What is the Sports Volunteering in Costa Rica all about?
Join our Sports Volunteering in Costa Rica and get involved with children in the local community. This is a chance to make a difference by giving them an opportunity to play sports at school. During your Sports Volunteering in Costa Rica, you will teach physical education in some local schools around Esparaza and get a chance to experience the Costa Rican educational system first-hand.
This sports volunteering placement consists of working with students aged between 5 and 19, organizing games and exercise during school time. You can teach in English or Spanish, or a mix of the two, depending on your knowledge of the language.
The Sports Volunteering in Costa Rica placement serves a dual purpose: of course, it is meant to help children in rural Costa Rica to have the opportunity to practice sport and to exercise in an organized environment, but it also benefits you, giving you an insight into the Costa Rican educational system as well as an excellent opportunity to become good friends with students, teachers and even parents, and so take a full role in the community.
Why choose this sports volunteering project in Costa Rica?
- Take part in a cultural exchange opportunity and be creative by using the space outdoors for training.
- Spend your free time doing some meaningful work with children in a local community.
- Practice and improve your Spanish skills, all while having fun with the local children
Role of the Sports volunteer in Costa Rica
Participants will be free to choose their own way of teaching. It is important to understand that the methods of teaching are less important than the attitude of the participant towards the students. High-energy and enthusiastic volunteers are always more successful with the local children. Also, at times schools may focus on different activities, for example, environmental issues or cultural festivals, and sports volunteers will have the chance to take part by creating their own activities.
What skills do I need to be a sports volunteer in Costa Rica?
This project is open to all. Spanish is not required for this placement. Flexibility, enthusiasm and willingness to join in are a must! All volunteers will be asked to attend a telephone interview for acceptance onto the placement. Note that since many of the schools are no formal sports equipment, regimen or sports on offer, you will have the chance to be creative, so creativity in physical education is also a must!
WHY JOIN THE PROJECT
FEATURED VIDEO
PROJECT TESTIMONIALS
Where will I work in Costa Rica?
About the location
Your project is located in Esparza, which is a medium-sized agricultural town nestled amongst the mountains above Rio Barranca, in the Central Pacific Coast area of Costa Rica. The Spanish town is the second oldest in the country, and it has a rich history including legends of hidden pirate gold. The town is off the tourist trail, and very relaxed. The nearest beach to surf and relax is only 20 minutes away, and within 25 kilometers of the town, you can find canopy tours as well as the world-famous attractions of Puntarenas. The closest national park of Carara is only an hour’s drive, giving you plenty of optional activities to do during your downtime.
Accommodation
The accommodation consists of newly built eco houses where you will share your meals, and find plenty of communal areas to relax and enjoy with other like-minded individuals. The accommodation offers a large garden of tropical plants including coconut palm, papaya, banana and citrus making it an idyllic lodge.
What to do in your spare time
Esparza and Puntarenas have plenty to offer for weekend activities, including horse riding, water sports (surf is huge!), game fishing, canopy tours, and some of the best scenery in the world. Puntarenas is also ideally located where you can take a scenic ferry to the Nicoya Peninsula and its many secluded beaches.
Esparza is on the Panamerican Highway, so access to the rest of Costa Rica and the rest of the Latin American continent is at your doorstep.
Details & Costs
- Duration: 2-12 weeks
- Cost: £1068 / $1667 for 2 weeks
£337 / $526 for additional weeks - Requirements: Age 18+
- Location: Esparza, Costa Rica
- Working hours: Esparza, Costa Rica
- Project availability: All year, except from Dec to Feb when schools are out
- Arrival day: Saturday or Sunday
What is included
- Accommodation: Shared room in an eco-lodge with other volunteers
- Meals: 3 meals a day Mondays through Fridays, and 2 meals on Saturdays and Sundays
- Airport: pick up from San Jose International Airport
- Training: Pre-departure preparation pack, fundraising guide, on-site orientation and project induction provided
- Support: On-site coordinator providing 24 hours support
- Excursion Planning: staff helps organize weekend activities (activity prices may be extra)
What is not included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Visas
- Airport Drop Off to San Jose International
- Police/Government Background Check; US and UK citizens will be processed through Kaya (admin fee applies) all other nationalities must provide local police check
- Any costs for COVID-19 PCR tests required pre-departure and in-country
Pictures from our Sports Volunteering program in Costa Rica
Easy 4-step application process
APPLY ONLINE
Apply online and pay your application fee to apply for your space on your chosen project. Our advisors will then contact you to guide you through the next steps.
TELEPHONE INTERVIEW
Once we’ve received your application, we’ll review your details and be in touch to arrange your informal telephone interview with your Kaya Placement Advisor.
CONFIRMATION
Following your interview, we will provide you a placement offer. Once you are ready to confirm your placement and dates, you can pay your confirmation fee to book and secure your space.
GET PREPARED
When you have confirmed your project dates we'll send you your Welcome Pack and lots of other helpful information to assist you with preparing for your placement.
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