COSTA RICA
SPANISH LANGUAGE ADVENTURE
Costa Rica is your classroom! Practice Spanish through meaningful community immersion and hands-on learning while experiencing the adventure of a lifetime.
Program Overview
On this program, experience the ultimate Spanish adventure as you journey through various locations in the lush Central Valley of Costa Rica, to the tropical Caribbean coast. Begin in the mountains of Heredia, where you’ll take formal lessons, but also take your Spanish beyond the classroom through immersive lessons, cultural exchanges and daily community practice. Continue to the rural valley countryside of Turrialba, where you’ll learn about the pre-Columbian history of the area, and build lasting connections with local community members.
On the 21-day program, you’ll conquer a day of whitewater rafting of the Pejibaye River and spend a night in the former capital of the country, Cartago, before heading to the remote village of Parismina on the Caribbean coast. You’ll stay at a private ecolodge while learning about sea turtle conservation, spotting wildlife on a river tour, joining a cooking class and playing soccer with locals. End your journey back in the city, with a final cultural and adventure activity, before preparing for departures.
On GLA’s Costa Rica: Spanish Language Adventure program you will:
- Take your Spanish to the next level through an immersion program at a local language school, in daily activities and discussions
- Visit the pre-historic Guayabo national archeological monument, a world-renowned civil engineering heritage site
- Soar through the rainforest canopy on a zipline adventure
- Explore the critical role of education and community development in shaping Costa Rica’s future
- Visit a waterfall and explore lush mountains and valleys
- Take on a whitewater rafting excursion on the Pejibaye River (21-day only)
- Protect an endangered sea turtle nesting beach (21-day only)
Program Menu
COSTA RICA
SPANISH LANGUAGE ADVENTURE
Sample Itinerary Coming Soon!
Let’s take a sneak peek at what your program experience might look like this summer! Please note that the order of activities may differ for each program session. The details provided here represent a general outline of what you can anticipate, though community service projects and activities are subject to change based on the needs of our local community partners, cultural celebrations and traditions, weather conditions and the specific requirements of the student group.
COSTA RICA
SPANISH LANGUAGE ADVENTURE
Program Details
Dates & Tuition
2027 Session Dates
July 06 – July 19, 2027 (14 Days)
July 06 – July 26, 2027 (21 Days)
What's Included in Tuition
In-country transportation
Lodging
3 meals per day
Professional full-time staff and experts
24/7 parent support hotline during program
Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
Cultural activities, lectures and excursions
Pre-departure materials and support
Educational materials
to hold your spot on-program.
Program at a Glance
Program Location: Costa Rica
Program Type(s): Language Immersion, Service Learning, Exploratory Travel
Every GLA Program is Backed by our 5-Point Safety System™
GLA HOME BASE:
SAFE & SECURE LODGING
CARING SUPERVISION &
EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
SAFE
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTHY FOOD
& PURE WATER
24/7 SUPPORT &
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Recommended by Students and Parents
Ethan | 2023 Alumni Student
“My adventure in Costa Rica was, without a doubt, one of the best experiences in my life. The three weeks were a perfectly constructed concoction of work, education, and fun. The trip definitely changed my view on the world and was a great way to spend part of my summer, I wish there had been a way to extend my stay.”
The Program Experience
Language Immersion
Go far beyond traditional classroom instruction by practicing your Spanish in real-world settings alongside welcoming local communities. Strengthen your conversational skills through daily interactions with native speakers, service partners and local youth building confidence as you exchange stories, navigate local markets and participate in guided cultural activities like dance workshops and traditional cooking classes.
Students on the 21-day program will expand their language practice as they travel into the Afro-Caribbean region, experiencing unique linguistic dialects and cultural heritage along the coast.
Service Learning
Work alongside your peers on community-driven service projects that strengthen infrastructure and educational access for local primary schools. Assist with renovating classrooms, upgrading school facilities and facilitating cross-cultural exchange and language games with local students. In addition, partner with a rural community of 200 residents to learn about their sustainable development practices, socio-cultural tourism models and local conservation initiatives.
Students on the 21-day program will extend their service commitment to remote coastal habitats, supporting local conservation efforts in isolated Caribbean beach communities.
Exploratory Travel
Immerse yourself in the living history and authentic charm of Costa Rica’s Central Valley as you explore historic towns like Heredia and Turrialba. Discover pre-Columbian history and ancient indigenous culture at protected archaeological monuments, admire colonial and national architecture and tour local community spaces to gain insight into rural Tico traditions. Along the way, visit active biodiversity hubs where scientific research, habitat restoration and environmental sustainability intersect.
Students on the 21-day program will journey deeper into the Caribbean lowlands, exploring remote jungle waterways, rural island communities and unique coastal lifestyles.
Adventure
Experience an adrenaline-filled journey through the lush mountains, rushing rivers, and volcanic valleys of Costa Rica! Fly high above the treetops on an exhilarating cloud forest zipline canopy tour, hike through vibrant green trails to swim in natural mountain waterfalls and explore historic national monuments nestled in the hills.
On the 21-day program, your adventure reaches a whole new level as you navigate Class II–IV rapids on a whitewater rafting trip down the Pejibaye River and take a riverboat safari into the Caribbean jungle.
White water rafting on our 21-Day program
Country Spotlight
Discover the welcoming spirit, rich Tico traditions, incredible biodiversity and regional flavors of Costa Rica across varied landscapes.
Lodging: Experience dynamic accommodations across the country! In the Central Valley, stay in private hotel cottages surrounded by green mountains near Heredia, featuring a swimming pool and scenic city views, followed by a campus-style Home Base in Turrialba situated inside a renowned biodiversity hotspot. Students on the 21-day program will also experience a third rustic ecolodge near Parismina, a short walk from the Caribbean Sea with limited electricity and no Wi-Fi, offering a rare chance to unplug and spot jungle wildlife right outside your room.
Meals: Savor fresh, home-cooked Costa Rican cuisine centered on wholesome staples like rice, beans, fresh vegetables and savory proteins (such as classic casados). The Central Valley region is especially famous for its abundant array of fresh, locally harvested tropical fruits and authentic regional family recipes.
COSTA RICA
SPANISH LANGUAGE ADVENTURE
Photo Gallery
COSTA RICA
