ULTIMATE SPANISH SERVICE & EDUCATION ADVENTURE

Arrive in San José (SJO), where GLA staff will greet you. Meet your fellow travelers and head to Home Base in Heredia. Unpack, settle in, and enjoy the city views from your mountain home as you prepare for the program ahead.

Start the day with a traditional breakfast before embarking on the six-hour journey to Parismina, a peaceful and remote Caribbean community accessible only by boat or plane. We’ll complete the final stretch by boat. Upon arrival, meet the local staff, settle into Home Base, and begin your orientation.

Explore the Caribbean coast through wildlife spotting, a nighttime sea turtle patrol, a river canal boat ride, beach cleanups and time in the water. Visit the nearby village of Parismina for a community tour, cooking and dance activities, sports with local kids and insights from conservation experts working to protect nesting turtles.

Embark on a two-day rafting trip down the Pacuare River, tackling Class II–IV rapids, hiking rainforest trails and spending the night at a canyon lodge surrounded by waterfalls and wildlife. After this unforgettable adventure, travel to your next Home Base in Heredia to begin the next phase of Spanish classes and community service.

Settle into our language institute in Heredia and take a guided tour of the town center to experience local culture firsthand. Back at the institute, complete a placement test, begin your first interactive Spanish class, and end the day with a group reflection on service and cultural connection.

Spend your mornings supporting community-led projects at a local school—helping with tasks like painting, planting, and improving classroom spaces—before heading to the language institute for engaging, small-group Spanish lessons. Through games, conversations, and cultural activities like cooking and dance, you’ll build real-world Spanish skills and connect more deeply with the community.

Begin the day with a tour of a local coffee farm to learn about Costa Rica’s bean-to-cup tradition, then return to the institute for your final Spanish class, reflection and celebration of your progress.

Visit La Paz Waterfall to enjoy lush rainforest scenery, cascading falls, and the wildlife rescue center, then wrap up the day with leadership reflections in your Mentor groups.

Soar through the treetops on a zipline and aerial tram, then explore an orchid garden and learn about local wildlife on a guided nature walk. In the evening, pack up and prepare for the next destination.

Head north to your second Home Base near the rural community of San Carlos, meet our longtime local partner and settle into this peaceful lakefront setting. Spend the afternoon relaxing or paddleboarding before preparing for your final stretch of service and Spanish practice at local schools.

Continue your service and Spanish practice at local schools each morning, supporting community projects while using your language skills in real situations. In the afternoons, take part in leadership activities and visit an organic pineapple plantation to learn about sustainable agriculture and its impact on the local community.

Start the morning with hands-on cultural activities, from pressing sugar cane to preparing fresh, local ingredients for lunch. Then explore La Fortuna and end the day unwinding in Arenal’s natural hot springs, enjoying warm volcanic pools and a fun, relaxing evening.

Return to our Home Base near the airport for a final dinner and group reflection, celebrating your Spanish progress, new friendships, and the experiences that shaped your GLA journey.

After breakfast and final goodbyes, we’ll head to the airport where GLA staff will assist with check-in for your journey home. You’ll leave with improved Spanish skills and unforgettable experiences to share with family and friends. With the warmth of Pura Vida in your heart, we hope your farewell is not a goodbye, but a “hasta luego” — until we meet again.