High School Study Abroad in Central America

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102 High School Programs in Central America
4.83
94
Immerse yourself in the Spanish language of Costa Rica, the happiest country on the planet! Live like a true local in the traditional town of Atenas. Set in a tropical paradise, you will take Spanish classes in open-air classrooms on an orange and mango farm. Classes are small in size and perfect fo
See All 3 Programs5
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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,
See All 3 ProgramsAFS-USA
4
1
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
See All 5 ProgramsTravel For Teens
4.93
14
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
See All 13 ProgramsGoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
4.76
41
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
See All 16 ProgramsMAXIMO NIVEL
4.96
23
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
Greenheart Travel
4.5
2
Learn and improve your Spanish skills through full language and cultural immersion on Greenheart Travel’s summer language camp program in San Jose or Manuel Antonio! We welcome teen students of all skills, including beginners! Live with a Costa Rican host family and make friends from around the wor
See All 2 ProgramsGlobal Leadership Adventures
4.8
64
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
See All 10 Programs4.8
25
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
Rustic Pathways
4.44
36
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
See All 2 ProgramsWestcoast Connection
4.83
6
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
See All 8 ProgramsPutney Student Travel
4.57
7
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
See All 3 ProgramsGlobal Works
4.7
10
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
See All 2 Programs4.5
12
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
See All 7 Programs4.57
7
The Costa Rica: Cloud Forest Community Initiative program offers the perfect mix of adventure and service. Whitewater raft through the lush rainforest of the Pacuare River, spotting wildlife like monkeys, sloths, and toucans along the way. Live in a remote cloud forest village, contributing to impo
See All 3 ProgramsIntercultura Costa Rica
5
6
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
5
1
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
Where There Be Dragons
4.5
4
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
Carpe Diem Education
4.46
26
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
Language Vacation
0
0
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
See All 2 ProgramsInternational Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
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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
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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
GoBeyond Student Travel
4.88
8
This program goes beyond ordinary high school travel programs and build cross-cultural community service summer trips perfectly geared to your interests and curiosities. Whether you’re looking to contribute to authentic service projects, experience exhilarating adventure, or develop your language sk
See All 2 ProgramsThe Experiment in International Living
4.75
8
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
4.17
6
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
See All 2 Programs5
1
Experience an unforgettable summer camp in the heart of Costa Rica's beautiful tropical forests, where adventure meets conservation. Engage in wildlife research while exploring the jungle, hiking, ziplining, and immersing yourself in the local culture. Gain insights from experienced researchers on h
0
0
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,
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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
Broadreach
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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
See All 2 Programs0
0
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
The Road Less Traveled
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0
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
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Lakeside International School, located in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, offers a secondary education program designed to prepare students for university and beyond. Our curriculum combines national standards with an international focus, covering a wide range of subjects, including languages (English and S
Outward Bound Costa Rica
4.5
34
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
See All 2 ProgramsA Guide to High School Programs in Central America
Locations
Central America is a small region in the western hemisphere that encompasses seven countries in the heart of the Americas. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Colombia to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Central America is home to a total population of just over 42 million people.
The seven countries where you can embark on a high school program in Central America are, from north to south, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and El Salvador. All of these are Spanish speaking countries except for Belize, where English is the national language.
Guatemala is by far the largest nation in Central America, with over 14 million citizens. It is also home to Central America’s largest city, Guatemala City. The rest of the Central American countries each have populations of several million, again Belize being the exception with only 300,000 citizens.
While you can choose any of these destinations for a high school program in Central America, recognize that each country has its own distinct political, economic, and cultural heritage. Spend some time researching all your different options to land on which country seems of the interest to you!
High School in Central America
There are several types of high school programs in Central America that you can enroll in. Language immersion programs, for example, are very popular. High school students who are learning Spanish can benefit greatly from taking classes on a daily basis while further developing their Spanish comprehension in everyday scenarios. Language courses can also be taken as part of a traditional study abroad high school program in Central America, where you can also earn academic credit in a variety of other subjects.
Adventure travel and cultural exploration programs in Central America are also very popular among high school students. Because it is such an environmentally and culturally diverse region, many students choose not to settle for one location, and instead embark on a program that will explore many destinations in Central America. Trekking, scuba diving, kayaking, and a bevy of culturally immersive activities are usually on the agenda for these types of programs.
Last but not least, many high school students choose to embark on volunteer service programs in Central America. As a developing region of the world, many Central Americans struggle from a shortage of necessary social services such as education and healthcare. High school students can make a positive impact in local development by helping out in these areas and more.
Scholarships & Costs
Central America is a very affordable region of the world for most international travellers, but the cost of a high school program in Central American can still be quite expensive because of tuition, transportation, housing, meals, and other such services provided. You can check out our Scholarship Directory for an idea of the different types of financial aid that can help make your dream trip a reality in Central America. Fundraising can also be helpful for high school students.
Accommodation & Visas
Homestays are usually the most popular form of accommodation for high school programs in Central America. This can be a great opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the local language, culture, and family life. Other accommodations such as dormitories or hostels may also be available for some high school programs in Central America. Whatever your living situation, remember that Central America is a developing region, so some luxuries such as AC, hot water, and internet connection may not always be accounted for.
The Central American countries differ in their visa policies for international visitors. In many cases you will only need to apply for a visa if you plan on staying your host country for longer than 90 days. You can check out our Embassy Directory for more information.
Benefits & Challenges
Spanish Immersion. Students who are learning Spanish as a second language will be amazed at how much their comprehension soars after returning from a high school program in Central America.
Biodiversity. Central America is infamous for being one of the most biodiverse regions of the world (it is home to 7% of the planet’s biodiversity while only encompassing about 0.1% of its land area). Adventurers and nature lovers will be enraptured by the scenery.
Cultural Shift. If you have never travelled to a Latin American country then you will likely experience a degree of culture shock while on a high school program in Central America. Soon enough though you will come to fall in love with the hospitality and kindness you encounter all across the region.
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