A summer program in Costa Rica is a structured, supervised travel experience for teens. Programs combine community service in rural villages, sea turtle conservation on Pacific beaches, surf and beach ecology, and Spanish-language immersion.
This guide compares summer travel providers that run inbound programs in Costa Rica on price, days, price per day, focus, and age range.
How do the top Costa Rica summer programs compare?
| Provider | Price (excludes airfare) | Days | Price per day | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rustic Pathways | $2,495–$3,495 | 8 | $312–$437 | 14–18 |
| Global Works | $5,195–$6,095 | 15–17 | $346–$359 | Grades 9–12 |
| Tico Lingo | $3,950 | 14 | $282 | 13–17 |
| Westcoast Connection | $4,199–$7,199 | 10–20 | $333–$455 | Grades 7–12 |
| Outward Bound | $2,990–$5,655 | 7–14 | $404–$427 | 14–18 |
| ARCC Programs | $4,988 | 14 | $356 | Grades 7–9 |
| REIN Teen Tours | $6,299–$7,999 | 14–20 | $390–$450 | Grades 8–11 |
| AFS-USA | $6,500 (airfare included) | 49 | $133 | 15–17 |
| Rooted Life Adventures | $15,000 | 35 | $429 | 14–18 (girls only) |
Price per day is tuition divided by program length, excluding airfare.
For summer program providers that operate several programs, the price and per-day columns show the validated low-to-high range across their Costa Rica lineup, with program-level details in each section below.
AFS-USA’s price is not directly comparable to other providers, as their tuition fee includes round-trip international airfare; all other summer program prices exclude airfare.
Among the programs that exclude airfare, Tico Lingo, a stationary language camp, is the lowest per day at $282. Rustic Pathways is the lowest price summer program option among service and adventure programs at $312.
Rustic Pathways in Costa Rica
Rustic Pathways has operated in Costa Rica since 2003 and runs five Costa Rica programs for teens and young adults. Each summer program is 8 days and fully all-inclusive: accommodations, meals, activities, in-country transport, and 24/7 supervision, with airfare excluded.
| Program | Duration | Price | Price per day | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pura Vida Service | 8 days | $2,495 | $312 | 14–18 |
| Pura Vida Service (Middle School) | 8 days | $2,495 | $312 | 12–14 |
| Turtle Conservation Project | 8 days | $2,895 | $362 | 14–18 |
| Turtle Conservation (College) | 8 days | $2,895 | $362 | 17–22 |
| Surf and Service | 8 days | $3,495 | $437 | 14–18 |
Most Rustic Pathways programs run for ages 14 to 18, with one dedicated middle school session (ages 12 to 14) and one college session (ages 17 to 22).
Students work on community service projects in rural communities, monitor nesting sea turtles at a Pacific coast wildlife refuge, surf and conduct beach conservation, and explore cloud forests and national parks.
Safety and supervision
Rustic Pathways publishes a verified staff-to-student ratio of 4.37:1 for 2025, against a program promise of 7:1, and caps every Costa Rica program at 15 students.
Dr. William R. Smith oversees medical care at Rustic Pathways. The company boasts an average parent-notification time of 27 minutes. In 2025, 87.7% of logged incidents were minor and resolved on-site.
Rustic Pathways is a safe, strong option for students looking for summer programs in Costa Rica, but families who want pre-med and wildlife programs should look at Global Works.
Global Works in Costa Rica
Global Works, based in Louisville, CO, and a certified B Corp, runs four Costa Rica programs for students in grades 9 to 12. The lineup spans service, pre-med, and wildlife themes across 10 to 17 days.
| Program | Duration | Price | Price per day | Grades |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service and Sand | 15 days | $5,195 | $346 | 9–12 |
| Wildlife Eco Adventure | 17 days | $5,895 | $347 | 9–12 |
| Intro to Pre-Med and Public Health | 17 days | $6,095 | $359 | 9–12 |
Itineraries pair community service with Spanish practice, wildlife work, or clinical exposure, depending on the program. (globalworkstravel.com/teen-summer-trips/costa-rica)
For a Spanish-immersion camp rather than a wildlife service program in Costa Rica, Tico Lingo is an option.
Tico Lingo in Costa Rica
Tico Lingo runs a 14-day Teen Spanish Summer Camp in Heredia for ages 13 to 17, priced at $3,950 plus airfare. That works out to $282 per day, the lowest among the airfare-excluded programs, and an optional third week adds $740.
Students take daily morning Spanish classes, live with a local host family, and spend afternoons and weekends on cultural activities and excursions, such as whitewater rafting, ziplining, an overnight kayak trip on Arenal, and a closing beach day at Manuel Antonio.
Three two-week sessions run across June, July, and August. (ticolingo.com/teen-spanish-summer-camp)
Because the program stays in one city rather than touring the country, its per-day cost is lower than that of moving programs.
For adventure travel, or a medical-career track, across a range of trip lengths, Westcoast Connection is the next comparison.
Westcoast Connection in Costa Rica
Westcoast Connection, based in Mamaroneck, NY, runs five Costa Rica programs for students in grades 7 to 12, spanning service, adventure, and a medical career experience.
Its Canadian sister brand, 360 Student Travel, operates from Montreal, while the Costa Rica programs are sold through the U.S. Westcoast Connection site. (westcoastconnection.com/find-a-program/?program_destination[]=costa-rica)
| Program | Duration | Price | Price per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica Service & Adventure | 10 days | $4,199 | $420 |
| Costa Rica: Medical Assistance | 11 days | $4,999 | $455 |
| Costa Rica Adventure | 14 days | $5,499 | $393 |
| Costa Rica Service & Adventure | 18 days | $5,999 | $333 |
| Costa Rica Adventure | 20 days | $7,199 | $360 |
Itineraries combine outdoor adventure, structured community service, and cultural immersion. The 11-day Medical Assistance track is aimed at students exploring healthcare careers.
For a wilderness-expedition model built around backpacking, surfing, or scuba, Outward Bound is the next comparison.
Outward Bound in Costa Rica
Outward Bound runs four Costa Rica courses for teens in 2026. All programs have a set price and fixed dates. (outwardbound.org)
| Program | Duration | Price | Price per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica: Surf & Service | 7 days | $2,990 | $427 |
| Costa Rica & Panama: Scuba & Service | 14 days | $5,655 | $404 |
| Costa Rica – Backpack & Surf | 12 days | $4,890 | $408 |
| Costa Rica – Backpack & Cultural Immersion | 12 days | $4,890 | $408 |
Programs combine adventure activities, cultural immersion, and service projects. The Costa Rica and Panama Scuba & Service program spans 14 days across both countries.
For a single 14-day service-and-adventure program set high in the cloud forest, ARCC is the next comparison.
ARCC Programs in Costa Rica
ARCC Programs runs a 14-day Costa Rica Cloud Forest Community Initiative for students in grades 7 to 9, priced at $4,988 plus airfare, with a group flight from Houston. The program logs 10 hours of service learning.
Students live with a highland ranching community on infrastructure and farm projects, raft the Rio Pacuare, surf the Pacific coast, zipline the rainforest canopy, and join a community soccer match. (arccprograms.com/programs/costa-rica-cloud-forest/?trip_of_interest=CRCF)
For a single fixed-price grand tour that moves across six regions of the country, REIN Teen Tours is the next comparison.
REIN Teen Tours in Costa Rica
REIN Teen Tours operates three teen travel programs in Costa Rica for high school students. Prices include all lodging, three meals daily, all transportation, and all activities. (https://www.reinteentours.com/summer-travel-programs/?_sft_destination=costa-rica)
| Program | Duration | Price | Price per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Costa Rica (20-day) | 20 days | $7,799 | $390 |
| Project Costa Rica (14-day) | 14 days | $6,299 | $450 |
| Costa Rica Adventure | 20 days | $7,999 | $400 |
Programs include adventure activities such as whitewater rafting, waterfall canyoning, as well as cultural experiences and service projects.
For a full Spanish-language and homestay immersion with airfare included in the price, AFS-USA is the next comparison.
AFS-USA in Costa Rica
AFS-USA runs a Costa Rica Summer Language and Culture program for ages 15 to 17, priced at $6,500. It is the only price in this comparison that includes round-trip international airfare.
The structure is a two-week intensive Spanish course (60 hours of lessons), a four-week homestay with full enrollment in a local Costa Rican high school, and a closing one-week bus tour of the country. (afsusa.org/programs/costa-rica-summer-high-school)
For a longer therapeutic program built specifically for teen girls, with on-site clinical support, Rooted Life Adventures closes the comparison.
Rooted Life Adventures in Costa Rica
Rooted Life Adventures runs a 5-week (35-day) Costa Rica summer camp for girls ages 14 to 18, priced at $15,000, the highest in this comparison, with flights and insurance excluded. (rootedlifeadventures.com/costa-rica)
The itinerary includes an ESL internship at a local elementary school, volunteer hours, Spanish practice, and adventure excursions such as surfing, waterfall rappelling, and rafting. An on-staff therapeutic coach offers wellness lessons and personal development support.
With all providers compared, the choice narrows to focus, budget, age, and the kind of support a family wants.
How do you pick the right Costa Rica program?
Pick a Costa Rica program by matching the core experience to a teen’s age, budget, and primary interest.
Service, language immersion, adventure, wilderness expedition, multi-region touring, and therapeutic support are different products, so identifying the right category is the first decision.
- For the lowest all-inclusive cost among service, adventure and conservation focused summer programs, Rustic Pathways is the best pick. Programs start at $2,495, with five 8-day itineraries spanning ages 12 to 22.
- If students want Spanish-language learning, Tico Lingo offers a 14-day homestay camp, and AFS-USA offers a seven-week homestay-and-high-school exchange with airfare included.
- If students want longer, therapeutic programs built specifically for teen girls, with on-site clinical support, Rooted Life Adventures is the choice.
Whichever provider a family considers, ask in writing for the staff-to-student ratio, the emergency and medical protocol, and the parent-notification policy before paying a deposit.
To weigh Costa Rica against other destinations, compare it inside the full summer-programs guide for high school students.