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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 volunteer with a community in Costa Rica? Our Travel Roots English teaching program is the perfect chance to step into the heart of coastal Costa Rica and help shape brighter futures by teaching English to local children and adults.
This meaningful program invites you to share your language skills in a community where speaking English can open doors to jobs, education, and cross-cultural connection—especially in a region where tourism is key to local livelihoods.
You’ll be based in Matapalo, a peaceful beachside village surrounded by tropical jungle, just a short drive from the vibrant towns of Dominical and Quepos. Here, you’ll work closely with a passionate bilingual team and local families who are eager to learn.
You don’t need to be a certified teacher—just bring your patience, creativity, and willingness to learn. Our experienced staff will provide full training on how to deliver fun and engaging lessons, and you’ll have the freedom to adapt your teaching to suit your strengths.
Whether you're working with eager young learners or helping adults boost their confidence for work in the tourism industry, your role is vital. This isn’t about worksheets and whiteboards—it’s about building trust, celebrating small wins, and making language fun.
Key Activities:
Lead or support conversational English lessons for kids and/or adults
Help create fun, accessible lesson plans and activities
Use games, art, storytelling, or music to bring language to life
Support long-term language learning initiatives with our local team
Encourage participation, confidence, and cultural exchange
And it’s not all about the classroom—after lessons, you’re free to dive into the pura vida lifestyle. Swim, fish, hike, or simply connect with your host community. You’ll also have the opportunity to get involved with other programs and community events if you’re keen.
By volunteering on our English Teaching program in Costa Rica, you will:
Empower local children and adults by improving their access to future opportunities
Gain hands-on experience in cross-cultural education, even with no prior teaching background
Create fun, engaging lessons that boost confidence and communication skills
Live and volunteer in a welcoming coastal village immersed in pura vida lifestyle
Explore Costa Rica’s wild beauty—from hidden waterfalls to jungle hikes and world-class beaches—an unforgettable ethical adventure awaits
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Volunteer English Teacher
Each day as a volunteer English teacher brings a balance of purpose, play, and peaceful routine. You’ll wake up to the sound of ocean waves and howler monkeys, and spend your day helping learners grow in confidence—both in language and in life.
Here’s what a typical day might look like:
7:30 AM – Breakfast
Start your morning with a wholesome breakfast at the volunteer lodge—tropical fruit, local coffee, and time to connect with fellow volunteers.8:00 AM – 11:00 AM – English Classes
Head to the community space to lead or assist in structured English lessons for children or adults. With support from our team, you'll use games, conversation, and storytelling to make language learning fun and accessible.11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Free Time
Relax, explore the local area, or journal in a hammock. This is your moment to breathe before the afternoon gets going.12:00 PM – 1:30 PM – Planning & Prep
Use this time to tidy up, reflect on the morning, and prepare engaging lessons or materials for the following day. It’s also a great window to collaborate with other volunteers and swap ideas.1:30 PM – 2:30 PM – Fresh Lunch
Enjoy a nourishing, plant-based meal made with local ingredients. Meals are served family-style and always shared with good company.2:30 PM – 4:30 PM – After School Kids Camp
Support fun, informal English activities through arts, games, sports, and outdoor play. This is where you’ll really build connections and bring your personality to the program.4:30 PM – 5:30 PM – Sunset & Sea Time
Head down to the beach for golden hour. Walk barefoot in the sand, surf the waves, or simply soak in the view—it’s a daily ritual for the soul.5:30 PM – 7:30 PM – Wind Down
Shower, check in with home, use the Wi-Fi, or unwind in the communal area. It’s your time to rest and reflect.7:30 PM – Dinner
End the day with a hearty, healthy dinner—shared under the stars with new friends who feel more like family.Your Impact as a Volunteer
Choosing to volunteer as an English teacher with Travel Roots is more than just sharing a language—it’s about unlocking opportunities, building confidence, and creating real, lasting change in a local community.
Each lesson you teach, every conversation you have, and every smile you share helps bridge gaps between cultures, generations, and futures. In a region where tourism is a vital livelihood, English skills are more than academic—they’re a lifeline. You’ll be helping children dream bigger, and adults feel empowered to thrive in an evolving world.
You're not just helping others speak English—you’re helping them find their voice. Whether you're supporting a shy child to speak up in class or giving a working parent the words they need to access a new job, your presence becomes a turning point in someone else’s journey.
But your impact doesn’t end at the classroom door. By being here—by listening, laughing, and learning alongside your students—you’ll be part of something deeper: community connection, cultural exchange, and mutual respect.
And in return? You’ll walk away with a stronger sense of purpose, global awareness, and friendships that cross borders.
Your Home in Matapalo
Settle into a peaceful lodge nestled between the beach and the jungle—your home base in Matapalo, a coastal town that feels like a step back in time. With unspoiled beaches, laid-back charm, and tropical gardens all around, this is the perfect place to recharge after a rewarding day of teaching.
Our volunteer rooms are designed for comfort and simplicity, blending naturally with the surroundings while offering everything you need for a restful stay.
What’s Included:
Comfortable rooms with double, twin, or bunk beds
Private bathroom in every room
Air conditioning and fans to keep cool
Fresh linens and towels provided
Evenings are spent catching blazing sunsets, relaxing with fellow volunteers, or gathering around a beach bonfire as the moon rises over the ocean. Life here is calm, connected, and close to nature.
Bring light summer clothes, sunscreen, insect repellent, swimwear, and a flashlight or headlamp—this is tropical living, pure and simple.
Meals & Nutrition
You’ll be served three delicious, healthy meals a day, made with locally sourced ingredients. Our kitchen is known for variety, freshness, and flexibility—we cater to all dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Sample Menu:
Breakfast: Fresh fruit, toast or cereal, eggs, cheese
Lunch: Chicken or eggplant sandwich with local veggies
Dinner: Pasta salad with ham or garlic mushroomsYou’ll also have access to fruit, tea, coffee, and drinking water throughout the day.
Internet Access
Wi-Fi is available at the volunteer lodge, with good access for planning lessons, connecting with loved ones, or sharing your experience online.
History
This project is hosted by one of the most dynamic grassroots initiatives on Costa Ricas Pacific coast. The team was born from local passion and international support, aiming to bring sustainability into daily lifenot just for tourists, but for the community that calls Matapalo home.
By combining ecological goals with long-term social change, they've launched reforestation zones, organic gardens, and community education that truly lasts. The organisation is known for welcoming volunteers as family and giving them tools to contribute in lasting ways.
Mission & Vision
Their mission is simple: to regenerate ecosystems while uplifting communities through shared action, environmental education, and sustainable practices. The long-term vision is a self-sustaining, resilient village where nature thrives and every resident feels
proud to call it home.
Program Fees & What’s Included
Program Fees
Duration Fee (EUR)
4 weeks (min. stay) €1,665
5 weeks €2,089
6 weeks €2,511
7 weeks €2,934
8 weeks €3,333
9 weeks €3,755
12 weeks (max. stay) €5,022
Payment Terms
Fees are due 30 days before your start date.
If applying within 30 days of arrival, full payment is due within 48 hours of confirmation.
Whats Included
✅ Comfortable eco-lodge shared accommodation
✅ 3 plant-based meals daily
✅ Airport pick-up & drop-off
✅ Full orientation & cultural introduction
✅ Daily hands-on conservation & community projects
✅ Waterfall Tour
✅ Surf board rental & surf school
✅ Flexible start dates and free date changes
✅ Expert guidance and training from experienced field professionals.
✅ Welcome pack with all the essential and helpful information
✅ Certificate of completion at the end of your placement
✅ Full support before, during, and after your program
✅ 100% Cancellation Money-Back Guarantee
✅ And so much more...
Your Investment in Education, Community & Yourself
Volunteering on our English Teaching program in Costa Rica isn’t just about sharing knowledge—it’s about building bridges, expanding futures, and connecting deeply with a local community.
Whether you're passionate about education, social impact, or simply seeking a meaningful way to give back, this experience will leave a lasting imprint on both your journey and the lives you touch.
Your program fees help directly support:
Free English classes for children and adults in underserved communities
Creation of inclusive, engaging learning materials and spaces
Long-term language learning initiatives to increase job opportunities
Training, employment, and fair wages for local Costa Rican staff
Strengthening of local infrastructure that supports education and tourism
By joining us, you’re helping empower individuals through language—and becoming part of a global movement that values knowledge, equity, and cultural connection.
Where You’ll Be – The Lush Coastal Haven of Matapalo
Tucked along the untouched Pacific coast of southern Costa Rica, Matapalo is a tiny beachside village where the jungle meets the sea, and nature sets the rhythm of the day. With howler monkeys in the trees and sunsets that paint the sky in orange, this is a place that feels both grounded and magical.
Your volunteer base is nestled just steps from the black-sand beach and surrounded by dense tropical forest—one of the most biologically rich environments in the world. The lodge is simple, welcoming, and perfectly placed for early morning beach walks, wildlife spotting, or winding down after a rewarding day of hands-on work.
Although peaceful and remote, Matapalo is just a short drive from the lively surf town of Dominical and within reach of waterfalls, national parks, and local markets. Whether you want adventure, reflection, or connection—you’ll find it here.
Costa Rica – A Beacon of Biodiversity and Balance
Costa Rica is globally renowned for its commitment to conservation, peace, and sustainable living. Though small in size, it holds more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity—making it one of the most ecologically diverse places on Earth.
This is a country that actively protects over a quarter of its land, with national parks, marine reserves, and rewilding zones inviting you to explore and learn. As a volunteer, you’re not just visiting—you’re contributing to the very systems that keep this paradise thriving.
But Costa Rica’s heart lies in its people. Warm, community-oriented, and deeply connected to nature, the Tico way of life is simple, kind, and refreshingly real. Expect friendly smiles, delicious plant-based meals, and cultural richness that flows through everything—from music to storytelling, from farming to fiestas.
The climate is tropical and inviting year-round. Think sun-soaked mornings, the occasional afternoon downpour to keep things green, and cooler evenings filled with the sounds of frogs, waves, and forest creatures.
Whether you come for the wildlife, the people, the mission—or all three—you’ll find Costa Rica gets under your skin in all the best ways.
Your downtime in Matapalo is an adventure in itself—explore the best of Costa Rica’s coast and jungle, all within easy reach.
Surfing in Dominical – 15 mins away
Catch waves at one of Costa Rica’s top surf spots, perfect for beginners and pros alike.
Nauyaca Waterfalls – 40 mins away
Hike through rainforest trails to reach dramatic twin waterfalls with natural pools for swimming.
Marino Ballena National Park – 30 mins away
Discover beaches, rainforest trails, and the famous Whale’s Tail sandbar, with regular wildlife sightings.
Kayaking at Hacienda Barú – 20 mins away
Paddle through serene mangrove ecosystems while spotting birds, monkeys, and reptiles.
Playa Ventanas Snorkelling – 35 mins away
Explore sea caves and tide pools at this quiet beach known for its unique rock formations.
Cooking & Spanish in Uvita – 25 mins away
Join a local cooking class or brush up on your Spanish with fun, interactive lessons.
Manuel Antonio National Park – 1 hour away
Spend the day hiking lush jungle paths and relaxing on postcard-worthy beaches.
Bonfires & Cultural Nights – Onsite
Evenings bring beach bonfires, music, and connection under Matapalo’s star-filled skies.
