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  • Phone: (214) 785-6605
  • info@globalcrossroad.com

Volunteer in Costa Rica in Construction Program!

Do you have a solid set of construction skills you’d like to use to help people in need? Have you been dreaming of visiting and volunteering in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is a stunning country full of natural wonders. It has lush rainforests, breathtaking waterfalls, beautiful beaches, towering volcanoes, intriguing cloud forests, magnificent mountains, rushing rivers, and cool highlands. You’ll also find an astounding array of colorful exotic plant and animal life.

Unfortunately, many kind and friendly people of Costa Rica are often quite poor. Their structures are ravaged by the humid, rainy, tropical climate, and buildings are often dilapidated and in ill repair. Without the money to fix them, these poor people’s homes, schools and other facilities continue to degrade, and they lack good, safe living conditions.

You can help! Volunteer in a construction program in Costa Rica to help build or repair homes, schools, and community centers and improve the quality of life for these people who cannot do the work themselves. You will feel a great sense of satisfaction being able to physically witness the results of your hard work. You will improve the community and the lives of the disadvantaged children who reside there.

Do you want to uplift communities in need and help build infrastructures? Contact Global Crossroad to learn more about helping rebuild poor communities in Costa Rica!


Volunteer Responsibilities & Impacts

You will be working under the supervision of a local foreman and crew carrying out various construction projects such as repairing or building homes, schools, and community centers in low income communities. Your duties will vary based on your skill set and understanding of Spanish. You may be painting, cleaning, plastering, laying tile, hauling dirt, mixing cement, performing installations, excavations etc. Lend a hand to help people in need!

Your time as a construction volunteer in Costa Rica will have a dramatic impact on the poor communities you are working with. People who truly need your help will have safe places to live and a beautiful community they can be proud of. Share your passion for construction and do what you love while helping improve the quality of life for poor Costa Ricans.


Skills and Qualifications

Basic construction skills will be helpful, but the most important thing to have for this project is a dedication to helping others and making the world a better place. Even if you do not have construction skills, you can still join this project. You need to be able to work in different weather conditions and be able to do manual labor. The work could be physically demanding and being in shape is necessary. You will also need to bring gloves, work boots, safety glasses.

You’ll need to be 18 years of age to volunteer. Volunteers who are at least 16 years old can also volunteer on their own but with parental consent, and those below the age of 16 years old need to be accompanied by their parent, guardian or faculty leader if they wish to volunteer.

Basic Spanish skills will be helpful as most locals speak little English. However, this is not mandatory and if you’d like to work on your Spanish language skills, speak to us about enrolling in a language program to learn while you’re abroad!


Your volunteer schedule can vary based on the weather, availability of supplies, and construction schedule. Keep an open mind and be ready to work when the crew needs you as you repair and build homes and schools for impoverished communities.

You can expect to volunteer an average of 5 hours per day, Monday-Friday. Your actual hours may vary considerably but this will give you a rough idea of what to expect.

Here is a sample daily schedule:

  • First Day : You will be brought to the construction site by our helpful in-country coordinator to meet the local foreman and crew. Get ready to help build a better future for Costa Rica!
  • Orientation: Go over the ins and outs of the construction project, view the site, and learn what you’ll be doing. You’ll learn more about your schedule and get briefed on safety protocol.
  • Weekdays: A day in the life of a Costa Rica construction volunteer might look something like this:
  • 7.00 to 7.30 AM: Start the day around the table with your host family. Make sure to fuel up so you’ll have the energy for all the hard work you’ll be doing.
  • 7.45 AM: Head out to the construction site, and get involved with the exciting project you’re working on that day
  • 12.00 PM: Take a lunch break and bond with your fellow construction volunteers and local crew. Practice your Spanish and make friends from around the world!
  • 3.00 PM: After construction ends for the day, you’ll be free to head back to your host family to relax, or explore the beautiful surroundings. You’re in Costa Rica, after all!
  • 6.45 PM: Share dinner with your local host family and immerse yourself in the local culture.


Fees & Program Dates

Program Dates

Global Crossroads volunteer programs begin every Monday year-round. We allow flexibility if you have travel constraints. Volunteers can join our programs from 1 week up to 12 weeks.

Fees

Global Crossroad is committed to offering the most affordable and high quality Costa Rica volunteer trips. We strive to keep our costs low. The humanitarian side of the business is our passion.

Global Crossroad volunteer opportunity in San Jose, Costa Rica application and registration fee costs US $299. The application fee covers the cost of advertising, program promotion, and office expenses (rent, utilities, and staff salaries in the USA office).

In addition to the application fee, you are required to pay a weekly program fee. You will pay your weekly fee directly to your host family and project (via the country coordinator). This way, the fees that you pay will benefit those who rightfully deserve them, and are not for company profit.

    Duration Construction
  1 Week   $550
  2 Weeks   $860
  3 Weeks   $1,170
  4 Weeks   $1,440
  5 Weeks   $1,635
  6 Weeks   $1,830
  7 Weeks   $2,025
  8 Weeks   $2,220
  9 Weeks   $2,415
  10 Weeks   $2,610
  11 Weeks   $2,805
  12 Weeks   $3,000

Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3.49/day ( below 28 years) and $4.49/day ( above 28 years)»

Spanish Immersion Classes
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica - $150/week
San Jose, Costa Rica - $125/week

How your fee is allocated?

Program fees cover:
  • Shared Accommodation with host family
  • 2 meals per day (Breakfast & Dinner)
  • Airport Pick up
  • In-country support
  • Program Orientation
  • Project Management
  • Volunteer Certificate
  • Discount for returning volunteers
  • Weekly Surcharge
Program fees exclude:
  • Visas
  • Airfare
  • Miscellaneous personal expenses, soft drinks, food, etc.
  • Daily transportation
  • Airport return transfer

The Costa Rica volunteer program fees cover expenses from the first day of your program to the last day of your program. If you arrive before the first day of the program or you decide you stay beyond your program’s last day, you will be responsible for any additional expenses.


Accommodation and Meal

While working as a construction volunteer in Costa Rica, you’ll be staying in the safe, clean, comfortable home of one of our local host families . You may be sharing a room with fellow international volunteers. The family will share two local meals a day (breakfast and dinner) with you, and you will get a personal glimpse into daily Costa Rican life.

Learn more about your housing and food in San Jose, Costa Rica.


Free Time and Weekend Exploration

You’re going to be working hard helping improve the lives of Costa Ricans in need, but you deserve some time off to explore! You’ll have your evenings and weekends free, and there’s plenty to do in beautiful Costa Rica to fill your time! Check out beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, mountains, volcanoes, and the lively capital city of San Jose.

Discover what to do in your free time and weekends in Costa Rica.


Safety and In Country Support

Your safety is our number one priority while you are volunteering in Costa Rica. We carefully vet every aspect of your trip, offer comprehensive insurance, airport pick-up upon arrival, and the guidance and support of our helpful in-country staff.

Learn more about our safety and support.


Volunteer in Costa Rica in Construction Program: FAQs

You are probably asking yourself a few questions about traveling abroad. We’ve been helping volunteers have meaningful and affordable volunteer experiences in 20 countries around the world since 2003 . We’ve compiled this helpful list of information to answer your questions for you:

Arrival and Departure

You’ll fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica. Your airport pickup is included in your volunteer fee, and we’ll have someone waiting for you when you land who will take you safely to your accommodations.

Transportation to the airport at the end of your program is not included in your volunteer fee, speak to the local project staff if you need advice on booking a taxi to the airport.

Visa

You may be eligible for a visa stamp upon your arrival at the San Jose airport. However, do your research to learn the requirements for visitors your home country.

Most volunteers are eligible for a 90-day tourist visa. You will need to provide proof of onward travel, a round trip ticket is sufficient. Research the visa requirements at the official Immigration site of Costa Rica.

Vaccination

Make sure you book an appointment with your doctor to get up to date on your vaccines at least a few weeks before you travel, to ensure you don’t get sick while traveling abroad!

You should be up to date on your routine vaccines, as well as Hepatitis A & B and Typhoid. can also find information on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Global Health Canada or in Travelers' Health United Kingdom .

Why be a construction volunteer in Costa Rica? construction in Costa Rica?

Help poor communities in need have safe and beautiful buildings

So many poor Costa Ricans are living in really dilapidated housing, and even local schools become very run-down. Repairing and beautifying these spaces improves the quality of life for the people inside, and also boosts the morale of the community as their home becomes a place they can be proud of.

Do what you love while helping others

Put your construction skills to work by helping Costa Ricans in need. Feel great knowing that you are making a difference!

Immerse yourself in the local culture

Costa Ricans (or Ticos and Ticas, as they call themselves) are warm, friendly people who value nature, family, and time spent enjoying the simple things in life. Pura Vida, often on t-shirts and purses in tourist shops, describes the laidback lifestyle enjoyed in this beautiful country. Embrace the local culture while participating in the construction volunteer program in Costa Rica.

Travel to an exotic destination

Costa Rica is an extraordinarily beautiful destination. It has rainforests, beaches, volcanoes, ancient tribes and friendly locals. Your exciting volunteer abroad vacation awaits!

Contact Global Crossroad today to learn more about being a construction volunteer in Costa Rica!

Other Volunteer Opportunities Available in Costa Rica:

No matter your passion or interests, we offer a variety of life-changing, volunteer programs in Costa Rica such as
childcare,
medical,
teaching,
volunteer vacation,
conservation and environment and much more.

For more information on our exciting programs in Costa Rica, contact us today.


Other Construction Programs Worldwide

There are many disadvantaged communities around the world who need your help! We organize construction programs in various destinations to help people in need.

Contact us today to find out more about our Construction Projects.