Adventure Tours in Turrialba, Costa Rica

This trip was the greatest experience of my life. Obviously getting on a plane and going to a far away place with a bunch of strangers is a bit intimidating, but I am so thankful and happy I took a leap out of my comfort zone to experience this. The connections I made with the people on the trip, and not to mention the amazing activities and service projects I got to participate in. I would recommend this to everyone thinking of taking a trip!

i do not exaggerate saying this trip changed my life. truly. it transformed me as a person. the service was so fulfilling and the adventures were the best experiences of my life. i would recommend this to any teen, whether daring and courageous or shy like i was

Truly, this trip was absolutely unforgettable! Everyday, felt like a dream, it was perfect. I became so close with each and every teen on this trip, and I still talk to them to this day. It’s wonderful how close you get by the end of the trip, to the people you met only days or weeks ago. We were fortunate enough to volunteer at schools, and help improve their lives and environment at school. I will never forget all of the memories I made on this trip, all of the late night talks, white water rafting, surf lessons, bus rides, and so much more. The food was absolutely delicious as well. We were able to communicate with everyone through spanish, as well as teach them some english. This trip really taught me to be present in the moment, and to stop and realize how much that the world offers. I will always remember this trip, and the countless memories I made!

When I was 13, I went to Costa Rica for the first time with a group of teenagers. When I got there, I was amazed by the beautiful landscape and wildlife. The beaches were very captivating because of the white sand and lush forests surrounding the area. The waves were perfect for surfing which is one of the activities I got to experience while I was there. The other beach that we explored had calm and clear waters that were good for snorkeling and seeing all of the amazing sea creatures. Costa Rica also had many mountains which we got to hike and go ziplining. It was really cool to be able to zipline through the rainforest and waterfalls. We got to go tubing through the rushing waters of a river in the mountains. Although the water was on the colder side, it was really fun and a wonderful memory. Everyone that I went on my trip with was super nice and it was great to be able to meet new people and make new friends. The food was delicious and there were many options to choose from. We stayed in 3 different hotels throughout the 10-day adventure and all of the hotels were in great locations. Overall, I would highly recommend going on this adrenaline-filled experience in Costa Rica since it was completely safe, unforgettable, and full of exciting activities.

Going in I felt anxious on what to expect as I have never traveled on my own, however that was quickly taken away by the support and encouragement from all involved, I have never met kinder and more likeminded individuals! The time I shared will forever be cherished and I would gladly put myself forward to do it all over again.

I was lucky enough to spend a second summer in a row on a Travel for Teen Trip. It was hard to imagine that summer of 2022 could be as great as the first trip that I took in the summer f 2022. But it ended up being even better! I spent three weeks in Costa Rica, a beautiful country where I traveled; took part in many adventures, and had the great opportunity to engage in several community service projects. All the while, I made a great group of new friends with whom I remain in touch with. There are so many amazing things i could highlight from both the tours that i have completed with Travel for Teens. Some of the best parts include the extraordinary places that I visited; the wonderful communities and people that I learned from; a great group of new friends from all over the world that I gained; and community service that was totally enriching.

The first week of hiking in the rainforest in Costa Rica was really fun and I grew a lot. However, we never got to repel down an 80 foot waterfall as described. This was a little disappointing. Overall though I would highly recommend this experience. I met great people, learned a lot about myself, and feel invigorated and motivated after completing it.

Outward Bound Costa Rica responded to this reviewAugust 13, 2022

Hi Aileen! We're so glad you saw growth through your experience with OBCR & had a ton of fun. Apologies about the rappelling – weather can be finicky, but come back and see us again soon and we can get you up there! Thanks for the recommendation & hope to see you back in CR soon.

This trip has made me a better person. It makes you go out of your comfort zone in ways you didn’t know you could and now I know I can do more fun things like this in the future. You meet so many new people, you learn about so many new things and you try amazing stuff!

Outward Bound Costa Rica responded to this reviewAugust 11, 2022

Olivia, we're so glad you're leaving Costa Rica as a better person. It was an honor to have you on course with us! Come back and see us again soon.

This was an amazing experience. I had a lot of fun. Our guides were really great, and I made so many wonderful new friends. I especially loved the waterfall rappelling and zip lining. I would go again in a heartbeat!

Outward Bound Costa Rica responded to this reviewJuly 28, 2022

Thanks for the kind words about our guides, Sofia! We're so glad you had an amazing time. Come back and see us again soon!

I saved up for a few years selling GS cookies to go on this trip and chose Panama for the opportunity to practice my Spanish with native speakers, learn some new things and gain independence in traveling. The sea turtle conservation work I did was a bit sandy but it was really fulfilling and particularly fun due to the adorable baby turtles. It was really nice to meet a group of girls my age from all over the US, it was interesting to hear their stories from all the way across the country. The instructors were very accommodating and supportive. Meeting with kids in Bocas Del Toro was really eye-opening and I even picked up their accent a bit! I scuba dived for the first time and overall I had a remarkable time!!

I’d always wanted to visit Costa Rica, and the program looked thrilling and adventurous. I was right. I learned that I can try new things and will not only survive, but grow from each experience. The friends I made were so meaningful, and watching them grow throughout the course was amazing. We really became a family and it was incredible to see them learn about themselves.

The connections I made were amazing. One night all of us talked for a while, and that really brought us closer. I feel like I’ve known these girls forever. Everything about this trip was perfect — I felt like I was super prepared for course, and I learned how independent I can be.

I chose this course because I’m exploring a career in Marine Biology and because I’ve always wanted to get scuba certified. Because of my interests, releasing the sea turtles was so meaningful. I learned a lot through my experience, and I had a chance to reflect on how I want to live my daily life going forward.

The most meaningful thing was getting my scuba certification, because I’m going to be able to use that for the rest of my life. I learned a lot about myself, like that I can do a lot more than I thought I could — especially scuba and ziplining. Everything about this course was good.

Helping the environment, surfing, and making friendships that will last forever will be my best memories from Costa Rica. I’m also leaving knowing that I’m able to be put in uncomfortable positions and grow from them.

I chose OBCR because I had so many friends who enjoyed their trips and recommended it to me. The most meaningful part was being able to see new cultures in a fun and hands-on way and being able to meet new people. I also learned more about how I work and talk with others.

All the connections I made we so meaningful because no matter what we were doing, we were working together. Honestly I wouldn’t change anything. It was a really great experience. I learned a lot about myself. I can’t put it into words.

I felt like I was really making a difference, standing on the beach and watching the baby turtles crawl to the sea. I felt like our spirits clicked. I wouldn’t change anything. Due to political complications in Costa Rica, our plans changed often. I never felt like I was missing out — we were just adapting. I felt well prepared for this trip, and I learned the importance of self-love, respect, and understanding.

OBCR offers activities that no other program offers. It was so meaningful to interact with the kids in Talamanca and see a new perspective of an indigenous community. I learned that I can make a sustainable impact in the world while having a lot of fun.

We were exposed to different cultures, communities, and activities and it helped us appreciate what we have. I wouldn’t change anything — the trip was amazing. I learned I could lead in different ways and it showed me what a team looks like and how it should function.