Adventure Tours in Central America

Dive into the warmth of the Panamanian culture, try new and flavorful dishes, and make connections that will last you a lifetime! Panama, a land of cultural fusion and natural beauty, connects North and South America through its world-famous canal and rich history. On this 10-day Global Prep program, you will explore the vibrant capital city, travel across different provinces, and immerse yourself in authentic cultural experiences. You’ll walk through the colonial streets of Casco Viejo, watch ships cross the Panama Canal, engage with indigenous Emberá communities, and explore tropical rainforests by hiking the legendary India Dormida in El Valle de Antón! Every day brings a new perspective on Panamanian life. Your stay with a host family in Penonomé will allow you to share meals, traditions, and stories, while experiencing daily life in the heart of Panama. This combination of history, culture, and nature makes Panama the perfect setting to expand your worldview. Life in Panama is full of color and excitement – with its tropical climate and friendly, easygoing people, you’ll never be without something new to experience!

Few countries rival Costa Rica’s richness in wildlife. Home to nearly 900 bird species, 1,200 butterflies, and 250 mammals, it’s one of the world’s most biodiverse nations—and a paradise for wildlife photographers. This guided tour, led by expert photographer Adi Ringer, takes you through Costa Rica’s most photographically rewarding regions. You’ll explore the lush rainforests of Sarapiquí, cruise the wildlife-rich Tarcoles River, and venture into the mystical cloud forests of San Gerardo de Dota. With access to private reserves, guided night shoots, and small-group instruction, this immersive experience is tailored to photographers of all levels. From dazzling dart frogs and sloths to toucans, macaws, and the rare Resplendent Quetzal, you’ll have countless chances to build a vibrant, diverse portfolio. Along the way, stay in eco-lodges surrounded by nature—where wildlife is just outside your door.

The ultimate adventure travel experience, gain high-quality training in Jungle Survival, Expedition Management, Wilderness Medicine, and Expedition Leadership on this unique and challenging personal development course! Since the first course in 2008, our Adventure Guide Training program has led the way in transforming aspiring and enthusiastic trainees from raw recruits in the jungles of Central America into highly competent Adventure Guides armed with the skills needed to plan, organize, and lead expeditions across the globe. A genuine once-in-a-lifetime adventure, kick-start your career and join the next generation of Gapforce Adventure Guides!

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 155,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back; it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

Joining a Raleigh Costa Rica Expedition is a truly unique experience that allows you to take part in different projects, equip yourself with new skills, create lasting change with the communities we work with and take urgent action on environmental issues. Work with local initiatives and organisations to help preserve Costa Rica's natural resources, as one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. You will improve access to national parks by working with park rangers. On the Community project you will work with local indigenous communities to improve access to education for some of Costa Rica’s most marginalised children by improving educational infrastructure. Lastly, build your skills on the adventure leadership trek. Challenge yourself on trek and help lead your team through a variety of stunning routes.

The Volunteer Adventure program combines 1 week of volunteering with 6 days of travel and exploration in Costa Rica. This is an excellent option if you're interested in learning more about international volunteering and you want to make sure you visit the most important sites and highlights in beautiful Costa Rica! Depending on individual skills and interests, you can get involved in the following volunteer projects: - Working with Kids - Teaching English - Construction - Conservation - Medical/Healthcare Tours included on the Volunteer Adventure in Guatemala are: - Cultural Night in San Jose - Butterfly garden, Volcano tour, and Waterfall garden - Catamaran Tour - Manuel Antonio Beach (2 days/3 nights) The all-inclusive Volunteer Adventure also includes 2 hours per day of Spanish classes during your first week, accommodations, and daily breakfast and dinner.

This 17-day journey offers an enriching blend of thrilling adventure, deep cultural immersion, and impactful conservation work in the heart of Costa Rica. Start by immersing yourself in the vibrant local culture in Quepos with Spanish lessons, cooking, dance, and surfing classes. Explore rich biodiversity in Manuel Antonio National Park and engage in a transformative cultural exchange with the indigenous Boruca/Térraba communities. The adventure culminates with a meaningful volunteer experience at the sea turtle conservation project in Osa, where you’ll contribute to protecting one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems. Are you seeking adventure, cultural discovery, and a chance to make a positive impact?

Join us in Costa Rica for unforgettable memories and valuable service work! We will have the unique opportunity to perform 20 hours of valuable service work in two different communities. In La Fortuna we will work alongside the local association of Boy Scouts with various projects like planting trees to promote a better ecosystem, light construction, and clean-up projects. TFT feels strongly about the impact of this organization and we contribute every year to help them continue their mission in the community. In Sámara we work with another local association that provides supplemental educational, recreational, and career opportunities for youth with limited resources in the rural beach communities of the surrounding area. We will be helping run one of their many programs focusing on academic and artistic education, environmental consciousness, health, and socio-cultural development. Projects vary but our service work typically consists of working on art projects with the children, reading to them, teaching them English, and general upkeep of the school such as painting and light maintenance.

Our next trip dates are as follows: June 10-17, 2023 (1 week) June 17-25, 2023 (1 week) June 10-25, 2023 (2 weeks) January 5-13, 2024 (1 week) Sustainable Action Costa Rica is an eight-day, intensive, and fun-filled program during your winter break or gap year. You'll experience social and environmental sustainability in action. We'll tackle questions like: - How did Costa Rica become a renowned example of success in environmental conservation? - What does it mean to move the world in a sustainable direction? - Is Costa Rica a fitting role model for sustainable development in larger nations? Along the way, we'll do some hiking, waterfall swimming, relaxing in hot springs, and a lot of other fun group activities! With more than 50 years of experience engaging students and young professionals in life-changing cultural exchange programs, InterExchange is your ideal guide for personal growth and adventure.

Global Works specializes in teen service trips and educational experiences to Costa Rica for high school and middle school students. These student travel programs have been our most popular over the years for good reason. Incredible biodiversity and a welcoming culture make Costa Rica an awesome choice for a summer adventure. Global Works offers volunteer programs in different focus areas. We offer opportunities for community service, Spanish immersion, cultural exchange, pre-med and public health, wildlife, adventure travel, and a middle school-focused program to this special corner of the globe. Program Options: * Costa Rica: Service & Sand (15 days) * Costa Rica: Wildlife Adventure (17 days) * Costa Rica: Intro to Pre-Med & Public Health (17 days) * Costa Rica: Middle School Service Adventure (10 days)

The Costa Rica: Cloud Forest Community Initiative program offers the perfect mix of adventure and service. Whitewater raft through the lush rainforest of the Pacuare River, spotting wildlife like monkeys, sloths, and toucans along the way. Live in a remote cloud forest village, contributing to important infrastructure projects. Learn to surf the calm waves of Costa Rica’s Pacific Ocean, while enjoying the country’s stunning palm-fringed beaches. Discover the process of coffee production in the lush green mountains where it’s grown, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of rainforests, pristine coastlines, and hidden waterfalls, all while connecting with and supporting local communities.

Seamester is the educational adventure of a lifetime! For more than 40 years, we have offered unparalleled educational voyages where students spend a semester at sea sailing between islands, countries, and even continents. We design our programs to provide engaging learning experiences with real outcomes in ways that are impossible to replicate in the traditional classroom. Living as part of a close-knit team on an ocean-going vessel, our students learn fundamental lessons beyond academics: teamwork, leadership, and personal responsibility. They receive academic credit from the University of South Florida, along with PADI scuba certifications and IYT sailing certifications. Our programs are designed to inspire students to realize that it’s the journey, not the destination, that matters the most.

Uncover the spirit of Central America on a 10-week journey through Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. Trek lush rainforests, hike volcanoes, raft wild rivers, and explore ancient Mayan ruins. More than just adventure, this program invites you to live alongside local communities, learn Spanish through immersion, and engage in meaningful sustainability projects that leave a lasting impact. Designed for students and young adults seeking growth, clarity, and purpose, Pacific Discovery blends challenge with support. You’ll gain confidence traveling with a small group and experienced instructors who mentor you through guided reflection and leadership activities. Days balance cultural exchange, service, and personal exploration—so you’re not just passing through, but truly connecting. Whether you’re taking a gap year, looking for an alternative to study abroad, or craving a deeper cultural experience, this program helps you grow, give back, and discover your place in the world.

Costa Rica is where adventure, service, cultural immersion, and the wonders of nature intersect. Our programs focus on turtle conservation, surfing, and connection with the local communities. With programs for high school students, college students, and young explorers, there’s an exciting opportunity to live the ‘pura vida’ lifestyle for all explorers. Turtle Conservation Project – Embark on a journey to protect sea turtles. Contribute to conservation through beach cleanups, hatchery construction & nest monitoring. Learn to surf in your free time. Pura Vida Service – Create authentic bonds with local communities and contribute to meaningful service projects. Program highlights include zip-lining, whitewater rafting, and hot springs. Surf and Service – Take in breathtaking sunsets and the blue waters during a week of surf, service, and community support. Spring Break Surf and Service – The Spring Break version of our popular Surf and Service program! Pura Vida Service (Middle School) – The perfect intro for young adventurers! Journey from the mountains to the beaches and participate in impactful service projects.

Dive into the perfect balance of meaningful service projects, cultural immersion, and unforgettable adventures in this teen summer program. Travel to Costa Rica and work alongside some of our long-standing partners on projects such as building infrastructure in the Central Valley and helping cook for and run a food bank for a disadvantaged community. This trip uses a service-learning framework tailored for high school students, wherein our staff provides guidance and reflection on the impact of our work and promotes the values of empathy and cultural sensitivity. When not volunteering, our participants go on adrenaline adventures like learning to surf, rappelling down a waterfall, and zip-lining over the rainforest canopy! It won’t be long until students fall in love with the Pura Vida lifestyle and all things Costa Rican in this 18-day program.

Travel to Costa Rica for a program rich in community service and eco-adventure. Experience the traditional town of Atenas, surrounded by verdant mountains. Immerse fully in the Costa Rican culture by living with a local family and engaging in community service projects and afternoon cultural workshops. Travel for eco-adventure to the beautiful region of La Fortuna, at the base of the majestic Arenal Volcano. Trek through the rainforest to a breathtaking waterfall and go on a zipline canopy tour through the jungle. Perform trail work at a private reserve and see exotic wildlife such as sloths, howler monkeys, and toucans. Travel to Manuel Antonio beach on the Pacific coast for surf lessons, white water rafting, and hiking through the national park. Learn what sustainable tourism and eco-adventure are all about! A basic level of Spanish is recommended for this program.

Length: 4-6 months | Intakes: January 2026 Join the Global Leadership Programme, designed to provide you with hands-on experience supporting the work of an international development charity. We are looking for passionate graduates, who are keen to learn about global challenges, work with youth and define their own purpose. After an initial period of training, you will be placed in one of our overseas hubs as a Group Mentor and Project Implementor, you will be supporting our in-country team through coordinating group projects and supporting our project participants on their journey to becoming global citizens. Your days will be filled with exciting challenges and fulfilling experiences, including: 1. Coordinating and delivering impactful project activities with our local partners. 2. Embark on a leadership role as you guide your group of project participants through immersive and exciting cultural activities. 3. Engage your group in reflective discussions and interactive sessions to foster personal growth. 4. Reporting on the progress and success of all international project participants and community development project delivery activities.

Seeds of Change seeks to train young biology students in comparative microbial bioinformatics to give them a leg up in this burgeoning field. Students study microbial bioinformatics because microbes are central to all environments on the planet, drive biogeochemical cycles, and perform functions vital to all life forms. Before students travel to Costa Rica, they are introduced to the Joint Genome Institute’s (JGI) Integrated Microbial Genomes and Microbiomes (IMG/M) platform, a gateway to sophisticated genome databases and analysis tools. The five interactive pre-trip modules present a seminal case study that applies the fundamentals of genetics (DNA structure, replication, transcription, translation and gene regulation) to an insect-bacteria symbiotic relationship. Once in Costa Rica, students work with a partner to generate their original research question and use their new-found expertise in microbial bioinformatics to develop a poster of their research. Students engage in off-site activities that include guided hikes in the cloud forest, a zipline adventure in the cloud forest, a coffee tour, a horseback ride in the cloud forest, and a sea turtle marine research experience.

This program goes beyond ordinary high school travel programs and build cross-cultural community service summer trips perfectly geared to your interests and curiosities. Whether you’re looking to contribute to authentic service projects, experience exhilarating adventure, or develop your language skills, GoBeyond will immerse you in a new culture where you can make a meaningful difference while on the journey of a lifetime. Our high school community service summer programs proudly serve in many under-resourced communities and environments throughout the world. Explore our journeys in the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Galapagos & Ecuador, Peru, Iceland, Spain, China, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Beyond experiencing the adventure of a lifetime and creating lasting memories, we believe our community service summer trips enable lasting positive change in the world. For over forty years, we’ve been transforming communities, environments, and students’ lives through meaningful, collaborative adventures and service that develop skills and a more sophisticated worldly outlook—ultimately shaping the person you become.