COSTA RICA
SPANISH SERVICE & EDUCATION ADVENTURE
Costa Rica is your classroom! Practice Spanish through meaningful community immersion and hands-on learning while experiencing the adventure of a lifetime.
Program Overview
On this program, take your Spanish learning beyond the classroom and into Heredia, known for its lush cloud forests, pristine nature and welcoming community. Learn from local instructors while deepening your immersion through adventure and connection with plenty of practice both in and out of class so you return home as a more confident Spanish speaker.
Then, travel to the rural town of Santa Teresa near La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano where you’ll continue your Spanish practice while supporting local schools. From ziplining and hiking to spotting Costa Rica’s incredible wildlife every day brings a new opportunity for growth and discovery.
GLA’s approach to experiential language learning weaves Spanish into every part of the program helping you soak up the culture and create lasting impact. Through service, excursions and cultural events the language comes alive. Spanish class will never feel the same again!
On GLA’s Costa Rica: Spanish Service & Education Adventure program you will:
- Take your Spanish to the next level through an immersion program at a local language school
- Soar through the rainforest canopy on a zipline adventure
- Visit a beautiful waterfall tucked in the Costa Rican rainforest
- Explore the critical role of education and community development in shaping Costa Rica’s future
- Enjoy natural thermal hot springs at Arenal Volcano
Program Menu
COSTA RICA
SPANISH SERVICE & EDUCATION ADVENTURE
Sample Itinerary
Let’s take a sneak peek at what your program experience might look like this summer! Please note that the order of activities may differ for each program session. The details provided here represent a general outline of what you can anticipate, though community service projects and activities are subject to change based on the needs of our local community partners, cultural celebrations and traditions, weather conditions and the specific requirements of the student group.
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive in San José (SJO), where GLA staff will greet you. Meet your fellow travelers and head to Home Base in Heredia. Unpack, settle in, and enjoy the city views from your mountain home as you prepare for the program ahead.
Day 2: Orientation & Coffee Tour
Start the day with a typical breakfast and a thorough orientation covering group goals, service expectations and cultural tips, followed by Mentor group activities and Spanish introductions. After lunch, explore your new surroundings with a tour of Heredia’s town center, taking in its history, colonial architecture and everyday “Tico” life.
Day 3: City Tour & Spanish Lessons
Begin the day at our immersive language institute, then explore Heredia’s historic town center and experience everyday “Tico” life. After returning to the institute, take a placement test and jump into interactive, level-based Spanish lessons designed for real-world communication. In the evening, join your Mentor group for reflections on service, leadership and cross-cultural learning.
Day 4: La Paz Waterfall
Set out for La Paz Waterfall, a stunning natural reserve in the heart of Costa Rica! Take in the lush greenery, cascading waterfalls and the diverse wildlife at the on-site rescue center. In the evening, enjoy time in your Mentor groups to reflect and discuss what leadership means to you.
Day 5: Zipline & Nature Walk
Gear up for an exhilarating day with a ziplining adventure and aerial tram through the treetops. Enjoy panoramic views and learn about the incredible biodiversity from above. Explore a nature walk through an enchanting orchid garden and encounter fascinating serpents and butterflies on display.
Days 6–9: Service & Spanish Lessons
Spend your mornings working with local schools on community-led projects like painting, planting and improving classroom spaces, then continue your studies each afternoon at our immersive language institute. Through small-group lessons, games, conversations and cultural activities like cooking and dance, you’ll build real-world Spanish skills and grow more confident using the language every day.
Day 10: Travel Day – Excursion!
Travel north to your second Home Base near the rural community of San Carlos, meet our longtime local partner, and settle into this peaceful lakeside setting. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the lake or heading out on a paddleboard or kayak.
Day 11: Pineapple Tour & Responsible Farming
Learn about the challenges local families face in the pineapple industry and how large-scale farming impacts communities and the environment. Then tour a sustainable pineapple farm to see ethical practices in action—and enjoy fresh organic pineapple straight from the source.
Day 12: Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs
Begin the day with hands-on cultural activities, from learning local traditions to pressing sugar cane and preparing fresh ingredients for lunch. In the afternoon, explore La Fortuna and unwind in Arenal’s natural hot springs, enjoying warm volcanic pools, cold plunges, and plenty of fun.
Day 13: Final Day Of Service & Closing Reflections
Spend your final morning supporting projects at a local rural school and connecting with students, then travel back to our Home Base near the airport. Over a final dinner and reflection, celebrate your Spanish growth, new friendships, and the memorable experiences of your GLA journey.
Day 14: Departure
¡Adiós y Pura Vida! It’s time to wrap up our Costa Rica adventure. After breakfast and final goodbyes, we’ll head to the airport. GLA staff will help students check in for their journey home.
Program Map
14-Day Program
COSTA RICA
SPANISH SERVICE & EDUCATION ADVENTURE
Community Service
Volunteer with your peers on community-led service projects that partner with local schools, from refurbishing buildings and making improvements to engaging in language and cultural exchange with students. You’ll contribute to projects in community spaces and schools that need extra support, leaving behind a positive impact you can be proud of. By serving schools in the area, we aim to strengthen educational outcomes and support sustainable community development.
Hands-on Learning
Have you ever felt like learning Spanish out of a textbook didn’t really connect you to the language in a meaningful way? You’re not alone. Boost your Spanish skills by living in Costa Rica for two weeks, learning through immersive exchanges with the community. Every hour spent at a service site or on an adventure challenges you to use your Spanish skills, creating a fun and intensive learning environment. Take part in a city tour led by local guides, along with dance classes and cooking lessons conducted in Spanish. By building on the meaningful context of your immersion in the community, you’ll find it easier to express yourself in Spanish. During the program, you’ll also explore the importance of universal access to education and discuss social and environmental issues that reach far beyond Costa Rica’s borders.
Adventure
Costa Rica is a land of waterfalls, cloud forests and incredible natural beauty. Fly through the canopy on a zipline and take in sweeping views of the country’s rich biodiversity. Hike to a scenic waterfall and visit a working coffee plantation. Explore the city of Heredia, known for its historic architecture and national monuments, for a deeper look at Costa Rican culture. On your final excursion, spend a full day in La Fortuna, where you’ll catch views of the iconic Arenal Volcano and relax in natural hot springs.
Lodging & Meals
GLA operates multiple home bases for this program. Each one is a small hotel or eco-lodge with modest and typical amenities and a final one near the airport for departures.
Home Base 1: Home Base is an exclusive hotel block in a picturesque setting, with small cottages and cabins clustered together amidst beautiful, green mountains in the outskirts of Heredia. There are common areas where students can hang out during downtime or scheduled activities. Enjoy your meals with views of the city and mountains, and take advantage of the pool in designated free time!
Home Base 2: Our second Home Base is located outside the rural town of Santa Teresa located in the province of Alajuela. This Home Base is a private compound with cabins and a guest house. There is a beautiful lake on the property where students can kayak and swim. From here the students will take a day trip to the Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna.
Costa Rica is known for its simple diet of rice, beans and a side of meat. The food at Home Base will reflect the traditional dietary staples of the people in Costa Rica and include many special recipes that reflect the culture of the area. The Central Valley is known for its variety of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.
COSTA RICA
SPANISH SERVICE & EDUCATION ADVENTURE
Dates & Tuition
14-Day Program
2026 Session Dates
June 17 – June 30, 2026
Program Details
More Information
Program Location: Costa Rica
Program Theme: Language Immersion, Youth & Education
Tuition Includes All In-Country Expenses
Airport pick-up/drop-off
In-country transportation
Lodging
3 meals per day
Professional full-time staff and experts
24/7 parent support hotline during program
Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
Cultural activities, lectures and excursions
Pre-departure materials and support
Educational materials
An application fee and $600 deposit are required
to hold your spot on-program.
Backed by our 5-Point Safety System™
GLA HOME BASE:
SAFE & SECURE LODGING
CARING SUPERVISION &
EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
SAFE
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTHY FOOD
& PURE WATER
24/7 SUPPORT &
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Recommended by Students and Parents
“My adventure in Costa Rica was, without a doubt, one of the best experiences in my life. The weeks were a perfectly constructed concoction of work, education, and fun. The trip definitely changed my view on the world and was a great way to spend part of my summer.”
Ethan | Student | 2023
COSTA RICA
SPANISH SERVICE ADVENTURE
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