Tours Programs in Costa Rica

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 147,000 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.

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.

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! Young Explorers – The perfect intro for young adventurers! Journey from the mountains to the beaches and participate in impactful service projects.

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.

Welcome to La Pura Vida! Upon arrival, you are quickly struck by this small country’s natural beauty and the warmth of its people. Whether you are building a home with Urbarium or running a day camp for the children of La Carpio, you are sure to develop strong connections and have a significant influence on the communities you will be supporting. Complement your volunteering with exciting adventure activities like learning to surf and zip-lining over the forest canopy, you will return home with a love for all things Costa Rican. This program is available to students completing grades 8, 9, 10,11,12 (ages 14-18 years old). Participants can join us for 14 days or 20 days.

Get ready for six weeks of non-stop adventure in Costa Rica! This program is packed with a variety of activities designed for those who want to travel and spend time in the outdoors. You'll hike through the vibrant jungles, surf epic waves, zip line through lush canopies, and camp under starry skies. Experience all the famous spots and uncover hidden gems, making every day a new adventure. Learn the basics of outdoor skills while connecting with fellow travelers. This is your ticket to a wild, life-changing journey in the heart of Central America! Accommodation, transport, meals, activities, and local guides are all included in the program price. Experience travel like no other with small group sizes, the ability to try new things, traverse the whole country, and embrace different cultures. This Costa Rica program is the perfect blend of travel and expedition—great for those looking for a gap year program, adventure travel program, or those looking to see all of Costa Rica's highlights!

Immerse yourself in a thrilling two-week adventure that blends exciting activities, cultural immersion, and meaningful service work. Explore life in a remote ranching village nestled high in the cloud forest as you roll up your sleeves and get involved in building crucial infrastructure. Get to know the local community by organizing a community soccer game with elementary school students, practicing Spanish skills, and learning about traditional Costa Rican culture. Marvel at the natural beauty of the country as you raft through a verdant rainforest along the Pacuare River, spotting monkeys, sloths, and toucans overhead. Try your hand at surfing the gentle waves of the Pacific Ocean on palm-fringed beaches, sample locally grown chocolate and coffee, and master the art of crafting delicious tortillas and empanadas by hand. From hidden waterfalls to unspoiled coastlines, experience the bounty of Costa Rica's rainforests while embracing the "Pura Vida" way of life and learning from local Costa Ricans.

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.

This program offers a full 8-week "All In" experience combining adventure and cultural exchange in Costa Rica and Cuba. Spend one month in each country embracing the lifestyle, enjoying the best activities, and making a positive impact by supporting local communities. Start in Costa Rica with Spanish classes, surfing, and yoga in the beach town of Santa Teresa, as well as an overland cloud forest exploration in Monteverde. Then, travel to Cuba to continue improving your language skills, enjoy some salsa dancing, participate in volunteer projects, and travel around the country to learn all about its history and culture. This is an ideal program for those seeking a blend of education, cultural immersion, and unique activities in two of Latin America's most vibrant countries. Plus, you get the chance to stay in a “jungle surf camp,” nestled in a paradise setting surrounded by wildlife. Imagine spotting a howler monkey hanging on a tree branch!

Take part in this wildlife conservation expedition and be an active member of GVI's research team in the Costa Rican rainforest. Work on a variety of long-term terrestrial, marine conservation, and community education projects. Help conduct turtle population surveys, jaguar predation surveys, jaguar and other mammal camera trapping, and mammal and bird studies. You can also teach English and environmental education in the local communities. The Costa Rica Expedition program has had direct results including decreasing the rate of poaching marine turtles and eggs as well as increasing the understanding of jaguar predation of turtles in Tortuguero National Park.

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.

Experience an unforgettable adventure with fellow Girl Scouts from across the United States! Our GSUSA Destinations courses in Costa Rica and Panama will give you an opportunity to visit remote rainforest villages with family homestays, serve local communities, scuba dive among the colorful coral reefs of the Caribbean Ocean, protect the region’s fragile ecosystem, catch waves on famous warm water breaks and offers many other adventure opportunities with each course. Immerse yourself in a new language and culture while discovering your inner strengths and leadership skills. Create life-long friendships along the way. Our GSUSA Destinations courses are open to current members of Girl Scouts of the USA. Girl Scouts must apply to participate through the GSUSA Destinations program and be between 13-18 years old at the time of course. *Please note that, for the health and safety of our participants, OBCR has made program adjustments to these courses. Please visit our website to view our COVID-19 considerations.*

For those looking to combine training of the body and mind, NSI's Spanish & Yoga program combines the best of what Nosara has to offer. As a world-class yoga teacher training destination, Nosara has an abundance of expert yoga instructors and first-class yoga studios. In this program, students can participate in our 10 or 20-hour Spanish course and schedule their yoga classes before or after their Spanish classes. The Spanish classes will take place Monday-Friday at our campus, and the yoga classes at the beautiful, newly designed Bodhi Tree Resort, which is just a 10-minute walk along a nature trail from our campus. Yoga classes are offered at multiple times throughout the day, six days per week. This is truly a unique opportunity to take advantage of stretching both your body and mind.

This language program includes everything you need to learn, practice, and improve your Spanish in a truly idyllic location. The Standard Spanish Program accepts students aged 18 and above, from complete beginners to advanced speakers. Whether you need to improve your Spanish for professional purposes, prepare for an exam, or are just learning for fun, our team will create the environment you need to succeed. Receive four hours of group Spanish classes per day, Monday to Friday, from 9 am-1 pm. Group classes, with a maximum of six students, are led by professional teachers. In the afternoons, explore the nearby national park and numerous beaches. All of our programs include a complimentary program of activities, access to a swimming pool, snorkels, surfboards, and a tour office to assist you in booking other activities. Throughout the program, you have the option to stay with a local host family for maximum Spanish immersion. The alternative option is an 'on-campus' accommodation at the popular Hostel Plinio.

Tico Lingo offers the most comprehensive and expertly designed Spanish immersion program in Costa Rica. Our native Spanish professors help students focus on enhancing oral communication and integrating listening and writing techniques to help them achieve true proficiency in the Spanish language. Located in the heart of Costa Rica's Central Valley, in the vibrant city of Heredia, Tico Lingo guarantees significant progress in your language abilities. Our mission is to create a fun, interactive, and engaging learning environment that fosters an understanding of Costa Rican culture and the Spanish language. With our Homestay program, you'll live with nearby families and get to experience the Costa Rican way of life firsthand. We also offer on-site activities like yoga, dance, cooking, and conversational classes, as well as weekend adventure tours! We're young, we're connected, and we're passionate about creating the perfect environment for you to learn Spanish in Costa Rica. We're committed to sparking cultural exchanges on a global level and connecting people from all over the world. So, join the conversation and start learning Spanish with us today!

Step into an exciting world of active travel with a program designed exclusively for LGBTQ+ adventurers. Whether you’re summiting mountain peaks, kayaking through sparkling fjords, or cycling scenic coastlines, this experience offers a thrilling mix of outdoor challenges and cultural exploration. Perfect for those seeking connection through movement, you’ll enjoy hiking, rafting, and snorkeling in some of the world’s most stunning locations. Beyond the adventures, the program fosters a sense of community among like-minded travelers, creating opportunities to bond over shared experiences. With expert guides leading the way, you’ll push your limits, immerse yourself in nature, and return home with unforgettable memories and a renewed sense of accomplishment.

Experience the perfect holiday in a space where inclusivity and authenticity thrive. Voyemo’s unique travel program is tailored to provide unforgettable trips for LGBTQ+ travelers and allies. It combines luxury, cultural exploration, and community connection. Each journey is thoughtfully curated to celebrate diversity and create a safe, welcoming environment. From serene beach escapes to dynamic city tours, Voyemo offers hand-picked accommodations, personalized itineraries, and exclusive activities. Whether you’re indulging in culinary delights or connecting with local LGBTQ+ communities, every moment is designed to blend relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion. Voyemo ensures your unique needs and preferences are respected, offering a travel experience prioritizing individuality and meaningful connections. Celebrate love, life, and yourself through extraordinary travel.