Where can I get a job in Costa Rica?

February 4, 2009 2:39 AM

Where can I work in Costa Rica this summer?

I will be traveling to Costa Rica this coming May as part of a college program that looks at sustainable development and conservation. The college program lasts 3 weeks, ending in early June. Since I'll already be in the country, I'd like to make the most of it. I'd like to get a job and stay for the rest of the summer if at all possible. I don't really know where to look. The few organizations that my professors passed along to me are only really looking to bring in graduate-level researchers. I on the other hand...
-Majors in Environmental Studies and Politics and Government, minor in Communication and Civic Advocacy
-Passable Spanish
-Highly experienced environmental/political activist
ie I have personally organized fundraisers, protests, rallies, letter campaigns, forums etc. I have spent semesters conducting independent research into environmental education policies. I serve on a committee appointed by the college president to work out a plan to become carbon neutral. I've spent several months canvassing on various issues. I write a regular column in the college paper about environmental issues. I'm also very involved in the emerging local bike scene and am linked into the national "bike programming" community.

That all said, I'm more than willing to do something menial or basic if its good experience. I don't really expect to make anything much beyond living costs either.

So AskMeFi, where would be a good place to live and work?
There has to be a good fit for me in Costa Rica.

posted by andythebean to work & money (6 comments total)

Dan Janzen is an ecologist with the University of Pennsylvania who makes regular trips to Costa Rica to run his conservation research program. You might contact him (lower-right corner) to see if he has any openings for volunteers.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:28 AM on February 4

I would suggest that you look into getting TEFL/TESOL certification and teaching English.
posted by McGuillicuddy at 3:52 AM on February 4

As you are only going to be there a couple of months you should look towards the menial. Try asking some eco-lodges if they would let you stay and eat off them in exchange for some sweat equity. The problem with deeper projects or ESL schools is that they are either going to want a longer commitment or a more formal internship for the summer. Of course, you could look into internships that begin in June.
posted by Pollomacho at 4:49 AM on February 4

I hate to sound negative (and indeed, I don't know much about the activist community or the field you've studied.. but I do know there doesn't seem to be too much of it going on down here, and I doubt anyone is going to pay you for protesting skills here)

Labor is really cheap here. You could make more money with a part-time job in the US and some strict saving for a few weeks than you will in a few months of full-time labor work in CR.
Plan out a cheap room & board situation, or place to live, and bring your cash ahead of time, and live cheaply. Live like the locals. Take the bus. Eat local food. Make some friends. Relax.
Go live at the beach in a shack.

Now that said - you could possibly pull off working for room & board at some lodge - which would certainly have it's benefits, and allow you to live cheaply.
posted by TravellingDen at 6:52 AM on February 4

WWOOF it.
posted by bricoleur at 7:06 AM on February 4

I'm not sure this is still relevant, but here it goes.

I work with NGOs in Costa Rica. We get a lot of offers from great people such as yourself, who want to work with us for a short period of time while exploring the country. We usually decline volunteers/interns willing to commit for less than 3 months, since we've figured the time investment we have to do (in training, orientation, language, legal paperwork for immigration etc) is far greater than the benefits, compared to hiring a local person. In my experience, working with local populations in activities such as organizing, conducting research, providing training and others require excellent Spanish and knowledge of the local culture. Also, most of our interns/volunteers end up a little disappointed when they realize our workloads are heavy, leaving little time to explore the country, and going to the beach is at least a 5 hour trip from San José, where most offices are located.

I second TravellingDen. Use your time to explore, go talk to the locals, eat at family "sodas", visit the small towns. Have fun!
posted by papalotl at 8:01 PM on February 23