Costa Rica Summer High School Programs with Rustic Pathways

Costa Rica Summer High School Programs with Rustic Pathways

Location
  • Costa Rica
Length
1 - 4 weeks
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Direct Enrollment
Timeframe
Summer
Housing
Dormitory Hotel Lodge
Language
English
Age Min.
12
Age Max
21

Pricing

$2,495
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare
Feb 13, 2026
Jul 22, 2025
98 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

From the Pacific to the Caribbean, from rainforests to rivers, from service to adventure, our programs here encompass the breadth of what Costa Rica has to offer. Engage in meaningful service activities, from assisting local communities to contributing to wildlife conservation efforts like sea turtle protection. Rustic Pathways has over five Costa Rica programs set against beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant cultural backdrop. These programs offer explorers the chance to connect with nature, build friendships, and experience exciting adventures.

With our large staff of local Ticos, you’ll quickly feel at home in Costa Rica and easily slip into the lifestyle of pura vida, a phrase meaning “pure life.” Embrace the idea of living life to the fullest as you learn to relax, appreciate nature, and experience everything Costa Rica has to offer.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers a mix of community service and adventure in Costa Rica, fostering strong friendships and cultural immersion.

Program Highlights

  • Participate in vital community service projects that support Costa Rican communities and ecosystems.
  • Explore the rich biodiversity of Costa Rica, from pristine beaches to dense rainforests.
  • Help protect endangered sea turtles through hands-on conservation work along Costa Rica's coastline.
  • Enjoy exciting outdoor activities, such as surfing, zip-lining, and rainforest exploration.
  • Build teamwork and leadership skills in an environment that encourages cultural immersion and personal growth.

Video and Photos

Popular Programs

Surf and Service

Learn to surf or take your skills to the next level during this one-week program. Live at our base house and soak in the laid-back culture of beach town life. When you’re not surfing, work on infrastructure projects supporting the communities around Playa Grande. You’ll also have the chance to go on a private catamaran and go whitewater rafting!

Turtle Conservation Project

This program is designed especially for students who are passionate about turtle conservation and want to embrace the authentic and rustic park ranger lifestyle! Live at an actual park ranger station and work alongside the rangers to protect this incredible species. Take walks along the beach at high tide to track sea turtle behavior. When not working hard, zip line, surf, and enjoy the beautiful beach views and sunsets.

Pura Vida Service

Spend a week at Rustic’s Volcano and Rainforest Service Base, where you’ll combine impactful service work with thrilling Costa Rican adventures. Contribute to local community projects and make friends with locals as you engage in activities like reforesting a sloth conservation area and enhancing nearby schools. Enjoy zip lining, whitewater rafting, soaking in hot springs, and visiting a traditional farm to experience local culture.

Turtle Conservation Program (College)

This program is the college version of our Turtle Conservation Project program! Live at an actual park ranger station and work alongside the rangers to protect this incredible species. Take walks along the beach at high tide to track sea turtle behavior. When not working hard, zip line, surf, and enjoy the beautiful beach views and sunsets.

Middle School Costa Rica

Dive into the heart of the rainforest with this 8-day middle school adventure. Young explorers will support local schools and community projects while experiencing Costa Rica’s Pura Vida lifestyle. The journey balances impact with adrenaline: zip line through lush canopies, raft the Sarapiquí River, visit a sloth sanctuary, and soak in natural hot springs. Led by expert mentors, it’s a high-energy blend of meaningful service and unforgettable tropical discovery for ages 12–14.

Program Reviews

4.90 Rating
based on 121 reviews
  • 5 rating 92.56%
  • 4 rating 6.61%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0.83%
  • Impact 4.85
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.8
  • Value 4.8
  • Safety 5
  • Growth 4.7
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.8
  • Housing 4.55
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 105 - 112 of 121 reviews
costarica13
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volcano Service Base

I went to Costa Rica for the this summer and it was amazing! The volcano trip is a little more than half community service and half adventure. There is a bit of driving to the adventure activities but the zip-lining and rafting were worth it! I had a medium sized group and we all got really close over the course of the trip! The leaders are amazing and I wish there were more activities we could all do together. The service projects can get pretty strenuous especially with the humidity but it was very rewarding.

What would you improve about this program?
I wish I could have seen the impact of my service more clearly.
99 people found this review helpful.
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Larissa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience!

I went on two programs with Rustic this summer- Sarapiqui and BriBri and they were both great! I had so much fun and really made some great friends. Everything was really organized and we were always busy doing community service or fun activities such as white water rafting or zip-lining. The staff was also very helpful and they became really close with the students over the week. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who loves to travel.

What would you improve about this program?
The only complaint I have is that some of the community service projects were pointless and did not help the locals such as hauling rocks up a mountain that were just put on the ground.
89 people found this review helpful.
Carlotta
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best summer of my life

We helped the local community in the morning by helping build a house, collecting rubbish and creating garbage cans with recycled water bottles; in the afternoon, we learned how to surf. Special activities such as rafting, repelling, yoga lessons and boat trips were organized, to make us have even more fun. After two weeks of staying in Costa Rica in the Service and Surf program, I spent the last day crying because I wanted to stay there forever. I had never had so much fun, I made great friends as well as helping others and learning how to surf. The house we stayed in felt so much like home, the food was wonderful, the counsellors were always there when you needed any kind of help. It was one of the best experiences in my whole life.

What would you improve about this program?
Most of the service work had to do with the local community: English lessons and building houses. I would have preferred having all the service have something to do with helping the people. As much as painting signs for the national park and collecting garbage is helpful, you can't really see all the difference you're making.
97 people found this review helpful.
KylieW
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TURTLES!!

I had an amazing time on my trip! Everything was very well organized from the very first day. We stay at a very rustic " tree house on the ground" on the western coast. Each nigh we would search the shores for eggs and turtles and during the day we would dig in the hatcheries and pull weeds. In free time we could play games, rest in hammocks, or go " extreme wading" (which was really swimming but there is a strong riptide so we weren't actually allowed to swim) I had an amazing time and so did the rest of my group. I would recommend this for first timers and returning Rustic members

What would you improve about this program?
There isn't really a chance to get all the items you may need ( i'm talking to female members here) so stock up before you come or suffer the uncomfortable consequences
99 people found this review helpful.
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Taram
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Heart of the Jungle

This trip was a lot of fun. The first 2 days of the trip, I hated it because i didn't know anyone and the service work was pretty annoying but then i realized that its good to give back to people and we started touring costa rica. its a beautiful country and the people are super friendly and laid back. my councellors were super nice

98 people found this review helpful.
Halle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Surf and Service

The Surf and Service experience is the best of both worlds. Spend your mornings surfing and afternoons providing service to the local community. If your looking for a way to gain service hours while still having lots of fun and adventure this program is for you.

109 people found this review helpful.
Anna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best week of my life

This trip was fantastic, it was a great way to practice some spanish, and experience a whole new world. I really enjoyed it, and everything was great. Accommodations, surfing, food, zip-lining, just amazing. Honestly, this was the best week of my life, I was able to spend it with some really amazing people, who I am still in contact with!

101 people found this review helpful.
Lilpuglet
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life under a volcano

Was incredible. I learned so much about sustainable living while staying at the ecobase by Arenal. The food was incredible and I met lifelong friends on this trip. The hot springs in town were also amazing!

What would you improve about this program?
I would have stayed longer in Costa Rica to travel around a bit more. The program remained on base most of the time which had a certain kind of beauty to it. We were able to get comfortable and get to know each other, but it left me craving more of Costa Rica.
98 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Hi there Cesca, I would recommend checking out our blog channel all about prepping for your program. It won't be specific to Summer Camp Leadership, but might help. (Link below.) I would also check out our student lead Facebook group – Rustic Pathways Travelers 2018. Hopefully that helps, but please feel free to reach out to us at hello@rusticpathways.com if you have any additional questions...

Basically, Rustic Pathways has a program called group travel, and you can choose which country you want to go. For the Costa Rica group travel programs, the prices range between $1945 and $2355.