Costa Rica House Building Volunteers

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From $1,009 (was $1,069), 1 week, Costa Rica

  • Volunteering
  • Adventure 3 out of 5
  • Relaxation 1 out of 5
  • Culture 4 out of 5
Costa Rica House Building Volunteers

Trip Highlights

 

  • The smiles of families when you give them the keys to their brand new home
  • Exploring the beauties of San Ramon, in the picturesque Alajuela province
  • The opportunity to discover central America's beautiful Costa Rica in your free time; do a canopy walk, visit volcanoes or soak in a hot spring

Trip Summary

See full itinerary

What's included?

  • Airport pick-up
  • Accommodation
  • Orientation
  • All meals with home-stay family
  • Laundry once a week
  • Full support and assistance
  • 24-hour support number

What's not included?

  • All flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Return airport transfer
  • Visas

Volunteering Costa Rica is a hugely rewarding programme, where you will be able to help in building new homes for people living in some of the poorest rural communities of Costa Rica. You'll live and work with the local people to get a real feel for what life in this wonderfully diverse country is really like.

 

The people of Costa Rica need your help…. living in houses that do not have adequate sanitation or protection from the weather, is common place in many rural communities, but you can be a part in changing this. With a bit of hard work, you can really make a difference by building new homes that are safe and secure for the people that need it most.


When do I want to go?

Showing all departures (192)

Dates of Departures Duration Price (Land Only) Trip Status
20 May 20121 weekNow $1,009 Was $1,069 Save $60AvailableBook now
20 May 20122 weeksNow $1,269 Was $1,329 Save $60AvailableBook now
20 May 20123 weeksNow $1,439 Was $1,499 Save $60AvailableBook now
20 May 20124 weeksNow $1,609 Was $1,669 Save $60AvailableBook now
20 May 20125 weeksNow $1,699 Was $1,759 Save $60AvailableBook now
20 May 20126 weeksNow $1,789 Was $1,849 Save $60AvailableBook now
20 May 20127 weeksNow $1,869 Was $1,929 Save $60AvailableBook now
20 May 20128 weeksNow $1,959 Was $2,019 Save $60AvailableBook now
3 June 20121 weekNow $1,009 Was $1,069 Save $60AvailableBook now
3 June 20122 weeksNow $1,269 Was $1,329 Save $60AvailableBook now
3 June 20123 weeksNow $1,439 Was $1,499 Save $60AvailableBook now
3 June 20124 weeksNow $1,609 Was $1,669 Save $60AvailableBook now
3 June 20125 weeksNow $1,699 Was $1,759 Save $60AvailableBook now
3 June 20126 weeksNow $1,789 Was $1,849 Save $60AvailableBook now
3 June 20127 weeksNow $1,869 Was $1,929 Save $60AvailableBook now
3 June 20128 weeksNow $1,959 Was $2,019 Save $60AvailableBook now
10 June 20121 weekNow $1,009 Was $1,069 Save $60AvailableBook now
10 June 20122 weeksNow $1,269 Was $1,329 Save $60AvailableBook now
10 June 20123 weeksNow $1,439 Was $1,499 Save $60AvailableBook now
10 June 20124 weeksNow $1,609 Was $1,669 Save $60AvailableBook now
10 June 20125 weeksNow $1,699 Was $1,759 Save $60AvailableBook now
10 June 20126 weeksNow $1,789 Was $1,849 Save $60AvailableBook now
10 June 20127 weeksNow $1,869 Was $1,929 Save $60AvailableBook now
10 June 20128 weeksNow $1,959 Was $2,019 Save $60AvailableBook now
17 June 20121 weekNow $1,009 Was $1,069 Save $60AvailableBook now
17 June 20122 weeksNow $1,269 Was $1,329 Save $60AvailableBook now
17 June 20123 weeksNow $1,439 Was $1,499 Save $60AvailableBook now
17 June 20124 weeksNow $1,609 Was $1,669 Save $60AvailableBook now
17 June 20125 weeksNow $1,699 Was $1,759 Save $60AvailableBook now
17 June 20126 weeksNow $1,789 Was $1,849 Save $60AvailableBook now
17 June 20127 weeksNow $1,869 Was $1,929 Save $60AvailableBook now
17 June 20128 weeksNow $1,959 Was $2,019 Save $60AvailableBook now
24 June 20121 weekNow $1,009 Was $1,069 Save $60AvailableBook now
24 June 20122 weeksNow $1,269 Was $1,329 Save $60AvailableBook now
24 June 20123 weeksNow $1,439 Was $1,499 Save $60AvailableBook now
24 June 20124 weeksNow $1,609 Was $1,669 Save $60AvailableBook now
24 June 20125 weeksNow $1,699 Was $1,759 Save $60AvailableBook now
24 June 20126 weeksNow $1,789 Was $1,849 Save $60AvailableBook now
24 June 20127 weeksNow $1,869 Was $1,929 Save $60AvailableBook now
24 June 20128 weeksNow $1,959 Was $2,019 Save $60AvailableBook now
1 July 20121 weekNow $1,009 Was $1,069 Save $60AvailableBook now
1 July 20122 weeksNow $1,269 Was $1,329 Save $60AvailableBook now
1 July 20123 weeksNow $1,439 Was $1,499 Save $60AvailableBook now
1 July 20124 weeksNow $1,609 Was $1,669 Save $60AvailableBook now
1 July 20125 weeksNow $1,699 Was $1,759 Save $60AvailableBook now
1 July 20126 weeksNow $1,789 Was $1,849 Save $60AvailableBook now
1 July 20127 weeksNow $1,869 Was $1,929 Save $60AvailableBook now
1 July 20128 weeksNow $1,959 Was $2,019 Save $60AvailableBook now
8 July 20121 weekNow $1,009 Was $1,069 Save $60AvailableBook now
8 July 20122 weeksNow $1,269 Was $1,329 Save $60AvailableBook now
8 July 20123 weeksNow $1,439 Was $1,499 Save $60AvailableBook now
8 July 20124 weeksNow $1,609 Was $1,669 Save $60AvailableBook now
8 July 20125 weeksNow $1,699 Was $1,759 Save $60AvailableBook now
8 July 20126 weeksNow $1,789 Was $1,849 Save $60AvailableBook now
8 July 20127 weeksNow $1,869 Was $1,929 Save $60AvailableBook now
8 July 20128 weeksNow $1,959 Was $2,019 Save $60AvailableBook now
15 July 20121 weekNow $1,009 Was $1,069 Save $60AvailableBook now
15 July 20122 weeksNow $1,269 Was $1,329 Save $60AvailableBook now
15 July 20123 weeksNow $1,439 Was $1,499 Save $60AvailableBook now
15 July 20124 weeksNow $1,609 Was $1,669 Save $60AvailableBook now
15 July 20125 weeksNow $1,699 Was $1,759 Save $60AvailableBook now
15 July 20126 weeksNow $1,789 Was $1,849 Save $60AvailableBook now
15 July 20127 weeksNow $1,869 Was $1,929 Save $60AvailableBook now
15 July 20128 weeksNow $1,959 Was $2,019 Save $60AvailableBook now
22 July 20121 weekNow $1,009 Was $1,069 Save $60AvailableBook now
22 July 20122 weeksNow $1,269 Was $1,329 Save $60AvailableBook now
22 July 20123 weeksNow $1,439 Was $1,499 Save $60AvailableBook now
22 July 20124 weeksNow $1,609 Was $1,669 Save $60AvailableBook now
22 July 20125 weeksNow $1,699 Was $1,759 Save $60AvailableBook now
22 July 20126 weeksNow $1,789 Was $1,849 Save $60AvailableBook now
22 July 20127 weeksNow $1,869 Was $1,929 Save $60AvailableBook now
22 July 20128 weeksNow $1,959 Was $2,019 Save $60AvailableBook now
29 July 20121 weekNow $1,009 Was $1,069 Save $60AvailableBook now
29 July 20122 weeksNow $1,269 Was $1,329 Save $60AvailableBook now
29 July 20123 weeksNow $1,439 Was $1,499 Save $60AvailableBook now
29 July 20124 weeksNow $1,609 Was $1,669 Save $60AvailableBook now
29 July 20125 weeksNow $1,699 Was $1,759 Save $60AvailableBook now
29 July 20126 weeksNow $1,789 Was $1,849 Save $60AvailableBook now
29 July 20127 weeksNow $1,869 Was $1,929 Save $60AvailableBook now
29 July 20128 weeksNow $1,959 Was $2,019 Save $60AvailableBook now
5 August 20121 weekNow $1,009 Was $1,069 Save $60AvailableBook now
5 August 20122 weeksNow $1,269 Was $1,329 Save $60AvailableBook now
5 August 20123 weeksNow $1,439 Was $1,499 Save $60AvailableBook now
5 August 20124 weeksNow $1,609 Was $1,669 Save $60AvailableBook now
5 August 20125 weeksNow $1,699 Was $1,759 Save $60AvailableBook now
5 August 20126 weeksNow $1,789 Was $1,849 Save $60AvailableBook now
5 August 20127 weeksNow $1,869 Was $1,929 Save $60AvailableBook now
5 August 20128 weeksNow $1,959 Was $2,019 Save $60AvailableBook now
12 August 20121 weekNow $1,009 Was $1,069 Save $60AvailableBook now
12 August 20122 weeksNow $1,269 Was $1,329 Save $60AvailableBook now
12 August 20123 weeksNow $1,439 Was $1,499 Save $60AvailableBook now
12 August 20124 weeksNow $1,609 Was $1,669 Save $60AvailableBook now
12 August 20125 weeksNow $1,699 Was $1,759 Save $60AvailableBook now
12 August 20126 weeksNow $1,789 Was $1,849 Save $60AvailableBook now
12 August 20127 weeksNow $1,869 Was $1,929 Save $60AvailableBook now
12 August 20128 weeksNow $1,959 Was $2,019 Save $60AvailableBook now
19 August 20121 weekNow $1,009 Was $1,069 Save $60AvailableBook now
19 August 20122 weeksNow $1,269 Was $1,329 Save $60AvailableBook now
19 August 20123 weeksNow $1,439 Was $1,499 Save $60AvailableBook now
19 August 20124 weeksNow $1,609 Was $1,669 Save $60AvailableBook now
19 August 20125 weeksNow $1,699 Was $1,759 Save $60AvailableBook now
19 August 20126 weeksNow $1,789 Was $1,849 Save $60AvailableBook now
19 August 20127 weeksNow $1,869 Was $1,929 Save $60AvailableBook now
19 August 20128 weeksNow $1,959 Was $2,019 Save $60AvailableBook now
26 August 20121 weekNow $1,009 Was $1,069 Save $60AvailableBook now
26 August 20122 weeksNow $1,269 Was $1,329 Save $60AvailableBook now
26 August 20123 weeksNow $1,439 Was $1,499 Save $60AvailableBook now
26 August 20124 weeksNow $1,609 Was $1,669 Save $60AvailableBook now
26 August 20125 weeksNow $1,699 Was $1,759 Save $60AvailableBook now
26 August 20126 weeksNow $1,789 Was $1,849 Save $60AvailableBook now
26 August 20127 weeksNow $1,869 Was $1,929 Save $60AvailableBook now
26 August 20128 weeksNow $1,959 Was $2,019 Save $60AvailableBook now
9 September 20121 weekNow $1,009 Was $1,069 Save $60AvailableBook now
9 September 20122 weeksNow $1,269 Was $1,329 Save $60AvailableBook now
9 September 20123 weeksNow $1,439 Was $1,499 Save $60AvailableBook now
9 September 20124 weeksNow $1,609 Was $1,669 Save $60AvailableBook now
9 September 20125 weeksNow $1,699 Was $1,759 Save $60AvailableBook now
9 September 20126 weeksNow $1,789 Was $1,849 Save $60AvailableBook now
9 September 20127 weeksNow $1,869 Was $1,929 Save $60AvailableBook now
9 September 20128 weeksNow $1,959 Was $2,019 Save $60AvailableBook now
23 September 20121 weekNow $1,009 Was $1,069 Save $60AvailableBook now
23 September 20122 weeksNow $1,269 Was $1,329 Save $60AvailableBook now
23 September 20123 weeksNow $1,439 Was $1,499 Save $60AvailableBook now
23 September 20124 weeksNow $1,609 Was $1,669 Save $60AvailableBook now
23 September 20125 weeksNow $1,699 Was $1,759 Save $60AvailableBook now
23 September 20126 weeksNow $1,789 Was $1,849 Save $60AvailableBook now
23 September 20127 weeksNow $1,869 Was $1,929 Save $60AvailableBook now
23 September 20128 weeksNow $1,959 Was $2,019 Save $60AvailableBook now
7 October 20121 week$1,069AvailableBook now
7 October 20122 weeks$1,329AvailableBook now
7 October 20123 weeks$1,499AvailableBook now
7 October 20124 weeks$1,669AvailableBook now
7 October 20125 weeks$1,759AvailableBook now
7 October 20126 weeks$1,849AvailableBook now
7 October 20127 weeks$1,929AvailableBook now
7 October 20128 weeks$2,019AvailableBook now
21 October 20121 week$1,069AvailableBook now
21 October 20122 weeks$1,329AvailableBook now
21 October 20123 weeks$1,499AvailableBook now
21 October 20124 weeks$1,669AvailableBook now
21 October 20125 weeks$1,759AvailableBook now
21 October 20126 weeks$1,849AvailableBook now
21 October 20127 weeks$1,929AvailableBook now
21 October 20128 weeks$2,019AvailableBook now
4 November 20121 week$1,069AvailableBook now
4 November 20122 weeks$1,329AvailableBook now
4 November 20123 weeks$1,499AvailableBook now
4 November 20124 weeks$1,669AvailableBook now
4 November 20125 weeks$1,759AvailableBook now
4 November 20126 weeks$1,849AvailableBook now
4 November 20127 weeks$1,929AvailableBook now
4 November 20128 weeks$2,019AvailableBook now
11 November 20121 week$1,069AvailableBook now
11 November 20122 weeks$1,329AvailableBook now
11 November 20123 weeks$1,499AvailableBook now
11 November 20124 weeks$1,669AvailableBook now
11 November 20125 weeks$1,759AvailableBook now
11 November 20126 weeks$1,849AvailableBook now
11 November 20127 weeks$1,929AvailableBook now
11 November 20128 weeks$2,019AvailableBook now
18 November 20121 week$1,069AvailableBook now
18 November 20122 weeks$1,329AvailableBook now
18 November 20123 weeks$1,499AvailableBook now
18 November 20124 weeks$1,669AvailableBook now
18 November 20125 weeks$1,759AvailableBook now
18 November 20126 weeks$1,849AvailableBook now
18 November 20127 weeks$1,929AvailableBook now
18 November 20128 weeks$2,019AvailableBook now
2 December 20121 week$1,069AvailableBook now
2 December 20122 weeks$1,329AvailableBook now
2 December 20123 weeks$1,499AvailableBook now
2 December 20124 weeks$1,669AvailableBook now
2 December 20125 weeks$1,759AvailableBook now
2 December 20126 weeks$1,849AvailableBook now
2 December 20127 weeks$1,929AvailableBook now
2 December 20128 weeks$2,019AvailableBook now
9 December 20121 week$1,069AvailableBook now
9 December 20122 weeks$1,329AvailableBook now
9 December 20123 weeks$1,499AvailableBook now
9 December 20124 weeks$1,669AvailableBook now
9 December 20125 weeks$1,759AvailableBook now
9 December 20126 weeks$1,849AvailableBook now
9 December 20127 weeks$1,929AvailableBook now
9 December 20128 weeks$2,019AvailableBook now
16 December 20121 week$1,069AvailableBook now
16 December 20122 weeks$1,329AvailableBook now
16 December 20123 weeks$1,499AvailableBook now
16 December 20124 weeks$1,669AvailableBook now
16 December 20125 weeks$1,759AvailableBook now
16 December 20126 weeks$1,849AvailableBook now
16 December 20127 weeks$1,929AvailableBook now
16 December 20128 weeks$2,019AvailableBook now

What will I be doing?

  • Arrival (Day 1 and 2)

  • Let's get started (Day 3 onwards)

  • Free time (Weekends)

  • The project and your role (1 to 8 weeks)

Arrival: Day 1 and 2

Next Leg

Destination info

This programme is based in the town of San Ramón, in the picturesque Alajuela Province of central Costa Rica. San Ramón lies 30 miles north of the capital San José and 28 miles inland from the beautiful central Pacific beaches, making it is great base for exploring the highlights of Costa Rica during your free time. San Ramón itself is a tiny city surrounded by dramatic mountainous landscapes and is a close knit community with some of the friendliest people in the country, so you can be sure that a warm welcome awaits you.

  • Location: San Ramon, Costa Rica

Sunday – Monday: Arrival and Orientation

On arrival at San José International Airport, Costa Rica, you will be met by one of our representatives who will take you to your first night’s accommodation in the historic town of Alajuela. The following day, Monday, you will receive a detailed orientation from our local team which will cover important information about your programme and provide you with lots of information about Costa Rica along with tips on the best places to visit during your free time.

Let's get started: Day 3 onwards

Next Leg

Destination info

This programme is based in the town of San Ramón, in the picturesque Alajuela Province of central Costa Rica. San Ramón lies 30 miles north of the capital San José and 28 miles inland from the beautiful central Pacific beaches, making it is great base for exploring the highlights of Costa Rica during your free time. San Ramón itself is a tiny city surrounded by dramatic mountainous landscapes and is a close knit community with some of the friendliest people in the country, so you can be sure that a warm welcome awaits you.

  • Location: San Ramon

Tuesday

After spending two nights in Alajuela, you will be transferred to San Ramón to start your programme, volunteers usually travel by public transport. On arrival in San Ramón you will be introduced to the delightful family who will be your hosts for the duration of your programme, before having a bit of time to settle in and get familiar with your new home. Later on you will be taken to your project so that you can meet the people that you are working with and witness first-hand the wonderful work that has already taken place. If there is time you may even be able to start getting your hands dirty and stuck in to the project work!

 

Wednesday – Friday

Having settled in and got to know your host family, Wednesday will be your first full day of project work. Don’t worry if you are unsure of what to do, there will be plenty of people around that will be able to help and show you the ropes!

 

The working day is normally from 8am to 4pm, with a lunch break in the middle of the day. Your evenings are your free time so you are welcome to spend them as you wish, you may like to spend some time with your host family and practice your Spanish or perhaps meet up with your fellow volunteers.

Free time: Weekends

Next Leg

Destination info

This programme is based in the town of San Ramón, in the picturesque Alajuela Province of central Costa Rica. San Ramón lies 30 miles north of the capital San José and 28 miles inland from the beautiful central Pacific beaches, making it is great base for exploring the highlights of Costa Rica during your free time. San Ramón itself is a tiny city surrounded by dramatic mountainous landscapes and is a close knit community with some of the friendliest people in the country, so you can be sure that a warm welcome awaits you.

  • Location: San Ramon

Saturday – Sunday

The weekends are your free time, this is a great opportunity to explore Costa Rica and visit some of the splendid things it has to offer. From canopy walks to volcanoes to beaches, there is something for everyone!

 

Following weeks

For the remainder of your time on the programme your work schedule will run from Monday to Friday, starting at 8am and finishing at 4pm; your free time will be in the evenings and at weekends.

 

On the final day of your programme, you will need to make your own way back to Alajuela where you will be able to arrange a transfer back to the airport.

 

Please note: Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice.

The project and your role: 1 to 8 weeks

Destination info

This programme is based in the town of San Ramón, in the picturesque Alajuela Province of central Costa Rica. San Ramón lies 30 miles north of the capital San José and 28 miles inland from the beautiful central Pacific beaches, making it is great base for exploring the highlights of Costa Rica during your free time. San Ramón itself is a tiny city surrounded by dramatic mountainous landscapes and is a close knit community with some of the friendliest people in the country, so you can be sure that a warm welcome awaits you.

  • Location: San Ramon

Each house can take between ten and 24 weeks to build from start to finish, the stage of building work that you will be involved in will very much depend on the progress of the houses that are being built at the time you arrive.

 

As the programme is funded by the Costa Rican and Canadian Rural Housing programme and is a scheme to provide affordable to housing to the lowest income families in the rural areas; one of the requirements of the scheme is that the family for whom the house is being built for is very much involved in the building process as well. So as well as working with your fellow volunteers and builders from the scheme, you will be working alongside the people that you are helping and this will be give you the wonderful opportunity to get to know the people that will benefit from the house that you are building and gain an insight as to how much of a difference the new home will make to their lives.

 

The project work is likely to be very tiring and physically demanding but in return the sense of achievement will be incredible. You will be required to get involved in lots of different aspects of the building process, some of these tasks may include the following:

 

  • Carrying materials and tools to the building site
  • Digging trenches for the foundations
  • Laying floors
  • Mixing concrete
  • Putting roofs on the houses
  • Building septic tanks
  • Preparing frameworks for the buildings

It is not a requirement of the project for you to have any building experience or skills, as the team you will be working with will be able to teach you everything you need to know. However, if you have any previous building or construction experience then please do tell the local team know so that they can put your skills to good use.

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Additional Information & FAQs

Minimum age

Minimum age 17 years with written parental consent, maximum decided on potential participants health and fitness.

 

Accommodation

Homestay with local host family

 

Meals

Included in your programme will be three meals per day, these will be provided by your host family and will be based on a Costa Rican diet which can be fairly basic including items such as rice, beans, corn, pasta, vegetables, meat and seasonal fruits.

 

Accommodation

For the first two nights of your programme in Costa Rica, during your orientation, you will be accommodated in a comfortable Backpackers Hostel which is centrally located in Alajuela.

 

After your orientation, you will be transferred to San Ramón for your project. You will be staying with local host families for this programme; this is a great way to really get immersed in the culture and lifestyle of the local Costa Rican community. Volunteers are normally accommodated in a shared room with another volunteer and will have access to a shared bathroom.

Advice & Safety

Throughout your programmes you will have the support and guidance of the programme co-ordinator and team. You will be provided with competent assistance and help with any questions or advice you may need during your stay.

 

You will be assigned a personal travel advisor who will co-ordinate your programme with you. Feel free to contact them at any time before you go, or when you are on your travels.

 

In addition, you will have access to a 24 hour emergency contact number so you can contact one of our staff at any time should you need to.

 

FAQ

1. Do I need to know Spanish to participate?

You will need a basic level of Spanish to get by living and working in the community. Most volunteers join our Spanish language school for a week or more before starting on the project. Contact our travel advisers for details and costs.

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2. Can I travel on afterwards if I wish?

You will be more than welcome to travel afterwards.

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3. Can I travel with my friend?

You and your friend/s can join this trip with you and we wil make sure you all stay together.

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4. How big are the groups?

The group sized always change but generally there are between 4-8 people.

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5. Do I need building experience?

No, you will be taught everything you need to know to help build a house out there.

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6. How long does it take to build the houses?

The build time varies depending on the size of the house. Typically it takes 10 to 24 weeks per house.

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