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You’ll be matched with your personal volunteer travel expert who’ll guide you every step of the way.
Meet Your Travel Expert
Receive your welcome pack with everything you need: arrival info, contacts, visa and insurance help, packing tips, vaccines, language basics, and so much more.
Get Ready to Go!
Choose your dream project and apply for free—no commitment, just excitement!
Pick Your Destination & Apply
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Once your dates are confirmed, pay your program fee—choose to pay in full or in easy installments.
Secure Your Spot
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Want to support early childhood learning while living in one of the world’s most vibrant and nature-rich countries? Our Day Care Centre Program in Costa Rica gives you the opportunity to assist with the care and development of young children in low-income communities—bringing play, learning, and compassion into their daily lives.
Volunteers work alongside local staff at community-run day care centres, helping to care for children aged 2 to 6. With limited resources and high child-to-caregiver ratios, your support helps ensure each child receives the attention, encouragement, and stimulation they need to grow and thrive.
Key Activities:
Assist caregivers with daily routines, feeding, and hygiene
Lead creative activities such as arts, crafts, and music
Organise games that support motor skill development and teamwork
Help teach numbers, colours, shapes, and basic language
Support storytime, songs, and early learning activities
Offer care and emotional support to individual children
Maintain a clean, safe, and stimulating play environment
This is a perfect role for anyone passionate about early childhood development, care work, or simply making a heartfelt difference in young lives. No experience is required—just patience, energy, and a genuine love for working with children.
By volunteering on our Day Care Centre Program in Costa Rica, you will:
Provide valuable one-on-one attention to children in under-resourced communities
Help lay the foundation for lifelong learning through play and creative activities
Build cross-cultural communication and childcare skills
Work closely with local caregivers and become part of a warm community
Make a real impact on the lives of young children and their families
Explore Costa Rica’s breathtaking nature, beaches, and culture during your free time
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Day Care Volunteer
Every day in the day care centre is filled with smiles, energy, and meaningful connection. As a volunteer, you’ll become a familiar face in the lives of young children—guiding them through learning and play while giving local staff the extra support they truly need.
Here’s what a typical weekday might look like:
7:00 AM – Breakfast at the Volunteer House
Start your morning with a relaxed, home-cooked breakfast alongside fellow volunteers.8:00 AM – Arrival at the Day Care Centre
You’ll head to your placement, either by walking or using local transport, depending on the location. Greet the staff and prepare for the day ahead.8:30 AM – Circle Time & Morning Activities
Join in singing songs, reading picture books, and introducing simple lessons on colours, numbers, or animals.10:00 AM – Snack Time & Outdoor Play
Help distribute healthy snacks before heading outside. Play games, supervise play areas, or organise group activities to get kids moving and socialising.11:00 AM – Creative Time
Lead or assist with hands-on learning—drawing, painting, making crafts, or doing puzzles that develop fine motor skills and creativity.12:00 PM – Lunch & Midday Break
Children break for lunch and some rest, and you’ll return to the volunteer house for your own meal and downtime.2:00 PM – Afternoon Session (Optional)
Depending on your schedule and the centre’s needs, you might return for a shorter afternoon shift with quieter activities like storytime or guided play.4:00 PM – Free Time
Your afternoons are free to explore, relax at the guesthouse, or join local excursions.Evenings & Weekends
Evenings are flexible—enjoy dinner, socialise with other volunteers, or participate in cultural workshops. On weekends, take trips to the beach, explore volcanoes, visit wildlife sanctuaries, or immerse yourself in the local town life.No two days are the same—but every moment is filled with connection, care, and the joy of making a difference.
Your Impact as a Volunteer
Volunteering in a local day care centre may seem simple—but the impact is profound. In many Costa Rican communities, day care centres are underfunded and understaffed. By offering your time, attention, and creativity, you’re giving these children something invaluable: the chance to learn, laugh, and feel truly seen.
Whether you’re singing songs, playing games, or simply offering a comforting smile, you help create a nurturing space where children can grow with confidence. Your presence allows local caregivers to focus more effectively, easing their daily workload and improving the quality of care for every child.
But your impact doesn’t end at the centre. By being there—open, engaged, and respectful—you model positive cross-cultural exchange and show these communities that the world is full of people who care.
This experience gives you more than memories. It gives you purpose, connection, and the powerful knowledge that your time has helped shape young lives for the better.
Your Home in Costa Rica
As a volunteer, you’ll stay in a welcoming, shared guesthouse located in a safe and convenient area near your project site—either in Escazú (San José region) or in the coastal town of Playas del Coco in Guanacaste. Both locations offer comfort, community, and easy access to shops, markets, and public transport.
Sleeping Arrangements
Rooms are shared with fellow volunteers of the same gender, usually in bunk-bed style accommodations. The homes are kept clean and are well-ventilated, with fans provided for warm nights. Bathrooms are shared and cleaned regularly.What’s Provided
Bed linens
Access to a shared kitchen
Wi-Fi
Shared bathrooms with hot water
Common lounge or patio area
Meals & Nutrition
Volunteers are responsible for purchasing and preparing their own meals. This gives you the freedom to shop locally and cook your own dishes—perfect for embracing the fresh fruits, vegetables, and delicious local ingredients available in nearby markets. For those who prefer to eat out, there are plenty of restaurants, cafés, and affordable food stalls offering Costa Rican classics and international options.Community Living
Staying in shared accommodation allows you to bond with fellow volunteers, swap stories, and support each other during your time in Costa Rica. It’s a simple, social, and sustainable way to live.History
Since 2004, our trusted local partners have welcomed volunteers from around the world to support both ecological and social change across Costa Rica. What began as a small, family-run initiative has grown into a network of deeply impactful programs rooted in compassion, community, and action. With bases in Escazú (San José) and Playas del Coco (Guanacaste), they’ve built long-standing relationships with day care centres, schools, rescue centres, and conservation areas throughout the country.
Driven by the belief that meaningful change starts at the grassroots level, they’ve empowered hundreds of volunteers to become part of Costa Rica’s future—supporting children, wildlife, and local communities in ways that are ethical, sustainable, and heartfelt.
Mission & Vision
Their mission is to make a tangible difference in the lives of Costa Rica’s people and animals by combining hands-on volunteer work with community-driven solutions. From nurturing young minds to protecting endangered wildlife, every project is powered by the spirit of collaboration and respect for Costa Rican culture.
They envision a world where volunteers are not just helpers—but catalysts for long-term impact. Your time, energy, and curiosity are met with open arms and total dedication. In return, they promise to support your journey with all the tools, knowledge, and heart they have—because together, real change is possible.
Program Fees & What’s Included
Program Fees
Duration Fee (EUR)
1 week €320
2 weeks €640
3 weeks €960
4 weeks €1,280
5 weeks €1,600
6 weeks €1,920
8 weeks €2,560
10 weeks €3,200
15 weeks €4,800
20 weeks €6,400
25 weeks €8,000
Combined Projects
Want to combine this childcare project with another Costa Rica program (like sea turtle conservation or public school teaching)? No problem—just add €25 total for coordination and logistics.Payment Terms
Program fees are due 30 days prior to your start date.
If applying within 30 days of arrival, full payment is due within 48 hours of confirmation.
What’s Included
Your program fee covers everything needed to support both your experience and the meaningful work you’ll be doing:
✔️ Shared accommodation near your project site in Escazú or Guanacaste
✔️ Airport pickup and drop-off to ensure a safe, supported arrival
✔️ Onboarding & orientation with local coordinators to prepare you for impact
✔️ 24/7 in-country support from an experienced and passionate local team
✔️ Project placement and supervision to guide your day-to-day activities
✔️ Access to kitchen facilities, Wi-Fi, and common spaces
✔️ Welcome pack with important local insights and safety info
✔️ Date flexibility and free rebooking options
✔️ Certificate of completion to celebrate your volunteer journey
✔️ 100% Money-Back Guarantee if you need to cancel
✔️ And so much more—because your journey should be as unforgettable as your impactYour Investment In Local Children and In Your Future
This isn’t a gap in your career—it’s a leap forward. Your time, energy, and fees don’t just support a childcare centre. They give children in under-resourced communities the consistency, care, and connection they deserve. You’ll help create a safe and stimulating environment where young minds can grow in confidence, creativity, and compassion.
But just as you’re showing up for them, this program shows up for you.
From the moment you arrive, you’ll be gaining real-world experience in early childhood development, leadership, teamwork, and intercultural communication. You’ll challenge your comfort zone, build confidence, and leave with deeper emotional intelligence and a global perspective that lasts far beyond your time in Costa Rica.
This is an investment in your story—and theirs.
Where You’ll Be – Escazú or Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Depending on the project location, you'll be based either in Escazú, just outside the capital of San José, or in the beautiful Guanacaste region near Playas del Coco—each offering a completely unique flavour of Costa Rica.
Escazú offers a perfect blend of urban convenience and local culture, perched in the foothills with panoramic views over the Central Valley. You'll find bustling markets, friendly cafés, and quick access to both the city and nature escapes. Guanacaste, on the other hand, brings you closer to the Pacific coast’s golden beaches and laid-back surf-town vibe, where the rhythm of life slows and sunsets steal the show.
Both locations are well-connected, safe, and surrounded by natural beauty—whether it’s the mountains near San José or the ocean breeze of the northwest coast.
Costa Rica – A Nation Rooted in Nature and Community
Costa Rica is a small country with a mighty reputation. Known for its lush rainforests, pristine coastlines, and eco-conscious lifestyle, it's a place where "Pura Vida"—the pure life—is more than a saying. It’s a way of being.
You'll be living and volunteering in a country that leads the world in sustainability, peace, and happiness. The people are warm, family-oriented, and proud of their culture. Traditional meals, joyful music, and vibrant festivals are just part of everyday life here.
Whether you're hiking in cloud forests, learning Spanish with locals, or sipping fresh coconut water by the sea, Costa Rica offers a safe, welcoming, and inspiring setting for your volunteer journey.
Volunteering in Escazú offers not only meaningful engagement with local communities but also the opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich cultural and natural landscapes of Costa Rica's Central Valley during your free time. Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, the area provides a variety of activities to enhance your experience.
Explore the Cerros de Escazú
Embark on hikes through the Cerros de Escazú, a mountain range offering trails to peaks like Cerro Rabo de Mico. These hikes provide panoramic views and a chance to experience the region's diverse flora and fauna.
Visit Local Markets and Cultural Sites
Stroll through the Saturday farmers market behind the Iglesia San Miguel Arcángel to sample local produce and crafts. Explore the town's rich history by visiting traditional churches and adobe houses that reflect Escazú's colonial heritage.
Cultural Experiences in San José
Take a short trip to nearby San José to visit the National Museum of Costa Rica, the National Theater, and the Central Market. These sites offer insights into the country's history, art, and culinary traditions.
Outdoor Adventures at Hacienda La Chimba
Just a short drive away, Hacienda La Chimba in Santa Ana offers hiking trails, zip-lining, and a cultural coffee experience. It's an ideal spot for those seeking both adventure and cultural immersion.
Relaxation and Socializing
Unwind at local cafes or your accommodation, enjoying the serene environment and connecting with fellow volunteers.
These activities provide a well-rounded experience, allowing you to contribute to meaningful projects while exploring the diverse offerings of Escazú and its surroundings.
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