At the summit of Mount Chirripó, over 12,000 feet above the sea, a breathtaking vista of Costa Rica awaits. From the pounding surf of the Pacific Ocean to the turquoise blue of the Caribbean Sea, the beauty and natural splendor of Costa Rica stretches as far as the eye can see. In all directions, jagged mountainsides fade into shrouded mists of cloudforest canopy, emerging below as majestic valleys covered by lush, tropical jungle. Beyond the pristine rainforests lie aromatic coffee terraces and rolling pasture lands that expand out to more than 1,200 miles of sun-bleached sands bordering this magnificent country on either coast.
Not surprisingly, Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. In a country just one-eighth the size of California you can traverse 12 climatic zones and see 850 bird species, 1260 tree species, 1100 orchid species, 237 mammal species, and 361 reptile and amphibian species!
Costa Rica is where the chatter of monkeys and toucans blends with the distant rumble of volcanoes and the soothing sounds of rushing rapids to provide a natural soundtrack to your travels. This is where you can build trails in the rainforest during the morning, zip-line through jungle canopy in the afternoon, swim in a pristine lake at sunset, and watch molten lava flow down the shadow of a darkened volcano in the night. In Costa Rica, students can homestay with local families and learn Spanish, live on the beach and help save endangered sea turtles, join a surf camp and learn to ride the waves, or cruise through the country in search of adventure on kayaks, horses, sailboats, and rafts. From lush emerald forests and sparkling lakes, to palm fringed beaches and heart-pounding surf, Costa Rica is bursting with natural beauty for all to enjoy.
Located only a short flight away from the United States, Costa Rica is a safe, welcoming, and peaceful destination. Smiling people wave at every turn, laughing children play soccer in the streets, and the smell of fried plantains with rice and beans lingers in the air.... Join us and groove to Latin rhythms while experiencing the Tico pace of life. Rustic Pathways is the largest operator of high-quality programs for high school students in Costa Rica, and our programs here connect to all of our other international destinations. If you would like to inquire about any of our Costa Rica Programs please email our Costa Rica Team at costarica@rusticpathways.com.
there’s nothing like having a volcano in your backyard
like having a million birds sing for you at sunrise
like chatting with a monkey
like fresh air after a jungle rain
like a big Tico welcome
like Costa Rica
Earn up to 12 Community Service Hours
Combining community service, language immersion, and action-packed adventure, the Young Explorers program is the perfect introduction to international travel for 12-14 year olds. Students will enjoy learning Spanish, zip-lining through the rainforest canopy, rafting down an exhilarating tropical river, viewing an active volcano, playing sports with local Costa Rican children, working on worthwhile community service initiatives, hiking, playing beach volleyball & soccer, learning to surf, and much more. Along their journey, the Young Explorers will grow, learn, and bond together in ways that only the experience of travel can create. more »
CAŅO NEGRO SERVICE PROJECT
COMMUNITY SERVICE
8 Days from
$995
9 Departure Dates available
Ages : 14 and up,
Earn up to 32 Community Service Hours
Live in a welcoming rural village in one of the most biodiverse wildlife refuges in the Americas. Cruise jungle waterways, plant trees with school children, and monitor caiman populations. This is an exciting program for the ecology-minded student. Amazing wildlife, friendly people, and rewarding service combine to create a perfect summer.more »
SOCCER & SERVICE
LA PAZ
COMMUNITY SERVICE
8 Days from
$995
10 Departure Dates available
Ages : 14 and up,
Earn up to 32 Community Service Hours
Immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture through the world’s most popular sport – soccer. Live with local families and contribute to community service efforts in the rural village of La Paz. Milk cows, teach local school children, practice your Spanish, and play soccer with local teams. This program is designed for soccer players of all abilities and anyone interested in a great cultural experience.more »
TRAVELING SOCCER & SERVICE TEAM
COMMUNITY SERVICE
15 Days from
$2,695
3 Departure Dates available
Ages : 14 and up,
Earn up to 32 Community Service Hours
Learn about Costa Rica’s rich culture while contributing to community service initiatives and playing soccer with local teams. Spend two weeks traveling through amazing Costa Rica visiting some of the highlights this incredible country has to offer. You’ll see an active volcano, hike through a lush rainforest, surf the Pacific waves, and go whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River. All experience levels are welcome. more »
SERVICE & SURF
COMMUNITY SERVICE
8 Days from Starting at:
$1,395
10 Departure Dates available
Ages : 14 and up,
Earn up to 18 Community Service Hours
Whether you are into surfing or service, speaking Spanish or snorkeling in the Pacific, there is something for everyone on the Costa Rica Surf and Service Program. Work closely with friendly locals on a variety of projects promoting sustainable economic development in the Bahia Ballena community. When not working on service projects, take surf lessons from local experts at an un-crowded break in Marino Ballena National Park. This program is a fun, relaxing addition to any of Rustic Pathways’ Costa Rican programs.more »
SURF THE SUMMER
TOURING+ADVENTURE
8 Days from
$1,195
10 Departure Dates available
Ages : 14 and up,
Surf the Summer
Surf, sun, and fun on one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches located near some of Costa Rica’s best breaks. Safety conscious staff make this the perfect program for students who have never touched a surfboard to those who are refining their cutbacks and aerials. Join us in Costa Rica and surf the summer away in Tico style!more »
COSTA RICA ADVENTURER
TOURING+ADVENTURE
15 Days from
$2,695
8 Departure Dates available
Ages : 14 and up,
Enjoy this 2-week adrenaline-pumping tour through Costa Rica. Whitewater raft, hike, surf, horseback ride, and zip-line your way through some of the most beautiful parts of this exotic country. Amazing sights, unique animals, wonderful places, and non-stop adventure. Come join us on the Costa Rica Adventurer for the time of your life. Apply early – this program sells out every year!more »
THE CARIBBEAN ADVENTURER
TOURING+ADVENTURE
9 Days from
$1,395
7 Departure Dates available
Ages : 14 and up,
Crystal blue waters, coconut trees swaying in the breeze, the smooth beat of reggae drifting out of pastel colored houses…. Welcome to the Caribbean Adventure: a laid-back adventure through the natural treasures of the Costa Rican Caribbean Coast.more »
TURTLE CONSERVATION PROJECT
COMMUNITY SERVICE
8 Days from Starting At:
$1,095
8 Departure Dates available
Ages : 14 and up,
Earn up to 32 Community Service Hours
Live on the beach and help save the endangered Lora sea turtle population. Work in the hatchery by day and patrol the beach by night. Play soccer or volleyball in the sand, zipline or go horseback riding through the jungle, or relax and read a book while enjoying the soothing Pacific breezes. An amazing and unique program!more »
VOLCANO & RAINFOREST SERVICE BASE
COMMUNITY SERVICE
8 Days from
$1,245
10 Departure Dates available
Ages : 14 and up,
Earn up to 32 Community Service Hours
Perfectly situated on the edge of a vast and beautiful
rainforest reserve, the base is only 10 minutes away
from the town of La Fortuna. It’s close to Arenal Volcano
National Park, several communities with pressing needs,
and lots of adventure activities. This convenient location
makes the Base the ideal hub for this program, providing
easy access to this region’s diverse community service
and adventure opportunities.more »
MALEKU TRIBE IMMERSION
PROGRAM
COMMUNITY SERVICE
8 Days from Starting At:
$1,095
10 Departure Dates available
Ages : 14 and up,
Earn up to 32 Community Service Hours
Immerse yourself in a small, Friendly indigenous village in northwestern Costa Rica. Paint house, tutor English, learn Maleku, speak Spanish, paint indigenous artesania, learn medicinal uses of local plant, participate in a traditional Maleku ceremony and much more. Live near Arena Volcano, perform satisfying service work, learn about a unique indigenous culture and have tons of fun on this brand new service project. Capi Capi and welcome to the Maleku Tribe Service Program!more »
RAMP UP YOUR SPANISH
LANGUAGE
8 Days from
$1,095
9 Departure Dates available
Ages : 14 and up,
Spend one week ramping up your Spanish learning basic vocabulary and conversational skills. Immerse yourself in a rural Costa Rican village set on a hillside overlooking the rainforest. Live with a local family, study Spanish in a small group setting, interact with elementary and high school students, and visit nearby museums and markets while honing your Spanish skills.more »
SPANISH LANGUAGE IMMERSION
LANGUAGE
2, 4 & 6 Weeks Starting At:
$1,995
8 Departure Dates available
Ages : 14 and up,
Spend two weeks in a Costa Rican village set on a hillside overlooking the rainforest. Study Spanish in a small group setting, live with a local family, interact with elementary and high school students, visit nearby museums and markets, and enjoy the many other fun activities while immersing yourself into the Costa Rican culture. more »
INTENSIVE SPANISH LANGUAGE
LANGUAGE 2, 4 & 6 Weeks Starting At:
$2,695
8 Departure Dates available
Ages : 14 and up,
Spend two weeks of intensive Spanish language training while immersing yourself in rural Costa Rican village life. Enjoy four hours of daily individualized language lessons, while balancing your free time interacting with the local people and enjoying the many cultural aspects of this country. more »
HEART OF THE JUNGLE
COMMUNITY SERVICE
15 Days from Starting At:
$2,295
3 Departure Dates available
Ages : 14 and up,
Earn up to 32 Community Service Hours
Discover the secrets of Costa Rica’s South Pacific in a 16 day service adventure through the untouched rainforests, palm fringed beaches and welcoming communities of the Osa Peninsula.more »
COSTA RICA SUMMER CAMP LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
COMMUNITY SERVICE
15 Days from
$1,995
2 Departure Date available
Ages : 14 and up,
Earn up to 70 Community Service Hours
Imagine a base camp hidden in the tropical Costa Rican
countryside. All of a sudden, buses full of eager, laughing
Costa Rican children arrive, enlivening the tranquil setting
with their excitement for the next two weeks of soccer,
arts and crafts, dance, games and songs with their new
counselors in training. more »
THE NICOYA TURTLE EXPEDITION
COMMUNITY SERVICE 15 Days from Starting At:
$1,995
4 Departure Dates available
Ages : 14 and up,
Earn up to 80 Community Service Hours
Join the Nicoya Turtle Expedition for two weeks of spectacular landscapes, close encounters with wildlife, beautiful sunsets, and ocean adventures all while engaging in rewarding service work to preserve this beautiful environment and protect the endangered leatherback sea turtles.more »
the Caribbean Sea, the beauty and natural splendor of Costa Rica stretches as far as the eye can see. In all directions, jagged mountainsides fade into shrouded mists of cloudforest canopy, emerging below as majestic valleys covered by lush, tropical jungle. Beyond the pristine rainforests lie aromatic coffee terraces and rolling pasture lands that expand out to more than 1,200 miles of sun-bleached sands bordering this magnificent country on either coast.
of volcanoes and the soothing sounds of rushing rapids to provide a natural soundtrack to your travels. This is where you can build trails in the rainforest during the morning, zip-line through jungle canopy in the afternoon, swim in a pristine lake at sunset, and watch molten lava flow down the shadow of a darkened volcano in the night. In Costa Rica, students can homestay with local families and learn Spanish, live on the beach and help save endangered sea turtles, join a surf camp and learn to ride the waves, or cruise through the country in search of adventure on kayaks, horses, sailboats, and rafts. From lush emerald forests and sparkling lakes, to palm fringed beaches and heart-pounding surf, Costa Rica is bursting with natural beauty for all to enjoy. 
Located only a short flight away from the United States, Costa Rica is a safe, welcoming, and peaceful destination. Smiling people wave at every turn, laughing children play soccer in the streets, and the smell of fried plantains with rice and beans lingers in the air.... Join us and groove to Latin rhythms while experiencing the Tico pace of life. Rustic Pathways is the largest operator of high-quality programs for high school students in Costa Rica, and our programs here connect to all of our other international destinations. If you would like to inquire about any of our Costa Rica Programs please email our Costa Rica Team at 
