COSTA RICA
ULTIMATE SPANISH SERVICE & EDUCATION ADVENTURE
Experience Costa Rica’s thrill and beauty on the ultimate Costa Rican adventure while practicing Spanish through meaningful service and hands-on learning.
Program Overview
On this program, experience the ultimate Spanish adventure as you journey from the Central Valley, Caribbean coast, Pacuare River and the Arenal Volcano region. Begin in the village of Parismina, staying 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. Conquer two days of whitewater rafting on the Pacuare, complete with thrilling rapids and an overnight in a jungle lodge. In Heredia, take your Spanish beyond the classroom through immersive lessons, cultural exchanges and daily community practice. Continue to a rural village near Santa Teresa, where you’ll volunteer in local schools and build lasting connections. End your journey in La Fortuna with cultural activities, stunning volcano views and a relaxing soak in the hot springs before returning to the Central Valley for departures.
On GLA’s Costa Rica: Ultimate Spanish Service & Education Adventure program you will:
- Take your Spanish to the next level through an immersion program at a local language school
- Protect an endangered sea turtle nesting beach
- Soar through the rainforest canopy on a zipline adventure
- Visit a waterfall and hotsprings
- Explore the critical role of education and community development in shaping Costa Rica’s future
- Take an overnight rafting excursion on the Pacuare River
Program Menu
COSTA RICA
ULTIMATE SPANISH SERVICE & EDUCATION ADVENTURE
COSTA RICA
ULTIMATE SPANISH SERVICE & EDUCATION ADVENTURE
Community Service
Work alongside your peers on meaningful, community-led service projects that support local schools. From helping to renovate classrooms and improve facilities to participating in language and cultural exchanges with students, you’ll play an active role in strengthening education and connection. Local students may not always be present due to school holidays, but when they are, you’ll have the chance to interact, practice Spanish and share experiences across cultures. Together, we’ll contribute to projects in rural schools that we partner with each year that benefit from extra support, leaving behind a lasting impact.
Hands-on Learning
Learning comes alive in Costa Rica through hands-on experiences. Strengthen your Spanish skills while connecting with the community and explore local culture through dance, cooking and city tours. Go beyond the classroom with unique opportunities like a boat ride to spot wildlife and explore ecosystems, a talk on sea turtle conservation in the Caribbean and a pineapple plantation tour to learn about ethical farming.
Each experience deepens your understanding of language, culture and global issues.
Adventure
Your journey begins in the Central Valley before heading to the Caribbean, where even arriving at Home Base is an adventure—travel by boat to your jungle ecolodge, spotting wildlife along the way. Tackle class II–IV rapids on a thrilling overnight whitewater rafting trip down the Pacuare River. Zipline through the cloud forest canopy, hike to a hidden waterfall and tour a coffee plantation. Explore the city of Heredia, rich with historic architecture and national monuments and wrap up in La Fortuna with a full day of cultural activities, breathtaking views of Arenal Volcano and a relaxing soak in the hot springs.
Lodging & Meals
GLA operates multiple home bases for this program. Each one is a small hotel or eco-lodge with modest and typical amenities. A first and final hotel near the airport will be used for arrival and departures.
Home Base 1: Home Base is a rustic ecolodge nestled in the jungle outside of Parismina, and is just a short walk to the Caribbean Sea. Students stay in gender-segregated rooms. Enjoy delicious, home-cooked Costa Rican meals and have bathrooms with cold-water showers. Limited access to electricity for only a couple of hours a day, plus the absence of Wi-Fi, allow for an opportunity to disconnect, recenter, and appreciate the local beauty of this remote setting. If you look closely, you might even spot local wildlife in the trees surrounding Home Base!
Note: there is no wifi and limited service at the Parismina Home Base; but students will have access to internet connection about 2-3 times while they are in Parismina.
Home Base 2: Our second Home Base is an exclusive hotel block in a picturesque setting, with small cottages and cabins clustered together amidst beautiful, green mountains in the outskirts of Heredia. There are common areas where students can hang out during downtime or scheduled activities. Enjoy your meals with views of the city and mountains, and take advantage of the pool in designated free time!
Home Base 3: Our third Home Base is located outside the rural town of Santa Teresa located in the province of Alajuela. This Home Base is a private compound with cabins and a guest house. There is a beautiful lake on the property where students can kayak and swim. From here the group will take a day trip to the Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna.
Costa Rica is known for its simple diet of rice, beans and a side of meat. The food at Home Base will reflect the traditional dietary staples of the people in Costa Rica and include many special recipes that reflect the culture of the area. The Central Valley is known for its variety of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.
COSTA RICA
ULTIMATE SPANISH SERVICE & EDUCATION ADVENTURE
Dates & Tuition
21-Day Program
2026 Session Dates
July 6 – July 26, 2026
Program Details
More Information
Program Location: Costa Rica
Program Theme: Language Immersion, Youth & Education
Tuition Includes All In-Country Expenses
Airport pick-up/drop-off
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
An application fee and $600 deposit are required
to hold your spot on-program.
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
“My adventure in Costa Rica was, without a doubt, one of the best experiences in my life. The 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.”
Ethan | Student | 2023
COSTA RICA
SPANISH SERVICE ADVENTURE
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