4-Week Sustainable Development Summer Program in Costa Rica

Set out on a month of pura vida: spend four weeks developing leadership skills and making an impact in the world’s eco-tourism capital.

Immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture, contextualizing your travels within local customs and history. Collaborate with locals and NGOs to complete service projects that will benefit the community, working towards conservation, reforestation, and sustainable development. Wrap up your experience with time for reflection at Leadership Academy at the UN’s University for Peace.

Upcoming program dates:

2023 Winter: Jan 2. – Jan.30
2023 Spring: Apr. 19 – May 17
2023 Summer: Jul. 5 – Aug. 2

Program highlights

Chart your path forward

Live and travel on your own, learning how to leverage your strengths and beginning to define your life path.

Collaborate towards change

Work with local organizations as they tackle issues on the ground and learn how you can apply these lessons to your own life as a leader in your community.

Develop global skills

Get out of your comfort zone and discover what you're capable of: gain environmental skills, experience a new culture, and expand your horizons.

Program itinerary

Click here to download this itinerary as a PDF.
Note: This itinerary is subject to change due to availability and local conditions at the time of departure.

Costa Rica 4 Weeks

San José: Orientation

1 day San José, Costa Rica

Your program kicks off with a brief orientation, where you'll meet your fellow travelers and learn how to make the most of your experience.

San José: Youth Education Project

7 nights San José, Costa Rica

Collaborate with a non-profit that seeks to lift up local youth through education by playing, helping with homework, and teaching English.

Pacific Coast: Reforestation Project

3 Days Pacific Coast, Costa Rica

Contribute to seashore conservation by supporting the marine
biologists in their research and assisting with mangrove
restoration efforts.

Corcovado: Sea Turtle Conservation Project

4 Nights Corcovado, Costa Rica

Partner with a local foundation to assist sea turtle conservation efforts and learn about why these endangered animals are
so important.

Arenal & Monteverde: Sustainable Farming Project

9 Nights Arenal & Monteverde, Costa Rica

Work with a community-based project that leverages sustainable tourism for ecological restoration and community outreach efforts.

San José: Leadership Academy

4 Nights University for Peace, San José

Reflect on your experiences and how you can apply what
you’ve learned to your future. Hone your global leadership skills through speaker-led workshops. Sessions will focus on self- and global-awareness, influencing others, and executing on your
personal goals.

What service learning means to us

EF Gap Year's service learning philosophy combines educational objectives with hands-on experience as a vehicle to help you become a better global citizen.

Program fee

Tuition for this 4-week program is $6,950, and payment plans are available. Tuition includes:

Flights and transportation

Round-trip flights and local transfers to each stop in your itinerary
Room and board

Your accommodations and some of your meals on the trip
Activities and service projects

Guided excursions and service opportunities with partner organizations
EF Global Support Network

One-on-one mentorship and travel support before and during your program

Ready to get started?

Our Gap Year Consultants are ready to answer any questions you have and to help find the perfect program for your family.

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Short-Term Program

Sustainable Development in Costa Rica