GoAbroad

Gap Year Programs in Costa Rica

Are there any better ways to spend your gap year abroad than living in a place that values having a relaxed and carefree approach to life? *Chirp-chirp* Yep, I thought so. If you value living a great life, the pleasure of being in the tropics, and beautiful sights and sounds, consider this fantastic Central American country for your year abroad. Let’s find gap year Costa Rica programs!

Read More
Seamester

Featured Provider of the Month

Discover who you are on the ultimate gap adventure! Sail the world!
with Seamester Study Abroad at Sea

students in a road trip
8.867 reviews

MAXIMO NIVEL

MAXIMO NIVEL logo

Country Jumper Gap Year - Costa Rica | Guatemala | Peru

In three of the world's most beautiful countries—Costa Rica, Guat...

See All 3 Programs
Raleigh International - volunteers
9.0922 reviews

Raleigh International

Raleigh International logo

Volunteer Abroad in Costa Rica - Adventure with Purpose

Joining a Raleigh Costa Rica programme is a truly unique experien...

See All 2 Programs
Impact Gap Year
103 reviews

Impact Gap Year

Impact Gap Year logo

Cultural Explorer Gap Year

Take on an 8-month trip of adventure, community service, and comm...

See All 3 Programs
Beautiful Mountain in Costa Rica - IGS
103 reviews

Institute for Global Studies

Institute for Global Studies logo

Costa Rica's Most Popular Internships: 67 Options

Costa Rica is a personal favorite of IGS staff members and a loca...

See All 15 Programs
Costa Rica
9.54761 reviews

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

World’s #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) brings people together from all...

See All 9 Programs
Gap Students in Costa Rica
8.3321 reviews

Pacific Discovery

Mexico, Costa Rica & Guatemala Gap Semester

Pacific Discovery's Central America Gap Semester is an unforgetta...

See All 3 Programs
CIEE High School Grads Abroad
00 reviews

CIEE High School Grads Abroad

CIEE First Year Abroad in Monteverde

Put your global education first! See Monteverde and start college...

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
9.6837 reviews

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

GoEco - Top Rated & Award Winning Volunteer Programs Abroad

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with awa...

See All 17 Programs
Kaya Responsible Travel
00 reviews

Kaya Responsible Travel

Environmental & Community Gap Year Adventure, Costa Rica

Spend 7 to 10 weeks in a valley off the beaten path, surrounded b...

Carpe Diem Education
9.1926 reviews

Carpe Diem Education

Central America Semester | Carpe Diem Education Gap Year

Venture through Guatemala and Costa Rica, exploring lush tropical...

See All 2 Programs
EF Gap Year
8.7431 reviews

EF Gap Year

EF Gap Semester: 10-Week Programs in Multiple Destinations

Embark on a unique global experience in 10 weeks. An EF Gap Semes...

See All 3 Programs
Outward Bound Costa Rica
101 reviews

Outward Bound Costa Rica

Outdoor Leader Semester in Costa Rica & Panama

Feed your love for the outdoors or gain the necessary skills to j...

See All 4 Programs
Oyster Worldwide
94 reviews

Oyster Worldwide

Gap Year Travel with Oyster Worldwide

Interested in taking a gap year? Do it with an organization well ...

Gapforce
8.85 reviews

Gapforce

Costa Rica Adventure with Gapforce

Adventure and animal lovers rejoice! Alongside its stunning jungl...

See All 3 Programs
Volunteer World
8.7512 reviews

Volunteer World

Volunteer World: Best Volunteer Abroad Programs Worldwide

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find ...

See All 2 Programs

Popular Providers

Frequently Asked Questions

Latest Program Reviews

The Key to a New Beginning

December 28, 2024by: Alyssa Galdamez - United StatesProgram: EF Gap Semester: 10-Week Programs in Multiple Destinations
9

Being part of the first ever Voyager semester in Fall 2023 was an experience I was unprepared for, and the best decision I could’ve ever made. Little did I know that by embarking on this endeavor, I would unlock a part of myself that I didn’t know existed until then. My semester with EF Gap Year taught me self-love, self discovery, and the importance of being uniquely myself. Never did I think it was possible to be able to afford this trip of a lifetime, but I was left with so much satisfaction and so much pride that I had set this goal and I achieved it. This semester taught me that I can do anything I set my mind to and no goal is too big or too impossible. I flew to the other side of the world by myself and saw glowing blue oceans in Thailand that I never thought I’d be able to witness in my lifetime. I learn pieces of languages from each country I spent time in. I connected with people I would’ve never met without this experience and found with locals who had so much passion for their homeland and wanted to share it with me. Was I prepared for this transformation and self growth? No, and only because it was more than I could ever ask for. To anyone who is scared to take such a leap of faith, do it anyway. I haven’t met one person who regretted doing this for themselves, or thought it was a waste of time or money. Dream big, and you will reach the stars.

A Guide to Gap Year in Costa Rica

Popular locations

Realistically, you could check out any place in Costa Rica and it would be worth it...but where are the best places to take a gap year abroad?

San Jose. Check out the capital of Costa Rica for modern amenities built upon old spanish colonial foundations. San Jose is hugged with mountains and volcanoes all around and sits near the center of the country, perfect for settling down into a home base for your gap year program in Costa Rica and traveling around to the rest of the pristine lands all around. There are several universities located in the city that can help you solidify your conservational understanding of Spanish.

Monteverde. Escape to Monteverde for your gap year abroad if you want to be caressed by rolling hills of lush tropical forests, clean air, and a chance to escape from the modern world. Monteverde is a portal to all things adventure travel and ecotourism. Though not as cramped as a city, Monteverde still attracts many visitors each year. Find a job working here in sustainability, environmental research, tourism, hospitality, or wildlife conservation.

Deals Banner Image
Apply for Scholarships & Deals on GoAbroad

to get exclusive discounts on meaningful travel programs!

Apply Now

Recent Gap Year Articles