Where
Esparza, Costa Rica
When
Weekly departures, year-round (except closure periods)
Duration
Minimum 1 week
Accommodation
Shared or private rooms in a volunteer house with meals included
Language
English or Spanish (beginner level recommended)
Ideal for
Those seeking an immersive experience that combines teaching, nature and direct cultural exchange with the local community.
Project details
In Esparza, the project supports local schools by providing assistance to teachers and new learning opportunities for students.
Esparza is a small agricultural town off the tourist trail, where life moves slowly amid nature, horses in the streets and tight-knit communities. Here, many students have few opportunities to practise English, even though it is an increasingly sought-after skill for the future. That's why local schools welcome volunteers who can work alongside teachers, bringing fresh energy and inspiration to the classroom.
The project was born out of a desire to strengthen language learning while building bridges between different cultures. As a volunteer, you'll work side by side with local teachers, introduce hands-on and creative activities, and experience the daily life of a rural Costa Rican community first-hand — learning just as much as you teach.
The project was born out of a desire to strengthen language learning while building bridges between different cultures. As a volunteer, you'll work side by side with local teachers, introduce hands-on and creative activities, and experience the daily life of a rural Costa Rican community first-hand — learning just as much as you teach.
Teach Languages in Rural Costa Rica
In Esparza, the project supports local schools by providing assistance to teachers and new learning opportunities for students.
Esparza is a small agricultural town off the tourist trail, where life moves slowly amid nature, horses in the streets and tight-knit communities. Here, many students have few opportunities to practise English, even though it is an increasingly sought-after skill for the future. That's why local schools welcome volunteers who can work alongside teachers, bringing fresh energy and inspiration to the classroom.
The project was born out of a desire to strengthen language learning while building bridges between different cultures. As a volunteer, you'll work side by side with local teachers, introduce hands-on and creative activities, and experience the daily life of a rural Costa Rican community first-hand — learning just as much as you teach.
The project was born out of a desire to strengthen language learning while building bridges between different cultures. As a volunteer, you'll work side by side with local teachers, introduce hands-on and creative activities, and experience the daily life of a rural Costa Rican community first-hand — learning just as much as you teach.
Why participate
Share Your Skills
Work alongside local teachers and bring fresh energy to the classroom, helping students improve their English through hands-on and creative methods.
Why participate
Share Your Skills
Work alongside local teachers and bring fresh energy to the classroom, helping students improve their English through hands-on and creative methods.
Immerse Yourself in Costa Rican Life
Live in an authentic town off the tourist trail, discovering the everyday life and traditions of a rural community.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
From Monday to Friday, the days are spent between school lessons, activities with students and exchanges with local teachers.
Afternoons are often dedicated to preparing lessons, with the opportunity to introduce creative ideas and methods alongside support from on-site coordinators.
07:30Breakfast at the centre and preparing for the day
08:00Heading to school and first lessons with the students
11:30Break time, chats and free time with the kids
13:00Lunch at school or at the centre with the group
15:00Afternoon activities: games, sports or creative workshops
19:00Dinner, relaxing in the common areas and an evening together
Weekend
Weekends are free from scheduled activities. You can explore the area, join small excursions or relax with the other volunteers.
Surfing day in Puntarenas
Just 20 minutes from the centre, perfect beaches await for trying out surfing or simply relaxing in the sun.
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FAQs
🌴 Your Accommodation in Esparza
During your experience in Costa Rica you'll stay in one of the centre's two eco-friendly houses: the Jaguar House or the Toucan House. Both are nestled in a large tropical garden with palms, papayas, banana trees and citrus — a true little natural paradise 🍃
🛏️ Rooms & Comfort
• Shared rooms (2–4 people of the same gender)
• Bunk beds, lockable doors and bedding provided
• Option for a private room or couple/family room (with surcharge)
• 2 shared bathrooms per house, with ambient-temperature showers and western-style toilets
• Mosquito nets included; bring your own towels and toiletries
🍽️ Meals
• 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 on weekends (brunch + dinner)
• Costa Rican cuisine with modern touches
• Vegetarian options available on request
• Free drinks: water, tea and coffee
🪴 Common Areas
The houses share a large communal room used as a dining area and relaxation zone, with a ping-pong table and free Wi-Fi in common areas. It's the heart of social life: where you eat together, laugh, play and build connections with volunteers from around the world.
🧺 Practical Services
Paid laundry service available. Sheets and mosquito nets included. For a reliable connection, you can purchase an eSIM with Airalo before departure.
🛏️ What's Included
• Shared or private rooms (on request)
• 3 meals on weekdays / 2 on weekends
• Free drinks (water, tea, coffee)
• Wi-Fi in common areas
• Tropical garden and relaxation spaces
• Rooms with lockable doors
• Ongoing support from the local team
💚 Living Together
The volunteer house isn't a hotel — it's a temporary family. Between shared meals and evenings in the tropical garden, you'll experience the true essence of Costa Rica: community, simplicity and pura vida 🇨🇷
During your experience in Costa Rica you'll stay in one of the centre's two eco-friendly houses: the Jaguar House or the Toucan House. Both are nestled in a large tropical garden with palms, papayas, banana trees and citrus — a true little natural paradise 🍃
🛏️ Rooms & Comfort
• Shared rooms (2–4 people of the same gender)
• Bunk beds, lockable doors and bedding provided
• Option for a private room or couple/family room (with surcharge)
• 2 shared bathrooms per house, with ambient-temperature showers and western-style toilets
• Mosquito nets included; bring your own towels and toiletries
🍽️ Meals
• 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 on weekends (brunch + dinner)
• Costa Rican cuisine with modern touches
• Vegetarian options available on request
• Free drinks: water, tea and coffee
🪴 Common Areas
The houses share a large communal room used as a dining area and relaxation zone, with a ping-pong table and free Wi-Fi in common areas. It's the heart of social life: where you eat together, laugh, play and build connections with volunteers from around the world.
🧺 Practical Services
Paid laundry service available. Sheets and mosquito nets included. For a reliable connection, you can purchase an eSIM with Airalo before departure.
🛏️ What's Included
• Shared or private rooms (on request)
• 3 meals on weekdays / 2 on weekends
• Free drinks (water, tea, coffee)
• Wi-Fi in common areas
• Tropical garden and relaxation spaces
• Rooms with lockable doors
• Ongoing support from the local team
💚 Living Together
The volunteer house isn't a hotel — it's a temporary family. Between shared meals and evenings in the tropical garden, you'll experience the true essence of Costa Rica: community, simplicity and pura vida 🇨🇷
🛡️ Safety & Support
In Costa Rica, safety comes first 🌿 We work only with trusted local organisations to ensure a peaceful and well-organised experience, both at the educational centres and at the volunteer house.
🔹 Participant screening
Every volunteer must provide a criminal record certificate before departure — we'll guide you through the process step by step. It's a simple but important requirement to ensure a positive and safe environment.
🔹 High safety standards
• Daycare centres and schools selected using rigorous criteria
• Quiet areas with controlled access
• Local staff always present and trained
• Established welcome procedures refined over the years
🔹 24/7 Support
From the moment you arrive at the airport to the time you head home, you can count on a team that is always reachable. Local staff are available in the evenings and at weekends, and the our team is always just a WhatsApp message away 📞
🔹 Training and orientation
On your first day you'll receive a full orientation covering rules, culture and communal living. Before departure, we'll also send you a helpful guide to help you prepare.
🔹 Good practices for peace of mind
✔ Avoid going out alone at night
✔ Travel with other volunteers
✔ Always follow the advice of the local team
💡 Our goal
To provide a safe and welcoming environment so you can fully enjoy the cultural exchange and the pure energy of Costa Rica 🇨🇷
In Costa Rica, safety comes first 🌿 We work only with trusted local organisations to ensure a peaceful and well-organised experience, both at the educational centres and at the volunteer house.
🔹 Participant screening
Every volunteer must provide a criminal record certificate before departure — we'll guide you through the process step by step. It's a simple but important requirement to ensure a positive and safe environment.
🔹 High safety standards
• Daycare centres and schools selected using rigorous criteria
• Quiet areas with controlled access
• Local staff always present and trained
• Established welcome procedures refined over the years
🔹 24/7 Support
From the moment you arrive at the airport to the time you head home, you can count on a team that is always reachable. Local staff are available in the evenings and at weekends, and the our team is always just a WhatsApp message away 📞
🔹 Training and orientation
On your first day you'll receive a full orientation covering rules, culture and communal living. Before departure, we'll also send you a helpful guide to help you prepare.
🔹 Good practices for peace of mind
✔ Avoid going out alone at night
✔ Travel with other volunteers
✔ Always follow the advice of the local team
💡 Our goal
To provide a safe and welcoming environment so you can fully enjoy the cultural exchange and the pure energy of Costa Rica 🇨🇷
🧭 Orientation Day
In Esparza, your journey begins with a day designed to help you settle in, get to know the local community and take your first steps with confidence and ease.
On your first Monday, the local team will guide you through a series of practical and cultural moments:
• Welcome meeting and programme overview, including house rules
• Practical tips on health, safety and behaviour in Costa Rican culture
• Introduction to local culture, with fun facts and useful Spanish phrases for everyday life
• Area tour with information on shops, ATMs, local transport and SIM cards
• You can purchase an eSIM before departure via Airalo so you're connected right from the start
• Visit to the centre of Esparza to discover the most useful spots and make your first purchases
Beyond the practical information, orientation is also a great chance to meet fellow participants, share experiences and build your first sense of group spirit 🌴
📌 After orientation
From Tuesday you'll begin your activities in the childcare project, already feeling a sense of familiarity and belonging to the local community.
In Esparza, your journey begins with a day designed to help you settle in, get to know the local community and take your first steps with confidence and ease.
On your first Monday, the local team will guide you through a series of practical and cultural moments:
• Welcome meeting and programme overview, including house rules
• Practical tips on health, safety and behaviour in Costa Rican culture
• Introduction to local culture, with fun facts and useful Spanish phrases for everyday life
• Area tour with information on shops, ATMs, local transport and SIM cards
• You can purchase an eSIM before departure via Airalo so you're connected right from the start
• Visit to the centre of Esparza to discover the most useful spots and make your first purchases
Beyond the practical information, orientation is also a great chance to meet fellow participants, share experiences and build your first sense of group spirit 🌴
📌 After orientation
From Tuesday you'll begin your activities in the childcare project, already feeling a sense of familiarity and belonging to the local community.
✈️ Arriving at San José (SJO)
For the best start to your experience, we recommend booking your flight to arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, ideally on a Sunday between 10:00 and 21:00. During this window, our welcome and transfer service to Esparza is active.
If you arrive on Saturday, you will need to book an extra night at our centre (with surcharge) and request a private pick-up. If you arrive during the week (Monday to Saturday), transfers are not available — you can reach Esparza independently by bus from San José (Terminal Empresarios Unidos – direction Puntarenas, with a stop at Esparza). Alternatively, we can arrange a personalised transfer at an extra cost.
📌 Flight details
Please send us your flight details at least two weeks before departure so we can organise your arrival as smoothly as possible.
🤝 Airport welcome
On arrival, our transfer coordinator will be waiting for you in the international arrivals area holding a sign. You may need to wait for other participants arriving at the same time before departing together to Esparza.
📱 Internet connection
To have internet from the moment you land, you can activate an eSIM before departure via Airalo. This way you'll be able to reach us immediately in case of delays or unexpected issues.
⏱️ Transfer duration
The journey from the airport to the centre takes approximately 2 hours, depending on traffic.
🧭 If you can't find our staff right away
Stay put at the meeting point and do not leave the airport on your own. Wait at least 30 minutes as traffic may cause delays. Contact the emergency numbers you will receive by email after your booking is confirmed.
🚖 Departure and return flight
Check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 noon on Saturday. The transfer to the airport is not included, as participants usually depart at different times. Our staff will be happy to help you arrange a taxi or a shared ride with other volunteers.
We recommend booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you have plenty of time to leave the centre and reach San José without rushing. If you plan to continue travelling in Costa Rica, let us know in advance — we'll be happy to share tips on transport, local buses and recommended destinations.
📑 Practical requirements
All participants are required to present a criminal record certificate; in this can be requested online free of stamp duty when used for our programmes. Bring a printed copy of your return flight, insurance policy and passport. We also recommend carrying a small amount of cash in colones or US dollars for your first expenses at the airport or along the way.
💡 After confirmation
Once your participation is confirmed, you will receive an email with all the updated information, the local coordinators' contact details and detailed instructions for managing arrivals and departures safely.
For the best start to your experience, we recommend booking your flight to arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, ideally on a Sunday between 10:00 and 21:00. During this window, our welcome and transfer service to Esparza is active.
If you arrive on Saturday, you will need to book an extra night at our centre (with surcharge) and request a private pick-up. If you arrive during the week (Monday to Saturday), transfers are not available — you can reach Esparza independently by bus from San José (Terminal Empresarios Unidos – direction Puntarenas, with a stop at Esparza). Alternatively, we can arrange a personalised transfer at an extra cost.
📌 Flight details
Please send us your flight details at least two weeks before departure so we can organise your arrival as smoothly as possible.
🤝 Airport welcome
On arrival, our transfer coordinator will be waiting for you in the international arrivals area holding a sign. You may need to wait for other participants arriving at the same time before departing together to Esparza.
📱 Internet connection
To have internet from the moment you land, you can activate an eSIM before departure via Airalo. This way you'll be able to reach us immediately in case of delays or unexpected issues.
⏱️ Transfer duration
The journey from the airport to the centre takes approximately 2 hours, depending on traffic.
🧭 If you can't find our staff right away
Stay put at the meeting point and do not leave the airport on your own. Wait at least 30 minutes as traffic may cause delays. Contact the emergency numbers you will receive by email after your booking is confirmed.
🚖 Departure and return flight
Check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 noon on Saturday. The transfer to the airport is not included, as participants usually depart at different times. Our staff will be happy to help you arrange a taxi or a shared ride with other volunteers.
We recommend booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you have plenty of time to leave the centre and reach San José without rushing. If you plan to continue travelling in Costa Rica, let us know in advance — we'll be happy to share tips on transport, local buses and recommended destinations.
📑 Practical requirements
All participants are required to present a criminal record certificate; in this can be requested online free of stamp duty when used for our programmes. Bring a printed copy of your return flight, insurance policy and passport. We also recommend carrying a small amount of cash in colones or US dollars for your first expenses at the airport or along the way.
💡 After confirmation
Once your participation is confirmed, you will receive an email with all the updated information, the local coordinators' contact details and detailed instructions for managing arrivals and departures safely.
Book your spot
1
Send your application (free!)
Choose the project that inspires you most and indicate the period you would like to travel. No commitment: the application is free and non-binding.
2
Meet your coordinator
After your application, we will put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They will explain everything in detail and answer all your questions.
3
Confirm your spot
When you're ready, pay the deposit to lock in your spot. You'll get everything you need: local contacts, a visa guide and your pre-trip pack.
4
Set off on your adventure!
Pack your bags and go! On arrival you will find other volunteers like you, a welcoming local team and an experience you will hardly forget.
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