We offer a variety of options for volunteering in Costa Rica for free throughout the local community surrounding the schools. All we ask is that you stay in our accommodations while doing so. The following free volunteer opportunities are available at our Puerto Viejo location in Costa Rica. – Volunteer at El Puente / The Bridge – Care & Education Centre for Indigenous People Tasks: Three days a week you work with Indian people of all ages who come to the project. This work can involve for example: giving out soup and coffee or helping children with their homework, or teaching someone basic English or how to use a computer. When: Three times a week, from 8.30 am – 2.30 pm. Requirements: Low level of Spanish is sufficient. Minimum stay in the project: 1 week – Volunteer at the Waldorf Daycare Center – Children Children from the age of 1 to 6 years come here from 8am till midday. The daycare is based on the Waldorf-system, which is a very stimulating environment! Tasks: You help teachingand preparing healthy snacks for the children. When: Year round. Excepting school holidays: first two weeks of July and from 15th December until 15th February. Requirements: Intermediate level of Spanish is required, minimum participation: 2 weeks. – Volunteer for free at the Animal Rescue Centre You will be working with monkeys, sloths, raccoons, margay´s, owls, kinkajous and other animals. The objective is to release them when they are healthy back into the jungle. Tasks: You will clean cages, prepare food, feed the animals and interact with them. When: Year round. Requirements: Work from 8am to 3pm 5 or 6 days a week, also in weekends. Intermediate level of Spanish is required, minimum participation: 2 weeks. Location in Playa Chiquita, a 20 minute bike ride from Puerto Viejo. A $50 donation for the Centre is required. . – Volunteer at after school Childcare This is a very new initiative in Puerto Viejo for children that come mainly from one –parent families with drug and alcoholproblems. The children can go a few hours a day to this centre where they develop their creative skills. At the moment only painting classes are offered, but this will be expanded in the near future.There are two creative social workers who need help with the 20 to 30 children, so they can all receive some personal attention. Tasks: Help with art classes,teaching art, giving personal attention to the children. When: Monday to Friday from  9:30 to 13:30. Requirements: Patience and creativity in working with children that may lack positive attention and discipline at home. minimum participation: one morning. Basic level Spanish. – Volunteer at a small Eco-project in Cahuita At this farm based on sustainable agriculture, flowers, plants, fruits, vegetables and spices are grown in an ecological way. Tasks: Help cultivating the crops or in construction of ´ranchos´. The project aims to teach local people how to grow crops in a responsible way so you can also help guide these tours. When:Year round. Requirements: Minimum participation: 2 weeks, Level of Spanish: A2, 40 hrs, 5 days a week. We recommend this volunteer work after finishing a course of Spanish Classes.