MEDLIFE Tamarindo | Volunteer Abroad in Costa Rica

About Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a town on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, in the province of Guanacaste. Playa Tamarindo and Playa Langosta are two of its well-known surf beaches. Playa Grande, located in the northern portion of Las Baulas National Marine Park, is an important nesting place for giant leatherback turtles. Howler monkeys and crocodiles are among the wildlife that thrives in the mangrove-lined estuary of the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge. If you’re looking to volunteer abroad in Costa Rica, MEDLIFE Tamarindo offers essential medicine, education, and development to underserved communities.

WHY YOU SHOULD Volunteer in tamarindo

Tamarindo is a beautiful and diverse coastal town in Costa Rica, known for its stunning beaches and rich wildlife. Volunteering here allows you to immerse yourself in a new culture, learn about the local customs and traditions, and meet new people worldwide while positively impacting the community. Despite being full of beautiful natural attractions, 1.1 million people live in poverty in Costa Rica. Around 20 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line, earning less than $155 monthly. Poverty and income inequality are persistent issues in Tamarindo, particularly among residents who may not benefit from the tourism industry. Factors contributing to poverty in Tamarindo include limited access to education and job opportunities, a high cost of living, and income disparities between urban and rural areas. The tropical weather and lush scenery attract many tourists. However, that same equatorial climate also brings still water and multiple mosquito-borne illnesses, which significantly impact the health of the residents.

Highlights of the trip:

Explore various inspiring and impactful service learning trip options available year-round in MEDLIFE Tamarindo, including classic, nursing, dental, high school, physician assistants, engineering & architecture, and more!
Airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals (mon-fri), and 24/7 in-country support.
Free medical insurance is included.
Comfortable dormitory-style rooms during your stay.
Enhance your adventure with exciting add-ons!
Volunteer in Latin America, give back and make memories!

How You Can Help

Mobile Clinics

MEDLIFE tackles critical health issues in these communities through mobile clinics, preventative health education workshops, and patient follow-up. However, our efforts rely on dedicated individuals like you, who choose to volunteer on Service Learning Trips (SLT), making our work possible.

These are the stations in which you would participate during mobile clinics in Tamarindo:

Triage
General Medicine
OB/GYN
Toothbrushing
Education
Pharmacy

Development Projects

Discover the development projects you could participate in while volunteering in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. These projects are collaboratively designed and developed with the community to address their needs, resulting in meaningful and sustainable impact and empowered communities.

School Renovations
Home Renovations
and more!

To learn more about our volunteer opportunities in Costa Rica, download our brochure!

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE SLT BROCHURE

MEDLIFE Tamarindo SAFETY

When you sign up for a Service Learning Trip in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, you are automatically registered for medical emergency insurance for the duration of your trip. Visit our travel safe page or email us at [email protected] to learn more.

Explore & Support: Enhance Your SLT Adventure

A trip to Peru would be incomplete without witnessing the majesty of Machu Picchu and experiencing the spectacular rolling sand dunes of Ica. Our optional add-ons let you dive deeper into your SLT destination, supporting MEDLIFE communities sustainably along the way.

Click here to view extension options

Tamarindo, Costa Rica