Language Immersion Gap Year Programs in Costa Rica

Your First Year Abroad program in Monteverde lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE courses and courses taught online through CIEE’s global academic partner, Arizona State University (ASU). Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Costa Rican culture. Live and learn in Monteverde! Monteverde is Costa Rica’s lush cloud forest region, alive with wildlife and adventure at every turn. Spend 12 weeks ziplining through misty treetops, exploring hanging bridges in the rainforest, and visiting local coffee farms to taste the freshest brews straight from the source. Whether you’re studying business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Monteverde is the perfect place to study abroad.

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.

Take on an 8-month trip of adventure, community service, and community development across the globe. Join a gap year program that will take you to enchanting destinations filled with cultural immersions, impactful volunteering, and an unforgettable summer experience. Your journey will begin in Costa Rica, where you will work with local communities in addressing social and economic challenges. You will then travel to South Africa to help lead sports development, followed by a summer of learning and practicing the Spanish language in Spain. Finally, you will volunteer in teaching and community building and development in Thailand and Cambodia while enjoying the sun, sand, and sea. Eligibility requirements: - Must be in good physical and mental health - At least 18 years old during travel - Have a fluent understanding of English - Have a clean background check if working with minors Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the communities you will serve. Visit our website or inquire today for complete details about this program.

Costa Rica is a personal favorite of IGS staff members and a location we are all too happy to nudge students looking to practice their Spanish. In the capital city of San Jose, previous participants have worked at a language school where they assisted in the classroom and tutored children. One of our law students requested work in a bilingual law office in the downtown area and we secured a terrific litigation attorney for her. In the highlands of Monteverde, past interns have assisted a rainforest education institute that serves visiting school groups. They helped the local staff educate visitors on the dynamics of what makes a cloud forest unique. Our internship program includes a range of activities such as guided night excursions in search of tree-dwelling ocelots (wild cats) and monstrous tarantulas. Some participants enjoyed rafting through the Pacuare River, a well-reviewed travel spot. One student called it the journey of a lifetime. A side trip to La Fortuna Volcano is sure to produce some excitement while witnessing New World monkeys and some of the world’s most poisonous snakes.

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.

Spend 12 incredible weeks exploring Tamarindo, Rome, and Tokyo, three unforgettable destinations that showcase the world’s diversity. This immersive semester blends cultural discovery, new adventures, and light language learning with a supportive travel community. In Tamarindo, Costa Rica (Weeks 1–4), surf warm Pacific waves, join a sea turtle conservation project, hike rainforest trails to Rio Celeste, and explore the Arenal volcano region. In Rome, Italy (Weeks 5–8), step into history at the Colosseum and Vatican, roll pasta and make gelato with local chefs, and take a day trip to Pompeii. In Tokyo, Japan (Weeks 9–12), experience the city’s neon energy, stroll through serene shrines and gardens, try karaoke with friends, and ride the bullet train to Kyoto to explore temples and traditional tea houses. Throughout your journey, you’ll live in EF student residences, travel with your cohort, and join weekly cultural activities plus weekend or overnight excursions. With flights, housing, EF’s global support, and optional U.S. college credit all included, The Globetrotter is more than study abroad; it’s your chance to grow, connect, and experience the world like never before.

In three of the world's most beautiful countries—Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru—Maximo Nivel offers its unique Native Spanish Program. Join our "Country Jumper" program and begin your GAP Year in one of our countries and then jump to another and another. Experience different aspects of each country's culture and Spanish dialect. Your program and curriculum follow you as you study across 2, 3 or all 4 of our institutes. EXAMPLE ITINERARY: Start your studies at our institute in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica (on the beach!), then travel to our institute in the beautiful pueblo of Antigua, Guatemala, and then move your program to our institute in historic Cusco, Peru. From Peru, join us again in Costa Rica at our institute in the capital city of San Jose. Study, trek, tour, and eat your way through Latin America—it's a great experience! We recommend at least 3 weeks for a Country Jumper program.

Venture through Guatemala and Costa Rica, exploring lush tropical rainforests, towering volcanoes, steep-sided mountains, and extended coastlines. Embrace the spirit of "pura vida" and learn from the unique crossover of individuals who call these nations home. Living alongside Indigenous communities and their contemporaries, explore opportunities to delve into social justice, sustainability, and the influence of colonization. From the Sierra Madre mountains of interior Guatemala to the sea turtle havens on the coast, from the tranquility and splendor of Lago Atitlán and its surrounding volcanoes to the breathtaking coral reefs offshore, Carpe Diem Education explores the merging complexities of socio-political realities with the hope of a more sustainable future. Cap your new knowledge with improved Spanish, honed during your homestay experience, and outdoor skills learned from the many treks, hikes, and adventure activities available in the region. Spring 2025: Closed Fall 2025: September 25 - December 04

San Joaquín de Flores is a charming, colorful, and quaint colonial town ten miles from San José, surrounded by the unparalleled beauty of Costa Rica. The small setting and slower pace of life allow exceptional linguistic and cultural integration. Strolls through the streets lead to encounters with friendly people, young and old. Everything can be reached on foot, and along the way, students can visit historic landmarks and buildings from the 18th century. It is easy to explore the Costa Rican flora and fauna outside of San Joaquín de Flores. API students may explore volcanoes, beaches, rain, and cloud forests.

Sign up for one of our Rustic Pathways Gap programs, which run for a semester. No matter what you join, we guarantee incredible opportunities for travel, service, non-cognitive skills development, and cultural immersion. Our gap programs integrate several options and activities. You can immerse yourself in Latin American culture, intern and gain practical experience with a partner organization, or become involved with marine conservation in the South Pacific. It all depends on what you wish to experience. Participate in our Service and Exploration, our most popular and longest-­running programs. Get the chance to travel to multiple countries in one semester and contribute to meaningful service projects along the way! Choose Spanish Language Immersion, wherein you learn Spanish through structured classroom time and practice with locals through community interaction and homestay. You will travel to Costa Rica, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. Enjoy the flexibility to design the perfect program as well! Join several other Rustic Pathways students who choose this exciting option to combine programs.

Whether you want to support vulnerable communities in developing countries, help conserve the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, or protect animals in the Amazon, Love Volunteers has a program for you. With over 200 projects in 40 countries there's something for everyone! For over 7 years Love Volunteers has provided safe, affordable and ethical volunteering and gap year projects. Join a program today for a life-changing experience.

Study abroad in the highlands of central Costa Rica, in the charming city of Heredia. Immerse yourself in the Costa Rican lifestyle while taking classes at the modern Latin University. Courses include Spanish for all levels, electives, certificate courses in English and Spanish, and internships. Costa Rica is a premier destination for study abroad due to its extensive national park system, beautiful landscapes, friendly locals, and clearly-spoken Spanish. The Arcos Learning Abroad program provides an all-inclusive study abroad experience with cultural activities on weekdays, excursions on weekends, on-site directors, carefully vetted homestays, tuition, and much more. Arcos invites you to step through the arch and into a life-changing experience abroad. Costa Rica awaits!

Learn the language. Live the culture. Be the change. Join our summer camp for ages 13 - 17! Ready for a meaningful immersion experience? Take part in our Teen Summer Camp for a more encompassing adventure than the usual camp routine. Our new language program also empowers you to become an agent for positive change. Teens all over the world are getting involved and making their voices heard, and we want to offer you some skills to do the same. What better place than Costa Rica, a country recently named by the UN as a Champion of the Earth, where over 95% of the energy produced is renewable and the natural world is highly valued, where the people live long and are considered some of the happiest on the planet? Learn about sustainable agriculture, indigenous cultures, and interconnected ecosystems while practicing mindfulness and empathetic communication. Find where you fit into this dynamically changing world we live in. Please inquire about camp dates and all other details!

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.

Get the chance to experience Costa Rica from the perspective of locals rather than just a tourist by joining our volunteer programs. Placements are based in and around San Jose, the country’s capital and largest city. Here, you can spend weekdays making a difference in a local community and the weekends enjoying various adventure activities. Volunteering Journeys offers the following: - Medical programs at leading clinics and hospitals - Sea turtle conservation, which mainly involves rehabilitation and releasing - English teaching at local schools - Animal and wildlife care at local shelters - Women’s empowerment centered around local initiatives and education - NGO placements, with tasks ranging from teaching to renovations - Family volunteering program in areas like community development, teaching, and conservation Costa Rica boasts a naturally diverse environment but still faces development issues such as domestic violence, poverty, lack of quality education, and poaching. As a volunteer, you will help the local people address these challenges. The minimum commitment for our programs is two or four weeks, depending on the project.

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!

Our intensive Spanish program is offered year-round and is highlighted by our 10 and 20-hour intensive Spanish programs, which can also be combined with Surfing or Yoga, or our Family program. At NS, we focus on the communicative approach to language learning, which focuses on communicative competency and strategies so as to be able to use Spanish comfortably and confidently in everyday situations. Our intensive programs are the perfect combination of conversation and grammar. All of our instructors are native speakers of Spanish with University degrees and a combined total of over 25 years of teaching experience. Our campus is located just 500 meters from the ocean in a modern campus with six air-conditioned classrooms, free wi-fi, student lounge and eating areas, and free coffee all day. NSI also offers several accommodation options, including student apartments and homestay options. We invite you to truly experience Nosara with NSI!

Enjoy the comforts of sleeping on a mattress every night with the experiential impact of diving into science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) topics in the tropics of Costa Rica and Panama. Gain independence and become confident in yourself through course module takeways—marine ecology, mental health, doing your part to combat climate change, improving your Spanish language skills, the fundamentals of photography, Latin cuisine cooking, and more. Electronics, cell phones, and laptops are welcome on this program. Your residential gap semester can last from 35 to 65 days. Each program topic is complemented by excursions that will enhance your learning, including day trips to volcanoes, hot springs, tropical cloud forest or rainforest reserves, turtle nesting sites, and important political and historical locations in Costa Rica and Panama. Please see our website for more information about modules available. COVID-19 adjustments have been applied to this program to ensure your health and safety while studying abroad.