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Costa Rica Marine Gap Year Programme

Quepos + Manuel National Park

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Itinerary Options

What's included?
Let's go

Looking for more flexible dates?See our current dates

Let us know your details below and we'll be in touch with options?

Depart

Itinerary Options

What's included?
Let's go

Looking for more flexible dates?See our current dates

Let us know your details below and we'll be in touch with options?

Help regenerate coral reefs

Whilst learning to scuba dive, speak Spanish and a few yoga poses.

Discover a world of adventure and learning with our action-packed 3-week programme. Dive into an unforgettable experience that combines scuba diving, reef conservation, Spanish language immersion, yoga practice, and thrilling outdoor adventures.

Begin your journey by mastering scuba diving, from beginner to advanced levels, enabling you to contribute to vital coral regeneration projects. Enhance your language skills with Spanish lessons, perfect your yoga poses, and prepare to explore the enchanting Manuel Antonio National Park.

Your base will be the charming harbour town of Quepos, nestled on the Pacific Coast just two hours from San Jose. This picturesque location, under the lush canopy of Manuel Antonio, offers quick access to the national park's pristine white beaches and the vibrant mangrove estuary, home to caimans, monkeys, and iguanas.

Ideal for those seeking a team-oriented experience in a breathtaking setting, this gap year programme promises a dynamic blend of PADI diving courses, Spanish language sessions, yoga practice, and adventure activities over the course of three thrilling weeks.

Download Itinerary

Costa Rica Marine Programme Itinerary

You will be based in the hip little town of Quepos, where you will help the dynamic NGO called Marine Conservation Costa Rica, who are making a huge difference to our ocean.

The following is a sample itinerary.

Overview

Quepos

Welcome to Quepos

A tropical inlet backed by rainforest, Quepos is a pretty harbour town on the Pacific Coast, famous for being one of the best places in the world for scuba-diving and fishing as well as being the gateway to the spectacular Manuel Antonio National Park.

Manuel Antonio National Park is abundant with mangroves, lagoons and beach-lined rainforests, home to howler, white-faced and squirrel monkeys – so binos at the ready.

While you are in one of the greatest locations of Costa Rica, it is only right that you make the most of where you are on your free time at weekends - horse riding, deep sea fishing and whale watching all available. Your team leaders will be on hand to advice you when you get there.

Accommodation

Local homestays all personally chosen by Geo and Kat (our programme co-ordinators). Expect a homely, cozy vibe and they have been looking after our leapers for several years now.

Food

Breakfast and supper in the homestay.
Lunch is not included. Most volunteers eat in one of the local cafes near the dive centre.

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Scuba diving and coral restoration PADI Training and conservation dives

PADI training and conservation dives
The heart of this programme centers around completing your open water and advanced PADI diving courses, so you can contribute to a sustainable, and effective coral restoration project, set up by the dynamic NGO called Marine Conservation Costa Rica.

The team will teach you about the complex eco-systems and how to harvest, and replant the baby corals back on the reef.

Open water and advanced PADI
You will need to be able to dive up to advanced level to contribute to the reef programme. This is so we can guarantee you have good buoyancy techniques. Academics for both PADI courses will be conducted online, over the first couple of days in Costa Rica.

Week 1: Base training program to get students up to Advanced open water level. If you already hold these base certifications, there are options to complete buoyancy and other training instead, just let us know.

Week 2 and 3: Coral restoration dives.

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Spanish + Yoga Mind, Body and soul

Interwoven into your 3 weeks will be conversational Spanish and yoga lessons.

Having the basics of Spanish up your sleeve is invaluable to help you get around Central and South America, as English is not wildly spoken. Throughout the 3 weeks - informal, yet effective conversational Spanish lessons will be interwoven into the itinerary but practicing will be nonstop as you will be living with a local family who only speak very basic English.

6 lessons included

Yoga and a healthy living life style is an integral part of Costa Rican life – yoga studios, fresh smoothies and delicious food are everywhere. It doesn't matter if you have never done yoga before, you will be guided through the lessons and you will reap the benefits to help you stretch out and decompress post diving.

5 lessons included

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Adventure Whitewater rafting + canopy tour

White-water rafting + canopy tour

You are living right beside the world-famous Manuel Antonio National Park so the plan is to take you inside the park to experience the jungle in all its glory, seeking out thundering waterfalls, elusive wildlife and the spectacular native birds.

It is a breath-taking environment, so be prepared.

On another day you will head off to white water raft down the Savegre River, which is a grade 3 - 4 depending on the time of year. Please note this is included but entirely optional.


Costa Rica Marine Gap Year Programme

Did you know?

Onward travel has never been so easy

Book a programme with us and you will receive a complimentary 12 month subscription to our Backpacking Advice Hub. This Hub is your one stop shop for all things travel advice, itineraries, handy insider hints and tips to really get the most from your travels. It is a must-have resource for independent travel post-Leap.

Our teams never want to come home post-programme and often choose to add on a phase of independent travel with their new found friends - making the most of their gap year. Costa Rica is perfectly placed to add on a phase in Guatemala, Mexico and Panama.

A leap volunteer scuba diving in Costa Rica
Volunteers white water rafting in costa rica.
Accomodation in Costa Rica.
sloth in costa rica.
Quepos beach in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica's Details & Costs

2025 dates - TBC, please email info@theleap.co.uk for more information.

Please note you need to be 18 years old or over at the time of travel.

Max team size of 12 per departure.

Download Itinerary

Options and costs

2025 dates - TBC

Please email info@theleap.co.uk for more information.

Whats included?

Included
  • Access to our backpacker advice hub and gap year consultations
  • Pre-departure briefing on all aspects of the programme
  • 24-hour emergency backup, management and support by UK and in-country team
  • Safety and induction course on arrival
  • Airport transfers to and from San Jose
  • Accommodation throughout
  • Breakfast and supper
  • Leap T-shirt
  • Open water and advanced dive courses, including PADI registration worth over £700 and all conservation dives.
  • 5 yoga lessons
  • 6 Spanish lessons
  • Whitewater rafting
  • Canopy day in Manuel Antonio National Park

Please note: The Leap help co-ordinate flights

Not Included
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Any weekend excursions
  • Lunch
  • Private airport transfer fee if you do not arrive on the main team flight

Budget:

Flights: £1000 (depending on time of year and availability)

Book Now

Request more information

Learning A New Skill

Gain your PADI Advanced and Open Water certificates, something you can use for the rest of your life.

The Bigger Picture

Be part of a flagship project doing vital work to regenerate Costa Rica's fragile coral reefs.

Bitesized Programme

At only 3 weeks long this is perfect to kick off your gap year travels, especially with the Spanish lessons - perfect if you're continuing your travels around Central/South America

Small Teams

Team sizes are usually 4-8 so great if you want a more intimate environment.

Weekends will generally be free time. There are many amazing activities to be enjoyed in and around Quepos on the beaches and National Park. Kat and Georgia will advise when you are there.

Please note

Travel at the weekend, or any of these extra activities, is at your own expense and risk. We cannot be responsible but, if anything happens, we will of course be there to assist.

Marine Conservation Costa Rica was founded in 2019 by Katharine Evans and Georgia King, who met in 2005 in Costa Rica. Over the years they have worked together, as scuba diving instructors and on various conservation projects.

Together they will run this program with the help of their conservation diving team and are passionate about regenerating the reefs around this coast line. They are an inspiration.



Watch our videos

Costa Rica Scuba Gap Year Programme

Discover how you can get PADI certified whilst contributing to Marine Conservation

Costa Rica Scuba Gap Year Programme

Explore what our Costa Rica programme offers

Costa Rica Scuba Gap Year Programme

Explore what our Costa Rica Scuba programme offers

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"We’re having an incredible time in Costa Rica "

I just want to quickly thank you very much for the amazing Leap trip. I honestly had the most unbelievable time and feel it is thanks to you for organising it, especially so last minute! I’ve been recommending it to all of my friends as I would do anything to do it all again. You were so kind and patient with both myself and Emma and we are truly grateful for all the help you gave us. We’re having an incredible time in Costa Rica at the moment and never want to leave!

- Clemmie

"So helpful with everything..."

Dear Milly

Just wanted to say thank you for the way in which you and your team have looked after our kids.

I was very nervous about letting Sam do this all on his own, but you have walked him though every step and the team has been so helpful with every thing from Visa’s to sun cream.

Thank you for the photos and updates which is very reassuring when they are so far away.

I cannot recommend you and your team highly enough and wish you many more years of shepherding these young people in overseas travel. I have been recommending you to any lower 6thparents whose children are just getting to this stage.

Good luck and thank you again

Julie

- Julie

"THANK YOU"

My Leaper is just having the BEST BEST BEST time. She was so anxious about going as it is the first time she has been abroad on her own. The lovely friends she has made and the fantastic team leaders that are there, combined with the incredible experiences that you are giving the team meant that worry very soon dissipated.

Everything sounds perfect, from the location of their "houses", the delicious food, the stimulating and varied activities, the fun evenings, in fact from dawn to dusk (and well beyond) is just so brilliant.

Thank you.

- Sara

"One of my favorite memories from my trip to Costa Rica was the first time I released a baby turtle into the ocean"

I was immediately lucky because most baby turtles crawl out of their nests in the dead of night, so you don't get to enjoy the sight of seeing them walk to the water when it's so dark out.

When I saw my first baby turtle it was just before the sun went down, so it was still incredibly bright out! Watching all the babies push their little flippers against the sand as they fight to get to the water is something else. They are so excited to be alive! It's something so wonderfully inspiring that I will always remember.

- Madison

"Very professional service"

I am super impressed that The Leap have been in contact at the beginning of my daughter's trip to tell me she had arrived safely. Very professional service - thanks very much!

- Abi Crampton

"You felt prepared"

The daily schedule was always written out at the start of the day, so you felt prepared for what was happening when.

- Mimi

"Absolutely loved my time in Costa Rica"

I absolutely loved my time on the Costa Rica Adventure program and have met so many amazing people. Lizzie and Carmen were such great team leaders!!

- Harriet Philpot

"I would say 100% I was able to make a positive contribution"

I was helping the community by making the beach cleaner and also helping protect the turtles from poachers and plastic in the ocean.

- Kit

"Thank you for making this possible despite COVID."

Thank you for the update. As expected George has maintained radio silence so good to hear that they have arrived ok. Also wanted to say how useful your video updates have been. I’m so envious of them launching on their travel adventures. Seems like only yesterday that I was heading off with a backpack. No phones, only a weekly blue airmail letter home. Thanks to all at The Leap for making this possible for them despite COVID.


- Romney Lewis

"This experience was life changing."

Although this is from a personal point of view, I wanted to share the great personal development this trip gave me. I believe travel and unknown/unusual environments affect and shape any individual.

It altered my being in a way i find hard to articulate, it changes you and challenges you that no 9-5 working existence ever could.

- Olivia

"Best food!"

The best food I have ever eaten in my life

- Jack

"I always felt in good hands"

Our daughter has had the most amazing time in Kenya, The Leap group have been fantastic with details and organization throughout, I always felt we were in good hands. The breadth of volunteering and involvement has been wonderful to see and I know this will have changed her life forever. Thank you.

- Tanya Crone

" I can see why you are so highly recommended"

Incidentally, Georgia had a really, really good time on the Costa Rica Adventure trip. It was a fantastic experience for her. In addition, the admin and organisation surrounding the trip was first class. I can absolutely see why you are so highly recommended.

Many thanks for your help.

- Nicola Preston

"So clear and straightforward "

I’d just like to say how impressed I’ve been by all your amazing organisation, plans and communication. I know she’s mainly communicated with you herself, but it’s all been so clear and straightforward – so thank you. I know this must have been an incredibly difficult time for you and I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending The Leap to any prospective Gappies in future!

- Justine Barnes

"Well done Team Leap!!"

Thank you so much for all the hard work in getting them there! You have all been amazing. I do not underestimate how much work and pressure there has been in making this happen during such challenging times. They are now able to do something positive and rewarding during their gap year which is only possible because of The Leap.


- Paula & Lloyd

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