High School Gap Year Programs in Costa Rica

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.

Studying abroad in Costa Rica offers you the adventure of a lifetime while learning Spanish during a trimester, semester, or academic year. Immerse yourself fully in a local high school and live with a host family for an authentic cultural experience. At the same time, participate in excursions and various activities to further explore the country and culture. This is an ideal program abroad if you: - Roll with whatever changes come your way - Are dedicated to learning and speaking Spanish, even if you're a complete beginner - Are passionate about the environment and its conservation and wish to learn from experts - Are okay with less screen time, considering that Costa Rica has a spotty internet connection

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 the best shape of your life. Snorkeling Shark Alley, zip-lining through rainforests, trekking through jungles, hiking volcanoes, and swimming the coastlines of Central America make this program an outdoor adventure infused with scientific exploration and learning.

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 poolside fun. Now, picture all this excitement set against the stunning landscapes. Add cultural immersion, meaningful volunteering, dynamic internships, and thrilling adventures. Top it off with a therapist acting as a camp counselor, offering in-the-moment coaching, wellness lessons, and personal development support. This unique component ensures you receive constant guidance that fosters resilience, self-awareness, and emotional well-being. Welcome to the most fun, silly, and unforgettable summer camp for teen girls! Our unique program brings a small group of 10 girls together in a beautiful villa, where they learn essential life skills, become amazing roommates, and form lifelong friendships. This is not just a summer camp—it’s an incredible adventure that builds confidence, fosters independence, and enhances mental well-being. Join us in Costa Rica for the summer of a lifetime!

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 and their contemporaries, explore opportunities to delve into social justice, sustainability, and the influence of colonization. From the Sierra Madre mountains of interior Guatemala to the sea turtle havens on the coast, from the tranquility and splendor of Lago Atitlán and its surrounding volcanoes to the breathtaking coral reefs offshore, Carpe Diem Education explores the merging complexities of socio-political realities with the hope of a more sustainable future. Cap your new knowledge with improved Spanish, honed during your homestay experience, and outdoor skills learned from the many treks, hikes, and adventure activities available in the region.

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 initiatives. Activities include sports and recreation, after-school programs, arts and crafts, and health initiatives. Students benefit from guided and personalized activites that provide hands-on experience. The program also includes cultural immersion through homestays or accommodations in small family-run hotels, cooking and meals with local communities, Spanish language practice, and guided exploration of local communities and natural sites. This safe and well-supported program allows students to make a tangible impact, develop personal and professional skills, and foster global awareness and empathy. Individual attention, Small group sizes, and experienced staff ensure personalized guidance and meaningful engagement throughout the experience.

Discover Costa Rica is a flexible, intensive short-term educational program designed for academic institutions, organized groups, and individual students. It combines thematic learning, cultural immersion, language development, and exploration of Costa Rica’s natural environment—all within a fully guided and adaptable format. Ideal for academic breaks, spring break, summer sessions, or custom-designed weeks, the program welcomes high school and university-level participants seeking impactful global experiences. Participants engage in a wide range of activities, including Spanish classes led by Propella instructors, optional social impact projects in local communities, and eco-friendly field experiences such as visits to sustainable farms, protected rainforests, and conservation initiatives. Hands-on learning and cultural connection are thoughtfully integrated to ensure each journey is both meaningful and memorable. Propella handles every aspect of the experience—from program design, accommodations, and guided activities to transportation, language support, and operational safety—delivering a seamless, enriching, and personalized educational journey from start to finish.

Choose any one of our four summer courses or combine them to craft your ideal two-week to eight-week summer adventure rainforest trekking, whitewater rafting, surfing, sea kayaking, scuba diving, volunteering, and more in Costa Rica and Panama! Our summer courses aren’t for vacationers. They’re for students who want to become more knowledgeable about themselves and the world around them – maybe even to build your résumé or material for your college essay application. All courses include opportunities to volunteer, build life and leadership skills, learn from local cultures, and gain a new level of self-awareness and appreciation for the world around you. Course Options: - Tropical Trek, Raft & Waves - Scuba, Sea Turtles, Spanish & Sloths - Pacific Surf & Saving Lives - Pacific Surf Extension * Please note that, for the health and safety of our participants, OBCR has made program adjustments to these courses. Please contact us to learn about our COVID-19 considerations.*