Costa Rica Teen Summer Trips
Costa Rica Teen Summer Trips
Location
  • Costa Rica
Length
1 - 4 weeks

Program Details

Program Type
Student Tour
Timeframe
Summer
Housing
Host Family Hotel Lodge
Language
Spanish
Age Min.
12
Age Max
18

Pricing

$4,195
Price Details
2027 tuition: Middle School Service Adventure $4,195 (10 days); Schools, Service & Adventure $5,195 (15 days); Wildlife Eco Adventure $5,595 (15 days); Intro to Pre-Med and Public Health $6,095 (15 days). Airfare is additional. Open enrollment, subject to availability.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance
Oct 12, 2026
44 travelers are looking at this program

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to help you plan with confidence.

About Program

Explore Costa Rica with Global Works through community service, cultural exchange, and outdoor adventure. Our 2027 lineup includes four trips: Schools, Service & Adventure; Intro to Pre-Med and Public Health; Middle School Service Adventure; and Wildlife Eco Adventure. Schools, Service & Adventure and Pre-Med run June 27–July 11 and July 14–28. Wildlife Eco Adventure runs July 7–21. The middle school trip runs June 22–July 1 for students entering 7th through graduating 8th grade; the other trips welcome students entering 9th through graduating 12th grade. Reviews on this destination listing reflect different Global Works Costa Rica trips and past itineraries.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers a mix of adventure, community service, and cultural immersion with supportive leaders and welcoming host families.

Program Highlights

  • Local Community Service Projects
  • Rafting adventures with experienced local guides
  • Practice your Spanish Skills
  • Surf epic Pacific Coast waves
  • Zip-line through the Rain Forest

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

Global Works believes that travel is a vehicle for growth and social change. We value a culture of inclusion of ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, and socioeconomic status – this starts in our home office and extends to the teachings of our staff and program partners around the world. Global Works strives to be a team and develop accessible programs representative of the many backgrounds and identities of those we seek to serve. At Global Works, we acknowledge that travel is not always accessible or open to all communities. We are actively working to change that and expand opportunities for travel. We are taking steps at Global Works now.

Popular Programs

Medical service in Costa Rica

Explore healthcare through physician observation, public health service, and first-aid training, alongside rafting, zip-lining, and surfing. For students entering 9th through graduating 12th grade. 15 days; 30–40 service hours. June 27–July 11 or July 14–28, 2027. Tuition: $6,095, plus airfare.

Middle School Costa Rica Group

An introduction to service travel for students entering 7th through graduating 8th grade. Join community-selected projects and wildlife sanctuary service, with rafting, zip-lining, and surf lessons. 10 days; 20–30 service hours. June 22–July 1, 2027. Tuition: $4,195, plus airfare.

Surfing in Costa Rica

Connect with local families through a homestay and school-centered service projects. Practice Spanish, raft the Pacuare River, zip-line, and learn to surf. For students entering 9th through graduating 12th grade. 15 days; 35–45 service hours. June 27–July 11 or July 14–28, 2027. Tuition: $5,195, plus airfare.

Whale watching in Costa Rica

Learn alongside conservation partners through cloud-forest projects, wildlife refuge service, and sea turtle research activities. Add rafting, zip-lining, and Pacific Coast surf lessons. For students entering 9th through graduating 12th grade. 15 days; 40–50 service hours. July 7–21, 2027. Tuition: $5,595, plus airfare.

Program Reviews

4.93 Rating
based on 42 reviews
  • 5 rating 92.86%
  • 4 rating 7.14%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Growth 4.75
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.75
  • Housing 4.65
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 42 reviews
Charlotte
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica: Service and Sand

This program was definitely the highlight of my summer. The people I met were so nice and have become some of my best friends. It was such a valuable experience that I look back on with so much joy. I loved pushing myself out of my comfort zone by trying new things like surfing and also having the support of others who encouraged me but did not pressure me. I loved getting to meet people in the community we stayed in. The highlight of this trip for me was definitely the people — I think I laughed more in these two weeks than I have ever before.

What was your funniest moment?
I honestly can’t pick just one. We created so many inside jokes and even though I had only known these people for 2 weeks, I felt like I’d known them for years. Everything they said made me laugh and smile. I guess if I had to pick one, it would be all the girls deciding that we “didn’t wanna swim” and once we got to the ocean, we regretted it and went into the ocean in our clothes.
Pros
  • It was a small group so I got to know everyone well
  • I made lifelong friendships
  • I got to volunteer in a community and make a difference
What other participants should know
  • Lots of bugs
4 people found this review helpful.
Laurel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A fun experience to grow

This trip to Costa Rica with Global Works was great! From right when we got picked up from the airport until we landed home, we were taken care of and had lots of fun. Although we had lots of rice and beans the food was great, and the housing was good. The three councilors for 19 kids was a good ratio and the councilors were nice and supportive. Although we did do lots of driving we also did lots of fun activities and volunteering. Overall Global Work has a great Costa Rica trip! I would definitely recommend!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
We got to try Costa Rica’s version of pancakes made out of corn and they were delicious and interesting.
Pros
  • Activity’s
  • Counselor to Kid ratio
  • Safety
12 people found this review helpful.
Nicole
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Algo para recordar por siempre

Hola mi Nombre es Nicole Mora, soy de Costa Rica y tuve la oportunidad de experimentar un programa de tortugas con Globla Works, mi experiencia fue maravillosa, al lado de mis guías Luke y Rebecca, personas super geniales que me ayudaron en todo momento del viaje, fue un viaje que me dejó muchas cosas bonitas para recordar por siempre, al inicio la barrera de idiomas es difícil pero poco a poco nos desenvolvimos súper bien y logramos comunicarnos tanto en inglés como en español, hice muchos amigos nuevos los cuales seguimos en contacto todos los días, aprendí mucho sobre los Estados Unidos y ellos aprendieron mucho de Costa Rica, fue sin duda una de las mejores experiencias de mi vida, conocí muchos cosas nuevos como animales, flora de nuestro país, lugares y comidas nuevas, nuestro viaje constaba de 18 días y sin duda mi parte favorita del viaje fue el monitoreo de tortugas que se realizó con un programa llamado Latín American Sea Turtles, este programa está ubicado en playa Blanca, puerto Jiménez, fue increíble todos los tipos de tortugas que conocimos, mis compañeros de viaje fueron increíbles conmigo siempre me sentí muy conformes con ellos,es algo que siempre recordaré con mucho cariño y me encantaría repetirlo en algún momento de mi vida.

In English:
Hello my name is Nicole Mora, I am from Costa Rica and I had the opportunity to experience a turtle program with Globla Works, my experience was wonderful, alongside my guides Luke and Rebecca, super cool people who helped me at all times of the trip, it was a trip that left me with many beautiful things to remember forever, at first the language barrier was difficult but little by little we got along super well and managed to communicate in both English and Spanish, I made many new friends which we keep in touch with every day, I learned a lot about the United States and they learned a lot about Costa Rica, it was without a doubt one of the best experiences of my life, I learned many new things like animals, flora of our country, places and new foods, our trip consisted of 18 days and without a doubt my favorite part of the trip was the turtle monitoring that was done with a program called Latin American Sea Turtles, this program is located in Playa Blanca, Puerto Jiménez, it was incredible all the types of turtles we met, my travel companions were incredible with me I always felt very satisfied with them, it is something that I will always remember fondly and would love to repeat at some point in my life.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Mi momento más estresante fue a la hora de hacer rafting ya que estaba lloviendo mucho y el río estaba muy lleno, esto lo superé con ayuda de mis guías Luke y Rebecca, y mis compañeros que me ayudaron a intentarlo y me apoyaron en todo momento, cuidándome y motivándome a hacer cosas nuevas.
Pros
  • Me divertí mucho.
  • Me fascinó hacer rafting, fue una de las mejores cosas del viaje.
  • Aprendí a nadar con ayuda de mis amigos.
What other participants should know
  • Sentía miedo al inicio.
129 people found this review helpful.
Hanna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

This was amazing

I I traveled on the Costa Rica wildlife adventure program It was an amazing experience. It was eye-opening and thoughtful. The program consisted of so many fun adventures, such as zip lining surfing, saving sea turtles, helping rangers at Poco sol, and finding new best friends! Along with all our fun activities, the leaders were beyond amazing. They supported and helps the group no matter what, along with making it super fun! I also had a great relationship with every kid on the trip. We were able to bond and play cards and hang out and have so many new inside jokes. The strip helped build my self-confidence put out of my social skills. I love to meet the new people and along with discovering more about animals and the culture in Costa Rica. Thank you Global Works for this experience!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go on this trip! Be bold and don’t be nervous everyone on the trip wants to be friends with you!
Pros
  • Saw so many animals, and learned about every single one
  • Eye opening to the world: I was able to learn and make a new appreciation for my home + help small towns and people who needed service
  • New friendships
What other participants should know
  • Bug bites
  • Clothes getting dirty
  • Cold showers
145 people found this review helpful.
Adam
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wildlife, Service, Adventure: A Life-Changing Experience with Global Works in Costa Rica

I just got back from Global Works’ Costa Rica Wildlife Adventure and, no joke, it was the best experience ever. Every morning felt like its own Discovery Channel episode: one day we were tracking sea-turtle nests, the next we were hanging 200 feet above the cloud forest on zip-lines. The service projects were real work, too. I helped rebuild jungle trails and prepped food for rescued howler monkeys at Proyecto Asis. Our leaders were legit pros (and hilarious), so even when we were walking through mud, clearing invasive plants, I never felt unsafe or bored. My Spanish skills improved too. By the time we hit the rapids in a river rafting adventure, our group of strangers felt like family. I came home with a ton of new friends, a bunch of service hours, and a way bigger sense of what it means to protect the planet. If you want adventure that actually matters, go Global Works.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Watching a 300-pound green sea turtle glide onto the beach, and then helping biologists tag, measure, and protect her fresh nest, felt like stepping into a live-action nature documentary.
Pros
  • Hands-On Conservation: Rebuilding rainforest trails and caring for rescued monkeys made the service feel genuinely impactful.
  • Epic Adventure Line-Up: Zip-lining the cloud forest and white-water rafting kept the adrenaline pumping.
  • Tight-Knit Crew & Spanish Boost: Small group size meant instant friendships and real-world Spanish practice (my vocab skyrocketed).
145 people found this review helpful.
Gabriela
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rican Summer Service

This past summer, my cousin Ana and I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a Costa Rican summer service volunteer program, and it was honestly one of the most enriching experiences of our lives. We had initially chosen this program because we were excited about the chance to surf in Costa Rica – but the service component turned out to be the highlight of our trip.

From the beginning, we felt supported and welcomed by our program leaders, who were not only super fun but also great mentors. They created an environment where we could learn, grow, and genuinely connect with the local community. Their energy and passion for the work they were doing made everything even more impactful, and we learned so much from them both on and off the field.

The best part of the experience, though, was staying with local families in the community. The warmth and hospitality they showed us were beyond anything we expected, and living with them truly changed my perspective on life. The bonds we formed were so strong that I’m happy to say I still keep in touch with the family I stayed with, which has been such a rewarding connection to maintain.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I saw was the different birds and animals while rafting. It was one of the best experiences of the program.
212 people found this review helpful.
Caroline
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica Service Review

The Costa Rica service adventure was amazing and definitely the highlight of my summer! I did not want to leave the great friends, leaders, and community I found by the end of the trip. I know I will have these memories for the rest of my life including, hanging out at the beautiful beaches with the new friends I made and sitting in hammocks on top of a huge mountain playing guitar and singing songs. Arriving there I was very sad and scared to leave my home and by the end I felt the same but I had a new meaning of home.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
One thing I would change if I did this again was try to make friends and put myself out there faster. At first I was very nervous so I was more closed off however towards the end of the trip after I started to relax and be myself I wasn’t ready to leave the people I met.
Pros
  • The people and connections I made
  • Surfing was so fun!
  • The animals and nature.
216 people found this review helpful.
Lilly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Global Works Costa Rica Service Adventure: the adventure of a lifetime

I loved this trip and would remember for the rest of my life. Getting to do service, meeting incredible people, and seeing part of the world that I haven’t been to, made this trip a great experience.
The leaders were high energy, friendly, people I admire. I felt welcome from the first moment I met them. They were one of the reasons that the trip was as exceptional as it was.
We had a travel issue due to the airline, but the Global Works team was fantastic at helping us navigate through it. They made this challenge stress free and supported us every step of the way.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
One of the most nerve-racking moment was when our flight got canceled because that was the day of the airline cyber attack. The Global Works team helped us find an alternative flight. They sent someone to meet us at the airport and tour us around while we waited for an opportunity to reconnect with the group.
Pros
  • Friendships
  • Activities
  • Service
208 people found this review helpful.

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