Why be just another tourist in Costa Rica? ELI works with local organizations based in Heredia to create 2-6 week long volunteer and cultural immersion experiences. All programs in Costa Rica include 1 week of intensive Spanish classes.

Teaching and Children's Programs

These programs target at-risk children living in impoverished areas or unsafe conditions. Volunteers can assist teaching English and other subjects in classrooms in primary and middle schools in poorer neighborhoods, assist with after school programs, and help run day camps for the children during school vacations. Some activities may include teaching English, dancing, drawing, organizing arts and crafts, helping with homework, and teaching social skills. By working with children at risk, volunteers have the chance to use their skills and energy to encourage the children to become good citizens and productive members of society.

Teaching English to Teens and Adults

A large part of of Costa Rica's economy is based on tourism, and the tourism industry is constantly growing. Being able to speak English is quickly becoming a necessary skill. Volunteers are needed to teach teenagers and adults conversational English. By helping them learn English, volunteers will give them a chance to greatly improve their standard of living.

Environmental Projects

With over 25% of the country's total land area set aside in national parks and preserves and a booming low-impact tourism industry, Costa Rica Stands as a beacon for others to follow, but the work is not over. There are still many environmental issues that the nation is wrestling with: endangered species, corridor preservation and restoration, rare ecosystem conservation, and others. Many communities have begun to understand the potential for economic development that comes with carefully planned conservation projects. Volunteers working with these projects can complete a wide variety of projects in collaboration with Costa Rica's national park system, eco-communities, or ongoing sea turtle preservation projects.

Health Programs

Our health programs focus on public health efforts to address the physical, mental and environmental concerns of Costa Rica. The health projects can provide wonderful opportunities for doctors, nurses, medical and pre-med students, who wish to become familiar with the medical issues and challenges facing the Costa Rica health care system.  The specific tasks assigned to volunteers greatly vary depending on the language skills, medical qualifications and experience of the participant. Tasks are assigned to volunteers at the discretion of the organization’s staff according to Costa Rica’s medical regulations. Volunteers may be asked to help with different health programs such as basic prevention, sanitation, and nutrition programs organized through hospitals, local clinics, and small community clinics (EBAIS). Participants with an appropriate background may be involved with more hands-on work such as checking blood pressure, distributing meds, weighing babies, and helping with first aid procedures.

Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment

Women in Costa Rica have made many advancements in the workplace, politics, and legally in the past few decades, but many women still suffer from discrimination, disenchantment, subservience, or worse. Volunteers with this program will help to coordinate or support a women's self help group aimed at empowering the members through education, emotional support, and camaraderie. This program requires advanced to fluent Spanish proficiency.