9 Lessons I learned while volunteering in Costa Rica (and how you can do it too)

The stress of city life and the feeling of being stuck in a controlled routine pushed me to seek out new experiences. And what better way to do that than by volunteering abroad? I decided to go volunteering in Costa Rica through Worldpackers because I wanted to leave behind my home country, my native language, and my everyday customs. I needed to break out of my bubble.

Costa Rica, located in Central America, is known for its political stability and incredible natural wealth — it’s home to 5% of the world’s biodiversity! With coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, it offers no shortage of beaches, but that’s not all.

The country is filled with national parks for hiking and extreme sports lovers, and it’s a paradise for anyone passionate about wildlife and birdwatching. You don’t have to search for nature in Costa Rica, because it’s everywhere.

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The farm where I volunteered was located near the Arenal Volcano, and I stayed there for nearly two months. It was a full immersion in Costa Rican culture — nothing like a typical vacation.

When we stay in hotels or travel with friends, it’s harder to be spontaneous and break away from plans. Volunteering in Costa Rica meant being open to what people and places had to offer me. It was like opening a door to a whole new world. One I didn’t even know existed.

I was looking for an experience that was the complete opposite of everything I was used to. That’s why I chose to live on a farm in the middle of the rainforest, far from the chaos and distractions of city life.

I landed a work exchange opportunity with an eco-lodge in Costa Rica, where I received food and accommodation in return for helping out. The nearest town was a 50-minute walk away. In other words, we were completely off the grid.

As author Michael Crichton once said about experiences like this, we’re stripped away from everything we know: our friends, our daily routines, our stocked fridge, our overflowing closet. All of that disappears, and we’re forced to live with complete focus on the present moment. It’s not going to be comfortable, but you’ll learn so much!

Volunteering in Costa Rica was a powerful tool for personal growth. It pushed me to face my fears, deal with discomfort, and snap out of autopilot. There comes a moment when you realize you’re stronger and more resilient than you ever imagined. You hardly recognize yourself anymore. Here are some of the lessons I learned during my time as a volunteer.

What I learned while volunteering in Costa Rica

1. Sharing is caring

I’ve always been more introspective and value my personal space. I used to live alone in the city and often found refuge in the comfort and silence of my apartment. From the start, I knew that one of the biggest challenges of volunteering in Costa Rica would be sharing personal spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms. On the farm, around 60 people were living and working in the same place. Privacy was rare, but what I received in exchange was incredibly rewarding.

This experience really pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I’m so grateful for it. I had the chance to connect deeply with people from cultures and backgrounds completely different from mine, which was a unique opportunity for growth. Around the dinner table or while working in the garden, we were six different countries sharing thoughts on behavior, politics, relationships, music. Those moments are priceless.

2. Looks don’t matter

When I lived in the city, I constantly felt social pressure about my appearance. Especially as a woman, this pressure is always there, even if unspoken. The sad part is that we get used to it and often don’t even notice or question it. How we present ourselves on the outside starts to seem more important than what we believe, feel, or think. But we are so much more than our appearance.

On the farm, my daily work “uniform” was covered in dirt. There was no point in trying too hard to keep it clean, because it would be filthy again the next day. Mirrors were rare, and there was little concern about clothing.

Honestly, it was such a relief! I could focus on other things: enjoying the view, connecting with people, learning new skills, making memories. We all wore pretty much the same clothes every day, and nobody cared.

3. Human connection is transformative

Internet access was limited to one common area, and after a while, everyone just stopped checking their phones. With so many people living and working together, every day at breakfast brought a new story.

Human connection was unavoidable, and it’s where the most powerful life lessons came from. We’re not always in the mood to listen to others, and for me, this was a big exercise in empathetic listening and building real community ties. When we listen with our hearts, we connect deeply. We care.

I heard all kinds of life stories. I laughed, I cried, I was surprised and challenged. Listening to others helped me value my own story more — where I came from, and the opportunities I’ve had. It was a practice in gratitude.

4. Never let fear stop you

Besides the initial fear of starting this whole adventure, my biggest concern about going into the jungle was the bugs. All my friends know how terrified I am of flying insects and ants. Yes, ants. I’m allergic to bites and have had serious reactions before, even ending up in the hospital.

I imagined countless dangerous scenarios and packed a little bag full of meds — and paranoia. What actually happened? Nothing. I learned how to avoid ant trails while working in the garden, and I figured out how to coexist with the rest of the insects. The worst part? Endless mosquito bites. But even that had a solution, and eventually, I got used to it. Just imagine if I had decided not to go because of that fear!

5. Be patient (no matter what)

Things won’t happen when you want them to. Especially not with the instant gratification we’re used to in the city. Patience is key. Patience to wait for a ride into town, to buy chocolate, to wait for mealtimes, for the rain to stop (and it will stop), for your laundry to dry on the clothesline (and for you to handwash it first). Patience to understand and respect others' needs. Practicing patience is always a good thing.

6. Not speaking the local language can be a good thing

When you don’t speak the language or don’t have every word at your fingertips, you’re forced to find other ways to communicate. You break a sentence into the few words you do know, ask a friend for help, or use gestures.

If you don’t speak the local language, don’t let that stop you from volunteering in Costa Rica or anywhere else. You can have an incredibly rich experience because of the language barrier.

Nonverbal communication plays a huge role — we pay more attention to people’s eyes, their tone, the small gestures and movements. You need to stay fully present when someone is talking to you, to make sure you’re catching the message. We end up becoming more observant and perceptive because of it.

7. Volunteering changes the tourist in you

With every trip I take, I notice how my perspective on tourism keeps changing, and so does the way I travel. Especially when it comes to experiencing nature. I still visit parks and tourist attractions (I went to Manuel Antonio National Park and loved it), but something about the way I see these places has shifted.

At the park, I saw this over and over: someone spots a capuchin monkey, and within seconds, ten people are pointing professional cameras at it, forming a crowd. Poor little guy. That kind of moment takes away the magic of being in nature.

While living on the farm, I was surrounded by wildlife all the time. I saw around twenty different bird species, squirrels, snakes, frogs. But what moved me the most was a family of deer that roamed freely near the farm. I spotted them a few times, but the most magical moment was the day the mother deer walked up to me, and I got to touch her.

That moment will stay with me forever. There are no words to explain what it feels like to be chosen by a wild animal, to look into its eyes, and share a moment like that. Volunteering in Costa Rica gave me that.

8. Working on the land makes you more aware

Almost all of the food we ate was organic. Only a few items like rice and beans came from outside. All the fruits and vegetables came from the garden we worked in, which was the heart of the farm. We had everything: beets, carrots, spinach, radishes, lettuce, hibiscus, arugula, cilantro, soursop, pineapple, banana, cacao. And the taste — wow!

You really begin to understand how much effort it takes to grow a single carrot, how much work it takes to keep a garden clean and thriving, and how climate change makes growing food even harder. I reflected daily on the way I consume and eat.

I became more aware of my own body, too. When I got back to the city and started eating processed foods again, I realized how balanced my diet had been on the farm — free of preservatives — and how much better I felt, both physically and mentally.

9. You’re not in control

Back in the city, I had a structured life where I controlled almost everything, like what to eat, who to spend my free time with, what to cook for dinner. On the farm, I lost control of everything: the weather, the meals, the schedule, the tasks.

As volunteers, our days were planned by the coordinator. We didn’t need to shop or cook because everything was included in the program. All we had to do was show up at the right time. Sounds easy, right?

I didn’t need to make plans, and that was actually hard. One of the biggest challenges for me was dealing with the discomfort of having nothing under control. But I learned something huge: we can’t control everything, and that’s okay. When life doesn’t go according to plan, we confront our fears, rethink our preferences, and challenge the way we see the world.

It’s an illusion to think we have control over everything. The only thing we truly control is how we react to situations. When we try to control things and something unexpected happens (and it will), we get frustrated. That used to happen to me all the time, and I suffered for no reason. Letting go of control on the farm made me so much more ready to face life’s challenges and much more tolerant of frustration.

How to go volunteering in Costa Rica

Immersive experiences like this are priceless. Yes, you’ll be uncomfortable at times — but that’s when you grow and learn. No travel agency can offer that kind of transformation.

Try volunteering. Let yourself be surprised. There are so many amazing opportunities for volunteering in Costa Rica on Worldpackers, a trusted platform that connects travelers with hosts around the world who need help with different tasks in exchange for accommodation and sometimes meals and other perks.

To get started, you just need to create a profile on Worldpackers.com and search for volunteering opportunities in Costa Rica, using the platform's filters to narrow down your search. There are many options, from helping on eco-farms and permaculture projects to supporting hostels, schools, or animal rescue centers.

Each listing shows the tasks expected, how many hours you'll work per week, what benefits are included, and reviews from other travelers. Once you find a host that fits your interests and travel dates, you can send an application and explain why you want to volunteer there and how you can help.

If accepted, all you need to do is organize your trip, bring an open mind, and get ready for an immersive experience. Volunteering in Costa Rica gives you the chance to connect with locals, practice Spanish, meet people from all over the world, and live close to nature, all while spending much less than you would as a regular tourist.

I highly recommend it! Costa Rica is an incredible country and living it so deeply and closely is truly magical. These are the kinds of memories that stay with you forever.

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