High School Study Abroad in Central America

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 for truly learning the language. Gain a new level of confidence in your Spanish skills while toucans fly overhead. Live with a carefully selected homestay and enjoy home-cooked meals. The program is rich in activities and outdoor adventure. Experience the thrill of a zip-lining through the rainforest and the rush of white water rafting. Travel to Arenal Volcano, soak in hot springs and swim in the pool of a spectacular waterfall. Visit Manuel Antonio beach and the national park, which is full of native wildlife. Play soccer as well as participate in an art workshop, cooking class, and dance class while in Atenas. This program includes volunteering, which is a great way to use your Spanish skills while giving back to the community. Multiple summer sessions are offered. All levels of Spanish are welcome.

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 (pure life), a contagious attitude of living life to the fullest. And it shows – Costa Rica is the world's happiest country according to the Happy Planet index. Costa Ricans call themselves Ticos, and you’ll often hear them demonstrate their national pride by describing something as muy tico, or “very Costa Rican.” Ticos are generally easy-going, so you’re likely to get along with most people you meet. With its tropical climate, biodiversity, fresh food, and relaxed lifestyle, going to school in Costa Rica is an enchanting way to discover a new culture. By living with a host family and attending a local high school, you’ll get an inside look at this idyllic society.

Delve into the science of climate change surrounded by Costa Rica’s lush rainforest. Discover its impact on tropical ecosystems as you explore the world-famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and meet with local farmers, scientists, and activists. Quantify tropical tree growth, estimate carbon stocks, and measure environmental effects of greenhouse gases in the living laboratory that is the CIEE Monteverde eco-campus. Join forces with other Global Navigators to propose creative solutions for climate change mitigation. Immerse yourself, too, in the simplicity of farm life. Milk cows, gather eggs, feed pigs, and make compost. Care for seedlings and saplings in our native tree nursery. Eat typical Tico dishes, practice Spanish, and learn folkloric dancing with local teens. Trips away from campus bring you even more of the natural beauty of Costa Rica. Hike through the deep forest to El Tigre waterfalls, climb an overlook of the Pacific slopes to bask in the sunset, and spend a weekend in the Río Celeste area where you will marvel at the picture-perfect Tenorio volcano and magical turquoise river.

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 trees to promote a better ecosystem, light construction, and clean-up projects. TFT feels strongly about the impact of this organization and we contribute every year to help them continue their mission in the community. In Sámara we work with another local association that provides supplemental educational, recreational, and career opportunities for youth with limited resources in the rural beach communities of the surrounding area. We will be helping run one of their many programs focusing on academic and artistic education, environmental consciousness, health, and socio-cultural development. Projects vary but our service work typically consists of working on art projects with the children, reading to them, teaching them English, and general upkeep of the school such as painting and light maintenance.

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.

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 hours of Spanish classes per day before heading out to different cultural activities and tours in the afternoon. Activities include museum visits, national park tours, creative workshops, recreational games, and more. This unique experience helps you develop a better sense of the world and grow into a true global citizen. Spanish Camp is an experience you remember forever! Every day, Spanish campers immerse themselves in the Spanish language while participating in a variety of activities and events around the capital city of San Jose and the beach towns of Manuel Antonio and Quepos. During weeknights, planned activities include salsa lessons, bonfires, karaoke, game nights, and movie nights, as well as quality time and Spanish language practice with your host family. On weekends, you take part in exciting cultural adventures and nature tours led by our professional guides.

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 world, all while learning about the country and culture of Costa Rica. Program at a glance: - 15 morning classes a week (3 classes per day for 50 minutes each) - Schools in 2 locations — San Jose & Manuel Antonio - Classes are taught by native-speaking teachers who specialize in teaching Spanish as a foreign language - Written tests are given on the first day of class to determine the appropriate level: Elementary, Intermediate, or Advanced - Lessons involve speaking, listening, reading, and writing in lively and informal small classes

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 Project - Beachside Service Adventure - Marine Conservation & Sea Turtle Expedition™ - The Ultimate Adventure - Medicine & Healthcare Discovery - Middle School Service Adventure - Ocean & Wildlife Conservation Adventure™ - Sea Turtle Initiative™ - Spanish Service Adventure - Surf, Sports & Sustainability ™ - The Initiative for Children ™ - Spring Break Service Adventure - Costa Rica Internship: Career Exploration In Environmental Stewardship Costa Rica is known for its serene tropical surroundings and leading ecological conservation efforts. It comprises five percent of the world's biodiversity, making it Central America’s "crown jewel" and an unbeatable location for natural and cultural exploration.

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 training Service-learning projects Leadership development workshops Mentorship from former college athletes International adventure GLASS is designed to help high school female athletes unleash their full leadership potential on and off the playing field.

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 their original research question as well as the experimental design for their project. Students work together to implement their research and learn how to work as a team to overcome challenges and rebound from failures within resource and time constraints, just as in any real-world project. They use statistics to validate the results of their experiments and give presentations showing the results of their work, just like any research scientist would! The Tropical Field Research program prepares students for university-level science. Students learn how to work as a team, handle differences, and take advantage of the ways others communicate best. Students use TypeCoach to help navigate team-member differences. They learn and apply the most appropriate experimental designs, apply key statistical analysis techniques, and present their research in Costa Rica and their community at home.

GVI offers a variety of opportunities for young adults between the ages of 15 and 17 to gain first-hand experience in cultural immersion, marine and wildlife conservation and community development. This is a great way to become a global citizen with a better understanding of prevalent social and environmental issues. It’s also a gateway to improving your future education and employment opportunities, as you acquire soft and hard skills in your chosen GVI focus. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to dive in the oceans of Greece, visit the jungles of Costa Rica, or the rolling Incan valleys of Peru, all while contributing to sustainability, this is for you. This is an opportunity to connect with a network of people who share similar passions for sustainability, while also expanding your knowledge of different linguistic practices and cultural customs. Each project is aimed at reaching sustainable objectives that align with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

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 opportunity to live the ‘pura vida’ lifestyle for all explorers. Turtle Conservation Project – Embark on a journey to protect sea turtles. Contribute to conservation through beach cleanups, hatchery construction & nest monitoring. Learn to surf in your free time. Pura Vida Service – Create authentic bonds with local communities and contribute to meaningful service projects. Program highlights include zip-lining, whitewater rafting, and hot springs. Surf and Service – Take in breathtaking sunsets and the blue waters during a week of surf, service, and community support. Spring Break Surf and Service – The Spring Break version of our popular Surf and Service program! Young Explorers – The perfect intro for young adventurers! Journey from the mountains to the beaches and participate in impactful service projects.

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 our staff provides guidance and reflection on the impact of our work and promotes the value of empathy and cultural sensitivity. When not volunteering, participants go off on exciting adventures like learning to surf, zip-lining over the forest canopy, enjoying whitewater rafting, and more! Fall in love with the Pura Vida lifestyle and all things Costa Rican in this 10-day program.

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 choice for a summer adventure. Global Works offers volunteer programs in different focus areas. We offer opportunities for community service, Spanish immersion, cultural exchange, pre-med and public health, wildlife, adventure travel, and a middle school-focused program to this special corner of the globe. Program Options: * Costa Rica: Service & Sand (15 days) * Costa Rica: Wildlife Adventure (17 days) * Costa Rica: Intro to Pre-Med & Public Health (17 days) * Costa Rica: Middle School Service Adventure (10 days)

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 important infrastructure projects. Learn to surf the calm waves of Costa Rica’s Pacific Ocean, while enjoying the country’s stunning palm-fringed beaches. Discover the process of coffee production in the lush green mountains where it’s grown, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of rainforests, pristine coastlines, and hidden waterfalls, all while connecting with and supporting local communities.

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 residents on meaningful construction and agricultural initiatives, practicing Spanish as you cook meals, play fútbol, and join local events. Cap your journey on the Pacific coast, where you celebrate your accomplishments while rafting, hiking, snorkeling, or surfing in warm tropical waters.

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 how environmental NGOs and national governments utilize data collection, entry, and analysis to protect and conserve the natural environment. This program is designed for teenagers aged 15 to 18 and offers eco-friendly accommodations, hands-on projects, and exciting activities such as whitewater rafting and beach visits. It is the perfect balance of learning, adventure, and impact.

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!

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 exploration, and friendly group adventures. Each week you’ll contribute to local community projects, with around four hours of volunteering per day. Outside of volunteer work you’ll take part in activities like salsa lessons, nature tours, cultural outings, sports sessions, and excursions that show off Costa Rica’s natural beauty and vibrant culture. Your stay includes accommodation with a host family, three meals a day, airport pick-up and drop-off, group transport to all activities, orientation, and 24/7 supervision by dedicated counsellors. You also receive a volunteer certificate and group T-shirt to mark the experience.

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 skills, GoBeyond will immerse you in a new culture where you can make a meaningful difference while on the journey of a lifetime. Our high school community service summer programs proudly serve in many under-resourced communities and environments throughout the world. Explore our journeys in the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Galapagos & Ecuador, Peru, Iceland, Spain, China, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Beyond experiencing the adventure of a lifetime and creating lasting memories, we believe our community service summer trips enable lasting positive change in the world. For over forty years, we’ve been transforming communities, environments, and students’ lives through meaningful, collaborative adventures and service that develop skills and a more sophisticated worldly outlook—ultimately shaping the person you become.