Volunteer Programs in Central America
232 Volunteer Programs in Central America
International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 9...
See All 20 ProgramsMAXIMO NIVEL
Maximo Nivel is a locally based organization in Costa Rica, Guate...
See All 13 ProgramsGoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with awa...
See All 21 ProgramsKaya Responsible Travel
Be a part of the conservation and protection of sea turtles in Co...
See All 4 ProgramsImpact Gap Year
Take on an 8-month trip of adventure, community service, and comm...
See All 3 ProgramsRaleigh International
Joining a Raleigh Costa Rica Expedition is a truly unique experie...
See All 5 ProgramsRoots Interns
Calling all aspiring wildlife conservationists! If you want to ex...
See All 13 ProgramsGapforce
Adventure and animal lovers rejoice! Alongside its stunning jungl...
Encounter My Way
Join us in Osa, Costa Rica, for an unforgettable volunteer experi...
Constru Casa
Join Constru Casa and become part of a life-changing mission to b...
Jakera: Learn Spanish, Volunteer and Adventure
The lively beach town of Santa Teresa in Costa Rica is world famo...
See All 3 ProgramsLove Volunteers
This vital project was created to improve the English-speaking ab...
See All 8 ProgramsGVI
Take part in this wildlife conservation expedition and be an acti...
See All 7 ProgramsVolunteer World
Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find ...
See All 9 ProgramsWorld Endeavors
World Endeavors offers exciting programs that allow participants ...
Global Leadership Adventures
Travel to Costa Rica and make a difference in a subject area you ...
Rustic Pathways
Costa Rica is where adventure, service, cultural immersion, and t...
Travel For Teens
Join us in Costa Rica for unforgettable memories and valuable ser...
See All 10 ProgramsPutney Student Travel
Travel to Costa Rica, a model of conservation and biodiversity, a...
See All 2 ProgramsAIFS Abroad
Spend a semester or academic year in the lively capital of San Jo...
Arcos Journeys Abroad
Travel to Costa Rica for a program rich in community service and ...
GoBeyond Student Travel
Travel to Costa Rica with GoBeyond to help improve the harsh cond...
Intercultura Costa Rica
In addition to our Spanish programs, we offer volunteer projects ...
Globalteer
Contribute to the Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Costa Rica, ...
Greenheart Travel
Step into the rich tapestry of Costa Rican agriculture and rural ...
ARCC Programs
Venture to some of the world’s most exotic and intriguing regions...
FutureSense Foundation
Length: 4-6 months | Intakes: January 2026 Join the Global Leade...
WorldStrides
San José, the capital city, is in the central valley of the Costa...
Westcoast Connection
Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! Westcoast Connection offers a variety o...
World Unite!
Due to Nicaragua's social conditions, many children and youth lac...
Discover Corps
The Corcovado National Park, where you will find the Osa Peninsul...
Global Work & Travel
Think of an animal cuter than a sloth. Hard, right? We agree! Her...
See All 3 ProgramsThe National Registration Center for Study Abroad
Study Spanish and volunteer in one of a variety of projects in Co...
Pacific Discovery
Uncover the spirit of Central America on a 10-week journey throug...
See All 3 ProgramsGlobal Impact Homes
Join a life-changing Volunteer Build Week with Global Impact Home...
Involvement Volunteers International
Volunteer in this program and work alongside local organizations ...
See All 6 ProgramsBright Light Volunteers
Learn, serve, and lead with Bright Light Volunteers in a country ...
Operation Wallacea
Operation Wallacea is a research and environmental organisation, ...
Volunteers For Peace
Join us for the adventure of a lifetime! Volunteers For Peace (a ...
Outward Bound Costa Rica
We believe that the best things in life are personalized; so we’v...
See All 2 ProgramsLoop Abroad
Loop Abroad offers both a one-week and two-week version of the Se...
Green Life Volunteers
Green Life Volunteers is a registered non-profit organization or ...
See All 2 ProgramsVolunteering Journeys
Sign-up for our medical volunteering programs abroad if you are a...
See All 4 ProgramsOyster Worldwide
Spend some time in the wild coastal areas of Costa Rica, working ...
Bilingual Education for Central America (BECA)
BECA exists to provide quality, affordable bilingual education to...
See All 2 ProgramsAmigos de las Américas
AMIGOS offers students a transformative summer in Costa Rica, ble...
See All 3 ProgramsGlobal Citizen Adventure Corps
Guatemala’s storied history and rich culture will come to life on...
See All 5 ProgramsGIVE Volunteers - Growth International Volunteer Excursions
Embrace "pura vida" and travel across the country of Costa Rica. ...
Globe Aware
Costa Rica is a cultural and natural paradise, but most travelers...
See All 3 ProgramsGlobal Dental Relief
Global Dental Relief's Guatemala clinic kicks off in Antigua, the...
United Planet
Volunteer in Costa Rica and immerse in the nation’s “Pura Vida” l...
See All 2 ProgramsGive & Surf
Give & Surf is committed to empowering the local communities of B...
Friends of San Lucas
The primary work of Long-Term Volunteers (LTVs) is to accompany v...
A Broader View Volunteers Corp
Volunteer in Costa Rica with A Broader View Volunteers, a highly ...
See All 2 ProgramsINLEXCA
This program is designed to help children who need it the most. W...
See All 11 ProgramsGlobal Works
Global Works specializes in service trips and educational experie...
See All 2 ProgramsSea Turtle Conservancy
Embark on an exciting journey that combines travel and conservati...
Macaw Recovery Network
Join us in preserving endangered parrot species at our Macaw Bree...
Viva Nicaragua! Abroad
What if 2026 were the year you stopped waiting and started doing?...
See All 3 ProgramsFundación La Niñez Primero
Choose between 2 volunteer program activities: Hospital Playgrou...
Wildlife Sense
Join the effort to protect sea turtles in Costa Rica with Wildlif...
Inter-Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE UK)
Volunteering with ICYE UK is a transformational experience with r...
Unidas Para Vivir Mejor
Volunteer with UPAVIM and support our mission to empower the wome...
NPH USA
Do you love children? Are you interested in serving in Latin Amer...
Do Guatemala
Volunteer in Quetzaltenango – Help Out, Stand Out Ready to do s...
See All 3 ProgramsPlanet Conservation Volunteers
This project, implemented in 2019, is vital to the national progr...
See All 2 ProgramsMEDLIFE
Classic Service Learning Trips (SLTs) are week-long, immersive ed...
See All 3 ProgramsDeveloping World Connections
Mark your calendars for November 9th to November 23rd, 2024, beca...
See All 2 ProgramsAnimal Experience International
Discover the Wildlife Rescue Centre program in Guatemala, a sanct...
EWE Tours
Serve as a volunteer in Guatemala, helping to build a new home fo...
Local Hope Guatemala
Volunteer with Local Hope Guatemala in a meaningful program that ...
See All 2 ProgramsComunidad Connect
Join our wonderful program in the heart of Nicaragua’s coffee-gro...
Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder
This program offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in t...
Natucate
Join our sea turtle conservation program in the stunning Pacific ...
See All 4 ProgramsLong Way Home
Of the 97% indigenous Mayan Kaqchikel in the rural town of Comala...
MEMANTA
Become a part of our conservation effort on a remote beach in Nic...
Forever Changed International
Ready to serve in Guatemala but not ready to organize a big team ...
The Fuller Center for Housing
A Global Builders trip to El Salvador gives the opportunity to he...
WorkingAbroad Projects
We offer the opportunity to lend a hand in the care of rescued wi...
A Guide to Volunteering Abroad in Central America
Locations
Costa Rica is the most popular Central American country for international volunteers, offering a laid-back pura vida lifestyle, friendly locals, and countless opportunities for volunteering in education, conservation, medical care, community development, and more. Since abolishing the army in 1948, Costa Rica remains a peaceful oasis in the midst of the other often turbulent Central American countries, and the centrally-located capital city of San Jose provides a common placement location or home-base for volunteer organizations in Costa Rica.
A strong emphasis on education in Costa Rica has contributed to a literacy rate that ranks as one of the highest in Latin America (95 percent), and the ever-growing tourism industry creates a constant demand for English instruction for students of all ages. Ticos (Costa Ricans) are also extremely passionate about their incredibly biodiverse ecosystem and upholding high standards of environmentalism.
Guatemala. While Costa Rica is ideal for volunteers passionate about the environment, Guatemala is the place for those with a desire to impact the lives of those less fortunate. With over forty percent of the population being of Mayan descent, Guatemala remains the indigenous heartland of Central America. Unfortunately, Guatemala is known for more than its hippie vibe and magical landscape that ranges from Central America’s deepest lake to mountainous highlands.
Its reputation for crime, corruption, and poverty create a significant need for volunteers looking for a rewarding experience. The capital, Guatemala City, is a popular location for volunteer programs in Guatemala focused on teaching and playing with children or caring for abandoned cats and dogs, while outlying rural areas are more common when volunteering in health care clinics or conservation efforts.
Honduras. While the ancient ruins, surfing waves, and snorkeling spots rival any Central American country, Honduras’ poverty rate tops the charts at sixty percent, just barely surpassing Guatemala and making it the most impoverished country in Central America. Additionally, natural disasters and gang activity are two factors volunteers should always get up-to-date information on before departing to any Honduran destination, although volunteers are a readily welcomed addition to the numerous rehabilitation programs benefiting the Honduran economy and local communities. From Tegucigalpa, the country’s capital, to tiny rural villages, volunteers can find volunteer placements in Honduras related to construction, health care, teaching English, and working in orphanages or care centers.
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