Arcos: High School Programs in Costa Rica

I loved my trip to Costa Rica with Arcos, I found the activities such as zip lining, cooking, dancing, etc. super fun and helpful to appreciate the culture. The family I stayed with for the majority of the trip was super sweet and accommodating to me even though communication was a challenge(I don’t speak Spanish). The trip was very well organized, with the group leaders Catalina and Laura always being on top of everything and perfectly timing activities. The volunteer work was rewarding in itself and felt productive.

Our daughter attended the Arcos trip in Costa Rica for 4 weeks, doing two homestay programs focused on language and culture. We did not know anything about the company, but were provided with endless contacts to call and all our questions were followed up with by the company so we decided to give them a try after overwhelmingly positive feedback. Our daughter had a wonderful time. I do think much of it was because of her first host family; they were a wonderful match. She stayed with a family and several kids from the program as it was a small session. They embraced our daughter and made her feel truly at home so much so that months later they still talk on a regular basis. The second home stay in a different area was not a good fit, but Brent and his team swiftly took action and the rest was wonderful as well. I really valued how accessible the team was especially on this and one other item that came up. Things happen, but how a company deals with it matters. My daughter had real opportunities to work on her Spanish with the teachers, but we stressed to Brent that that was a priority. I think the excursion trips and travel timing could be spaced a bit better, but I love that in each session the kids went somewhere else. My daughter had plenty of food and chances to shop and eat out with other students. It was a great program and good value for the cost, but it is really what the right child makes of it.

This trip was the best decision I’ve made, and one I will always remember! It was the perfect mix of fun adventure and rewarding community service. There was never a moment I was bored, yet I was also never tired of being on the go. The coordinators were there to answer questions and provide support throughout the whole trip, and they instilled a lot of trust in the whole group of kids. The experiences I had, the people I met, and the independence I gained will be carried with me for the rest of my life.

My homestay family was so kind and welcoming I feel like I gained an extended family on this trip. From conversations around the table to excursions out and about town, the family made an effort to involve us in everyday life in Costa Rica. The adventures--rafting, surfing, horseback riding, etc.--were amazing, but nothing compares to the authentic experience of building relationships with such wonderful people. I will definitely go back and visit on my own one day. I truly love my homestay family.

I have made such great memories on the trips that I have taken through this program, and Arcos Journeys Abroad made all of that possible by using great communication, fun activities, and made sure we felt safe and good about everything! From the first trip that I went on, Arcos Journeys Abroad has made everything from the plane ride, to the home stay, to the activities a breeze and made sure that I felt safe and comfortable with everything. I cannot wait to see what the next trip I take with Arcos Journeys Abroad will bring me!

This was a great experience because I got to be enriched with Costa Rican culture and the Spanish language. I learned multiple things in my classes and learned very valuable lessons. My teachers also expanded my vocabulary and used many different tactics of teaching to help us grow in the language. We worked on group projects, gave presentations, played games, practiced with native speakers in the community, and sat through traditional teaching as well. Each of these challenged us to learn more every day.

I did the eco program in Costa Rica and it could not have been a better time. The community service aspect was pretty minor overall, and there was lots of free time in Atenas and during excursions to hang out. All of the adventure activities were super fun - whitewater rafting was a highlight for sure. The Arcos staff and engaging and easygoing, and the homestay experience was great (even if my Spanish is pretty rough!). There was plenty of delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to see local wildlife - the monkeys at the beach were super fun to see in person.

My son absolutely loved his time in Costa Rica. Great service opportunities and excursions, wonderful kids and program directors, and terrific homestay. He came back feeling more confident about traveling independently, but also more confident generally. The program provided so many ways for the kids to explore independently, but with enough support to feel safe. Also, great communication with the families while the kids were away. We were comfortable the whole time, knowing our son was in great hands. Great job Arcos! We would absolutely recommend this program to anyone.