Coopeatenas is a local farming coop focused on promoting and encouraging this conversion to sustainable and organic farming. Volunteer with Coopeatenas work alongside farmers, executing or establishing eco-friendly agricultural systems. Volunteers physically support the farms most of the time – harvesting crops, learning and sharing organic practices and possibly researching and supporting information distribution.

Our projects prefer ( but do not require ) Spanish speakers at a basic to intermediate knowledge of Spanish. If you cannot speak Spanish, we suggest you enroll in our Spanish language course to make your stay more rewarding – both for you and for the farmers you are helping. Experience with or interest in organic and sustainable farming is essential. Volunteers are expected to be dependable and flexible with an entrepreneurial spirit.

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.

Farming 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.

Rustic Volunteer Travel offers a variety of volunteer projects and travel packages in Costa Rica. You can customize or upgrade our itineraries to meet your specific interests. Please contact your travel advisor for more details.