Costa Rica: Schools, Service & Adventure
Community Service and Language Teen Travel Program
Maximize your community service hours and Spanish language immersion opportunities on this Costa Rica Teen Summer Travel Program.
Trip Details
Departures and Availability
Session 1
June 27, 2027 July 11, 2027 OpenSession 2
July 14, 2027 July 28, 2027 OpenFocus
Building Initiatives, Spanish Immersion, Working with Children
Grades
Entering 9th – Graduating 12th
Average Group Size
18 Students, 3 Staff
Days
15
Service Hours
35-45 Hours
Tuition
$5,195
Itinerary
Experience Costa Rica’s wonder: zip-lining, rafting, surfing, impactful community service, and language immersion for an unforgettable, purpose-driven journey!
- Arrive in San Jose for orientation in a lodge above the city
- Create our group contract, align on individual and collective goals, clarify expectations, and play some icebreaker games
- Scavenger Hunt in Alajuela – flex your Spanish muscles!
- Embark on a thrilling overnight rafting adventure on the Pacuare River, one of the world’s most beautiful and biodiverse waterways
- Spend the night at a permanent riverside camp used by the rafting outfitters
- Spot unique flora and fauna along the river
- Travel to La Fortuna, famous for its iconic volcano and misty landscape
- Visit an organic dairy farm – learn about permaculture, cheese-making, and micro-business from a local expert!
- Enjoy a zip line excursion for a unique view of the rainforest canopy
- Participate in informal Spanish language games and lessons
- Souvenir shopping in downtown La Fortuna
- Learn about Costa Rica’s public education system, literacy rates, and how both compare to our home countries
- Live in a local community and work on school-centered projects
- Teach English lessons to kids, plant gardens at the local school, and engage in other school-related projects based on current needs – in Costa Rica, students are in school during your program!
- Organize a popular “Día de Actividades” for the community with field day competitions, art workshops, music, games, and more
- Participate in soccer games and other activities with local children
- Evenings feature cultural activities such as dances, cooking classes, and games with the host community
- Travel to the Pacific Coast, known for its stunning combination of rainforest and ocean
- Take a surf lesson from a local professional guide, with waves suitable for all skill levels
- Explore a picturesque local beach and a beautiful waterfall
- Plant a tree at a reforestation project
- Yoga class with a professional instructor
- Final celebratory dinner back in San Jose
- Depart for home with lasting memories of the experience
Costa Rica Teen Travel Highlights
Live Like a Local
Experience authentic Costa Rican culture through homestays, where students stay in pairs with welcoming host families, practice Spanish, and participate in daily life, projects, and activities.
Learn, Teach & Connect
Partner with local schools on hands-on education and service projects, spend time with Costa Rican students, and explore teaching and education through meaningful cultural exchange.
Ride the Rapids
Embark on an exciting overnight journey down the beautiful Pacuare River, navigating Class 3 and 4 rapids surrounded by lush rainforest. Spend the night at a riverside camp, experiencing the natural beauty and biodiversity of one of Costa Rica’s most stunning waterways while connecting with fellow adventurers.
Catch A Wave
Learn to surf on Costa Rica’s stunning Pacific Coast, where fun waves and expert instructors make it the perfect spot for all levels.
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Costa Rica Service Trip Accommodations
San Jose
Global Works Costa Rica participants spend the first and final days of the program in a small, comfortable lodge located in the mountains surrounding the capital of San Jose. The lodge is locally owned and specializes in hosting student groups. It is dorm style with 4 to 6 students sleeping in bunk beds; each room has a private bathroom with hot water showers. Large group spaces located on the property are ideal for group orientation, dance lessons, and icebreaker activities.
Central Valley Homestays
Global Works has longstanding relationships with the communities where we place students and complete our service projects. All homes where students are housed are within walking distance of one another and close to the project work site. Homes are humble in nature, typically constructed of concrete blocks; they are clean and inviting. Students will have a private room within the home and the room is shared between two Global Works students. All homes have bathrooms complete with a flush toilet and a shower. Meals are prepared by the homestay families and families are trained in proper food preparation and food handling.
Pacific Coast Surf-Camp
Participants stay at an eco-lodge in southern Costa Rica located just steps from the beaches of Marino Ballena National Park. Accommodations are traditional hotel-style rooms shared by two to four students. The lodge is styled with an onsite swimming pool, hammocks, and common areas.
Enroll in a Teen Summer Trip With Global Works Today
Through our service trips for students, we cultivate unique adventures and inspiring experiences that will stick with our travelers long after the summer is over.
