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Costa Rica: Biodiversity, Climate & the Environment

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Explore Costa Rica’s diverse landscapes, vibrant communities, and unwavering commitment to preserving its natural treasures. Deepen your awareness and learn from local communities to take climate action back to your home community.

  • Community Service

  • Outdoor Activity

  • Sustainability

  • Wildlife

WHY STUDY BIODIVERSITY & CLIMATE IN COSTA RICA?

Embark on an amazing journey through Costa Rica, a land where nature and culture blend in perfect harmony. Your adventure begins in San Jose, the lively capital city, where you’ll explore museums, stroll through bustling markets, and join discussions about climate justice during orientation setting the stage for your eco-friendly expedition.

Explore the wonders of Costa Rica’s pristine wilderness as you travel from the Los Santos Region to the remote Osa Peninsula. Each day offers new opportunities to discover breathtaking landscapes, hike in lush national parks, and immerse yourself in the charm of local communities.

Experience the heartwarming world of Costa Rican communities during a 10-night homestay, where you’ll take part in meaningful community projects, forging bonds and making a positive impact that will linger long after you’ve left.

Get ready for thrilling adventures that take you from the lush depths of the rainforest to the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Coast. Explore the rugged beauty of Costa Rican forests and take on exhilarating canopy tours.

Discover eco-initiatives and sustainable practices, visit an active wind farm (parque eólico), and witness the mesmerizing magic of sea turtle nesting. This journey is a beautiful blend of nature’s wonders, cultural exploration, and conservation efforts.

LEARN BY DOING

The Experiment’s programs are designed to build skills that will help you succeed. In Costa Rica, you will learn: 

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  •  Spanish language

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

  • Resourcefulness  
  • Intercultural communication  
  • Time management  
  • Adaptability  
  • Relationship-building 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

  • This is a very active program involving outdoor activities, ecological restoration, and conservation volunteer work. The community work is very physical and labor-intensive.
  • Water activities may include kayaking/canoeing, swimming, and snorkeling.
  • The program moves throughout the country, including 2 to 5-hour bus trips. Be prepared to carry your luggage up and down stairs and to lift it into overhead storage compartments.  
  • In the summer, Costa Rica is typically hot and humid. Rainfall varies from constant rain to severe drought—the Pacific Coast tends to be drier, while the Caribbean Coast can receive more rainfall. The weather can also be very unpredictable.  
  • Rice, beans, potatoes, pork, and beef are key staples in Costa Rican cuisine. Chicken and fish are widely available, especially on the Caribbean Coast. Vegetarians and vegans may need to plan ahead. 
  • Access to the internet is limited, and internet speeds and connectivity vary.  
  • The diverse personal and social identities of participants may, in part, shape their experience abroad. In-country partners will discuss cultural norms and the local context during orientation. All students will have a safe space within the program spaces and with the local staff and group leaders.  
  • The Experiment program structure is rooted in experiential learning and cohort-based learning. The participant group experience is a major source of learning for Experimenters and is facilitated by trained Experiment group leaders.  

AT A GLANCE

Program Availability

Filling

Program Date

Jul 1 - Jul 21

Prerequisite

None

Program Fee*

$6,350.00

(does not include airfare)
Group Airfare Cost

$975.00

Departure City

Miami

*Program fees may increase by
$500 -$1000 to account for changes
to lodging accommodations.

WHAT'S INCLUDED
  • Lodging
  • Meals
  • All program activities
  • In-country transportation
  • Health insurance
  • Experienced group leader

Families or partner organizations are also responsible for arranging and paying for participants' domestic travel to the international departure/return airport in the U.S., whether flying, driving or by other means. By its nature, domestic airfare varies by airline, timing, destination, and availability.

TALK TO AN ALUM
Questions? Ask Us! APPLY NOW
Travel to Costa Rica with The Experiment for an unforgettable summer leadership program! You will explore diverse landscapes, practice your Spanish language skills, and cultivate a deeper understanding of sustainable practices. Close-up image of a colorful frog looking away from the camera.
Travel to Costa Rica for a summer leadership program, where you’ll explore diverse landscapes and deepen your awareness of climate change. Experiment student at a butterfly conservatory looking at the camera with butterflies on her hat.
Travel to Costa Rica with The Experiment for an unforgettable summer leadership program! You will explore diverse landscapes, practice your Spanish language skills, and cultivate a deeper understanding of sustainable practices. Group of Experimenters standing on the sand with a rainforest backdrop.
Travel to Costa Rica for a summer leadership program, where you’ll explore diverse landscapes and deepen your awareness of climate change. Close of a traditional Costa Rican meal.
Travel to Costa Rica with The Experiment for an unforgettable summer leadership program! You will explore diverse landscapes, practice your Spanish language skills, and cultivate a deeper understanding of sustainable practices. Close up photo of a student looking away from the camera tending to a plant in the ground.
Travel to Costa Rica for a summer leadership program, where you’ll explore diverse landscapes and deepen your awareness of climate change. Close up photo of a sea turtle swimming in the ocean.
Travel to Costa Rica with The Experiment for an unforgettable summer leadership program! You will explore diverse landscapes, practice your Spanish language skills, and cultivate a deeper understanding of sustainable practices. An Experimenter crouched on the ground showing a peace sign next to a plant.
Travel to Costa Rica for a summer leadership program, where you’ll explore diverse landscapes and deepen your awareness of climate change. A close up photo of a sloth looking directly at the camera.
Travel to Costa Rica with The Experiment for an unforgettable summer leadership program! You will explore diverse landscapes, practice your Spanish language skills, and cultivate a deeper understanding of sustainable practices. A group of Experimenters on a boat looking at the camera.
Travel to Costa Rica for a summer leadership program, where you’ll explore diverse landscapes and deepen your awareness of climate change. An action-shot of a traditional Costa Rican dance.
This program is for someone who wants to get out of their comfort zone, learn about another country in the best way possible, and meet other people who are going to change the world. It was an amazing experience, and I am so much better for it!

EVELYN, The Leadership Institute alum

Sample Itinerary

This itinerary is only a sample and is subject to change. Because of factors such as group size and availability of in-country offerings such as festivals, your experience — including sites visited and the number of days spent in each location — may differ somewhat from the one presented below.

View Itinerary Details

Days 1-2

In-Country Orientation in San Jose 

  • Begin Orientation with a City Tour, where you’ll explore the National Museum and the Gold Museum, immersing yourself in Costa Rica’s rich cultural heritage.  
  • Enjoy a visit to the vibrant local market and savor a delicious lunch.  
  • Engage in introductory discussions on Climate Justice in Costa Rica, deepening your understanding of local environmental efforts.  
  • Practice your Spanish language skills.  
  • Continue to build your learning community with your group during orientation activities.  

During orientation, you and your group will stay at a centrally-located hotel.  

Days 3-4

Thematic Focus on San Gerardo de Dota

  • Climb inside giant trees and see the majestic of the forest from an aerial perspective. 
  • Explore a private nature reserve and learn about the economics of ecotourism in Costa Rica and the impact on people who care for its natural resources. 
  • Embark on an exciting day, enjoying thrilling outdoor activities and adventures in the heart of nature. 

You and your group will stay at a guesthouse/lodge.  

Days 5-16

Homestay and Community Service on La Palma (Osa Peninsula)

  • Transfer to La Palma on the Osa Peninsula, a remote and pristine destination known for its biodiversity. 
  • Enjoy a 12-day homestay experience with local families, immersing yourself in the community’s culture and daily life. Spend quality time with your host families, sharing experiences and building lasting connections. 
  • Volunteer in community engagement projects, contributing to rural development and ecological sustainability. 
  • Experience a rural cultural adventure, including a visit to Palmito, a Gold Tour, and a Trapiche Tour, offering insights into traditional Costa Rican life. 

You and your group will stay with a homestay family. 

Days 17-18

Thematic Focus on Ostional

  • Discover one of the beaches with the world’s largest turtle arrivals 
  • Participate in a Turtle Observation Night Tour, witnessing the magic of sea turtle nesting. 
  • Dedicate your day to sea turtle conservation projects, contributing to the protection of these magnificent creatures. 

You and your group will stay at a guesthouse/lodge.

Days 19-20

Program Reflection & Synthesis in San Jose

  • Reflect with your group on your experiences during program   
  • Enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow Experimenters. 

You and your group will stay at a centrally-located hotel near the airport. 

Day 21

Departure

Past Group Leader

The Experiment’s group leaders go through a rigorous selection process and have extensive experience with youth education, local expertise in the country or region of their program, language abilities, knowledge in their program theme, travel logistics and management know-how, and experience with health, safety and risk management.

Nate Harding

Nate’s life is guided by the following question: How will we evolve our norms, laws, and institutions such that all people define and achieve their own flourishing while living in balance with each other and the planet? This inquiry led them to design a Bachelor’s degree in Education & Community Studies at Davidson College. After completing the degree, Nate traveled the globe as a high school study abroad program leader, where they designed, facilitated, and evaluated community-based experiential learning programs. Nate went on to serve as a consultant and coach at The Bridgespan Group, where they advised nonprofits and philanthropies to clarify their intended impact, improve operating models, strengthen executive teams, and lead organizational change. Nate currently serves as Senior Manager at Social Impact Exchange, where they support a multi-sector network of ~6,000 leaders to co-design, co-fund, and implement initiatives to transform society’s systems toward equity and justice. Nate also serves as a Board Member at Nourish International, fusing passions for youth leadership, organizational development, and systems thinking to support college students driving positive social change across the U.S. When not galivanting around the globe, you can find Nate enjoying the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area, California.

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