Placements
Your placement will be influenced by your skills, preferences and project availability. Projects are very flexible so it’s all about using your skills and initiative where you can. It is likely you will be working alongside other volunteers from both the
UK or worldwide. Examples of opportunities are listed below.
| Education |
Community |
Working as a teacher’s assistant in a pre-school, Primary or Secondary school helping to teach English and other subjects. Also help to organise activities from arts and crafts, to music, dance and sports lessons |
Various placements including building projects, farming, healthcare and welfare |
| Environmental Conservation |
Wildlife |
Volunteer in a nature reserve or national park. Assist with clearing trails, monitoring flora and fauna and showing visitors around a project, helping out with environmental education schemes |
Placements are available in animal sanctuaries, zoos and farms. Work is likely to be basic including preparing food, feeding and cleaning out the animals. You may also get the opportunity to assist vets, monitor species and educate visitors about the project |
| Tourism |
Other |
Helping to develop tourism in rural villages and local communities |
There are also some commercial opportunities working in hotels, museums and galleries |
Orientation
To help you settle into Costa Rican life you will receive a 1 day introduction to the country. This will cover:
- Education session on the local culture and customs
- Walking tour of San Jose
- Arrival accommodation and airport transfer
The orientation is an ideal opportunity to get to know other volunteers
The transfer from the arrival airport and backpacker-style accommodation for the duration of the orientation are included in the programme cost.
Accommodation
Accommodation is included as part of the programme.
Volunteers either live in the capital San Jose or in rural or coastal settings. You can expect the following:
- Live with a host family
- Become involved in daily family life
- Enjoy local food (provided by your host family)
- Interact with the local community.
Costs
The programme cost includes:
- Full pre-departure advice and support
- Programme, administration and literature and Lonely Planet Travel Guidebook
- One day arrival orientation in San Jose including tours, food and accommodation
- Accommodation and placement costs for the duration of the programme (including meals)
- Full support from our local partner organisation for the duration of
your stay.
Programme Costs
| 2 month programme |
£899 |
| 3 month programme |
£1,099 |
Additional Costs
| BUNAC membership |
£5 |
| Insurance |
£116 (3 months) |
| Flights |
£700 - £900 (approx.) |
| Spending/travel money |
£200 per month |
| Inoculation and health expenses |
Costs can vary |
Eligibility
To apply to Volunteer Costa Rica, you must be:
- UK or Ireland residents (any nationality)
- Aged at least 18
- Conversant in Spanish (GCSE level or equivalent).
Flights
BUNAC will arrange your group flight to coincide with your arrival orientation. There are usually between one and ten participants on our flights. Flexible homeward tickets will allow date changes whilst away (subject to airline availability and an administration fee). Our departure schedule is updated regularly,
if the dates below do not suit your itinerary please contact BUNAC to discuss your plans in more detail.
If you would prefer to arrange your travel independently you may do so. You must arrive in San Jose for the start of the orientation.
| Departure Date |
Closing Date |
13th November 2008
5th February 2009
12th March 2009
21st May 2009
25th June 2009
30th July 2009
10th September 2009
15th October 2009
19th November 2009
|
4th September 2008
27th November 2008
1st January 2009
12th March 2009
16th April 2009
7th May 2009
2nd July 2009
6th August 2009
10th September 2009
|
Insurance
BUNAC will arrange insurance for participants. It is a fully comprehensive policy that has been arranged with Endsleigh, one of the UK’s leading insurance companies. Full details will be sent following acceptance on to the programme. Currently a
three month policy costs from £116.
Fundraising
Raising extra funds for your trip needn’t be difficult as there are loads of things you can do to raise money. For further information go to www.bunac.org/fundraising for some ideas to get you started.
Application process
To apply to the Volunteer Costa Rica programme please follow these simple steps:
- Written application: Download the application form and send your completed form
to BUNAC with the following:
- Programme cost: Please include a deposit of £405 (includes £5 BUNAC membership fee);
the balance will be due eight weeks before the departure date. If you are submitting your application within 12 weeks of the departure date, you must send the full programme
cost straight away with your initial application.
- Your current CV
- Two completed reference forms (See below)
- Copy of your passport and birth certificate
- Four passport photos.
- Reference forms: Please send the reference forms to your chosen referees (for example a former employer and university course tutor). They may send the forms to BUNAC directly or return them to you.
- Closing Date: Applications must be made to BUNAC no less than ten weeks before the intended date of departure from the UK.
- Interview: Before you are accepted on to the programme you will need to attend an interview in BUNAC's London office during which we will discuss all aspects of the programme to ensure that you are fully prepared. This is also an opportunity
for you to ask us any further questions.
- Acceptance: Following a satisfactory interview, BUNAC will formally accept you onto the programme and provide you with details of the next stage of the application process.
- Police check: As part of your application you will need to be cleared by the Criminal Record's Bureau. We will assist you in applying for this.
- Medical: All participants are required to visit their GP to discuss their trip. BUNAC will provide a specific medical form which must be completed by the participant and the doctor prior to travel. The GP will confirm the required and recommended inoculations. Costs for these vary and are at the applicant's expense.
- Pre-departure: Your flights, insurance, accommodation and placement will be arranged by BUNAC and detailed to you in the lead up to your departure
Terms and conditions
Full terms and conditions for the programme are included with the application form.
About Costa Rica
Costa Rica is Central America’s jewel. It’s an oasis of calm among its turbulent neighbours and an ecotourism heaven, making it one of the best places to experience the tropics with minimal impact. It’s also mostly coastline, which means great surfing, beaches galore and a climate built for laziness.
The country’s biodiversity attracts nature lovers from all over the world. The primary attraction for many visitors is the 850 recorded bird species which include the resplendent quetzal, indigo-capped hummingbirds, macaws and toucans. Costa Rica’s tropical forests have over 1400 tree species and provide a variety of habitats for the country’s fauna including four types of monkey, sloths, armadillos, jaguars and tapirs. There are also a number of dazzling butterflies. National parks cover almost 12% of the country, and forest reserves and Indian reservations boost the protected land area to 27%.
(Copyright Lonely Planet World Guide 2004)
Country highlights
- San Jose
- Pacific beaches
- Turtle watching
- National Parks
- Volcanoes
- Canopy Walks
- Sulphur springs
FAQs
| Can I book my own flights? |
If you do not wish to take one of BUNAC’s group flight departures then you can arrange your own travel. We must see proof of outbound and inbound travel before your departure. You must make sure you arrive in San Jose in time for the arrival orientation programme that you undertake with other volunteers. Return flights must be within 3 months to meet immigration regulations. You can extend your flights and visa whilst in
Costa Rica with the help of our host organisation. You will also need a machine readable passport if travelling via the US.
|
| Do I need to apply for a visa? |
You do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica; however you will need one to work. During your orientation you will be taken to the Immigration Department to apply for your work permit. This is valid for 3 months, but can be extended with the help of our local host.
|
| How many people take part in the programme? |
Numbers vary however the maximum number on each flight is approximately ten, the minimum could be two or three.
|
| Do I have to go to the orientation? |
The orientation is covered in the programme cost and is vital that all participants
attend. The orientation is an integral part of your trip. Our local host introduce you to the country and culture and answer any questions you may have. It is also good way for you to meet other volunteers from both the UK and abroad.
|
| Can I choose my placement? |
Due to the nature of the local projects we work with, unfortunately we cannot guarantee set placements for participants. However, we try to match your skills and preferences as closely as possible to a suitable placement and encourage volunteers to be as flexible as possible, open to new experiences and prepared to lend a hand where necessary.
|
| Will I be placed with other volunteers? |
It is possible that you may share accommodation or be working at the same project as another volunteer but we cannot guarantee this as it is based on individual placement preferences and availability of projects at the time you apply. Ultimately BUNAC's
volunteer programmes offer a lot of support, but they are intended to be independent experiences where the individual can gain a considerable amount.
|
| Can I go for less than the required programme minimum? |
Volunteer Costa Rica is a programme that runs for two or three months. We believe that a volunteer would not be able to accomplish much or feel satisfied with their participation on a project if they were there for a period shorter than the required minimum. You can extend your stay locally if you wish.
|
| Why do I need an interview? |
| We ask all applicants to attend an interview in our London office. It is not a formal interview, but a chance for us to get to know more about you and reasons for volunteering. We can discuss the type of projects you are interested in and in turn give you more information about Costa Rica. It is also an opportunity for you to ask us any questions
you might have. If you would like to apply and cannot travel to London for an interview,
please call us on 020 7251 3472 to discuss your situation. |
| Will there be chance to travel during my stay? |
During your placement you will generally have weekends free to travel. We encourage volunteers to take time out at the end of their placement to see more of the country. It has become quite common for volunteers to travel together.
|
| What medical advice does BUNAC offer? |
We provide a medical leaflet for Costa Rica with recommended injections for you to have. We advise you to visit your GP as soon as possible for the most up to date requirements and Malaria advice. You must complete our medical form about your
health history and have a medical examination to deem you fit and well to travel. This is at the participant's own expense
|
| What level of Spanish do I need? |
GCSE level or equivalent. As part of the application we ask you to write a letter in Spanish to your host family and this will generally give you a good indication of your Spanish knowledge. We certainly don't expect participants to be fluent before they leave (you most likely will be when you return!) but it is important that you have a certain level of knowledge to build upon as you may often find yourself in situations where no one will be able to speak English.
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If you have any further questions on Volunteer Costa Rica, please call us on 020 7251 3472 or e-mail: enquiries@bunac.org.uk