GoAbroad
$2,000-$5,000Program Costs
VerifiedProvider
5.0 / 5Overall Rating
1Review
2022Year established

Program Overview

Costa Ricans greet and encourage each other with Pura Vida – a phrase that means much more than its literal translation of Pure Life. As a volunteer with GCAC, you feel the emotions of those words as you work with our partner nonprofits. You could collaborate with an animal rescue center dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of local wildlife. You could also help address the needs of children who have experienced neglect, abuse, or assault. All GCAC programs focus on our mission of increasing mutual respect for people, places, and the planet, and one or more United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Our Costa Rica program is a great example.

At GCAC, we work hard and play hard, too. You’ll explore the most biodiverse areas in Latin America—visiting beaches, hiking through jungles, kayaking in bioluminescent waters, and doing much more.

GCAC adventures in Costa Rica are annual events usually set around school breaks, but are also available for groups to charter.

Ready to dive deeper into this program?

Jump to the full breakdown of dates, costs, eligibility, and more.

See program details

Program Highlights

Receive college credit, which is available for high school juniors and seniors and university students.
Apply to earn one of our scholarships, available for students with demonstrated financial need.
Put in service hours and become eligible to earn the President's Volunteer Service Award.
Benefit from an inclusive program fee with lodging, meals, service project expenses, cultural activities, ground transportation, and so much more.
Travel with other travel/service/learning advocates or check us out to charter a future experience as a school, community, or corporate group.

What's Included

Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
All Program Activity Costs
Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Weekend Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
In-Country Transportation To & From Project
International Airfare
Guide / Chaperone
On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
Pre-Departure Orientation
In-Country Orientation
Cultural Training / Program / Orientation
Academic Credit

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Costa Rica

Available Terms / Availability

  • Years Offered
  • Year Round

Eligible Nationalities

  • All Nationalities
  • This Program is also open to Solo, Couples, Families, Group

Education Levels & Language

  • Language
  • English
  • Education
  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Accommodation Options

  • Group living

Application Procedures

  • Online Application

Age Requirement

14+

Duration

  • 1-2 Weeks

Starts At

$2,000-$5,000

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about Global Citizen Adventure Corps

5.0
1 review

Rating breakdown

5
1
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0

Top categories

Volunteer Placement
5.0
Program Administration
5.0
Living Situation
5.0
Community Engagement
5.0
Health & Safety
5.0
Day to Day Life
5.0

Participated in this program? Share your experience now.

Review this Program

Showing 1 of 1 review

Jenna PattonUnited States · July 2024

Life-changing experience

I had the pleasure of traveling to Costa Rica as a co-leader with GCAC and a group of students from my high school. The opportunities that this experience provided for myself and my students were second to none. While we all enjoyed the excursions and the touristy aspects of the trip, the relationships we built with locals and the hard work we put in while volunteering at Wild Sun was by far our favorite part. Not once during the trip did any of the students get upset because they had to forego some of the luxuries of home, i.e. air conditioning! We all fell in love with this country and the people. When we left there was not a dry eye in the group and we immediately started planning for our return trip.

Photos

Inquire

Inquire about this program

Have a question? Send us a message and the program team will get back to you.

Step 1 of 4Timing

How long do you want to travel?

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to all the most common questions about Global Citizen Adventure Corps.

Can my group charter this service learning program in Costa Rica?

We offer charter experiences to high schools, universities, community or church groups, and corporate teams. Individuals can join others who share their interests/desire to serve. Contact us for more information.

What makes a GCAC program unique from other travel experiences?

GCAC focuses on travel service learning. We offer transferable college credit and the chance to earn the President's Volunteer Service Award. Scholarships are available for participants who demonstrate financial need and come from rural and/or economically disadvantaged areas.

Do I need to speak Spanish to join this program in Costa Rica?

No language skills are necessary, although we do encourage practicing your Spanish to better interact with our local partners and hosts.

What are the next steps if I'm interested in volunteering?

Click the Inquire Here button, and we'll send details about upcoming programs. If we don't have one scheduled in the next few months, fill in the pop-up window and let us know you are interested. We will notify you when our next GCAC adventure to Costa Rica opens for registration. If you are a potential co-leader of a group of 10 or more, you can contact us through our Become a Co-Leader form. 

Where can I find information about similar programs?

Check out other programs on our Profile Page. All you have to do is click on our organization name above, leading you to a page with our organization details and programs.

Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

2025 Finalist - Innovation in Diversity
Gold medal with green banner indicating 2023 Top-Rated Nonprofit by GreatNonprofits
logo of Sustainable Travel International
Candid Transparency logo
GoAbroad Innovation Awards 2024 Winner - Philanthropy

Related Programs

Browse programs you might like

Maximo Nivel
MAXIMO NIVEL logo

MAXIMO NIVEL

4.71

597 reviews

Top Rated Program Volunteer Abroad in Costa Rica 2026
Volunteer in Latin America! Costa Rica, Guatemala, & Peru

Turn your passion into action with Maximo Nivel’s top-rated Volunteer Abroad programs in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru! Volunteering abroad is...

Visit Website View Program
IVHQ Programs
International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] logo

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

4.68

834 reviews

Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. ...

Visit Website View Program
Animal Rescue and Conservation
GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization logo

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

4.68

25 reviews

Costa Rica - Animal Rescue and Conservation

Volunteer for wildlife in Costa Rica! This program works with three wildlife sanctuaries, in the Alajuela and Puntarenas Provinces. Many anima...

Visit Website View Program

Have more questions?

We're here to help!

The GoAbroad team is here to support you as you choose the best program for you, and Global Citizen Adventure Corps is also happy to answer any questions you have.

Request Program RecommendationsAsk a Question

Trusted by millions of travelers worldwide since 1997