This project was one of the most beautiful things I ever did. In addition to the fact that I enjoyed my time alone and learned a lot about my personality, I was able to meet very nice people from other parts of the world and I stay with beautiful new friendships. I really enjoyed being able to work with children and being able to give them a little of the affection and wisdom that I have to be able to give them a little time of happiness. At the end of the day I think they were my teachers.
Childcare Volunteer Project in Costa Rica - Manuel Antonio
Purpose
Provide a safe space for children to learn and have fun
Start dates
Programs start every Monday
Duration
Choose from 3-24 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 5 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Accommodation
Homestay or Volunteer house
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:
Positive, patient volunteers who enjoy caring for and playing with children. You will be encouraged to use your creativity, be open-minded and ready to pitch in wherever possible. You’ll be teamed up with local staff so no experience is required.
Project details
Young at heart and want to be a Childcare volunteer in Costa Rica - Manuel Antonio? International Volunteer HQ’s Childcare - Manuel Antonio project enables volunteers to help out in daycares and after-school programs that cater to children who may get little care or attention at home. Often these children are not living with their parents and have been taken in by distant relatives who work each day and leave the children to fend for themselves. Volunteers gain experience in childcare while helping provide a safe, structured and supportive environment where children can learn, grow and have fun.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Children in Costa Rica are often abandoned by their immediate families and taken in by more distant relatives. These relatives tend to work and leave the children to their own devices outside of school hours - time which can be unstructured and lonely. After-school initiatives help care for these children and give them the attention they need to develop and thrive.
By volunteering with children, you can not only supplement their education and provide fun activities, but also give them support and nurturing they would not otherwise have. There are plenty of opportunities for volunteers who show initiative, and it can often be that volunteers have a big role to play in helping to run the centres.
Childcare volunteer tasks vary, but generally include:
- Setting up games and activities
- Teaching English
- Cleaning
- Basic personal care education
- Assisting the local staff
Why do Childcare volunteering in Manuel Antonio with IVHQ?
When you volunteer to care for children in Manuel Antonio you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Caring for, nurturing and teaching children
- Helping students develop life skills in a safe place
- Practicing your Spanish
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining childcare experience
- Immersing yourself fully in the Costa Rican way of life
- Discovering Manuel Antonio’s biodiversity
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
- Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document to the local team.
- Volunteers aged 16-18 participating without a parent or guardian can only volunteer for a duration of 12 weeks.
- All volunteers aged 18+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 16 and 17 will need to provide 2 character reference letters to participate.
- 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.
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.
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IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
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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
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
SF
Sandra Femfert Von Der Rosen
23 Sep 2024
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YC
Yianna Christou
03 Jul 2024
I returned with my heart and mind full! I never received so many amazing hugs in one month as I did during my volunteering! I enjoyed every minute and I would strongly reccommend for other people to join.
...
HT
Holly Tyte
21 Dec 2023
This was an amazing experience and I’m so glad that I chose to volunteer with IVHQ. Having done 2 projects (Childcare and Healthcare) I felt I was able to learn so much about different systems in Costa Rica. Staying with a host family was so good to be immersed in the culture and learn more Spanish. I’ve met some incredible people and learned lots more about myself as a person.
...
JS
Jordan Stein
25 Oct 2023
I know it can be intimidating and scary to go all the way across the world on your own, but that is exactly why it is also an amazing experience. It is a perfect opportunity for you to grow as a person and become more comfortable doing hard things in your own skin. You will also have plenty of other volunteers with you going through the same thing and doing it together is such an amazing bonding experience. I made some really close friends in just 4 weeks that I still talk to very frequently now. I was so scared and nervous my first day but I could immediately tell I was going to get comfortable quickly and I certainly did.
I believe that volunteering really showed me everything I have to be grateful for and the beauty of connecting with people from another area of the world. Volunteering showed me that I don't need to solve world hunger or end all global conflicts in order to have a significant impact on people. It can be the smallest actions of connection and teaching that can go so far.
My accommodation was amazing! My host family was so kind and welcoming and really made an effort to make us feel comfortable. They always asked us what they could do to help with planning and our overall experience. They were always so friendly and at the end of the day I always sat down and talked to them for a while. The meals were delicious! I always received more than enough food from my host family. They would always put so much effort and care into their meals. I loved being able to embrace the authentic cuisine.
...
FH
Faith Hockley
31 Oct 2022
My accommodation was amazing as I was able to build a great relationship with the family and we still communicate after I have left. Also, the meals my host family provided for me were amazing. I would tell future volunteers to just do it because it was the best experience ever and they will meet so many people and they definitely won’t regret it.
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AR
Alana Reiss
16 Aug 2022
The biggest impact from the program was giving me confidence as an independent traveler making friends around the world! 100% go - you will be so glad you did and everyone is in the same position as you!
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To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
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 creditRecommended online TEFL course
Recommended online TEFL course
We encourage volunteers on IVHQ’s Teaching and Childcare projects to come prepared by completing some relevant training, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course. Although formal teaching qualifications are not required on these projects as volunteers are supported by local staff, taking a TEFL course enables you to gain more from the experience. Visit our Online TEFL Course page to learn how to gain an internationally recognized TEFL certification at a discounted rate.
Get TEFL certified onlineLocation
Location
Costa Rica is in the true heart of Central America, and halfway down its stunning southwestern coast is the popular tourist destination of Manuel Antonio where several IVHQ projects are located.
Manuel Antonio’s main attraction is 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
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose on the Saturday before your start date. Volunteers who fly into San Jose before midday on Saturday will travel to Manuel Antonio that day. Volunteers who arrive into San Jose after midday on Saturday will spend the night in San Jose and travel to Manuel Antonio on Sunday morning. When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the local team’s offices. This is included in your Program Fee.
We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation. If you are travelling in Costa Rica prior to your program, you can meet the local team in Manuel Antonio on the Saturday before your program starts.
The program orientation is hosted by our Costa Rica team at their offices in Manuel Antonio. Orientation is compulsory to attend and is held on Sunday morning or afternoon, depending on what time you arrive in Manuel Antonio.
Orientation 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
First day
On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.
Weekdays
During the week, you will have a morning or afternoon shift, which will last around 3 to 4 hours. Your volunteer work and hours are dependent on the location and type of project you are participating in. A typical morning schedule is as follows:
| 7:30 - 8:00 AM | Breakfast with your host family. |
| 9:00 AM | Leave home and travel to your placement. You will join the local staff and will receive a duty roster and plan for work. |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch at a local restaurant. |
| 1:00 - 5:00 PM | Work at the placement usually ends. You are free to travel back to your accommodation, go sightseeing or take Spanish lessons. |
| 7:00 PM | Dinner with the host family. |
Weekends
With your weekends free you can strap your boots on and explore the phenomenal natural environment of Manuel Antonio, or choose to put your feet up and relax on the amazingly beautiful tree-lined beaches.
You’ll have the unique opportunity to get well acquainted with the Manuel Antonio National Park where you’ll be able to see a huge array of exotic animals and wildlife including monkeys, sloths, anteaters, ocelots, crocodiles, iguanas, snakes and lizards. It’s also a great spot for birdwatching with the chance to see more than 350 bird species. Outside of the park there’s a wealth of other adventure activities including whitewater rafting, ziplining, snorkeling, hiking, fishing and surfing.
It’s worth noting that Sunday is a religious day of rest and many stores and restaurants will be closed. Costa Ricans tend to devote Sundays to spending time with their family. If you wish, you can accompany your host family to their local church, as a Latin American church service is a unique and special experience for many volunteers.
On long weekends you may choose to travel around the rest of Costa Rica and the many cities, volcanoes, jungles, coffee plantations and beaches which are more than worth a visit.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers who are between the ages of 18 - 27 are accommodated in a larger dorm-style volunteer house that can fit up to 15 volunteers, and is hosted by a local family. Volunteers who are over the age of 27 are accommodated in smaller homestays that can host 2 - 6 volunteers at a time, alongside a local host family.
In all accommodations, living conditions are comfortable and you will have electricity, running water (drinkable) and western bathrooms. Please note, low-pressure showers can be expected and the water is not always heated. Bedrooms are comprised of single beds and bunk beds with bedding provided. Volunteers can expect to share a room with 2 - 6 other volunteers. You will need to bring your own towel and toiletries.
Please note, volunteers under the age of 18 who are traveling solo will be accommodated separately from those over the age of 18, in a homestay. If there are other volunteers under the age of 18 participating at the same time, the local team will do their best to ensure they are accommodated together.
Single occupancy private rooms are available upon request for an additional cost, offering you the ultimate comfort and privacy during your stay.
WiFi is available at the accommodation, and you will also have access to computers and WiFi at the local team’s office.
Meals
Volunteers are provided with breakfast and dinner at their accommodation. Breakfast is usually toast, fruit and eggs accompanied by tea or coffee. Dinner usually includes: meat - typically chicken, starches and vegetables. At almost every meal you’ll be offered Gallo Pinto, the national dish of Costa Rica, which is primarily made of fried rice and beans.
Lunches are not provided to Manuel Antonio-based volunteers, as they are typically away from their accommodation at midday. It is recommended you budget between £4 and £8 per day to buy lunch.
If you have specific dietary requirements, our local teams and homestays can cater to you, however keep in mind that as a volunteer, there is a need to be flexible.
Volunteer accommodation pool
Volunteer accommodation living room
Typical IVHQ volunteer bedroom
Typical IVHQ volunteer bedroom
Typical IVHQ volunteer bedroom
IVHQ volunteers dining
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer dinner
Typical volunteer dinner
Typical volunteer dinner
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$299 (approximately £248), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately £248) 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 FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 3 weeks | $1,255 Equivalent to $60/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,535 Equivalent to $55/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,750 Equivalent to $50/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,965 Equivalent to $47/day |
| 8 weeks | $2,395 Equivalent to $43/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,820 Equivalent to $40/day |
| 12 weeks | $3,250 Equivalent to $39/day |
| 16 weeks | $4,110 Equivalent to $37/day |
| 20 weeks | $4,970 Equivalent to $36/day |
| 24 weeks | $5,830 Equivalent to $35/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately £248) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Costa Rica generally find US$150 - US$200 per week to be sufficient for expenses. Please note this budget is for general expenses and does not include money you will need for any weekend activities you plan to do.
- Airport pick-up
- Return transportation San Jose - Manuel Antonio - San Jose
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- 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.
- Lunch
- Transport to and from your placement each day
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- 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 Manuel Antonio
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 Manuel Antonio 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
£766
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.
£184
Mini Adventure - San Jose
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.
£1044
Spanish language lessons
No need to be fluent in Spanish to join the IVHQ Costa Rica program—but imagine how much more you can get out of your experience by learning some basic Spanish! Our tailored language lessons are designed to meet you at your current level and help you feel more confident in everyday conversations. Classes run Monday to Friday, and the best part? They’re super affordable and available exclusively for IVHQ volunteers. Dive deeper into the culture and make your experience truly unforgettable!
Online lessons:
- 1-hour Private Classes: US$75 (approximately £62) per week
Manuel Antonio Language Lessons:
- 2-hour Small Group Classes: from US$183 (approximately £152) per week
- 1-hour Private Classes: from US$227 (approximately £188) per week
- 2-hour Private Classes: from US$442 (approximately £367) per week
Check what's required to visit Costa Rica
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 above 2000 meters, 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).
Apply to check if you're eligible!
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