SURF, SPORTS & SUSTAINABILITY

Arrive in Liberia (LIR) Guanacaste on the first day, where GLA staff will greet you and take you to our Home Base, a scenic yoga retreat center in the tropical forest. After settling in, meet fellow travelers and staff during orientation, then enjoy your first Costa Rican dinner.

On our first full day, start with an orientation and team-building activities, exploring the gardens, pool, sports fields, and nearby beaches. Get acquainted with the local ecological organizations and sustainable farm you’ll be volunteering with, and learn about the environmental and community projects you’ll contribute to. Immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture and experience the Pura Vida lifestyle. In the afternoon, enjoy your first surf lesson at Playa Avellanas with certified local instructors, whether you’re a beginner or looking to improve your skills. Afterward, enjoy a typical “Tico” brunch and reflect on your surf experience. In the evening, join your first Mentor session and leadership activity to connect with others.

Costa Rica is a top surfing destination, offering easy ocean access and diverse surf conditions. Today, you’ll have your second surf session to build on the basics. In the afternoon, learn about the crucial role mangroves play in Playa Avellanas and Junquillal. Seven species of mangroves in Costa Rica support marine life, birds, and help prevent coastal erosion. Contribute to reforestation by collecting and planting mangrove seedlings. After a productive day, unwind in the hammocks and reflect with your new friends.

Today, visit a family-owned sustainable farm to learn about organic farming and artisan cheese-making. Taste the farm’s products and explore the benefits of growing your own food for better health. The family’s commitment to high-quality organic feed has created a thriving, sustainable business with healthier products and happier animals. Afterward, enjoy a cooking class with a local chef to learn some of her famous recipes. Once you’ve settled from the meal, join a friendly game of soccer to wrap up the day.

Get ready to hit the warm waves again! In today’s surf lesson, you’ll learn to identify different wave types, read the ocean for dangerous currents, and improve your surfing skills. In the afternoon, continue with service projects focused on land work. Harvest crops for the animals, work in the garden, and learn the process from seed to harvest. In the evening, engage in a leadership activity on responsible tourism and environmental stewardship, reflecting on sustainable practices and the role of organic farming in Costa Rica.

Today is all about teamwork, skill-building, and sports! Start with soccer, basketball, and beach volleyball drills, perfecting your passes, shots, and favorite training exercises. Team up with local children to share drills and scrimmage, fostering a cultural exchange through sports. As the sun sets, enjoy friendly matches on the beach and soak in the vibrant energy of Guanacaste’s stunning coastline. It’s the perfect mix of activity, connection, and fun!

Catch more waves and refine your technique with your instructors’ guidance, feeling your improvement and excitement grow! Later, engage in leadership activities to build teamwork, enhance communication skills, and foster personal growth. Reflect on how these lessons can inspire your future. As the day winds down, relax at Home Base—lounge by the pool, unwind in the hammocks, connect with friends, or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere to recharge for the adventures ahead.

Get ready for a full day of adventure on the water! Cruise up the Guanacaste coast by catamaran to a prime snorkeling spot, where you may spot tropical fish, manta rays, and even sea turtles and dolphins (conditions permitting). After lunch, if the wind is right, we’ll raise the sails, turn off the motors, and let you fully enjoy the sounds of the Pacific on our journey back to port.

Today, visit a local non-profit focused on environmental awareness. Participate in a community cleanup, work in a botanical nursery, and create signs to highlight native plants and local streams, raising environmental consciousness. In the afternoon, unwind with a yoga class to stretch your muscles and recenter after an action-packed day. Yoga helps reduce stress, improve flexibility, and enhances your surfing and athletic performance. In the evening, enjoy a delicious meal at Home Base and reflect under the stars on the impact you’ve made before resting up for another day of adventure.

Today, we’ll give back to the ocean by joining a local organization for a beach cleanup, helping protect the coastline and support marine ecosystems. Reflect on our role as environmental stewards to preserve these spaces for future generations.

Afterward, enjoy a relaxing afternoon to recharge, whether lounging, journaling, or connecting with friends. Later, participate in leadership activities to inspire environmental action and learn how to apply sustainability lessons back home.

On your final day of service, you’ll continue community infrastructure projects and environmental campaigns with our local partner organization. Finish the tasks you started, leaving a lasting impact on the community. Say farewell and thank you to the local changemakers who have shared this journey with you.

On the last two days in Costa Rica, we’ll embrace the country’s outdoor adventure. Start with a final morning surf session, reflecting on the lessons surfing teaches us about life—environmentalism, resilience after wipeouts, and living in the moment. After our last waves, we’ll pack up, say “hasta la proxima” to our beachside home, and enjoy a final lunch before heading to Rincon De La Vieja National Park. There, we’ll check in and immerse ourselves in Guanacaste culture through delicious food and lively marimba music.

Experience the thrill of ziplining through the jungle canopy and hiking the tropical dry forest. Get your adrenaline pumping while tubing down the river with professional guides (weather permitting), stopping at quiet pools to enjoy the scenery and spot wildlife. End the day by relaxing with new friends in a volcanic mud bath and natural thermal pools as the sun sets. What an unforgettable adventure!

¡Adiós y Pura Vida! Our Costa Rica adventure comes to an end. After breakfast and final goodbyes, GLA staff will accompany you to the airport for check-in and your journey home.