Getting on the property ladder is but a distant dream for more than a million Costa Ricans who live in poverty. Through the uVolunteer Building and Construction Project, however, you can help low-income families make their dream of home ownership a reality. uVolunteer partners with two foundations in Costa Rica that provide loans to disadvantaged families. You will join the local underserved construction teams to help build homes for local disadvantaged residents in San Ramon.
Building and construction volunteers provide hands-on help, clearing land, digging foundations, plastering and laying bricks and roof tiles, as well as maintaining community buildings and schools already in existence.
You don’t need any official qualifications to help out with the project – as long as you are physically fit and willing to work hard, you are welcome to join the project and land a much-needed helping hand.
Download our program information brochure to find out more about volunteering in building and construction in Costa Rica.
As a building and construction volunteer in Costa Rica, you will provide additional labor resources for disadvantaged families building their own homes. Working in rural areas of San Ramon, you will clear building sites, dig foundations, lay bricks and roof tiles, plaster, paint and mix cement. Volunteers also help out with routine maintenance of community buildings and schools.
Building and construction volunteers work four days per week, from Monday to Thursday. Working hours usually work from 8 am until 3 pm, although this is subject to change – especially during the rainy season.
The construction project sites are based in and around the town and rural areas of San Ramon. Depending on the site where you are placed, you may be able to walk to the project, or you may have to take a short bus ride no longer than 30 minutes to the project site.
This project is closed during the fourth week of December and the first week of January, as well as for a week preceding Easter Sunday.
Our service has been amazing. It has two parts, which creates the greatest service I have yet to come by. The first part is construction of 3 new classrooms for the children. This is the long term change we` re creating at this center that will "leave our mark" after we left.
Nicole Barens, Read Nicole's Testimonial
With the construction I was able to feel as though the work and time I spent here will truly leave a physical mark. The classrooms we helped build will be there and used to change the lives of children for years to come.
Samantha Bader, Read Samantha's Testimonial
On the day of my arrival (which happened to be my birthday!!) I was met by Marianella at the San Jose airport and everything went so smoothly. We were taken by mini-van to the dorm in San Ramon where to my pleasant surprise Marianella had baked me a birthday cake!!
Karina Hammond, Read Karina's Testimonial
I was also given the opportunity to work in construction and aided in the development of a house for a woman and her daughter, mixing, pouring, and leveling cement and working with the local constructors was amazing. Lastly, I was given the opportunity at night to teach English at the University.
Anthony Braun, Read Anthony's Testimonial
Our Spanish improved tremendously. We made many new friends. After, we were treated to a lovely tourist trip to Volcan Arenal and Monteverde.
Benjamin Horst, Read Benjamin's Testimonial
I liked how I got two aspects of the volunteering experience. I was able to help the Project by building a wall in the mornings.
Christopher Jernigan, Read Christopher's Testimonial
We had to get a bus out of a hole, we had to sleep on crazy beds in La Fortuna and I got stuck in the middle of a valley while hanging from a cable. At the same time I had a lot of fun. The hot springs were unbelievable, the hanging bridges along with the view of Arenal were breathtaking and zip lining through Montverde was fantastic.
Zachary Boise, Read Zachary's Testimonial
I enjoyed the program immensely I think five weeks was enough for me I learnt a huge amount and taking part with my friends was difficult at times but we will go home with lots of shared stories plus we made lots of new great friends along the way.
Alexandra Oliver, Read Alexandra's Testimonial
Also the benefit of construction was that despite the early start you normally get home early which allowed me time to study some Spanish or go to the gym. To finish off I am returning for a week at the community centre which I am very much looking forward to.
Lewis Caswell, Read Lewis's Testimonial
From the moment you arrive you will put at ease immediately. Your coordinator's main duty is to ensure that you have a great time. The programs' living conditions are clean, comfortable and very safe.
Aya Baeshean, Read Aya's Testimonial
If you are interested in joining the program in Costa Rica, you should download and read our destination guide.