When should I apply for the volunteer/internship programs in Costa Rica?

We are able to offer placements on the first and third Monday of each month year round. Because of the increasing volume of applications, participants are requested to apply at least two to three months in advance , but if you want to expedite your application within less than three months of time, please contact our office for more information. We send 200 volunteers each year to Costa Rica

What happens once I submit my documents and application to Global Crossroad?

Once Global Crossroad receives and reviews your completed application, it is then forwarded to our In-Country Coordinator in Costa Rica who will then finalize a specific placement as per your qualifications and request. Upon receipt of your finalized placement details, this information is then immediately sent to you.

How long does it take to process my application?

The application process can usually take anywhere from 2-3 weeks – occasionally longer (given the time of year). However, in the event that interested participants require their application expedited due to time constraints, they are requested to contact Global Crossroad's offices prior to submitting their application.

What documents do I need to submit with my application?

Usually, the only documentation required is the completed application form which can be found online ( http://www.globalcrossroad.com/apply.php ). Applicants have the option to either submit their application online or download the application from the website and submit the completed form to Global Crossroad's USA-based offices either by post or fax.

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Costa Rica-based volunteer programs?

The only qualifications are:

• An open mind and a willingness to teach others as well a passion for helping those in need.

• Enthusiasm for living abroad and meeting new people.

• Be in good health.

Visa Information

Costa Rica does NOT require a Visa from citizens from the USA , EU, Canada , and Australia . Volunteers from other countries should check with the Costa Rican embassy in your country. If you are unsure if you need a visa, please visit www.projectvisa.com for a complete and up-to-date list of visa requirements for Costa Rica .

When entering Costa Rica politely ask for a 90-day stamp as this will provide you with the most flexibility in your travels. Visas can be easily renewed by exiting Costa Rica via Nicaragua or Panama and the re-entering Costa Rica 24 hours later; you can also renew your visa for up to 30 days while remaining in Costa Rica .

A valid passport is required to enter Costa Rica . Costa Rica does not allow entrance if the holder's passport expires in less than six months; returning home with an expired passport is illegal, and may result in a fine as well. It is a suggested that you have a photo-copy of your passport containing your photo, passport number, along-with your international travel insurance, air-tickets, and traveler's checks' serial numbers to prevent any lost of important information.

Global Crossroad suggests that ALL volunteers acquire the appropriate visa in their home country BEFORE arriving in-country to avoid any unnecessary hassles at the airport.

Project Information

Who manages the volunteer projects in Costa Rica ?

Global Crossroad's In-Country Coordinator in Costa Rica is responsible for researching appropriate volunteer projects as per the qualifications and skills of the applicants.

What are the daily schedules of the projects?

Project schedules vary for each project in Costa Rica . Most volunteers participate in their respective/assigned projects from Monday to Friday for 4-6 hours a day. The Mini-Venture, of course, follows a different and abbreviated schedule. Most volunteers have the weekends to themselves where they can see the local sights and explore Costa Rica on their own.

Where are the projects located?

Global Crossroad's volunteer projects in Costa Rica are located in the following towns/cities:

San Jose: San José has been the capital of Costa Rica and the seat of its democratic government since 1823. Nestled high in the Central Valley (1,253 meters/3,770 feet) between green volcanic mountain ranges, the metropolitan city of about one million people is oriented east and west, surrounded by suburbs that cling to the gentle foothills. The nearby town of Escazú, southwest of the city off the autopista, is home to the largest population of North Americans living in Costa Rica, either full-time or part-time, and is consequently more upscale than San José's downtown or other suburbs.

Unlike other Central American capitals, San José is not a very colonial city, although the heart of the historic center features several beautiful old buildings. It didn't become a decent-sized city until relatively late in the 1800s, long past the colonial era, and had a modern building boom in the 1950s and 60s. Because of its economic success from coffee exports, San José became the second city in the Americas to install electricity (1884). At its heart are the National Theater, Plaza de la Cultura, Parque Central, the Cathedral and Gold Museum , which are all centered in a four-block area with a long pedestrian-only shopping walkway bisecting the middle of downtown.

Despite the lack of stone and plaster, many of San José 's buildings boast a unique and charming architectural style known as “Caribbean Victorian.” Just beyond the modern office high-rises are wood-framed clapboard houses built at the turn of the century. Graceful porticos and wrap-around verandas distinguish these appealing homes (some converted to offices or small hotels) painted in soft pastels. Many have the original metal roofs that sound the well known “rat-tat-tat” in the rain.

San José is a very cosmopolitan capital with many welcoming qualities. Near-perfect weather is a big attraction to visitors as well as expatriates who call the Central Valley home.

Some 250,000 foreigners, mostly North Americans, live in Costa Rica full time. The temperature is fairly consistent between 70 and 75°F. Occasional Northerlies, cold fronts, call for a jacket or sweater at night. The rainy season, when late afternoons and evenings bring showers, lasts from May to October. As the cultural heart of the nation, San José is home to several theater groups, excellent museums, parks, a national symphony, cinemas and universities. It is also host to nightclubs, casinos, discos and fine restaurants. Residents of San José are known as Josefinos.

What is the language spoken in Costa Rica ?

Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica .

When are the Costa Rica-based projects available?

Literally, the projects are open year-round and volunteers are encouraged to apply anytime at their convenience.

How long can I volunteer in Costa Rica ?

We normally suggest participants volunteer from 2-12 weeks.

Arrival and Departure Information

Who will arrange my flight to Costa Rica ?

Airfare is the responsibility of the volunteer.

Which airport should I book my flight into?

All volunteers must arrive in Juan Santa Maria International Airport in San Jose . Global Crossroad and its staff will not be able to pick you up from a different location.

When should I arrive in Costa Rica ?

Volunteers should arrive in Costa Rica the day before their projects start, which is usually on a Sunday. If you come in earlier to Costa Rica , you will need to arrange a place to stay and a return to the airport on Sunday to be picked up.

Will someone pick me from the airport? If so, how do I know about the person?

You will be picked up at the airport, but you must send your travel itinerary to our Costa Rica in-country Coordinator and to us at Global Crossroad before your arrival in Costa Rica (we'll pass it on to the Coordinator). You will be picked up by a staff member or our in-country coordinator who will be holding a sign with your name written on it, awaiting your arrival outside of the airport. In case no one is there, you can call our in-country coordinator, who can help with the picking-up or arrange the accommodations immediately. You will be supplied with all contact information in-case of the rare instance that you are not picked up. Make sure you look carefully for your pick-up, as it will be extremely busy outside of the airport.

What should I do if my flight is delayed?

• Try to call our Costa Rica in-country Coordinator from the airport and inform him of the possibly-delayed arrival time.

• Check your placement instructions pertaining to details of hotels that have been recommended for late arrival if your flight is to arrive after midnight;

• Call/email our Costa Rica in-country Coordinator once you arrive so that he can help with a pick-up accordingly.

How can I get to the hotel from the airport if I did not see Global Crossroad's local representative in the airport?

In the event that your arrival time is changed/delayed, requiring you to stay overnight in a hotel (or if you failed to meet Global Crossroad's representative at the airport), you should hire a taxi at the airport who will take you to a hotel designated in your placement details/pre-departure information (and do remember to request a receipt from the driver). ALSO: make sure that you call Global Crossroad's In-Country Coordinator BEFORE boarding the taxi. Participants are advised to contact Global Crossroad's Costa Rica In-Country Coordinator the next day and let him/her know their whereabouts.

What do I need prior to departure from my home country?

• Please make sure that you pack all your necessary documents – Passport, copy of passport, and at least one other form of ID.

• Prepare financially, in advance, to cover various expenses up to $150 USD/week for extra expenses and travel to your project each day.

• Get your mind and spirit ready for the duration you have committed to. Culture shock affects everyone and may be so strong that you want to quit the week after arrival.

If I want to arrive earlier than when the program begins, where do I stay and who will organize the accommodations?

You can arrive several days earlier or even up to a week early for your project, however a $20/day charge applies for food and housing. Please carefully coordinate early arrivals with GC and our in-country coordinator.

When should I depart from Costa Rica ?

We ask participants to depart from Costa Rica on the Sunday after their project is completed. In most cases, your stay can be easily extended. A $20/day charge applies for food and housing.

Which airport will I fly out of?

All volunteers will depart from Juan Santa Maria International Airport in San Jose .

Who will drop me off at the airport?

GC does not offer airport drop service. You will need to arrange a taxi or bus ride to the airport after your project is finished. This is an easy process and our in-country coordinator in Costa Rica or the staff at the family house will be more than happy to assist you with this.

Can I store my luggage if I arrive earlier than my program starts?

Yes, you may, but please note that this service is usually charged and/or calculated on an hourly basis. So, do not leave your luggage at the airport for an extended amount of time.

Living Accommodations Information

Who will arrange my accommodations and what are they?

Your accommodations will be arranged by our in-country coordinator in Costa Rica . You will stay with a host family in Costa Rica . We attempt to place all of our volunteers with a host family by themselves, but in some cases, due to project location, you may have other volunteers at the same host family. If you want to travel with a friend, we can arrange for both of you to stay at the same host family if you like.

Host families in Costa Rica have electricity as well as hot and cold running water.

Are singles rooms available?

Most of the time you will be assigned a private room, however a private room is NOT guaranteed and you may share a room with another volunteer. To guarantee a private room a $10/day housing surcharge applies.

If I arrive with my friend, or girlfriend/boyfriend, can we stay together?

Yes, but you need to inform our Costa Rica in-country Coordinator of this so that he can help prepare accommodations.

Will there be other foreign volunteers/interns at my placement?

This usually depends on the exact placement (i.e. date, project) and your preference in this issue.

What are the bathroom facilities?

Most bathrooms will have a Western style toilet rather than a squat style. A shower with hot & cold water is usually installed in the bathroom. In most cases, volunteers share bathroom/toilet with host family

What are the laundry arrangements?

Laundry can be done at a number of very good dry cleaning businesses or your host family will provide laundry for an additional charge – generally $2 per kilo (2.2 lbs).

Can I use appliances if I bring them from my home country?

Yes. Please note that Costa Rica uses 120V, 60HzHz.

Electrical plug details

American-style plug with two perpendicular flat blades above a circular grounding pin

Japanese-style plug with two perpendicular flat blades

What are the local cuisines? Who manages food?

Costa Rican food is a fusion cuisine. It combines culinary traditions from Africa, Italy, France, China, and Spain, flavored by traditional grains (rice, corn, and beans), roots (cassava, taro roots, sweet potatoes), spices (coriander, garlic, annatto, saffron, parsley, oregano, thyme, nutmeg, salt, and pepper), oils (olive oil, vegetable oil, and lard), sauces (Lizano, Soy, and Worcestershire), fresh fruit, and vegetables. The food is mild to slightly-seasoned.

The most common dishes that reflect the rural culture and are served in typical restaurants are Gallo Pinto (Spotted Rooster) and Casados . Gallo Pinto consists of rice and beans seasoned with coriander, onions and Worcestershire sauce usually served for breakfast with scrambled or fried eggs and a cup of Agua Dulce (pure sugar cane diluted in hot water) or coffee. Casado consists of white rice, black or red beans served with pork, steak, or chicken, a small portion of cabbage/lettuce & tomato salad, and fried plantains. All is served in one dish for lunch or dinner with a refreshment or coffee.

Traditional food goes beyond Gallo Pinto and Casados . You can delight yourself with more main dishes, drinks, tapas, and desserts. Popular main dishes are Arroz Guacho (sticky rice,) higado en salsa (beef liver salsa), Escaveche (chicken escaveche), pozole, ceviche, Arroz con Pollo (chicken rice), Papas con Chorizo (Chorizo sausage with potatoes), Frito (Pork Stew) Olla de Carne, Barbudos (String bean omelet), and Mondongo (Beef Stomach Soup).

Common refreshments are Horchata (Ground Rice & Cinnamon Drink), Pinolillo (Corn Cocoa Drink), or Resbaladera (Rice & Barley Drink).

Common tapas are Platanos Maduros (Fried Ripe Plantains), Platanos asados (Baked Ripe Plantains), Pejibayes (Peach Palm), Picadillo de Chayote con Elote (Minced Vegetable Pear with Corn), Picadillo de Papaya Verde (Minced Green Papaya), and Picadillo de Vainicas (Minced String Beans with Beef).

Common desserts are queque seco (Orange Pound Cake), Torta Chilena, Miel de Chiverre (Sweet White Spaghetti Squash), Tres Leches, Arroz con leche (rice pudding), Dulce de Leche, and Suspiros (Maringues).  

Can you supply special diets?

Global Crossroad can provide both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. Occasionally, in the event that you require a special diet, you are responsible for your own meals. Participants are strongly urged to inform Global Crossroad of any special dietary need prior to arrival in-country.

Is the running tap water safe for drink?

In most places in Costa Rica tap water is alright to drink. But we still recommend that you purchase bottled water for your consumption. You can request that your host family boil water for you each day to consume.

Are there hot and cold water facilities available?

Specifics pertaining to availability of hot water will be included in participants' placement details.

Will bottled water be provided?

No, if participants require bottled water, they are responsible for obtaining it themselves.

Health and Safety

How safe is Costa Rica ?

Travelers in Costa Rica should exercise caution. Robbery at knife point is not uncommon. Young women can be victims of rape while on the beaches in the evening. Women should never travel alone, and neither should men for that matter. There is no army in this country and the police have known to be corrupt.

Traffic in Costa Rica is dangerous, so be careful. Pedestrians in general do not have the right of way. Roads in rural areas may also tend to have many potholes. Driving at night is not recommended.

Like any other tourist destination, watch out for pickpockets . Purse snatchings, armed robberies and car-jackings have been on the rise lately. Stay alert and protect your valuables at all times, especially in the San Jose area. "Smash and grabs" of car windows are very common all over the country so do not leave valuables in your vehicle. Another common robbery scheme includes slashing your tires, and when you stop to fix the flat, one or two "friendly" people stop to help and instead grab what valuables they can. If you are motioned to pull over by anyone, do not do so until you are at a well-lit place.

Source: wikitravel.org

More about Travel Safety to Costa Rica

International travel does present risks, especially with the threat of international terrorism. The U.S. State Department has issued travel warnings and advisories in many countries for U.S. travelers. These travel advisories and warnings change frequently as situations in each country change. We suggest that all volunteers consult their own governments before participating in a Global Crossroad program. These links provide travel information:

British Foreign Office Advice
http://www.fco.gov.uk/

American State Department Advice
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

Australian Government Advice
http://www.dfat.gov.au/

Canadian Government Advice
http://canada.gc.ca/main_e.html

What are the principle health risks?

We use the Center for Disease Control traveler's health recommendations (www.cdc.gov). Your travel doctor will be knowledgeable about current epidemics and should be consulted.

Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications

The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to Central America including Costa Rica . Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.

• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
• Hepatitis B , especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
• Malaria: if you are traveling to a malaria-risk area in this region, see your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to Central America and Mexico
• Rabies , if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
• Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors
• Yellow fever , for travelers to endemic areas in Panama
• As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles
• Precaution again Malaria

Required Vaccinations

• None

The best prevention of mosquito born diseases is long-sleeves and pants, especially in the early evening. This area of Costa Rica has no malaria, but there are other mosquito carried diseases, such as dengue that are just as bad and there is no vaccine, just prevention through clothing and repellent.

What health precautions should I be aware of and tend to?

Besides the above vaccinations, be sure to consult your doctor or a travel health specialist before your trip to Costa Rica . Global Crossroad is not staffed by medical professionals. Also, if you plan to travel to rural areas of Costa Rica you should be vaccinated for Yellow Fever and obtain pills to protect yourself against Malaria. If you intend to stay in cities, these are not required. If you plan to travel to rural areas of Costa Rica , it is generally recommended you receive a Rabies vaccination.

Do I need health insurance?

Global Crossroad takes out comprehensive medical insurance for its volunteers. It is suggested that you pay up-front costs and then file an insurance claim to get reimbursed back home after medical expenses such as doctor's visits, medicines, etc. For some larger expenses, the insurance company may be able to arrange direct payment to the hospital or medical provider, but this is rare. 

Who do I contact in case of a health-related emergency?

East or west, home is the best. There is no place better than home when you are ill. But if you do get ill, don't panic. Participants can obtain information pertaining to medical assistance through a number of channels:

• Global Crossroad's In-Country Coordinator;
• Assigned host-family;
• Your country's embassy in Costa Rica – participants are greatly encouraged to obtain and maintain contact information for their respective embassy; keeping it on their person for easy access.

Is the food safe if I buy it from a street vendor?

Probably not. While you are in Costa Rica , food safety should be the major factor in your decision to abstain. You can hardly resist the tempting novelty of street vendors and their food variety. Our suggestion is to avoid eating on the streets until you get familiar with the general situation. The food will likely taste quite different than anything you have had before. Food safety problems can range from chemicals and contaminants, to bacteria as well as some other diseases. In Costa Rica , poor food cooking, preparation, and storage, as well as improper cleaning and disinfecting of cooking supplies is very common among street vendors. So, we do not suggest buying food from street vendors.

What are the sanitary conditions in Costa Rica ?

• Be prepared and never expect a clean toilet 100% of the time. Carry some tissue in-case you need to use the public toilet.
• Costa Rican toilets generally do not do well when flushing large amounts of items or feminine hygiene products (i.e. tampons) so do not flush them. Rather, throw them away in the trash.
• In some areas/restaurants, toilet systems are old and have very narrow plumbing and get blocked easily. In these cases a small basket is usually placed beside the toilet (for your used toilet paper).
• Use hotel lobby toilets; these are everywhere and are always clean. Still, they may not always have toilet paper. It depends on the class of hotel that you are using.

What vaccinations are required?

No vaccinations are required for entrance into Costa Rica , but you should go over the above recommendations for vaccination with your doctor.

Global Crossroad STRONGLY suggests volunteers follow the Center for Disease Control's travel advice (www.cdc.gov).

Money

Are ATMs easily available? If yes, which debit and credit cards are accepted?

Credit cards such as American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Master and Visa are accepted at the local large hotels or tourist stores. You also can withdraw cash from most international banks and credit cards from ATM machines, but $2-4 USD surcharges apply for each transaction.

What is the local currency and how do I know the exchange rate?

Name: Costa Rican Colon ( Colón )

Symbol: ¢; CR colones

Denominations: 1 colon 100 centimos

Money exchanges by cash or traveler's checks can be made at various branches of the Bank of Costa Rica or Commercial Bank of Costa Rica . Current exchange rates can be found using our currency converter.

Where do I exchange my money and how much?

You can cash your traveler's checks or exchange your paper notes at the various branches of the Bank of Costa Rica, hotels and tourist stores, airport bank offices, etc. Therefore, we recommend the exchange of small bills at all times.

How much money should I bring with me?

It is suggested that you bring US$100 and cash it into Colón after arrival at the Costa Rican airport. The money will be sufficient to cover the first 2-3 weeks for shopping and travel to your project.

Is it safe to carry cash with me?

Carrying cash is not safe – therefore, don't carry a large surplus of cash with you.

Important Reminder: Retain your receipts whenever you exchange any currency or traveler's checks to colons. You may be asked to show proof of the exchange. Without receipts, you will not be able to exchange Costa Rican currency back to any other currency upon your departure.

How do I make contact with Global Crossroad's local representative?

Details contact of Our Costa Rica in-country Coordinator will be given in final placement sheet. You can contact him by email or telephone; we suggest all volunteers talk with country coordinator before they arrive.

How do I contact my family once I arrive in Costa Rica ?

International Direct Dialing from Costa Rica is available in all cities. Phone cards are widely available and calls can be made from post offices, hotels and phone booths on the streets. In hotels, local calls are generally charged at a nominal fee. Internet cafes are available in most towns, although they can sometimes be noisy as they are a popular spot for the youth to play online games. You can use any type of communication to call back home.

Are internet services easily available?

The GC office in Costa Rica provides free Internet access and modern computers as well as office-wide WIFI access for all volunteers free of charge. The office is open Monday-Friday 7am – 9pm and Saturday and Sunday 8am – 8pm.

How can my family members contact me?

Once you settle down at the host family, you will want to use your calling card to contact your family if you have not already done so when you arrived in Costa Rica at the airport.

Can I bring my telephone from my home country?

Your cell phone may or may not work in Costa Rica - you can check with your service provider. You may be able to purchase a Costa Rican SIM card to use with your cell phone.

Is there a special dress code that I should follow while staying in Costa Rica ?

Volunteers should dress conservatively when at their projects. Jeans and a t-shirt are acceptable. No high shorts and tank tops please.

What should I know about Costa Rican religious conduct?

Costa Rica respects different cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, and moral concepts. You may practice on your own accord.

How do I respect the Costa Rican people?

Be more inclusive and show respect of other cultures. Costa Rican culture is rich in customs and traditions. The Costa Rican people enjoy sharing their customs and traditions with foreigners so feel free to take part with them. You may even be asked to join your host family at their local church for services, this is up to you and you do not have to attend the services if you do not wish.

Costa Rican host families tend to try and over-feed the volunteers. If you do not feel like eating all of the food that is prepared for you, try to fix your own plate so you can adjust your proportions. If you do not like a particular food item you can tell your host family that you are allergic to it and they will not try to make you eat it.

Additional Information

Climate

What is weather like in Costa Rica ?

Costa Rica enjoys two major seasonal categories: the dry season, from December to May, and the wet season, from June to November. Costa Rica 's Caribbean coast line is very humid and warm, while in the interior it's much cooler. San Jose 's weather is famously beautiful, with an annual average temperature of 57-72°F.

Required Clothing

Lightweight clothing and rainwear is recommended as well as warmer clothing for the evenings (light jacket and/or light sweaters). A solid pair of walking shoes is highly recommended for trekking.

Average Rainfall

Average Daily Temperature

Official Costa Rican Holidays

Jan 1 :  New Year's Day
Mar 19:   St. Joseph 's Day
Easter :  Holy Week, Semana Santa.
Apr 11:   Juan Santamaria Day
May 1:   Labor Day
June: Corpus Christi
June 29 :  St. Peter and St. Paul 's Day
Jul 25 :  Guanacaste Day
Aug 2 :  Virgin de los Angeles Day
Aug 15 :  Mother's Day and Assumption Day
Sep15 :  Independence Day
October 12th:   Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day). Limon province only, marked by carnival, which take place in the week prior to October 12.
Nov 2 :  All Soul's Day
Dec 8 :  Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.
Dec 25 :  Christmas Day

What about tipping in Costa Rica ?

Tipping is expected in Costa Rica , so make sure to tip all service employees as well as in restaurants. 10% is a normal amount.

Materials to Bring

•  Day pack
•  Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
•  Sandals
•  2 pairs of pants (lightweight)
•  2 T-shirts
•  3 short-sleeved shirts
•  2 long-sleeved shirt
•  3 pairs of shorts and bathing suit
•  Hat or cap
•  Towel and personal bath kit
•  Sun block, sun glasses
•  Camera
• Mosquito net

Suggested Study Materials

• Laptop computer (if possible)
• Notebook and pen
• Spanish-English dictionary

NOTE: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is generic information and should not be used as a definitive travel guide. Travel information and situations abroad change constantly. Participants should consult Global Crossroad or travel advisors to verify this information.