High School Experiential Learning Programs in Central America

Travel to Costa Rica for a program rich in community service and eco-adventure. Experience the traditional town of Atenas, surrounded by verdant mountains. Immerse fully in the Costa Rican culture by living with a local family and engaging in community service projects and afternoon cultural worksho

Delve into the science of climate change surrounded by Costa Rica’s lush forest. Discover its impact on tropical ecosystems as you explore the world-famous Monteverde Cloud Forest ecosystem and meet with local farmers, scientists, and activists. Quantify tropical tree growth, estimate carbon stocks,

Our high school study abroad program in Costa Rica is filled with an immersive homestay and high school experience and an unbelievable tour of this stunning land. This is your chance to make lifelong friends across cultures and become a member of the community. Costa Rica is the place of pura vida

Join us in Costa Rica for unforgettable memories and valuable service work! We will have the unique opportunity to perform 20 hours of valuable service work in two different communities. In La Fortuna we will work alongside the local association of Boy Scouts with various projects like planting tree

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 med

Develop your Spanish skills in Costa Rica with the Maximo Nivel Spanish Camp. Maximo Nivel Summer Spanish Camp is a full-immersion experience that integrates the Spanish language into all aspects of the program, including community service, sports, cultural activities, and tourism. You receive 3

Travel to Costa Rica and make a difference in a subject area you are passionate about! Choose from program themes ranging from Public Health and Medicine to Animal and Wildlife Conservation to Language Immersion and everything in between. GLA's offerings include: - Animal Rescue & Veterinary Projec

The Girls Leadership Academy for Service & Sport (GLASS) is designed specifically for high school female athletes. Our one-of-a-kind curriculum is woven through sports, service, and global engagement. Hosted on our private campus in Costa Rica, each 10-day GLASS session includes: Sports-performance

Costa Rica is where adventure, service, cultural immersion, and the wonders of nature intersect. Our programs focus on turtle conservation, surfing, and connection with the local communities. With programs for high school students, college students, and young explorers, there’s an exciting opportuni

Travel to Costa Rica this summer for a teen community service program you won’t forget! Work alongside some of our long-standing service partners on projects such as building infrastructure in the Central Valley. The trip uses a service-learning framework tailored for high school students, wherein

Live and volunteer in a rural Costa Rican community on this immersive high school service program. Begin at a rainforest ecolodge near Lake Arenal, where you learn about sustainability, explore jungle trails, and prepare for your project work. Settle into your host community to partner with local re

Global Works specializes in teen service trips and educational experiences to Costa Rica for high school and middle school students. These student travel programs have been our most popular over the years for good reason. Incredible biodiversity and a welcoming culture make Costa Rica an awesome cho

School the World's Student Service Program provides an inspiring experience for high school students. While traveling to Honduras, Panama, or Guatemala, you experience a new culture, make new friends, fulfill service hours, and create lasting relationships with children in the community, all while b

Ready for the ultimate summer in Costa Rica? Our Teen Summer Adventure Camp is a chance to improve your Spanish while exploring tropical beaches, volcanoes, rainforests, and some of the most incredible places on the planet. After your fun, active Spanish classes (both in the city and at our amaz

This program finds you traveling through Belize, Guatemala, and Costa Rica to experience first-hand some of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. Studying Biology is the ideal way to make beaches, rainforests, and reefs your classroom as you earn your senior English and Biology credits and get into t

Experience an enriching 15-day summer program in Belize that blends marine biology and conservation with hands-on adventure. This immersive trip focuses on protecting the Western Hemisphere’s largest barrier reef by removing invasive lionfish and earning your SCUBA certification on a private Caribbe

At dawn, a howler monkey cries from the branch of a giant cieba tree. In the Cuchumatanes Mountains, a young woman rises to grind corn on a stone petate. Along Avenida Reforma, street children juggle oranges for change as businessmen tuck into air-conditioned office buildings. Investigate issues o

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

Enjoy a summer Spanish learning vacation in a typical "Tico" town on the outskirts of the capital, San Jose. Heredia is a small town located about seven miles from San Jose and offers a peaceful retreat from the busy capital. Surrounded by hills and coffee plantations, this summer vacation offers

Join the Teen Volunteer Summer Camp in Costa Rica with International Volunteer HQ for an unforgettable cultural immersion and community volunteering experience designed for 16- and 17-year-olds. This fully supervised program combines meaningful volunteer work with social activities, cultural explora

Join us from June 21st to August 1st, 2025, for a 6-week Summer Camp for Teen Girls between 14 and 17 years old. Based in Costa Rica, the program includes therapeutic support. Imagine a summer camp with water gun fights, paint battles, and never-ending slumber parties with karaoke nights and poolsi

Travel to Costa Rica with GoBeyond to help improve the harsh conditions of the local community and its people. GoBeyond students participate in variety of humanitarian projects led by Gail Nystrom, head of the Costa Rica Humanitarian Foundation. As an ex-Peace Corps worker, Gail has established hers

Explore Costa Rica’s diverse landscapes, vibrant communities, and unwavering commitment to preserving its natural treasures. Deepen your awareness and learn from local communities to take climate action back to your home community. Embark on an unforgettable journey through Costa Rica, where nature

During the Seeds of Change Tropical Rainforest Research Program, students are immersed in a hands-on field research program that takes advantage of the immense biodiversity of the tropical rainforest. They learn how to apply the scientific method while collaborating with team members to establish th

The Guatemala Leadership & Language Exchange is a 9-day immersive program (June 10 - 18, 2026) designed for high school students (ages 15–18) from the Washington, DC area who are eager to grow as global leaders. Based in the historic city of Antigua, this program combines Spanish language practice,

VN's high school program in northern Costa Rica offers high school students a unique opportunity to engage in personalized, meaningful community service while experiencing Costa Rican culture firsthand. Participants work with rural communities, including schools, conservation projects, and health in

Want to know what it's like to work with animals every day? Thinking of being a veterinarian? Join us in a tropical paradise and get a hands-on introduction to veterinary medicine. The best way to learn about a future in veterinary medicine is to roll up your sleeves and jump right in! Working alon

Girl Scouts – Heart of the South, get ready to explore Costa Rica, one of the most biologically diverse areas in Latin America, with beach visits, jungle hikes, and waterfall swims. Volunteer at an animal rescue center working to stop illegal wildlife trafficking and teach the United Nations Sustain

Join us in Costa Rica as we experience life off the beaten path in the shadow of the Turrialba Volcano. Our 14-day teen community service and Spanish immersion program takes us through the beautiful country as we visit mountains, rainforests, and beaches. Improve your Spanish as we immerse ourselves

Experience an unforgettable adventure with fellow Girl Scouts from across the United States! Our GSUSA Destinations courses in Costa Rica and Panama will give you an opportunity to visit remote rainforest villages with family homestays, serve local communities, scuba dive among the colorful coral re