Costa Rica
Service and Sand
Experience the heart of Costa Rica, “la Pura Vida’. Maximize your community service hours and Spanish language immersion opportunities.
Trip Details
Departures and Availability
Session 1
June 10, 2025 June 24, 2025 OpenSession 2
June 27, 2025 July 11, 2025 OpenSession 3
July 16, 2025 July 30, 2025 OpenFocus
Building Initiatives, Spanish Immersion, Working with Children
Grades
Entering 9th – Graduating 12th
Average Group Size
18 Students, 3 Staff
Days
15
Service Hours
35-45 Hours
Tuition
$4,595
Itinerary
Experience Costa Rica’s wonder: zip-lining, rafting, surfing, impactful community service, language immersion, and wildlife exploration for an unforgettable, purpose-driven journey!
- Start the experience at a base lodge, 20 km outside of La Fortuna, where students and leaders connect and set goals for the weeks ahead
- Visit an organic dairy farm
- Enjoy a zip-line excursion for a unique view of the rainforest canopy
- Participate in informal Spanish games and lessons—come ready to practice your Spanish!
- Embark on a thrilling overnight rafting adventure on the Pacuare River, one of the world’s most beautiful and biodiverse waterways
- Spend the night at a permanent riverside camp used by the rafting outfitters
- Live in a local community and work on education, community, and environmental projects
- Possible projects include: pouring the foundation for a community center, planting organic school gardens, painting and tiling a community kitchen, teaching English lessons, or completing a sidewalk around the town square
- Organize a popular “Día de Actividades” for the community, with field day competitions, art workshops, music, games, and more
- Participate in soccer games and other activities with local children
- Evenings feature cultural activities such as dances, cooking classes, and games with the host community
- Travel to the Pacific Coast, known for its stunning combination of rainforest and ocean
- Take surf lessons from local professional instructors, with waves suitable for all skill levels
- Explore a picturesque local beach and a beautiful waterfall
- Spot humpback whales in the warm Pacific waters
- Return to the Central Valley and enjoy a celebratory dinner and awards ceremony
- Reflect on the journey, service projects, and new friendships formed in Costa Rica
- Depart for home with lasting memories of the experience
Highlights of the Trip
Live Like a Local
Experience authentic Costa Rican culture through homestays, where students stay in pairs with welcoming host families, practice Spanish, and participate in daily life, projects, and activities.
Ride the Rapids
Embark on an exciting overnight journey down the beautiful Pacuare River, navigating Class 3 and 4 rapids surrounded by lush rainforest. Spend the night at a riverside camp, experiencing the natural beauty and biodiversity of one of Costa Rica’s most stunning waterways while connecting with fellow adventurers.
Conservation in Action
Volunteer at a wildlife refuge dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of Costa Rica’s native species.
Catch A Wave
Learn to surf on Costa Rica’s stunning Pacific Coast, where fun waves and expert instructors make it the perfect spot for all levels.
Gallery
Accommodations
San Jose
Global Works Costa Rica participants spend the first and final days of the program in a small, comfortable lodge located in the mountains surrounding the capital of San Jose. The lodge is locally owned and specializes in hosting student groups. It is dorm style with 4 to 6 students sleeping in bunk beds; each room has a private bathroom with hot water showers. Large group spaces located on the property are ideal for group orientation, dance lessons, and ice-breaker activities.
Central Valley Homestays
Global Works has longstanding relationships with the communities where we place students and complete our service projects. All homes where students are housed are within walking distance of one another and close to the project work site. Homes are humble in nature, typically constructed of concrete blocks; they are clean and inviting. Students will have a private room within the home and the room is shared between two Global Works students. All homes have bathrooms complete with a flush toilet and a shower. Meals are prepared by the homestay families and families are trained in proper food preparation and food handling.
Pacific Coast Surf-Camp
Participants stay at an eco-lodge in southern Costa Rica located just steps from the beaches of Marino Ballena National Park. Accommodations are traditional hotel-style rooms shared by two to four students. The lodge is styled with an onsite swimming pool, hammocks, and common areas.
Enroll in a Teen Summer Trip With Global Works Today
Through our service trips for students, we cultivate unique adventures and inspiring experiences that will stick with our travelers long after the summer is over.
