manuel Antonio
Immerse yourself in Manuel Antonio’s stunning natural beauty and thrilling activities on this 6-day adventure
CA$1355
Coffee & Nature Experience - San Jose
Embark on a full-day adventure exploring La Paz Waterfall Gardens, an animal sanctuary, and a Poas Volcano Tour, followed by a Coffee Farm experience.
CA$326
Costa Rica Classic - 12 Day Tour
Discover Costa Rica on our first-ever Americas tour. This 12-day Costa Rica group tour unveils volcanic vistas, pristine beaches, and diverse wildlife including sloths. From adrenaline-pumping activities to serene moments, experience the perfect blend of nature and culture. Enjoy Costa Rica’s stunning landscapes and vibrant communities on this transformative Central American journey.
CA$3491
Check what's required to visit Costa Rica
Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.
Safety and support
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
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).
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
GJ
Georgina Jones
...
AB
Abigail Barr
I feel that I gained a lot of valuable knowledge and experience with a new culture as well as making a small but important impact on the community around me. I would encourage anyone thinking about volunteering with this program to sign up because it is a super enjoyable and meaningful experience.
...
IH
I-chen Hsieh
This was the first time I stayed so long in Latin America (Costa Rica), so my eyes were open to a brand new continent. I was really lucky to meet so many nice people I now am great friends with and still chat with, and I really liked the overall experience (would probably go visit again). Honestly, my advice is just go. If you physically or emotionally don't like it, it is fine; the local teams have everything you may need and is very familiar with the local environment, and everything will go just fine.
...
SH
Sasha Hagenbuch
I feel like the program helped me understand what it means to actually help a community, and the advice I would give to anyone else is to be open minded.
...
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Apply to check if you're eligible!
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