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Gap Year Programs in Costa Rica,San Jose

Most visitors to Costa Rica skip the capital and head straight to the beach, but for a gap year, cosmopolitan San Jose could be just right. Safer than most cities in the region and less densely populated, the tropical climate stays a bit more cool here than on the coast, so you’ll be comfortable all year round. Museums, historical sites, and food and handicraft markets will keep you busy. When you need to relax, enjoy one of the city’s beautiful, buzzing parks or hit the beach—they’re only a day trip away!

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47 Gap Year Programs in Costa Rica,San Jose

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
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 8 Programs
Impact Gap Year
103 reviews

Impact Gap Year

Cultural Explorer Gap Year

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

Institute for Global Studies
9.437 reviews

Institute for Global Studies

IGS Wildlife Rehabilitation Internships

Get the chance to work with injured animals from the Amazon rainf...

See All 15 Programs
GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
9.4511 reviews

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

Costa Rica – Sloth and Wildlife Rescue Center

Join the Sloth and Wildlife Rescue Center in Costa Rica, a renown...

See All 7 Programs
Pacific Discovery
8.3321 reviews

Pacific Discovery

Mexico, Costa Rica & Guatemala Gap Semester

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

See All 2 Programs
MAXIMO NIVEL
8.867 reviews

MAXIMO NIVEL

Country Jumper Gap Year - Costa Rica | Guatemala | Peru

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

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Raleigh International
9.0922 reviews

Raleigh International

Volunteer Abroad in Costa Rica - Adventure with Purpose

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

Outward Bound Costa Rica
9.9521 reviews

Outward Bound Costa Rica

Gap Year & Semester Courses: Costa Rica & Panama

Go on a life-changing journey abroad through the gap year and sem...

See All 4 Programs
EF Gap Year
8.3813 reviews

EF Gap Year

EF Gap Year: Curated 23-Week Program Multiple Destinations

Experience the world and discover your passions with EF Gap Year....

Volunteer World
9.65 reviews

Volunteer World

Best Volunteer Programs in Costa Rica

Volunteer in Costa Rica and discover one of the most sustainable ...

Rustic Pathways
00 reviews

Rustic Pathways

Rustic Pathways Gap Semester

Sign up for one of our Rustic Pathways Gap programs, which run fo...

Universidad LCI Veritas
00 reviews

Universidad LCI Veritas

Gap Year Program with Universidad Veritas

Universidad Veritas has partnered with the Supportive Immersion I...

Love Volunteers
00 reviews

Love Volunteers

Gap Year Adventures with Love Volunteers

Whether you want to support vulnerable communities in developing ...

Volunteering Journeys
00 reviews

Volunteering Journeys

Volunteering in Costa Rica - Teaching, Sea Turtle or Medical

Get the chance to experience Costa Rica from the perspective of l...

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Latest Program Reviews

Created connections all across the world

December 25, 2024by: Kayla Pedersen - United StatesProgram: EF Gap Year: Curated 23-Week Program Multiple Destinations
8

Every country visited granted an opportunity to meet new people and make life long connections with them. I now know amazing people from all across the world that I never would’ve been able to meet otherwise!

A Guide to Gap Year Programs in San Jose

Why Take a Gap Year in San Jose?

Options for a productive gap year in San Jose often combine Spanish language studies with other experiential opportunities. Costa Rica is well-known for its lush rainforests, eco-tourism, and environmentally-friendly national policies. This makes it a popular destination for gap year programs in San Jose focusing on natural and wildlife conservation. Other volunteers are involved in educational and youth programs.

Live like a Tico. (That’s the Costa Rican word for Costa Ricans.) The true mark of success for your gap year in San Jose will be when you’ve learned how to live the pura vida (simple life). As one of the happiests countries on earth, Costa Rica is known for its friendly, laid back personality. Take it easy during San Jose gap years! Sip your world-class coffee slowly and don’t be afraid to dance the night away at one of many bars and clubs in Barrio La California.

Keep reading! Learn more about gap years in Costa Rica by reading our guide.

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