Where
Esparza, Costa Rica
When
Departures every week, all year round (excluding holiday closures)
Duration
From 1 week
Accommodation
Shared or private rooms in the volunteer house, with meals included
Language
Basic English is enough
Ideal for
Anyone who wants to settle into local life and support kids and families at the day-care centres
Project details
In Esparza, the local day-care centres give young children a safe, creative place to spend their days
Many parents are out at work for most of the day, and the day-care centres give the little ones a steady place to land, with attention, care and plenty of play. The teams here put a lot of energy into curiosity and creativity, the things that matter most in the early years.
Joining the project, you'll be in the thick of songs, drawing and educational games, working alongside the local educators. You bring some of your own background to the mix, and you help the kids along their way.
Joining the project, you'll be in the thick of songs, drawing and educational games, working alongside the local educators. You bring some of your own background to the mix, and you help the kids along their way.
Play, learn and grow with kids in Costa Rica
In Esparza, the local day-care centres give young children a safe, creative place to spend their days
Many parents are out at work for most of the day, and the day-care centres give the little ones a steady place to land, with attention, care and plenty of play. The teams here put a lot of energy into curiosity and creativity, the things that matter most in the early years.
Joining the project, you'll be in the thick of songs, drawing and educational games, working alongside the local educators. You bring some of your own background to the mix, and you help the kids along their way.
Joining the project, you'll be in the thick of songs, drawing and educational games, working alongside the local educators. You bring some of your own background to the mix, and you help the kids along their way.
Why join
See childhood from a fresh angle
Spend your days with kids aged 6 months to 6, and rediscover the spontaneity of play and creativity.
Your weekly programme
Weekdays
Monday to Friday, your days are split between the day-care centres and the early-years centres, with a mix of activities with the kids, creative play and learning activities.
Free time is often spent with the staff and the other participants, and evenings leave space to plan the next day's activities together with the local coordinators on hand.
07:30Breakfast at the centre with the other participants
09:00Daycare activities: educational games and songs with the children
11:30Break and free time with the group or in the community
13:00Lunch and a bit of downtime at the centre
15:00Afternoon activities: creative workshops or supporting the local staff
19:00Shared dinner, chats in the garden and free time with the other volunteers
Weekends
Weekends are free of set activities. You can explore the area, plan a short trip, or just take it easy with the other volunteers.
A surf day in Puntarenas
Just 20 minutes from the centre, you'll find beaches that are perfect for trying surfing or simply relaxing in the sun.
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FAQs
🌴 Your home in Esparza
During your time in Costa Rica you'll stay in one of the centre's two eco-friendly houses: Jaguar House or Toucan House. Both sit in a big tropical garden with palms, papaya, banana trees and citrus, a proper little patch of nature 🍃
🛏️ Rooms and comfort
• Shared rooms (2–4 people, same gender)
• Bunk beds, doors with locks and linen provided
• Private room or couples/family room available (small supplement)
• 2 shared bathrooms per house, unheated showers and Western-style toilets
• Mosquito nets included; bring your own towel and toiletries
🍽️ Meals
• 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends (brunch and dinner)
• Costa Rican cooking with a modern touch
• Vegetarian options on request
• Free drinks: water, tea and coffee
🪴 Common spaces
The two houses share a big common room used as the dining and chill-out area, with a ping-pong table and free Wi-Fi in the public spaces. This is where the social life happens: dinners, games, plenty of laughs and easy time with volunteers from all over the world.
🧺 Practical bits
Laundry service for a small fee. Bed linen and mosquito nets included. For a steady connection, you can pick up an eSIM with Airalo before you travel.
🛏️ What's included
• Shared or private rooms (on request)
• 3 meals on weekdays / 2 at weekends
• Free drinks (water, tea, coffee)
• Wi-Fi in common areas
• Tropical garden and chill-out spaces
• Lockable rooms
• Ongoing support from the local team
💚 Living together
The volunteer house isn't a hotel, it's a temporary family. Between shared meals and evenings in the tropical garden, you'll get a real feel for Costa Rica: community, simplicity and pura vida 🇨🇷
During your time in Costa Rica you'll stay in one of the centre's two eco-friendly houses: Jaguar House or Toucan House. Both sit in a big tropical garden with palms, papaya, banana trees and citrus, a proper little patch of nature 🍃
🛏️ Rooms and comfort
• Shared rooms (2–4 people, same gender)
• Bunk beds, doors with locks and linen provided
• Private room or couples/family room available (small supplement)
• 2 shared bathrooms per house, unheated showers and Western-style toilets
• Mosquito nets included; bring your own towel and toiletries
🍽️ Meals
• 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends (brunch and dinner)
• Costa Rican cooking with a modern touch
• Vegetarian options on request
• Free drinks: water, tea and coffee
🪴 Common spaces
The two houses share a big common room used as the dining and chill-out area, with a ping-pong table and free Wi-Fi in the public spaces. This is where the social life happens: dinners, games, plenty of laughs and easy time with volunteers from all over the world.
🧺 Practical bits
Laundry service for a small fee. Bed linen and mosquito nets included. For a steady connection, you can pick up an eSIM with Airalo before you travel.
🛏️ What's included
• Shared or private rooms (on request)
• 3 meals on weekdays / 2 at weekends
• Free drinks (water, tea, coffee)
• Wi-Fi in common areas
• Tropical garden and chill-out spaces
• Lockable rooms
• Ongoing support from the local team
💚 Living together
The volunteer house isn't a hotel, it's a temporary family. Between shared meals and evenings in the tropical garden, you'll get a real feel for Costa Rica: community, simplicity and pura vida 🇨🇷
🛡️ Safety and support
In Costa Rica, your safety comes first 🌿 We only work with trusted local partners, so you can settle into a calm, well-organised setting both at the daycares and at the volunteer house.
🔹 Background checks
Every volunteer needs to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling, and we'll walk you through how to get it. A simple but important step to keep the setting positive and safe for everyone.
🔹 Strong safety standards
• Daycares and schools selected with care
• Quiet areas with controlled access
• Local staff on hand and properly trained
• Tried and tested arrival procedures
🔹 24/7 support
From the airport pickup to your trip home, you can count on a team who's always reachable. The local staff are around evenings and weekends too, and our UK team is just a WhatsApp message away 📞
🔹 Briefing and orientation
On your first day you'll get a full orientation on house rules, culture and living together. Before you travel, we'll also send a useful guide to help you prepare.
🔹 A few sensible habits
✔ Avoid going out on your own at night
✔ Travel with other volunteers when you can
✔ Always follow your local coordinator's advice
💡 Our aim
A safe, welcoming setting, so you can fully enjoy the cultural exchange and the energy of Costa Rica 🇨🇷
In Costa Rica, your safety comes first 🌿 We only work with trusted local partners, so you can settle into a calm, well-organised setting both at the daycares and at the volunteer house.
🔹 Background checks
Every volunteer needs to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling, and we'll walk you through how to get it. A simple but important step to keep the setting positive and safe for everyone.
🔹 Strong safety standards
• Daycares and schools selected with care
• Quiet areas with controlled access
• Local staff on hand and properly trained
• Tried and tested arrival procedures
🔹 24/7 support
From the airport pickup to your trip home, you can count on a team who's always reachable. The local staff are around evenings and weekends too, and our UK team is just a WhatsApp message away 📞
🔹 Briefing and orientation
On your first day you'll get a full orientation on house rules, culture and living together. Before you travel, we'll also send a useful guide to help you prepare.
🔹 A few sensible habits
✔ Avoid going out on your own at night
✔ Travel with other volunteers when you can
✔ Always follow your local coordinator's advice
💡 Our aim
A safe, welcoming setting, so you can fully enjoy the cultural exchange and the energy of Costa Rica 🇨🇷
🧭 Orientation day
In Esparza, your time starts with a day to settle in, get to know the local community and find your feet without any pressure.
On your first Monday, the local team will walk you through a series of practical and cultural moments:
• Welcome meeting and introduction to the programme, with house rules
• Practical advice on health, safety and how things work in Costa Rican culture
• Intro to local culture, plus a few first words in Spanish you'll use day to day
• A walk around the area, with shops, cash points, transport and SIM cards
• You can also pick up an eSIM before you travel through Airalo so you're online from the start
• A trip into central Esparza to spot the useful places and pick up your first bits and pieces
Beyond the practical info, orientation is a good moment to meet the other participants, swap stories and start finding your rhythm together 🌴
📌 After orientation
From Tuesday you'll start the childcare activities, already feeling settled and part of the local community.
In Esparza, your time starts with a day to settle in, get to know the local community and find your feet without any pressure.
On your first Monday, the local team will walk you through a series of practical and cultural moments:
• Welcome meeting and introduction to the programme, with house rules
• Practical advice on health, safety and how things work in Costa Rican culture
• Intro to local culture, plus a few first words in Spanish you'll use day to day
• A walk around the area, with shops, cash points, transport and SIM cards
• You can also pick up an eSIM before you travel through Airalo so you're online from the start
• A trip into central Esparza to spot the useful places and pick up your first bits and pieces
Beyond the practical info, orientation is a good moment to meet the other participants, swap stories and start finding your rhythm together 🌴
📌 After orientation
From Tuesday you'll start the childcare activities, already feeling settled and part of the local community.
✈️ Arriving into San José (SJO)
For an easy start, we'd recommend booking your flight into Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, ideally on a Sunday between 10:00 and 21:00. That's when our pickup runs, taking you straight to Esparza.
If you arrive on a Saturday, you'll need to book an extra night at our base (small supplement) and request a private pickup. Weekday arrivals (Monday to Saturday) aren't covered by transfers: you can make your own way to Esparza by bus from San José (Empresarios Unidos terminal, direction Puntarenas, with a stop at Esparza). Alternatively, we can arrange a private transfer for an extra fee.
📌 Sharing your flight info
Please send us your flight details at least two weeks before you travel, so we can sort out your arrival.
🤝 Meeting at the airport
On arrival you'll find our transfer coordinator waiting in the international arrivals area, holding a sign. You may need to wait a short while for other participants arriving around the same time before heading off to Esparza together.
📱 Internet
To have data straight away, you can activate an eSIM before you travel through Airalo. That way you can let us know straight away if anything changes.
⏱️ Transfer time
The drive from the airport to the centre takes about 2 hours, depending on traffic.
🧭 If you can't spot our staff straight away
Stay at the meeting point and don't leave the airport on your own. Wait at least 30 minutes, since traffic can cause delays. Then call the emergency numbers we'll send you by email after you confirm your booking.
🚖 Heading home: return flight tips
Check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 on Saturday. The transfer to the airport isn't included, since participants tend to leave at different times. Our staff can help you book a taxi or share a transfer with other volunteers.
We'd suggest booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave at your own pace and get to San José without rushing. If you're carrying on with your travels in Costa Rica, let us know in advance and we'll happily share tips on transport, local buses and places worth visiting.
📑 Practical bits
All participants need to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent); we'll talk you through how to get it. Bring printed copies of your return flight, travel insurance and passport. We'd also suggest a small cash reserve in colones or US dollars for your first expenses at the airport or on the way.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed
We'll email you a detailed pack with all the up-to-date info, contacts for the local coordinators and clear instructions for arrival and departure.
For an easy start, we'd recommend booking your flight into Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, ideally on a Sunday between 10:00 and 21:00. That's when our pickup runs, taking you straight to Esparza.
If you arrive on a Saturday, you'll need to book an extra night at our base (small supplement) and request a private pickup. Weekday arrivals (Monday to Saturday) aren't covered by transfers: you can make your own way to Esparza by bus from San José (Empresarios Unidos terminal, direction Puntarenas, with a stop at Esparza). Alternatively, we can arrange a private transfer for an extra fee.
📌 Sharing your flight info
Please send us your flight details at least two weeks before you travel, so we can sort out your arrival.
🤝 Meeting at the airport
On arrival you'll find our transfer coordinator waiting in the international arrivals area, holding a sign. You may need to wait a short while for other participants arriving around the same time before heading off to Esparza together.
📱 Internet
To have data straight away, you can activate an eSIM before you travel through Airalo. That way you can let us know straight away if anything changes.
⏱️ Transfer time
The drive from the airport to the centre takes about 2 hours, depending on traffic.
🧭 If you can't spot our staff straight away
Stay at the meeting point and don't leave the airport on your own. Wait at least 30 minutes, since traffic can cause delays. Then call the emergency numbers we'll send you by email after you confirm your booking.
🚖 Heading home: return flight tips
Check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 on Saturday. The transfer to the airport isn't included, since participants tend to leave at different times. Our staff can help you book a taxi or share a transfer with other volunteers.
We'd suggest booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave at your own pace and get to San José without rushing. If you're carrying on with your travels in Costa Rica, let us know in advance and we'll happily share tips on transport, local buses and places worth visiting.
📑 Practical bits
All participants need to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent); we'll talk you through how to get it. Bring printed copies of your return flight, travel insurance and passport. We'd also suggest a small cash reserve in colones or US dollars for your first expenses at the airport or on the way.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed
We'll email you a detailed pack with all the up-to-date info, contacts for the local coordinators and clear instructions for arrival and departure.
Local holidays
Public holidays
School holidays
Book your spot
1
Send your application (free)
Choose a project and tell us when you’d like to travel. Applying is free, with no obligation to book.
2
Meet your coordinator
After your application, we'll put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They'll walk you through everything and answer your questions.
3
Confirm your spot
When you're ready, pay the deposit to lock in your spot. You'll get everything you need: local contacts, a visa guide and your pre-trip pack.
4
Off you go
Pack your bag and travel. On arrival you'll find other travellers like you, a welcoming local team, and a trip you'll be talking about for a while.
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3+ confirmed participants in the coming months