ABOUT COSTA RICA

Costa Rica, a captivating country in Central America with a population of around 5 million, is known worldwide for its breathtaking natural beauty and rich biodiversity. Costa Rica’s appeal to travelers has increased significantly in recent years, thanks to the country’s many adventure opportunities, including rainforest treks, volcano expeditions, and relaxing on pristine beaches.
 
What often goes underreported is how well Costa Rica is doing in several key areas. The country consistently performs positively on the Human Development Index (HDI). Costa Rica also has one of the most progressive environmental policies in the world. It is the only country to meet all five criteria set by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to measure environmental sustainability. This is a testament to the country’s strong commitment to preserving its natural resources and biodiversity.

Another remarkable fact about Costa Rica is that it ranks first in the 2020 Happy Planet Index (HPI). This index measures the well-being of its population in relation to their ecological footprint, and Costa Rica excels in this by combining a happy and healthy life with a low ecological impact. This indicates that Costa Ricans not only live in harmony with nature, but also that they experience a high level of well-being.
 
A unique feature of Costa Rica is the fact that it does not have an army. Since 1949, the country has chosen to abolish its military and instead invest in education, health and conservation. This has made Costa Rica one of the most peaceful countries in the world, where safety and well-being are paramount.
 
As a volunteer in Costa Rica, you will have the opportunity to make a direct impact in local communities, particularly in Esparza. Here, you will work in local schools and neighborhoods to provide sports training to children from disadvantaged communities. The foundation you are involved with believes in the power of sports as a tool to help children from diverse social backgrounds develop socially and build essential life skills. Through sports, these children can learn about teamwork, perseverance, discipline, and self-confidence – skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
 
This volunteer experience not only offers an opportunity to contribute to the personal growth of the children, but also to immerse yourself in the rich culture and nature of Costa Rica. You will experience the warmth of the local people, learn the language and traditions, and enjoy the beautiful landscapes the country has to offer. Your efforts will not only make a difference in the lives of the children, but also in your own life, through the valuable lessons and memories you will gain during this special journey.

Sports in Costa Rica

Fútbol as they pronounce it in Spanish is by far the most popular sport in Costa Rica. The Ticos (Costa Ricans) have been playing football since 1876 when Spanish colonists brought their love for the game to Costa Rica. Costa Rica is doing well internationally and often competes in the World Cup with the captain we know ‘Bryan Ruiz’. If you want to make friends with a Tico quickly, just ask them about their favorite fútbol team – and don’t argue! Secondly, Ticos also love surfing, especially for those who live on the Pacific or Atlantic coast. Costa Rica has been one of the best places in the world to surf for decades and attracts millions of visitors each year to the country’s 40 charted surf beaches. Like other former Spanish colonies, the much criticized bullfighting is popular. However, Costa Rica has its own progressive take on the ‘sport’. In fact, there are bullfights in Costa Rica, but the bull is NEVER harmed!

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Experience Costa Rica

Athletics Coach

Athletics is one of the most popular sports worldwide, and in Costa Rica, this sport lives in the hearts of many people. Costa Rican athletes like the well-known sprinter Neshy Lou and marathon runner Adrián Rodríguez have achieved impressive international results, despite the athletics community being smaller compared to other countries.

Athletics in Costa Rica is often practiced with great passion, but it lacks the structured coaching that could help many athletes reach their full potential. As a volunteer in Costa Rica, you will have the opportunity to teach the basics of athletics while also learning about the local culture and the ‘pura vida’ lifestyle.

What will you do?
As a volunteer athletics coach in Costa Rica, you will support all disciplines on the athletics track. This means you will be actively involved in both the technical and physical training of athletes. You will learn how to provide functional strength training and make use of the club’s facilities, including a swimming pool used for resistance training. This offers athletes a chance to develop their endurance and strength in a different way, which is an important part of athletics training.

You will assist in training beginner athletes and get the chance to experience athletics disciplines up close, such as running, long jump, high jump, shot put, and javelin. Additionally, you will be actively involved in supporting competitions and events. Often, knowledge about training methods and structure is lacking, but your contribution will help athletes improve not only their technique but also their enjoyment of the sport.

Training sessions take place five days a week and usually last three to four hours per day. You will work with children and young people who are eager to learn and improve their performance. These sessions mainly happen at local athletics tracks but may also take place outdoors, depending on the conditions.

The athletes are motivated, but bringing structure and improving technical skills is where you, as a volunteer, can make a difference. You will receive plenty of support from other volunteers and local staff who will assist you in organizing training and coaching the athletes.

What else can you do?

You can always combine your schedule with other sports or help out by assisting with English lessons. On weekends, you are free to explore Costa Rica. The country offers incredible nature, beautiful beaches, volcanoes, rainforests, and a rich culture. You can join cultural or adventure trips specially organized for volunteers. These trips are a unique chance to get to know the country better and learn more about local communities and their traditions.

Basketball Coach

Basketball is a sport that is hugely popular worldwide, and in Costa Rica, enthusiasm for this dynamic and strategic team sport is growing. Although football often gets most of the attention, basketball is a rapidly expanding sport played by people of all ages. The combination of technique, speed, and teamwork makes basketball a challenging and engaging sport for both players and coaches.

In Costa Rica, there are many young talents passionate about basketball, but often there is a lack of structured training and good coaching. This is where you, as a volunteer, can play an important role. You can help develop players’ skills while also boosting their confidence and team spirit, all while experiencing the Costa Rican culture and the relaxed “pura vida” lifestyle.

What will you do?
As a volunteer basketball coach in Costa Rica, you will work with players of various ages and skill levels. You will lead training sessions focused on improving technique, speed, fitness, and strategic play. The emphasis will be on developing skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, and defending, as well as teamwork and game awareness.

During your sessions, you will give both beginners and advanced players the chance to develop. You will help them improve not only their technical basketball skills but also their physical and mental preparation for games. Training usually takes place five days a week and lasts three to four hours per day. Each day has a specific focus, such as offensive techniques, defense, or conditioning.

What else can you do?

Besides coaching, you can also get involved in other projects, like organizing local tournaments or assisting with English lessons. In your free time, Costa Rica offers plenty of opportunities to relax and explore. Think of hikes through lush rainforests, swimming at tropical beaches, or visiting impressive volcanoes. You can also join cultural or adventure excursions specially organized for volunteers.

This unique experience gives you the chance to make a lasting impact on young athletes while enjoying everything Costa Rica has to offer. Bring your passion for basketball to the court and discover how valuable your contribution can be!

Football coach

Internationally, Costa Rica always punches above its weight. The Costa Ricans definitely have a real passion for football. They have excellent players such as the well-known captain, ‘Bryan Ruiz’.
 
Football is played and discussed everywhere in Costa Rica, but it is rarely possible to play structured games or participate in training sessions. Therefore, giving football coaching in Costa Rica is an excellent way to have a meaningful time helping the next generation take the basics to the next level while immersing yourself in the Costa Rican culture and ‘pura vida’ way of life.

Your Role

As a volunteer football coach in Costa Rica, you are responsible for supervising all training sessions and football matches for the young players. The reward you get from it is great because the talent is often there but the knowledge about the rules and structure is lacking. By providing structure and fun training sessions, the players develop quickly. You will receive a lot of support from the other volunteers and our local employees/partners.
 
The football training sessions are five days a week and take place at local schools or on our sports fields. These schools attract children from all over the area but often receive little sports training or gym lessons and therefore appreciate it all the more that you, as a volunteer, set up structured exercises/matches. You will quickly become a local celebrity and make friends.
 
Every day you will give training to children and young people between the ages of 6 and 18 for around three hours. These are quite intensive activities but there is still enough time left to fill your day. We therefore recommend that you also participate in other projects that benefit the local population. It is very popular to give English lessons in addition to the football training, but you can also help with the ‘construction’ project, ‘farming’ project or the ‘elderly’ project.
 
In the weekends you are free and you can go and stand where you want, but it is highly recommended to also make use of our (cultural) trips. These trips are to get to know the country better and are always for the benefit of the local people. You will not find these trips in the travel guides. So if you are a bit more adventurous, these are nice extras of your volunteer work in Costa Rica.

Volleyball Coach

Volleyball is a sport played worldwide, and in Costa Rica, the passion for this dynamic and team-oriented sport is steadily growing. Costa Rica has a rich sports culture, and although football often gets the most attention, volleyball is a popular sport enjoyed by many different age groups. The fast pace, teamwork, and technical aspects make volleyball a challenging and enjoyable sport for both players and coaches.

In Costa Rica, there is plenty of talent, but often a lack of structured training and guidance. This gives you, as a volunteer, a great opportunity to help young players improve their techniques and skills, while immersing yourself in Costa Rican culture and the “pura vida” lifestyle.

What will you do?
As a volunteer volleyball coach in Costa Rica, you will work with students of various ages and skill levels. Volleyball is played by many age groups, and players participate in training sessions that focus on different aspects of the sport. The emphasis is on competition, endurance, strength, and technique. You will help players improve not only their technical skills but also their physical and mental preparation for matches.

You will guide children and youth in improving their basic skills, such as serving, passing, blocking, and attacking. Additionally, you will teach them how to work together as a team, which is essential for success in volleyball. Training sessions take place five days a week and usually last three to four hours per day. Each day has its own focus, whether on technical skills, strength training, or specific practice games. You will have the chance to work with both beginners and advanced players, allowing you to adapt to different learning levels and needs.

What else can you do?

You can always combine your program with other sports or assist with teaching English lessons. On weekends, you are free to explore Costa Rica. The country offers incredible nature, beautiful beaches, volcanoes, rainforests, and a rich culture. You can join cultural or adventure trips specially organized for volunteers. These trips are a unique opportunity to get to know the country better and learn more about the local communities and their traditions.

Senior Sport

Senior sports and promoting an active lifestyle for older people is becoming increasingly important. It provides improved physical health: Regular exercise can help improve overall health, maintain muscle strength and reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. But the social aspect is also very important: Sports for seniors offer a great opportunity to meet new people, maintain social contacts and reduce feelings of loneliness. But also think about mental health: Physical activity can contribute to better mental health, reduce stress and improve mood. In addition, it also promotes self-confidence: By participating in sports activities, seniors can increase their self-confidence and experience a sense of satisfaction. And finally, it is good for mobility and independence: Regular exercise can help maintain mobility and enable older people to continue to function independently for longer.
 
This program is an initiative of Baowei Mooren, a former Dutch student who spent six months in Costa Rica and set up this program.

 

Your Role

As a volunteer at the senior sports program in Costa Rica, you are responsible for supervising all sports and game activities for the older players.
 
The reward you get from it is great because this is the only sports and game offer that the elderly are offered. By providing structure and fun activities, it quickly becomes a pleasant social event. You will receive a lot of support from the other volunteers and our local employees/partners.
 
The sports and game activities are 2-3 times a week and take place in the courtyard of an institution for poorer elderly people. Approximately 10 elderly people between the ages of 70 and 90 participate per session. Since the activities are experienced very positively, you will quickly become a local celebrity.
 
In the morning, when the elderly are still fit, sports activities are offered. Think of fitness, boxing and muscle strength exercises. In the afternoon, more game activities are offered. Think of bowling, shuffleboard and painting. There is a script to support which activities you can offer, but of course you can also think of and carry out activities yourself.
 
Because you can participate in this elderly project 2-3 days a week, we recommend that you also participate in other projects that benefit the local population. It is very popular to give English lessons in addition to this project, but you can also help with the ‘construction’ project.
 
In the weekends you are free and you can go and stand where you want, but it is highly recommended that you also make use of our (cultural) trips. These trips are intended to get to know the country better and are always for the benefit of the local people. You will not find these trips in the travel guides. So if you are a bit more adventurous, these are nice extras of your volunteer work in Costa Rica.

Own Sport

In recent years, many volunteers have promoted their own sport in Costa Rica. This is fun and has a big impact as the children then get a more varied range of sports. The Power of Sports also wants to help you introduce these. For example, we can help with the necessary materials. In 2023, a successful sports program for the elderly has even started in Esparza. So if you are interested in introducing another sport, let us know and we will tell you all about it.

Your Role

As a volunteer in Costa Rica, you are responsible for supervising all training sessions for the young players. The reward you get from it is great because the talent is often there but the knowledge about the rules and structure is lacking. By providing structure and fun training sessions, the players develop quickly. You will receive a lot of support from the other volunteers and our local employees/partners.
The training sessions are five days a week and take place at local schools or on our sports fields. These schools attract children from all over the area but often receive little sports training or gym lessons and therefore appreciate it all the more that you, as a volunteer, set up structured exercises/matches. You will quickly become a local celebrity and make friends.
Every day you will provide training for around three hours to children and young people between the ages of 6 and 18. These are quite intensive activities but there is still enough time left to fill your day. We therefore recommend that you also participate in other projects that benefit the local population.
In the weekends you are free and you can go and stand where you want but it is highly recommended to also make use of our (cultural) trips. These trips are to get to know the country better and are always for the benefit of the local people. You will not find these trips in the travel guides. So if you are a bit more adventurous, these are nice extras of your volunteer work in Costa Rica.

Accommodation

The accommodation is located in the center of Esparza and you will stay in one of the two eco-houses called: Jaguar House and Toucan House. These houses can accommodate up to 22 people. The rooms are for four people and you will sleep in bunk beds. If you need extra privacy or are going with your boyfriend or girlfriend, we also have two private rooms available. Each house has two western toilets / shower rooms with cold water, which is refreshing in the heat of Esparza. Furthermore, the rooms are equipped with mosquito nets and two fans. There are laundry facilities, a kitchen, a large dining room, chill area, common room that is shared by both houses, free WiFi, TV and table tennis, plus a large garden with tropical plants, including coconut palm, papaya, banana and citrus.

ARRIVAL WEEKENDS

In Costa Rica you can arrive every weekend. Preferably on a Sunday after 8:00 and before 22:00. Please note that during the Easter holidays, the first two weeks of July and the Christmas holidays there are no sports projects.

WHY The Power of Sports?

  • No registration fee or deposit.
  • Everyone gets a no-obligation intake interview.
  • Affordable volunteering abroad, especially when you consider what you get for it.
  • Free Spanish course if you stay 10+ weeks.
  • Volunteer work abroad is affordable, especially when you consider what you get in return. (Costa Rica is an expensive country)
  • The only travel organization that focuses entirely on social sports trips.
  • We tell an honest story and assess whether you are suitable for the project.
  • Our programs are carried out responsibly and have a proven positive impact.
  • All our employees are well acquainted with our foreign programs.
  • We offer good personal guidance, both in your home country and abroad.
  • We are founders and part of the ‘volunteer aware’ quality mark. We want to emphasize that our projects are rooted in a sincere dedication to a noble goal.

How experienced do I need to be for my volunteer work?

None of our projects require you to have any certificates or have completed one (sports) study. As a volunteer, you will have a supporting role and you will never be alone. We are not necessarily looking for the next super talent from Costa Rica, but we want to help children from all social backgrounds to develop socially and build life skills through sports. You give the next generation the opportunity to play sports in a fun and organized environment. So whatever your background and experience, you can be sure that you will make a positive contribution by volunteering as a trainer in Costa Rica.
What is important is that you have a basic knowledge of the rules of the given sport and that you radiate a lot of enthusiasm. It is also not a requirement to be proficient in Spanish, but it would be useful. You can choose to take Spanish lessons in Costa Rica, but fortunately everyone speaks the language of sports!
I am a vegetarian. Will my dietary requirements be taken into account?
-If you let us know in advance that you are a vegetarian, they can take this into account in Costa Rica.
 
Do I have to speak Spanish for my volunteer work in Costa Rica?
– It is not a must, but it will make your volunteer work considerably easier. Our colleagues in Costa Rica speak good English, but in general people still speak English quite poorly. We will therefore also encourage you to take a Spanish course in advance. We can help you with this and we may even reimburse it. Fortunately, sport is a language that everyone speaks, so you can also get a long way with your hands and feet :).
 
How does my Spanish lesson week look like?
-For volunteers who stay for 10 weeks or longer, we reimburse a Spanish online course. If you go shorter then the 10 weeks then these lessons cost  £80. It will be 10 lessons from one hour each.
 
What do I need to take into account abroad?
-After our no-obligation conversation where everything is discussed. You will be given time to think about whether this adventure is for you. If you decide to go, we will schedule a second conversation with you where we will go through the ‘Welcome pack’ together. This contains everything you need to take into account, what you need to bring, vaccinations, etc.
 
How many other people will I be volunteering with?
There are always other interns/volunteers present at the accommodation in Costa Rica. The size of the group varies between 10 and 30. They are not all from the same country. You can contact us to ask how many others will be there during your period. We will also create a group app with people from your home country who will be making the trip in the same time frame. This way you can even get to know each other.

Andrew John Hoyle

Better known as Andy, he is originally from the UK but has spent most of his life living in various countries around the world. He eventually found his home in beautiful Costa Rica, where he is fully committed to supporting local youth through sports and education. Andy firmly believes that sport is a powerful tool to enhance both the physical and mental well-being of children and young people. He also sees the tremendous impact that improving their English skills can have, as it opens up new opportunities for their future. What drives Andy is not only sharing knowledge and skills, but also fostering mutual understanding. He strongly believes in the power of cultural exchange: young people from Europe have a lot to learn from the local community, just as the community learns from them. For Andy, it is essential that participants immerse themselves in the daily life of Costa Ricans, rather than staying within the polished image created for tourists. His mission: to build bridges, create real connections, and grow together.

Spanish Lessons by Cecilia Wolman

This is Cecilia Wolman (Ceci), a Spanish lecturer at the University of Buenos Aires. She will be teaching the online Spanish classes. These lessons are especially useful, as the children and young people in our projects often have very limited English skills.

The online classes take place every Monday at 7 p.m (UK time). The first class will be held on October 13, 2025, followed by sessions on:

October: 13 – 20 – 27
November: 3 – 10 – 17 – 24
December: 1 – 8 – 15

The course is specifically designed for absolute beginners. If you already have some knowledge of Spanish, it may be possible to arrange more advanced lessons while you’re in Costa Rica.

The full course is free of charge for participants who join a project for 10 weeks or longer. If you’re joining for a shorter period, you can still participate for a one-time fee of £80

4 weeks volunteering is
£1100 

including:

  • Beautiful accommodation.
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off.
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
  • For stays of 10+ weeks a free Spanish course (15 hours), otherwise it is €200,-.
  • Introduction and tour upon arrival.
  • A designated coordinator at your project location.
  • Regular social events and joint activities with other volunteers and interns.
  • Visa advice and support.
  • Access to the groups app with all other volunteers/interns who are traveling at the same time.
  • Contact details of your coordinator to get acquainted in advance.
  • Any additional week is
    £220
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