Clinic/Hospital

Medical volunteers assist with general check-ups and examinations of patients, as well as assist in triaging emergency patients and possibly in traveling to patients' homes in rural areas to help with vaccinations and/or to care for patients who have become immobilized. Many volunteers will also work firsthand with patients struck with tropical diseases. Depending on the volunteer's ability to conduct themselves in the Spanish language and the expertise they demonstrate, the clinics will let you work as independently as possible.

Clinica San Juan de Dios

Clinica San Juan de Dios offers free treatment to mentally and physically disabled children. The clinic employs nurses, teachers, and physical therapists. Volunteers are assigned various tasks depending on their skills and interests. All volunteers must help in the clinic feeding, bathing and playing with the children. Volunteers may also work as teaching assistants in the school, assisting with art projects and helping the children with their work.

Volunteers/Interns interested in joining the volunteer health program must possess some proof of healthcare certification, such as an ID as a medical student, EMT or paramedic certification, or nursing or physician's credentials. Rustic Volunteer Travel 's partnering hospitals/healthcare clinics require a copy of your resume - clearly stating credentials and education - before your arrival at your assigned project.

Rustic Volunteer Travel arranges volunteer meals, accommodations and strong field support for the duration of projects and optional travel packages. In Costa Rica, volunteers generally stay with host families and accommodations are simple and clean homes in safe neighborhoods. Volunteers usually have a private bedroom, but occasionally rooms will be shared with a same-gender volunteer. Our host families are well screened and are respected members of their communities who live in affluent neighborhoods. Most of our host families have experience with hosting international volunteers. A host family stay is a great chance for cultural immersion and exchange. Orphanage volunteers may stay at their project as many orphanages have special rooms set aside for international volunteers and these accommodations are normally shared with a same-gender volunteer.

Volunteers receive three local meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner). We can provide vegetarian meal options, but needs must be detailed in a volunteer's application. Snacks and beverages outside of mealtimes are not provided; however, there are local restaurants and grocery stores near the residences in which we place volunteers.  

Rustic offers unparalleled field support to volunteers to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. Once in Costa Rica, there are many layers of support for you. The most important support comes from our country coordinator/field staff. The secondary support comes from the host project staff and members of host families. Volunteers will have access to our country coordinator's mobile number and they are available 24/7. Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. Our field staff will visit regularly (every 2-4 weeks) to make sure things are going well and as planned. However, if placement is far from our local offices, staff members will stay in touch via email/ phone. Volunteers are also welcome to stop in the offices at any time.

Specific details regarding accommodations, food and contact details for our local coordinator will be provided in personalized volunteer placement documentation prior to arrival.

Healthcare/Medical projects are available in Atenas. Spanish for “rich coast”, Costa Rica is famously know for it coffee and for having an incredibly high level of biodiversity throughout its tropical forests. The motto commonly used in Costa Rica is "Pura Vida" (literally "Pure Life"). History proclaims that its birth is essentially the point where the Mesoamerican and South American native cultures met, explaining its rich diverse background. It's full of contrasts: from traditional culture and history to modern urban infrastructure and much of the amenities you would expect from a city. Volunteers can organize different possible excursions during and after the project to visit places of interest. There is a tourist infrastructure already in place the volunteer can use during weekends. For example: waterfalls, eco-tourism, cloud forest reserve, whitewater kayaking/rafting, national parks, volcanoes, beaches, hotels, and many more.