Adventure Travel Gap Year Programs in Panama

Seamester is the educational adventure of a lifetime! For more than 40 years, we have offered unparalleled educational voyages where students spend a semester at sea sailing between islands, countries, and even continents. We design our programs to provide engaging learning experiences with real outcomes in ways that are impossible to replicate in the traditional classroom. Living as part of a close-knit team on an ocean-going vessel, our students learn fundamental lessons beyond academics: teamwork, leadership, and personal responsibility. They receive academic credit from the University of South Florida, along with PADI scuba certifications and IYT sailing certifications. Our programs are designed to inspire students to realize that it’s the journey, not the destination, that matters the most.

Venture to some of the world’s most exotic and intriguing regions, ranging from the turquoise waters of Panama, the lush jungles of Costa Rica, and the white-sand beaches of Belize. Shadowing doctors in the Bocas del Toro islands off the coast of Panama, we understand the barriers to medical access for remote indigenous communities. Engaging with a local organization, we participate in an exchange program, learning more about the lives of local Panamanians and sharing our own culture. Visiting a locally run coffee farm in the Costa Rican highlands, we learn the process behind the production of coffee. Rafting on Costa Rica’s exhilarating Pacuare River, the vibrancy of life in the jungle beckons us in the calls of toucans and howler monkeys. Partnering with local biologists on the Pacific Coast, we learn about the current issues facing conservation efforts Basking in the crystal clear waters of improbably white sand beaches, we take in the beauty of the Caribbean. Exploring the underwater life of the reefs of Belize, we gain insights into a world rarely witnessed earning our SCUBA certification and participating in a lionfish eradication project.

Bordered by Costa Rica, Colombia, the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Panama's wildlife is extremely diverse. It is the link between Southern and Central America, and therefore has an amazing mix of cultures! Why not try the traditional cuisine and enjoy the music scene? There is everything from the humming metropolis of the city, to some of the most nature-rich and accessible rainforests of the world! You will also find plenty of volunteering opportunities in Panama - why not find out more?!

Go on a life-changing journey abroad through the gap year and semester courses of Outward Bound Costa Rica. Open to participants from 17 years old and up, these programs are available in fall and spring. - Outdoor Leader Semester: Earn 10 academic credits and internationally recognized certifications engaged in various activities for 65 days. This program offers a paid summer internship to top graduates. - Coast to Coast Expedition: Receive 12 academic credits and international certifications in outdoor education while participating in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for 85 days. - 35-65 Day Residential Gap Semester: Receive 10 academic credits while diving into STEAM topics in the tropics of Costa Rica and Panama. This program lasts from 35 to 65 days. Our gap year and semester courses involve a broad range of outdoor activities, from rainforest trekking, whitewater rafting, to surfing. A homestay with a local family allows you to truly immerse in local traditions and way of life. * 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.*

Give and Surf’s three-month Gap Year Semester in Panama is designed to provide a hands-on educational experience that is service-oriented and immerses participants in the local culture. This unique opportunity allows them to volunteer, learn Spanish, and participate in a wide range of activities and excursions in Bocas del Toro, Panama. They volunteer in the Give & Surf after-school programs, helping to lead a variety of activities including sports, STEM, arts and crafts, music, and more! They have the opportunity to interact with staff, community members, and volunteers from around the world. Integrated into the curriculum and experiences are the key themes of service learning, social and environmental responsibility, and teamwork.