Service Learning

COSTA RICA

9 days/8 nights | Full Board | Up to 30 participants | From $1,610pp

Experience Costa Rica’s lush landscapes and rich biodiversity through hands-on community and environmental projects on the Pacific coast. Contribute to conservation, agroforestry, biodiversity monitoring, and wildlife protection initiatives while supporting local communities. Deepen your connection with Costa Rican culture through interactive workshops in cooking, crafts, and music, and guided explorations of rainforest and coastal ecosystems. Conclude your journey with adventure and relaxation, from surf lessons at Playa Hermosa to magical encounters with bioluminescent waters in Curú National Park.

Itinerary

Panoramic view of a city with tall buildings and mountains in the background, partially covered by clouds.

Day 1

Arrive in Costa Rica and settle into your hotel before an afternoon orientation introducing the values and goals of your service-learning journey. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring traditional cuisine, connect with fellow participants, and ease into the spirit of Pura Vida as the experience begins.

Historic building with statues on top, lit windows, and an iron fence, located in a city square with a fountain and modern high-rise in the background, during twilight.

Day 2

Start the morning with a guided walk through San José, taking in the city’s lively markets, historic landmarks, and everyday culture. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to relax or explore at your own pace—whether wandering museums, strolling through local parks, or discovering the cafés and creative neighborhoods that give the city its charm.

Wooden observation deck overlooking a lush green tropical forest with mountains in the distance and partly cloudy sky.

Day 3

Travel from San José to the Pacific coast, watching the landscape shift from mountains to tropical lowlands as you arrive at CIRENAS. Spend the afternoon settling into the eco-campus with an introduction to its mission of sustainability and community engagement, followed by a team-building activity that sets the tone for the days ahead.

Group of people on a beach holding trash bags after a beach cleanup.

Day 4

Begin the day with hands-on service, contributing to local conservation efforts and gaining insight into the ecosystems you’re supporting. In the late afternoon, enjoy a traditional cooking experience, learning local techniques and flavors that offer a deeper connection to Costa Rican culture.

People planting seedlings in a garden with irrigation lines, some kneeling and some standing, in an outdoor garden.

Day 5

Continue your service work in the morning, rotating through projects that support local sustainability and deepen your understanding of the environment. In the late afternoon, take part in an artisan workshop, creating handcrafted pieces while learning from local artists and their traditions.

Man with dirt on his arms, wearing a green cap, holding a shovel, leaning over a wheelbarrow filled with dirt, outdoors on a dirt path.

Day 6

Spend the morning continuing your conservation work, rotating through projects that support habitat restoration and highlight the impact of collective effort. In the late afternoon, head out on a guided jungle walk, exploring local wildlife and experiencing the region’s rich biodiversity up close.

Group of six happy people in a tropical forest, holding tools and a container, celebrating their outdoor work or volunteer project.

Day 7

Dedicate the day to your final round of service projects, rotating through activities that reinforce the week’s themes of stewardship and community impact. In the evening, come together for a celebratory dinner and reflection, honoring the work accomplished, the connections formed, and the personal growth that has shaped your service-learning experience.

Nighttime beach scene with bioluminescent glow in the water creating a bright blue line along the shoreline, with hills in the background.

Day 8

Start the day with a surf lesson at Playa Hermosa, enjoying the fun and energy of the Pacific coast. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach at your own pace before heading out in the evening for a bioluminescence boat tour, witnessing the glowing waters that make this coastal experience unforgettable.

A sloth hanging from a tree branch surrounded by green leaves.

Day 9

Say goodbye to Costa Rica and the connections you’ve made as you head to the airport for your flight. Leave with meaningful memories, new friendships, and a deeper understanding of global citizenship and community engagement.

Meals & Accommodation

CIRENAS Campus | Dorm rooms for students | Single rooms for staff | Full board

Two beds with white linens and pillow, decorated with towel swans and flower petals, in a wood-paneled room with natural light and open windows.
A lush green tropical landscape with several buildings surrounded by dense trees and foliage, under a cloudy sky.
Two beds with mosquito nets and tropical rainforest view from a wooden balcony bedroom in a tropical or jungle setting.
A woman standing behind a kitchen counter with plates of food, including rice, eggs, and flatbread, in a kitchen with a stove and a green wall.
A bedroom with four beds, each with white bedding and a mosquito net draped over, in a tropical setting with large windows showing lush green foliage outside.
Aerial view of a coastal landscape showing a river flowing into the ocean, with green vegetation along the riverbank and mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.
A wooden outdoor patio with a hammock hanging between wooden posts, surrounded by lush green tropical trees and plants.
A cozy bedroom with two large beds made with white linens, decorated with towel art shaped like butterflies and flowers. The room has wooden walls and multiple windows showing green tropical plants outside.
People serving themselves food at a buffet with various fruits and dishes.
Aerial view of a coastal beach with green forest on one side and ocean waves on the other, with cloudy sky overhead.
A rustic open-air dining area with wooden tables and benches overlooking lush green trees and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
A rustic classroom or meeting space with wooden furniture, including a large table with stools and smaller tables, a whiteboard, and an open wall with views of tropical foliage outside.

Locations

Included

  • 8 nights accommodation

  • All meals and soft drinks

  • Transportation

  • All activities

  • Entrance fees

  • Certificate of completion

  • Program management

Not included

  • International flights

  • Visas

  • Tips/gratuities

  • Laundry service

  • Alcohol

  • Travel insurance

  • Items of a personal nature

Which courses can our Costa Rica Service-Learning Trip be tailored to?

Education, Social Entrepreneurship, Social Innovation, Sustainability, Ecology, Environmental Science, Conservation Studies.

Reach out to learn more…