Costa Rica: Specialty Coffee & Sustainable Farming

Introduction

This immersive internship takes place in one of Costa Rica’s most picturesque and fertile highland regions—an area internationally recognized for producing some of the best coffee in the world. Far from the tourist trail, this community is grounded in farming traditions, warm hospitality, and an increasing commitment to regenerative practices. Once dominated by monocultures, local farms are now diversifying with crops like apples, strawberries, bananas, golden berries, and sugar cane. Interns are welcomed into this agricultural transition, learning directly from experienced farmers who are reimagining what sustainable food systems can look like in Central America.

This placement offers a full-spectrum view of the coffee world, from planting and harvesting to roasting, cupping, and selling. Interns live with a local coffee farming family and gain firsthand experience in the rhythms of rural Costa Rican life. Depending on your skills and interests, you may engage more deeply in agroecological fieldwork, media and marketing for the farm’s café and specialty coffee, or even explore barista training and coffee education. Interns also learn how cooperative models and value-added products support long-term financial sustainability for local growers.

Daily Life

Life here is communal, slow-paced, and rooted in seasonal cycles. You’ll share daily tasks with your host family, from preparing meals and repairing tools to helping with chores around the house and farm. Most days include a mix of hands-on agricultural work and time at the processing plant, café, or barista school, where you’ll support everything from peeling, drying, and grinding beans to customer service, inventory, or photo documentation.

Expect to work 3–5 days per week at one or several of the project sites, with afternoons and weekends free for rest, exploration, or community events. Interns who speak Spanish may also take on translation or help develop international marketing materials to support exports to the U.S. or Europe. No matter your focus, this internship invites you into a regenerative, small-scale economy where farming, hospitality, and education come together to form a vibrant and resilient way of life.

Travel & Accom.

Requirements

Interns are expected to finance their own travel costs (international and while on site).

Other requirements include:

• Minimum 4 weeks commitment, recommended 8-12 weeks (flexibility for a minimum of 2 weeks however this could affect the price).
• Academic and/or professional experience in a related field
• Full travel & medical insurance
• Necessary vaccinations
• Necessary visa costs (Most nationalities are granted a tourist visa automatically upon arrival for up to 180 days – always check specific visa requirements based on your nationality)

Costs

$800 for the 1st week + $600 for each week thereafter.

* Currency conversions are approximate. Use xe.com for up to date currency conversion rates
** All payments incur a 5% bank transfer fee
*** Places are confirmed with a 1 week deposit.

What’s Included:

• Accommodation and 3 meals a day with a host family. Includes a private room, bathroom, all bedding, and place to do laundry
• Guided pre-departure preparation
• In-country orientation that addresses risk management, culture shock, cross-cultural adaptation skills, history/culture
• 1:1 check-ins every week
• 24/7 emergency support
• Network of doctors, therapists, Spanish tutors in-country
• Access to network of experts and information databases for research support
• Exit interview and end-of-program reflection
• Alumni group and future references

What’s not included:

• Costs of flights and visa
• Costs of vaccinations
• Personal transportation
• Any other activities outside of scheduled program activities (white water rafting, yoga, workshops, guided jungle hikes, etc.)

Full assistance will be provided in getting all these arranged if you choose our Premium Support.

Premium Support Upgrade

We understand there’s a great deal to plan and organise for your trip. When booking a Placement, many of our participants choose to purchase our Premium Support Upgrade to benefit from the expertise, knowledge and experience of our Project Coordinators. We can provide the personal advice you need to ensure your trip is organised with excellence and planned with efficiency; ensuring the very best experience possible. Read more about how we can help you.