Group in helmets and life jackets with paddles on a riverbank

Mini semester · Costa Rica

Six weeks of Costa Rica’s forests, farms and coast

Zipline in Monteverde, volunteer at a wildlife rescue center, live with a host family in Herradura, kayak the Golfo Dulce, surf in Uvita and raft the Pacuare River.

Check dates & applyGet the itinerary
WhereCosta Rica
Length6 weeks
GroupMax 14 · ages 17‑22
Tuition$10,500 USD+ flights est. $1,200 USD
ActivityMedium
College creditOptional · University of Montana

What makes this program different

Group of students in matching T-shirts outside a wooden shelter

Hands-on wildlife rescue

Three days volunteering at an animal rescue center near Alajuela, helping prepare food and support the care of animals like sloths and monkeys.

Students holding sugarcane stalks among tall plants

Homestay and Spanish classes

Live with a local family in the Herradura community, with Spanish classes, hot springs, soccer and a community party.

Two people on a kayak on calm blue water

Three expeditions, three ways to travel

A multi-day kayak expedition across the Golfo Dulce, three days of surf lessons in Uvita and rafting in and out of the Pacuare River.

Three students holding surfboards on a beach

All-inclusive On The Ground

3 Meals a day, lodging, in-country ground travel, activities, entry fees and guides are included.

Your journey at a glance

Route map from San José through Monteverde, the Pacific coast and the south of Costa Rica to the Pacuare River and back to San José
  1. Week 1–2Monteverde’s cloud forest, a wildlife rescue center near Alajuela, a spice farm and tree planting, Manuel Antonio National Park and Los Campesinos Ecolodge
  2. Week 3Hike in to Ranchos Tinamú in San Isidro de Dota, then a homestay with Spanish classes in Herradura
  3. Week 4A kayak expedition on the Golfo Dulce, then sustainable farm service at Albergue La Laguna de Corcovado
  4. Week 5–6Surf lessons in Uvita, a yoga retreat in Sarapiquí and rafting on the Pacuare River before returning to San José

Where you’ll stay

Eco lodge in Costa Rica

Lodges & ecolodges

Lodges and ecolodges in heart of Costa Rica

Student cooking at homestay in costa rica

Homestay in Herradura

Four nights with a local host family in the Herradura community while you take Spanish classes.

Students camping in Costa Rica

Rescue center, farm stay & kayak camp

Nights at the wildlife rescue center, on the spice farm, and camping during the kayak expedition.

Week by week

Download full itinerary
Week 1Monteverde cloud forest & wildlife rescueSan José → Monteverde → Alajuela, Costa Rica

You’ll meet your Program Instructors in San José, then we head up to Monteverde for orientation and a coffee tour. A canopy tour takes us across ziplines and hanging bridges, and we explore the Santa Elena Reserve, hike to El Tigre waterfall and head out on a night walk to look for kinkajous. Next we transfer to a wildlife rescue center near Alajuela, where we spend our first days volunteering, helping prepare food and supporting the team’s animal care.

  • Orientation
  • Ziplining
  • Volunteering
Three students in helmets on a forest trail
Week 2Spice farm, Manuel Antonio & Los CampesinosAlajuela → Villa Nueva Naranjo → Naranjito, Costa Rica

After a final day at the rescue center we move to a finca in Villa Nueva Naranjo for a spice farm tour and a day of tree planting on a carbon neutral project. We also spend a day exploring Manuel Antonio National Park. Then we hike 8 km from Brisas del Nara to Los Campesinos Ecolodge, with a trapiche tour on arrival. Horseback riding, the Los Campesinos trails and a soccer game with locals follow, before a day on a community service project.

  • Conservation
  • Hiking
  • Community
Group of students in matching T-shirts outside a wooden shelter
Week 3Ranchos Tinamú & a Herradura homestayNaranjito → San Isidro de Dota → Herradura, Costa Rica

We hike 16 km to Ranchos Tinamú in San Isidro de Dota. Here we hike to the Olla Quemada cave and spend a day on the sustainable farm project, which can include milking cows and collecting eggs. On the way to Herradura we stop at Nauyaca waterfall, then settle in with our host families. Mornings are for Spanish classes, with afternoons swimming in hot springs, playing soccer and other games, and a community party to finish.

  • Hiking
  • Homestay
  • Spanish
Students holding sugarcane stalks among tall plants
Week 4Golfo Dulce kayak expeditionHerradura → Golfito → La Palma, Costa Rica

In Golfito we spend an afternoon practicing for the kayak expedition. Over the next three days we paddle 15 km, 10 km with a snorkel stop, and 12 km across the gulf with professional guides, staying at Dolphin Quest along the way. A 4x4 transfer takes us to Albergue La Laguna de Corcovado near La Palma, where we spend three days volunteering on a sustainable farm service project.

  • Kayaking
  • Snorkeling
  • Volunteering
Two people on a kayak on calm blue water
Week 5Surf in Uvita & a yoga retreatLa Palma → Uvita → Sarapiquí, Costa Rica

We head to Uvita, stopping at Playa Ventanas, and check in at El Tecal for three days of surf classes spread out to give your body time to rest. Between sessions we visit Dominical, hike the Cola de la Ballena and have a free afternoon. Then we transfer to Epic Adventure Lodge in Sarapiquí for an introduction to yoga and the start of our yoga retreat, with time for meditation and breathwork.

  • Surfing
  • Hiking
  • Yoga
Three students holding surfboards on a beach
Week 6Pacuare River & farewellSarapiquí → Pacuare → San José, Costa Rica

After a free day in Sarapiquí we transfer to the Pacuare River and raft in to Pacuare River Eco Lodge. From here we visit an Indigenous village and join a tree planting project, alongside our program wrap. We raft out on our final full day and transfer to San José, where students depart from Juan Santamaría International Airport the next day.

  • Rafting
  • Culture
  • Program wrap
Group in helmets and life jackets with paddles on a riverbank

This is a guide to what you can expect to do on program. The order in which activities occur might vary. Itineraries are subject to change.

Learn while you travel

Spanish in a homestay

Spanish classes in the Herradura community while you live with a local family and take part in community life.

Conservation and sustainable farming

Volunteering at a wildlife rescue center, tree planting on a carbon neutral project and sustainable farm service at Ranchos Tinamú and Albergue La Laguna de Corcovado.

Optional college credit

Earn college credit through the University of Montana. 529 education funds can be used to pay for your credits and your Pacific Discovery program tuition.

How college credit works

For parents: how we keep students safe

24/7 Emergency Line

Parents, students and instructors can reach a real person at any hour. Every call is logged and passed to our on-call staff member by phone.

Wilderness First Aid & Live Risk Assessment

All our instructors hold Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification and have extensive training in group leadership and risk management.

Accredited Safety Systems

Our safety systems are assessed and accredited by the Gap Year Association (USA), Year Out Group (UK) and OutdoorsMark (NZ). Students on Go Overseas voted us one of the top gap year providers for safety.

Insurance & Health

Comprehensive travel insurance is required, covering medical costs and emergency evacuation. Check vaccinations with your doctor, and pack a first-aid kit and any personal medication. Our instructors can't legally give students any medication.

Read our full safety approach

What it costs, all in

Program tuition$10,500 USD
Flights (estimate)~$1,200 USD
College credit (optional)$1950

That’s about $1,750 USD per week of tuition.

App Fee: $250 · Deposit: $2250 · 529 funds can cover tuition

Included

  • All in-program travel and transport
  • All accommodation
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (not including snacks)
  • All expeditions, activities, excursions, volunteer projects and entry fees
  • Experienced Program Instructors and local guides
  • Informal lectures from resident experts on conservation and eco-tourism
  • Experiential core curriculum
  • Certificate of Program Completion

Not included

  • International flights
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending and snacks
  • College credit fee
  • Optional activities or adventures

Pick your start date

11 Mar – 21 Apr 2027Spring
OpenApply

Not sure yet? Talk to an advisor.

From past students and parents

I enjoyed my time in Costa Rica so so much! What I found really unique about this trip was that I did things I have never done before. I went rafting, I went into a 360 meter deep cave, I did long hikes, I showered in the rain and so much other things. I have seen all kinds of animals I had never seen before. The nature is beautiful and very different than from home. Some moments were scary, but what really helped me getting through were the people who were with me. My friends helped me be as comfortable as possible and protected and stayed with me when I was scared. They helped me in every possible way and offered me a hand when I needed it.

Aurélie, Spring 2026

I really enjoyed this program because I feel like it taught me so much about who I am and who I want to be moving forwards. I was challenged everyday, while also feeling supported. I made lasting friendships with some of the participants and felt healthily challenged interpersonally with others. I really loved the amount of animals we were able to interact with and all of the service work. We saw lots of animals in nature, from a distance during tours or even just walking around. But while we were in the rescue center, we were able to be like 3 feet away from them! Everything was very informational as well! We learned how to care 4 the animals, how to feed them, and about their habitats. You left feeling like you’re making a positive change!

Taryn, Spring 2026

Questions we get about this program

How fit do I need to be?

The program suits anyone of average fitness with enthusiasm for the outdoors. You don’t need experience with any of the activities, but be ready for hikes of 8 km and 16 km, a multi-day kayak expedition, surfing and rafting. Volunteer projects also involve some physical work, like tree planting.

Do I need to know how to surf or kayak?

No. Surf classes in Uvita are spread over three days with professional instructors, and the kayak expedition starts with an afternoon of practice in Golfito, with professional guides throughout.

Where will I stay?

Mostly lodges and ecolodges, plus nights at the wildlife rescue center, a farm stay at Posada del Río, Dolphin Quest during the kayak expedition and four nights with a host family in Herradura.

What will I do at the wildlife rescue center?

You’ll spend three days volunteering, helping prepare food and supporting the team’s care of animals like sloths and monkeys.

What's included, and what isn't?

Tuition covers all in-country transport, accommodation, meals, and the activities and entry fees in the itinerary. It doesn't cover international flights, visas, travel insurance, spending money, optional college credit or optional activities.

How much spending money should I bring?

About $15 a day for snacks, laundry, personal shopping and optional activities. It varies from student to student.

Can I stay in touch with home?

Yes. We encourage keeping phones on flight mode so you stay present, and wifi is available where we stay in cities and towns. There will also be a photo album that students and instructors can upload photos and video to, so parents and caregivers can stay up to date.

Do I need a passport or visa?

Your passport must be valid for more than 6 months after the program ends. All the information you need in regard to visas will be available in your student portal.

Spring 2027 is filling. Hold your place.

$2500 holds your spot.

Apply nowRequest the itinerary