Dog and cat shelter volunteering in Manuel Antonio

A shelter animal needs more than a visit: food, clean surroundings, exercise and patient attention every day. Local organisations care for abandoned animals or animals in difficulty and, where possible, help prepare them for a new home. You join that ongoing work alongside people who know their histories and behaviour.

The day may begin with cleaning enclosures and preparing food. Then, following staff guidance, help brush, walk or play with the animals. Some are sociable; others need distance and patience. Let each animal’s needs guide the contact you have, without forcing a moment for a photo. Small maintenance jobs or help with shelter communications may also be part of the day.

You don’t need veterinary training for everyday care. Clinical treatment and health decisions remain with professionals; specialist tasks depend on qualifications and local authorisation. Be ready to get dirty, work outdoors and follow instructions. Basic English is enough. Spanish isn’t required, but it’s useful. Your programme coordinator supports you during the stay, without being at the shelter every day.

Before you confirm, we’ll talk through the available placement with you. The shelter and day-to-day tasks depend on local needs, so the animals you meet and the activities you help with may vary.

There’s life beyond the project too. Head to the beach, enjoy a coastal sunset or spend time with fellow participants. When you arrive, you’ll discover the local activity calendar: free salsa, cooking and Tandem when scheduled, with events varying from week to week. Optional tours and excursions are arranged separately.

🏡 Stay with a Costa Rican family selected by the local team in the Quepos area. Share a room with international volunteers of the same gender and a similar age, usually two to four people in total. The bathroom is normally shared.

Breakfast and dinner are included every day, including weekends. Bedding, a pillow, blankets, a bath towel and hot water are provided. Wi-Fi is available, though the connection may be slow. Bring your own beach towel.

Laundry is available at extra cost through your family or local services. Tell us about allergies and dietary needs before departure. The team checks what can be accommodated in your assigned home, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free requests.

Prefer another arrangement? The following can be requested, subject to availability and a separate quote:

• A private room with a host family, including breakfast and dinner. The bathroom is normally shared; request and confirm any private bathroom separately.
• A participant residence for ages 18–26, with breakfast and dinner. Availability and room and bathroom arrangements are confirmed in the quote.
• A three-star hotel, with a private room and bathroom and breakfast included. Lunch and dinner are separate.
• A hostel, with a private or shared room and breakfast included. Bathrooms are normally shared.
• A furnished apartment with a kitchen, without meals, available for four-week periods.

What about free time? The local team offers an activity calendar to enjoy with fellow international volunteers. Free salsa and local cooking classes may feature, offering ways to try something new and get to know the group. Activities vary with the monthly calendar.

Between activities, meet fellow volunteers in the shared spaces at the Quepos institute, with Wi-Fi, a snack bar and a swimming pool. The pool is at the institute, not your host family’s home.

If you’d like to learn Spanish or gain confidence in conversation, small-group and individual classes are available, including for complete beginners. Courses run outside project hours and cost extra.

There’s also time to discover Quepos, enjoy Manuel Antonio’s beaches or arrange an outing nearby. The team can advise and help you find options that suit your interests.

🛡️ A local team member welcomes you on arrival and helps you continue to Quepos. After booking confirmation, you’ll receive travel instructions, meeting points and useful contacts, so you know who to turn to.

Your host family is selected by the local team to welcome international participants. Learn the house rules and get to know the people you can turn to while settling in. Whether other participants are staying there will depend on your dates.

At orientation, meet the team and get practical advice for getting around. You can ask for help or advice during your stay. You’ll also receive a 24/7 emergency contact.

Follow the team’s guidance and take care of your belongings as part of everyday travel.

Around animals, follow staff instructions and respect each animal’s pace. Don’t open enclosures or improvise treatment. Bring suitable clothes for practical work and the protection specified for your placement. Report incidents or difficulties promptly.

🧭 At the start of your stay, meet the team and get the information you need to settle in, understand your role and organise your days. Orientation includes:

• The centre and your assigned project.

• Activities, rules and your role.

• Safety guidance, local customs and appropriate behaviour.

• Local transport and services.

• Available free-time activities.

• A Spanish-level assessment to help arrange any lessons you choose.

Basic English is enough. Spanish isn’t required, but it’s useful.

Your placement depends on availability and local needs; a particular centre isn’t guaranteed. On your first journey to the project, a team member accompanies you, introduces you to staff and explains what you’ll do. They show the route from your accommodation so you can travel independently afterwards. Depending on the distance, you may walk or use local transport. Set aside some money for any daily transport you’ll need.

✈️ Fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José, code SJO. A local team member welcomes you at the airport and takes you to the bus station. From there, travel by public bus to Quepos, where you meet your host family or a local representative to reach your accommodation.

San José–Quepos bus tickets are included in both directions. The bus journey takes around three hours, and you may travel with participants arriving at similar times.

After booking confirmation, you’ll receive detailed instructions, meeting points and team contacts, including emergency contacts. If you can’t find your representative at the airport, stay at the indicated point and contact the team for help.

If you’d like to arrive on another day, discuss it beforehand. We’ll check the options and list any extra nights or services in your quote.

📱 A practical tip: for internet from arrival, consider setting up an eSIM before travelling. You can explore Airalo options here.

Your return journey

The standard homestay ends on Saturday, with check-out by 11:00 and breakfast included. Other accommodation has its own check-out time confirmed in the quote.

The team helps you plan the return, explaining how to reach Quepos bus station and take the bus to San José with your included ticket. If timings match, you may share the journey with fellow travellers. Travel from the San José bus station to the airport isn’t included, but the team can help arrange it.