Program Reviews

As a bit of a nature freak who dreamed of traveling to Costa Rica since I was about 5 years old, this program seemed too good to be true. Based in Quepos, not 15 minutes from the world famous Manuel Antonio national park, prepare to be surrounded by a cornucopia of exotic animals ranging from toucans, to iguanas, to monkeys, and so much more. There is nothing quite like watching a whole family of squirrel monkeys plummeting from the jungle canopy while enjoying a delicious breakfast, only to be followed up by a sloth cruising down a power line on your walk to work a few minutes later. Only in Costa Rica....

Upon arrival in Quepos, you will take up residence with a local family at a homestay. All of the people participating in Gapforce programs (this one and others) will stay at the same place so you will probably have some unique housemates from all over the world. The homestay provides a fantastic opportunity to work on your spanish, enjoy some great tico cuisine, and completely immerse yourself in the local culture.

Regarding the surrounding area, prepare yourself for beautiful jungle lined beaches complete with loads of opportunities to jet ski, surf, parasail and more. The bus system is very cheap and easy so getting around is no problem. The nightlife is fun and the locals are super kind and laid back.

As should be expected, the dive training is definitely the standout of the program. The staff at Oceans Unlimited (the dive center you'll be training out of) are absolutely top notch. Everyone at the shop is a master at their craft and are capable of providing so much practical knowledge and support through the duration of your stay. I entered the program a novice, and can confidently say I came out a very capable, self sufficient diver. The staff will not hesitate to push you out of your comfort zone, but all with the intention of making you the best you can be.

The diving itself is also incredible, getting to see animals like octopus, eels, sea horses, and turtles on the daily. Costa Rica also has the longest whale season in the world, so prepare to see humpbacks on the surface multiple days out of the week.

The jungle survival portion of the program was also a fantastic addition, presenting a nice break from the dive training and an opportunity to live secluded in the rain forest while picking up some interesting knowledge and skills. During your stay you will cross rivers, bathe in waterfalls, treck through scenic landscapes, encounter a variety of strange jungle creatures, and enjoy some unique jungle snacks. Truly a once in a lifetime experience!

I could not say enough about this experience as a whole, massively worth while if you're looking to get properly educated on diving and enjoy a bit of adventure. The program delivered across the board and I will always look back fondly on my time in Costa Rica.

The TEL course program was an AMAZING experience full of adventure, personal growth, challenges, team work and incredible instructors! I highly recommend the course for anyone interested in working in the expedition industry or if you're interested in seeing if you have it in you. It was not not easy by any measure but the experience is worth every bit of sweat and effort! It changed my life in many different incredible and enduring ways!

The hardest and most rewarding four months of my life. Expect dirt; hunger; a brutal workload; high stress; perilous wildlife; unforgiving environments and the need to find reserves of physical and mental resilience you didn't know you possessed.
Gapforce's Expedition Leader Training Program is not for the faint of heart, but provides a unique fast track into the industry with good employment opportunities for those who do well. If nothing else you will come out of the course with a host of transferable skills and the knowledge that you achieved something remarkable.
Oh, and you get to keep your machete afterwards.

The trip to South America was such an amazing experience and I'm so glad I decided to do it! The main attraction of the trip for me was the trek up to Machu Picchu which was absolutely breathtaking. But I throughly enjoyed every other part of the trip and each week was different which kept it exciting. The variety of activities we did such as helping out at an animal sanctuary, helping in a day care, spending a night in the rainforest and being in the town of Banos doing whitewater rafting, canyoning etc. were unforgettable experiences! The leaders, Colin and Jade, were fantastic, they did all they could to ensure we got the most out of our trip. They were especially good in organising changes to our itinerary, which happened more often than not, and did what was best for the group. I would recommend a program like this for those who want to travel but have concerns travelling by themselves or are travelling for the first time.

Before the trip began, there was a level of uncertainty and stress as a result of poor communication. I was slightly hesitant to go. Overall, however, the trip itself was something of a once in a lifetime experience that I would highly recommend to anyone. Accomodation and food was fine and filling. Always catering to my many dietary requirements. The leaders guiding us along the way were also exceptional.

Looking back at the trip, I can confidently say that I have more of a desire to travel to other countries and complete more expeditions. Furthermore, my time at Yanacocha (animal rescue center) made me more content with my choice to study Environmental Science at university.

An amazing seven week trip going up the east coast of Australia. This 7 week trip allowed 12 strangers (unfortunately mainly American) to bond and become great friends whilst doing unbelievable activities which have created lifelong memories. Personal highlights include skydiving in cairns (a must do for anyone on the trip), the overnight boat trip to the Whitsunday Islands and snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef.

Michael Milner’s tip: Goon.

An amazing trip! The people were amazing! The places were amazing! I really enjoying Magnetic island and Fraser Island as there were beautiful places to visit on those islands as well as the people there. The animals over in Australia were spectacular with parrot fish, Turtles, kangaroos, wallabies. My favourite animal over there has to be the koala as they are incredibly cute. The program staff on our trip were really nice and great leaders as well.

I enjoyed the trip very much and I saw some amazing sights and had some unforgettable experiences. I particularly enjoyed the Blue Mountains hike and Byron Bay was a fun seaside town that I would definitely like to return to at some point. The destinations never failed to disappoint and the leaders were lovely and were able to help me whenever I had a query about the trip. The hostel experience was unique and really fun to be around friends all the time. The volunteer weeks were tough but overall they were rewarding.

Overall my experience was amazing. I could not have asked for a better group of people to spend 7 weeks with and I feel like this trip really helped me grow a bit. I feel like I’ve learned so much about different different people that live in different places. The activities were unbelievabley cool and this country was breathtaking. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a trip across the world to leave home for a bit and meet amazing people and make many memories that will last forever.

Overall it has been a good trip to Australia. There have been tons of beautiful views and sights. There has been lots of hiking and walks. The conservation work was rewarding both personally and for the environment. Get ready for many beautiful beaches and bodies of water. Some waters you cannot go due to crocodile exposure but all water is gorgeous. Cool wildlife all around. Many birds and many bats