Costa Rica Gap Year

A gap year in Costa Rica is close to paradise. The country has a huge cast of exotic creatures – ranging from howler monkeys to toucans, the surf breaks are infamous, the natural beauty staggering and the national catchphrase 'Pura Vida' (Pure Life in English) hots the nail on the head!

Costa Rica plough more resources into conservation than any other country in Central America, with a higher number of National Parks per square meter than anywhere in the world. Volunteering here is incredibly rewarding as you feel everyone is in it together, even traveling off the beaten track is relatively easy; as the country is small, organized and friendly.

Surfing, quad biking, hiking, horse riding, zipping through the canopy of the rainforest on high-wires, scuba diving and snorkeling are all on offer and the varied environments means you can cruise the cloud forest one day, visit an active volcano the next, and finish relaxing on a hot sandy beach.

A gap year with the leap will have you hopping from the Pacific to the Caribbean and seeing all in between.

Gap Year Costa Rica Project Locations

Pacific Side - El Silencio Village
First few weeks of the placement will be spent in a co-operative community perched on the edge of pristine rainforest about 1 hours drive from world famous beaches.

Pacific Coast - Matapalo Beach
Second phase will be spent on the picturesque beaches and tropical forest of Matapalo, close to the Manuel Antonio National Park, working on a range of turtle conservation and teaching projects.

Caribbean Coast - Quelonios del Caribe Conservation Station
Third phase spent on the other side of the country, sampling the Caribbean, African influenced culture close to Tortuguero on the mouth of the famous Pacuare River.

Costa Rica Gap Year Trips