Description

Hike, paddle, and zip-line through Costa Rica, an ecological wonderland containing five percent of the earth's biodiversity in a rich and magnificent natural environment.

Orientation in San Jose

Learn how the words "Pura Vida" capture the spirit and soul of Costa Rica; its ecology, economy, and people. Spend three days exploring San José and learning about Costa Rican culture. Begin using your Spanish as you visit cultural sites, grab lunch at a café, and explore nearby nature reserves and a renowned bio-park. You will be joined by an experienced Costa Rican naturalist throughout the program.

Homestay

For 12 days, you live with a friendly Costa Rican family in a town surrounded by soaring green mountains, sugar cane fields, and lush tropical landscapes seemingly untouched by industrialization. Nature hikes with host siblings, meals of gallo pinto with your family, and excursions with local students deepen your understanding of typical village life.

Sample host communities:
Pejivalle, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria de Dota, Palmares, Carit

Community Service

Costa Ricans take enormous pride in preserving biodiversity and creating sustainable communities that live in harmony with the natural environment. Contribute to these efforts as you work alongside host family members and locals on an important community service project that focuses on rural development and ecological sustainability.

Sample projects:
Plant organic coffee seedlings and trees for habitat restoration; help build a recycling center; paint and repair community buildings.

Eco-Adventure and Travel

Traveling with a local ecologist, you and your group explore the different regions and ecosystems of Costa Rica, gaining a deeper understanding of the country's rich cultural and environmental diversity.

Sample activities:
Visit stunning cloud forests and discover tropical birds, indigenous animals, and lush plants; shop for handicrafts in local markets; taste the fruit of the cacao plant as you learn more about chocolate production; learn about rainforest preservation and ecology in a remote biological reserve on the Peninsula de Osa; hike in spectacular national parks, climb volcanoes, and test your courage on a rainforest canopy zipline; kayak in the Golfo Duce and through mangrove forests; enjoy the beauty of Costa Rica's coastline.

Travel Types

• Camping
• Eco Tours
• Hiking
• Homestay
• Kayaking (Sea)
• Language Immersion
• RainForest Tours
• Trekking
• Volunteering

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration
• Language Immersion

Languages

• Spanish

Cost in US$:

USD6,200

Program Fees Include:

International airfare included

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 15

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Typically The Application Process Time is

2-4 weeks

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Experiment in International Living's Mission Statement

The Experiment in International Living's mission is to create meaningful, dynamic experiences for students eager to challenge themselves and engage their sense of global citizenry. Our goal is to help young people peel back the superficial differences that exist in their backgrounds and find authentic commonalities among other program participants and the people of their host countries.

Year Founded

1932