Agroecological Farming

location
3 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Fantastic 4.5  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Volunteer at a stunning eco-farm nestled in the highlands, surrounded by regenerated forests, botanical gardens, and breathtaking views of the Orosi Valley.
  • Be part of a project dedicated to strengthening the relationship between society and nature through hands-on environmental education.
  • Located just outside of San José, the farm offers a peaceful escape with panoramic mountain views and a chance to immerse yourself in Costa Rican rural life.

Highlights

  • Volunteer at a stunning eco-farm nestled in the highlands, surrounded by regenerated forests, botanical gardens, and breathtaking views of the Orosi Valley.
  • Be part of a project dedicated to strengthening the relationship between society and nature through hands-on environmental education.
  • Located just outside of San José, the farm offers a peaceful escape with panoramic mountain views and a chance to immerse yourself in Costa Rican rural life.
  • Join a welcoming community, learn sustainable practices, and contribute to environmental solutions—all while enjoying the stunning Costa Rican landscape.


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups

    About the program

    Experience the ultimate eco-adventure in Costa Rica! Volunteer on a sustainable farm, care for animals, learn organic farming, and make a real impact on the environment!

    About the Program

    This farm was constituted on November 14, 1998 as a non-profit association with the purpose to complement Costa Ricas environmental education and to strengthen the relationship between society and the environment.

    The near by town 'La Flor' is a typical rural Costa Rican community ...

    About the program

    About the Program

    This farm was constituted on November 14, 1998 as a non-profit association with the purpose to complement Costa Ricas environmental education and to strengthen the relationship between society and the environment.

    The near by town 'La Flor' is a typical rural Costa Rican community located in the high lands of the Central Valley, 1250 meters (4000 feet) above sea level. The grounds of the farm include 10 hectares of regenerated forest, botanical and medicinal gardens, domestic animals (goats, chickens, horses) and organic agriculture. The property displays a panoramic view of the Orosi Valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in the country.

    You will do planting and watering, working with the ground, and you will harvest fruit and vegetable that will be used for cooking.

    There is always a lot of work with animals: clean their stables and feed them.

    Sometimes there is construction work to do - and you might learn how to construct a wall out of 'barro' ... (loam).Spanish knowledge is not required - it is to the volunteer´s advantage to study Spanish to communicate with the local people who work at the farm. The farm runs an Alternative Spanish Language Institute where classes are offered.

    Our Volunteers

    Our volunteers should be enthusiastic about developing new skills and experiencing living with nature. We welcome volunteers of all ages for a shorter or longer period of time. You don't need to speak Spanish although it's an advantage to be able to communicate with the local people. We also offer Spanish language classes to our volunteers. 

    Your Program Location

    The eco farm is located in a beautiful, natural environment in the town of La Flor - approximately one and a half hours outside of San Jose (two hours by bus), above the Orosi Valley near Paraíso of Cartago, Costa Rica.



    Typical day

    Weekly Schedule

    You will do guided work from Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m to 12:00 noon.

    Your Tasks

    Typical tasks during your week can include the following areas: 

    • Organic agriculture
    • Botanical garden and forest
    • Domestic animals
    • Medicinal plants
    • Environmental Education
    • Discussions of environmental problems ...

    Typical day

    Weekly Schedule

    You will do guided work from Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m to 12:00 noon.

    Your Tasks

    Typical tasks during your week can include the following areas: 

    • Organic agriculture
    • Botanical garden and forest
    • Domestic animals
    • Medicinal plants
    • Environmental Education
    • Discussions of environmental problems and possible solutions
    • Cooking
    • Cross-cultural interaction


    Free-time activities

    During your work you will not have the time to make trips to other places as every journey takes about half a day to get there. So, save your free days for an excursion ... there is so much to visit in Costa Rica! We recommend the National Parks (Monteverde, Manuel Antonio), the volcanos (Arenal, ...

    Free-time activities

    During your work you will not have the time to make trips to other places as every journey takes about half a day to get there. So, save your free days for an excursion ... there is so much to visit in Costa Rica! We recommend the National Parks (Monteverde, Manuel Antonio), the volcanos (Arenal, Irazú, Poás), go for a trip to the coast in Jacó and Quepos, travel to the caribbean coast to Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, our rainforest lodge or visit us in Sámara and enjoy beach life for some days!


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by first hand Costa Rica

    Program fees include:

    • We organize the journey to the project
    • We also do hostel reservations in San José if needed (mostly it is needed!)
    • Accommodation and food (vegetarian) is included 

    Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

    You will be picked up at the airport by our driver with a sign with your name and you will directly get in contact with your german, english, spanish speaking coordinator via phone. The driver will drive you to the reserved hostel (if necessary), give you the bus ticket (he will buy a ticket in advance to reserve you a seat in the bus), pick you up at the hostel the day of your journey to the project and bring you to the bus.
    The cost will be around 70 US$ plus the hostel night (around 13 US$ (dorm) and 40 US$ (single/double room).

    Accommodation

    Shared cabins with other volunteers - see the photos.

    Food & Beverages

    Three meals - very tasty and vegetarian food.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    This program is available all year. It starts every Monday. Please arrive at least one day before the programs starts. 


    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    3 weeks (min. stay) 1,047€
    4 weeks 1,347€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 2,803€
    Average fees 291€/week

    Program fees

    291€ per week 3 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    3 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with first hand Costa Rica during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    first hand Costa Rica

    Fantastic 4.5 rating (100 reviews)

    Agency - founded in 2006

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Very high response rate

    Coordinated by

    Sofia

    Spoken languages: French, Spanish, German, English

    About the project

    We offer you to immerse in the daily life of costarican families and work routines of teaching and conservation projects. These new found knowledges teach you a lot.

    Meet your organization

    In 1994 we at first hand moved to Costa Rica and everything started when my son went to a little elementary school near Sámara: 11 children, 6 degrees, one classroom and one teacher. We started bringing volunteers to this little school and 'poco a poco' other schools addressed us with interest of having volunteers and families offered themselves for having volunteers in their house.

    Since then a lot has changed and developed at first hand – we started many new teaching programs and conservation projects all over the country – but one thing is still the same: we have a very personal and very close contact to all of our schools, guestfamilies and projects. We live in Costa Rica and we will be there when you need us!

    First hand offers volunteer opportunities in schools, kindergarten, music schools, turtle camps, animal reserves, macaw stations, farms and in the rainforest.

    We, the agency for volunteer work first hand, are in direct contact with schools and environmental conservation projects planning, organizing and joining our volunteers during this unforgettable and worthy experience!

    We have 20 years experience of living in Costa Rica and feel commited to the people, comunitary help and sustainable ecological development. Through the 'Asociación Intercambio Cultural ALEGRIA - AICA', a non-profit organization, we have been promoting intercultural exchange in all areas of artistic expression and organizing festivals and benefit events. 

    First hand offers projects almost everywhere in Costa Rica. San Jose, Islita, Buena Vista, Manzanillo, Drake Bay, Mata Palo...just to name a few!

    Our Vision

    first hand wants to contribute to a sustainable development and mutual respect by intercultural exchange and learning from each other.

    Why volunteering with first hand?

    Your contribution makes the difference in educating children, preserving marine turtles or other animals and protecting the rainforests of Costa Rica. You live and work with locals and you get to learn the real life of Costaricans. Every day you deal directly with opinions, lifestyles and routines of a different culture. These new found knowledges teach you more about yourself! You learn or improve your spanish skills. Language is the key to understanding the values of a different culture. Work experiences in foreign countries are indispensable in times of globalization. A volunteer based commitment will open many doors for you.

    About Costa Rica

    Costa Rica is a little tropical paradise between two oceans. Hardly any other country has such an abundance of plants and animals on such a small terrain. 25% of it's area is protected by national parks. Active volcanos, hot springs, rain and cloud forests, mountain rivers, spectacular waterfalls, subterranean caves, coral reefs, mangroves, amazing caribbean and pacific beaches and a fascinating animal world invite you to discover and enjoy.

    Costa Rica has the oldest democracy in Latin America, a working social system, responsable environmental laws and is the only country in the world that has no army. The relaxed 'pura vida' lifestyle of the 'ticos' and their hospitality towards visitors make it one of the safest top destinations in Latin America.

    100 reviews · rating4.5

    Luisa rating4.6

    2017 at Agroecological Farming

    On 06.03 I went to the Finca Agroecologica La Flor. It is located near Cartago in the mountains with a beautiful view of a valley and the volcano Turrialba. Every day there was something else to do. Sometimes the work was physically quite strenuous. But there were always enough breaks as well as ...
    Lisa rating4.4

    2017 at Agroecological Farming

    My stay at Finca La Flor was short but still very intense. The two weeks with Bri (the owner) were full of nice conversations with the most diverse people. Working with the animals or in the fields was a lot of fun in this overwhelming landscape as well as cooking with the locals. But you expect a ...
    Clara rating4.6

    2016 at Agroecological Farming

    After almost two months on the coast, I went to the third project in the mountains, near Cartago, where a different volunteer had been waiting for me, for she was except me the only volunteer on the farm. She was also the first German I had met in Costa Rica and it was nice to speak German again. We ...
    Leonie rating4.6

    2015 at Agroecological Farming

    I spent five months in total in Costa Rica, four of which had been perfectly organised by First Hand. I worked at the Eco Farm in the central valley for three months and then another four weeks at another program. The time at the farm was amazing, a well organised work schedule and great company ...
    Ursula rating4.4

    2015 at Agroecological Farming

    The work on the farm was very interesting, we did something new almost every day and I learned so many different things about medical herbs, feed crop, making cheese and much more. I was lucky to have a big group of German volunteers working there at the same time as me so there was always something ...
    Lara rating4.6

    2014 at Agroecological Farming

    I spent two months at the farm and when I first arrived I was already blown away by the stunning nature and all the plants that were cultivated. All the workers were super nice and we spoke to each other exclusively in Spanish, which was great to improve my skills. The work varied from day to day ...

    Location


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    Contact Sofia
      Very high response rate
    French, Spanish, German, English

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