An official website of the United States government
About Costa Rica
Since 1963, Peace Corps volunteers have served at the invitation of the Costa Rican government to help fulfill the country’s development goals.
With nearly one fifth of Costa Rica’s population living below the poverty line, concerning rates of unemployment, and a public education system stretching to meet the learning needs of every child, Peace Corps Volunteers see the version of Costa Rica that cannot be found in a tourism ad- its persistent pockets of poverty, the genuine needs that affect vulnerable communities, and the stunning beauty of this diverse country.
Volunteers devote two or more years of their lives to serve in one of three program areas: Community Economic Development, English Education, and Youth Development. Whether in rural communities or urban centers, our Volunteers are expected to live at the humblest level alongside their local counterparts, helping to design creative approaches to development challenges.
Our shared belief in the mission of Peace Corps - to promote world peace and friendship through community-based development and cross-cultural understanding – inspires volunteers, staff and local colleagues alike to dedicate their lives to collaboration, contribution, and hard work. After Peace Corps service, volunteers return to the United States with new skills, deep knowledge and respect for different cultures, as well as long-lasting friendships.
For those of you ready to focus on service to others, we invite you to explore the pages of this website. Come learn about the Costa Rica where we serve, the Costa Rica beyond the picturesque emerald green jungles and turquoise oceans. Let us share with you what it means to serve a community in Costa Rica and make a difference in the lives of others, in this land of breathtaking beauty, yet great need, as we fulfill the three goals of Peace Corps:
- To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
- To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
- To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
