Volunteer in Costa Rica
Live an eco-friendly experience in the French countryside with a team of volunteers as you assist with wildlife rescue, natural preservation, and biodiversity projects.
Overview
Our volunteer program is aimed at students seeking to learn Spanish, as well as make a social impact. Our volunteer programs give you a global perspective, and the ability to contribute to environmental and ecological conservation by participating at the Toucan Rescue Ranch. The first month of the program will consist of Spanish classes at the local school, while the second month of the program will consist of students volunteering at the Toucan Rescue Ranch.
The Toucan Rescue Ranch project is dedicated to caring for wild animals that have been brought to our facility. All animals receive medical attention and care, and when they are back on their feet, we try to return them to the wild. Animals that have been kept as pets or cannot be released for other reasons stay at the ranch to be cared for on a permanent basis. Volunteers are responsible for feeding and cleaning the living quarters of these animals that cannot be released.
About Costa Rica
An oasis of tranquility, Costa Rica is renowned for its dedication to wildlife conservation. Visitors have increasingly flocked to this country in recent years to explore its pristine beaches, marvel at tropical forests and explore trails where white-faced monkeys, sloths, iguanas, stunning flowers, rare plants, and other wonders abound. Surfers, adventurers, and nature lovers are known to find a common love for this gorgeous land and never look back.
“PURA VIDA” — pure life — is Costa Rica’s widespread motto. When you learn Spanish here, you’ll discover what it’s all about.
About The School
Our Spanish school in Santo Domingo de Heredia is surrounded by tropical plants and palm trees so students are always in touch with nature, in keeping with the Costa Rican lifestyle. The modern, window-filled building houses 14 bright classrooms and a large hall used for social events and cultural activities. Students from all over the world learn together during interactive Spanish classes and get to know each other in spacious indoor and outdoor common areas. After class, enjoy the relaxed pace of Santo Domingo or take a short bus ride to the bustling capital city.
School Facilities:
- 14 bright, colorful classrooms
- Library
- Free Wi-Fi, coffee, and tea
- Computers for student use and study areas for laptops
- Large kitchen and lounge area with foosball table
- Outdoor common areas
- Located in the city center
- Cafés, restaurants, and shops all around the neighborhood
- San José, the capital city, is a 15-min. bus ride away
- Walking distance: 5-15 min.: INBioparque, Central Park, Basilica Santo Domingo de Guzmán. 15-25 min.: Casa de la Cultura, Monte de la Cruz, Tucan Rescue Ranch
- Free activities: Latin dance lessons, Costa Rican cooking classes, Costa Rican coffee workshop and tasting, visits to local food markets
About Toucan Rescue Ranch
Toucan Rescue Ranch (TRR) focuses on the care, rehabilitation, and study of Costa Rican toucans and other wildlife. The organization receives confiscated, sick, and injured animals from government agencies and cares for them. TRR gives the animals a loving home with the goal of providing appropriate medical treatment, rehabilitation, and when possible, returning them to their natural environment.
Program Dates & Lengths
The program in Costa Rica is offered all year round, with the ability to join classes on any Monday. You’ll work with one of our Travel & Study Abroad experts to set your specific dates and duration.
Program Costs
4 weeks
Costs
$3,670
Included in the Program Cost:
- 20 Spanish lessons per week (first 4 weeks of program)
- Volunteer Program at Toucan Rescue Ranch (last 4 weeks of program)
- 24/7 emergency support
- Personal program representative
- Host Family accommodation with full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Transportation to and from the airport
- Local assistance
- Medical insurance
Not included in the Program Cost:
- Airfare
- Local transportation
- Personal expenses
- Passport fees
Eligibility
Eligible Program Participants Must:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Volunteer for at least 20 days at Toucan Rescue Ranch
- Be up to date tetanus & other vaccinations
- Have a basic knowledge of Spanish
- Be in good physical health and motivated
- Have an interest in learning Spanish, helping animals and immersing yourself in the culture
What to Expect
As a participant of this program, you can expect the following:
- 20 Spanish language classes per week (approx. 55 minutes each)
- Placed in classes of no more than 10 students, with the average size being 6 students
- Free time to explore the city and culture
- Volunteer for a minimum of 20 days at Toucan Rescue Ranch
Schedule for Toucan Rescue Ranch
Volunteers work from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 days a week. Each day, the staff gathers at 7 a.m. to give the volunteers their instructions and divide them into two teams. The kitchen team is in charge of cutting up fruit, cooking vegetables, and doing whatever else needs to be done to prepare the animals’ food. The outdoor team takes care of collecting the food trays, setting out food and water, and cleaning.
Application Process
- Explore our programs, options and countries to find your best match.
- Complete our interest form and, if applicable, let us know who referred you to us.
- You can submit the interest form here: Travel & Study Abroad Interest Form
- Schedule a meeting with one of our Travel & Study Abroad experts.
- Submit your application and a $200 application fee. This non-refundable fee will be applied to your overall program costs.
- Upon acceptance, you will be required to pay a deposit of 50% of the total program costs, up to $1500. The final payment is due several weeks before your departure.
Parent FAQs
- Severe anxiety
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Gap Year FAQs
- Language Tutoring
- Teacher’s Assistant
- Volunteering/Community Development
- Farming & Sustainability
General FAQs
- Stand out during the college admissions process
- Develop new language skills in an immersive environment
- Develop problem-solving skills
- Identify interests to better select academic & career paths
- Establish cross-cultural skills
- Improve academic scores
- Improve personal organization and time management skills
- Develop a sense of adaptability, independence, and self-reliance
- Boost self-confidence
- Learn about new lifestyles
- Experience new cuisines
- Make lifelong friends
- Gain life experience
- Short Term Option (1-2 months)
- Trimester and Semester Options
- Full Year Options
- Program options from 1-8 weeks
- 12-month program option
- Explore our programs, options, and countries to find your best match.
- Complete our interest form and, if applicable, let us know who referred you to us.
- Schedule a meeting with one of our Travel & Study Abroad experts.
- Submit your application and a $200 application fee. This non-refundable fee will be applied to your overall program costs.
- Upon acceptance, you will be required to pay a deposit of 50% of the total program cost, up to $1500. The final payment is due several weeks before your departure.