Immerse yourself in the culture and nature of Costa Rica as you hike, zipline, and kayak your way through different regions of the country. Collaborate with community members and NGOs to learn about conservation, reforestation, and sustainable development as you work on service learning projects with them. Wrap up your experience with time for reflection through workshops at the UN’s University for Peace.
Upcoming travel dates:
Spring 2024: February 28–March 27, 2024
Summer 2024: July 5–August 2, 2o24
Fall 2024: October 16–November 13, 2024
The Central Valley 6 Days
Land in Costa Rica's capital city, San Jose, where you'll meet your fellow travelers and start your journey together. Visit a coffee plantation to learn about the importance of coffee on the Costa Rican economy.
Collaborate with an educational nonprofit in San Jose that seeks to lift up local youth through education, engagement, help with homework, and teaching English.
The Pacific Coast 8 Days
Explore Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica’s natural gems. Walk through the rainforest and try to catch sight of wildlife like toucans, monkeys, and sloths. Take in the pristine white sand beaches.
Learn about the importance of mangroves to coastal ecosystems as you work on a mangrove reforestation project. In your down time, enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Central Pacific Coast.
Travel to one of the most remote and beautiful parts of Costa Rica, the Osa Peninsula. Partner with an organization that is dedicated to preserving the biodiversity of Costa Rica, and work with them on projects including their sea turtle conservation work.
Arenal & Monteverde 9 Days
Spend time at an off-the-grid, sustainable ranch surrounded by the rainforest. Take workshops that focus on sustainable agriculture. During free time, relax in the natural pools, enjoy yoga classes, or rest & recharge in nature.
Get your adrenaline pumping as you fly through the rainforest on a zipline and paddle your way through the mists of Lake Arenal. Relax your mind and body in the area’s famous volcanic hot springs.
Monteverde is a mountain town nestled in Costa Rica’s cloud forests where you'll work with a local non-profit and research facility on their reforestation efforts.
The Central Valley 3 Days
At the UN-founded University for Peace campus on a verdant mountain overlooking San Jose, unpack your experience on program and think about how it connects to global sustainability and well-being. Reflect with your group and celebrate all that you’ve been through together!
Tuition for this 4-week program is $7,900, and payment plans are available. A detailed budgeting guide for this program can be found here.
Your program fee includes:
When you need us most, we’re always close: EF Gap Year students are supported by multiple layers of staff throughout their experience abroad.
Learn more about on-program Safety & Support, from our on-the-ground Student Life Coordinators and Tour Directors to our 24/7 Safety & Incident Response team.
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