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The work that Vida has done has had an enormous impact in areas that have been neglected. They organize Educational Workshops, provide the communities with good quality medical care, and have been a great support to eradicate animal overpopulation.

Why Costa Rica?

Despite having a relatively strong primary health care system, Costa Rica still has many challenges to address. Mortality from circulatory diseases increased from 25 per 100,000 deaths in 1990 to 120 in 2010, and there was a 48 percent increase in all types of cancers from 2003 to 2013 [1]. Consequently there is a need to increase health care capacity to provide comprehensive and integrated services to address these major causes of mortality.

  1. Montenegro Torres, “Costa Rica Case Study: Primary Health Care Achievements and Challenges within the Framework of the Social Health Insurance.” World Bank, 2013.

Quick Facts

Capital: San José

Population: 4,857,274

Language: Spanish

Nationals: Costa Ricans or Ticos(a) for short

Exchange rate: 1 Dollar equals 566 Costa Rican Colones.

One of the most politically stable countries in the region, Costa Rica sets an example when it comes to Human Rights and conservation efforts. In 2018, Costa Rica marks its 70th anniversary since it abolished its military. The budget previously dedicated to the military now is dedicated to security, education and culture.

Average temperature ranges from 70 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit so you can actually wear the same clothes throughout the year! Approximately 25% of the country has protected forests and reserves and there are more than 100 different protected areas to visit.

Costa Rica is home to 6% of the world’s biodiversity. Its natural wealth, both in species and ecosystems, is partly explained by its conservation efforts as well as its geographical position, having served as a bridge of countless species of animals and plants for thousands of years.

What to expect as a Volunteer?

Our internship abroad trips start in San Jose where our teams spend their first night at one of our partner hotels. Orientation is held the next day and once it is completed, our teams travel to their designated communities. Depending on the itinerary, we stay in small hotels that are close to our work sites.

In Costa Rica, recreational activities are full of adventure and adrenaline! From spending the day in a paradisiacal Pacific beach, visiting a National Park, flying over the tropical forest in a zip line, tubing in the canyon of a river, or spending the day in hot springs.

Our volunteer Costa Rica program gives students an immersive culture experience and hands-on healthcare experience. Students are able to work in Costa Rica for summer, learn an incredible amount and make a significant impact as volunteers.”

Recreational activities

  • Beach day in the province of Guanacaste, worldwide known by its beautiful coastline in the Pacific
  • Zip line through the trees in a tropical Rain Forest
  • River tubing down Rio Negro on individual inner tube rafts
  • Hot Springs near Arenal Volcano
  • Waterfall Canyoning in National Park Rincón de la Vieja Volcano

Where do we work in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is smaller than Lake Michigan but regardless of its size, there’s a concerning inequality between urban and rural areas.  Therefore, we focus our efforts on poor and vulnerable populations, where only 1% have access to some sort of Health Education.  Most of our partner communities are located in Liberia, La Cruz, Parrita and Turrialba where we work closely with Leaders of each community to reduce inequalities and increase health literacy.

Become a part of our team. Contact us today to learn more about our exclusive internship Costa Rica program!

Our Communities

Xeabaj I, Sta. Cta. Ixtahuacán

Community located in Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán where homestays are used. The three programs are offered. Climate oscillates between 14 ° C and 21 ° C, reaching at 7 ° C at night. Coordinator: Mariana Tuy

Santa María, Aldea El Tablón, Sololá

Community in Sololà. We work with the three programs. It is 45 minutes or 1 hour from Panajachel and we use the community room that is in front of cornfields to work. Coordinator: Tomàs Bocel

San Miguel Milpas Altas

Community in Sacatepequez, the three programs are used. Located in front of a church and is 1 hour from Antigua Guatemala. The Community Room is used. Volunteers stay at Posada Los Búcaros. Coordinator: Erick Canel

San José El Yalú, Sacatepequez

Community in Sacatepequez is 1 hour from Antigua Guatemala. We use the school of the community to work with the three programs. Coordinator: Hermenegildo Raxon.

San isidro, Sololá

Community in Sololá where the program of Veterinary Medicine is used. Coordinator: Jesús Noj

San Felipe, San José Chacayá, Sololá

Community in Solola that is used for the three programs. Volunteers stay at Hotel Kakchiquel. Coordinator is Jesus Noj

Pijije, La Cruz

Pijije in the region of Guanacaste is a place located in Costa Rica - some 96 mi (or 155 km) North-West of San José, the country's capital. pijije de bagaces, This small town has a school, a soccer field, a bullring and a Catholic church.

Paraxaj Chimaltenango

Paraxaj in the region of Chimaltenango is located in Guatemala - some 21 mi (or 34 km) North-West of New Guatemala, the country's capital city. The night temperature is 14°C / 57 °F

Grano de Oro, Turrialba

Turrialba is a small city in Cartago Province of Costa Rica with an estimated population of 35,618. The main industries are textiles, agriculture and tourism.

El Tunino, Chimaltenango

Community in Chimaltenango that is visited with dental and medicine programs and sometimes with the Veterinary program. We work in the School of the community. Coordinator: Matías Patzan.

El Cuntic, Chimaltenango

Community where the 3 programs are used. Volunteers stay at Homestays in Parramos. Coordinator: José Marroquín.

Coquital

It has a basically agricultural economy, based on the sowing of basic grains, vegetables and fattening cattle. Normally, this area has a pronounced dry season. Los Chiles has a tropical savanna climate.

Chiquisis, Sta. Cta. Ixtahuacán

Community located 1hour from Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán. The programs of General Medicine and Veterinary Medicine are used in this community and has two different rooms for clinics.

Chaquijya, Sololá

Community located in Sololá. It is a very dry place, the community suffers a lack of water. We work with all the programs. Coordinator Jesus Noj

Caserío Chipotón, Chimaltenango

Community located in the municipality of Chimaltenango. The three programs are used. Coordinator: Matías Patzán.

Barrio Corazón de Jesús, Liberia

Has approximately a population of 5650 people. Its typography exposes it to floods, fires and landslides. Houses are in poor condition because there is no economic help from the country to rebuild them.

Barrio 25 de Julio, Liberia

It is a neighborhood with a lot of insecurity. This area typically has a pronounced dry season.

Aldea San Rafael El Arado, Sacatepequez

Community in Sacatepéquez. It has a length of 8.6 km and connects with the Interamerican Highway CA-1 between its km 43 and 44. The town has a school. We work with Dental and Medicine program. Coordinator: Hermenegildo Raxón.

Check Upcoming Trips

Sat / 22 / Mar

Medical and Dental Trip to Costa Rica

Costa Rica
9 Days
Mar 22, 2025 - Mar 30, 2025
SCCR032225 TRIPCODE
Thu / 15 / May

Medical, Dental and Veterinary Trip to Costa Rica

Costa Rica
13 Days
May 15, 2025 - May 27, 2025
TXCR051525 TRIPCODE
Sun / 18 / May

Medical, Dental and Veterinary Trip to Costa Rica

Costa Rica
9 Days
May 18, 2025 - May 26, 2025
EBCR051825 TRIPCODE
Tue / 20 / May

Medical, Dental and Veterinary Trip to Costa Rica

Costa Rica
9 Days
May 20, 2025 - May 28, 2025
SBCR052025 TRIPCODE
Thu / 22 / May

Medical, Dental and Veterinary Trip to Costa Rica

Costa Rica
11 Days
May 22, 2025 - Jun 01, 2025
CMCR052225 TRIPCODE
See full Trip Schedule Here