Scott is the Director of Admissions at Rustic Pathways. He has worked in student travel and experiential education since 2011. Before helping families find the perfect Rustic Pathways program, he led gap year programs that took students around the world and spent more than nine years in Japan. Read More About Scott.
Belize • Costa Rica • Dominican Republic • Peru • United States
Teen tours in the Americas with Rustic Pathways give high school students ages 14–18 an immersive experience across North, Central, and South America.
From Costa Rica’s rainforests and the Caribbean Sea to Peru’s Andes and Hawaii’s Big Island, teens explore different cultures, learn from local communities, and grow through hands-on adventure and meaningful travel programs designed for safety, confidence, and personal growth.
Community service in the Caribbean
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Island splendor and eco-service
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Fieldwork to save sea turtles
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Perfect start to service adventures
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Jungles, reefs, and Mayan culture
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Catch waves and make an impact
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Service and immersion in the Andes
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Fun and friends as a camp counselor
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Costa Rican homestay and morning Spanish
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
Middle school service week in Costa Rica
Flights to and from the program aren't included.
Flight options include: Chaperoned Group Flight, Independent Flight with Support, or Self-Managed Airfare. You'll choose with your advisor after enrolling.
The Americas offer one of the world’s most diverse regions for teen travel, blending cultural immersion, wildlife encounters, history, and adventure activities across multiple ecosystems, from tropical coasts to mountain ranges and major U.S. cities.
Students experience:
Teens gain new perspectives by stepping outside their comfort zone, discovering new places, and building lifelong friendships along the way.
| Program Name | Ages | Duration | Cost | Main Focus | Regions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica Programs (Multiple Options) | 14–18 | 8–15 Days | Starting from $2,495 | Adventure, Service, Wildlife | Pacific Coast, Rainforest, Volcano Regions |
| Hawaii: Surf, Snorkel, and Service | 14–18 | 8 Days | Starting from $3,395 | Environmental Stewardship, Surfing, Snorkeling | Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island), Kona Coast |
| Dominican Republic Programs | 14–18 | 8 Days | Starting from $1,995 | Community Service, Culture, Coast | Caribbean Coast, Mountain Communities |
| Belize Programs | 14–18 | 8 Days | Starting from $2,795 | Marine Conservation, Reef Ecology | Barrier Reef, Coastal Communities |
| Peru Programs | 14–18 | 12 Days | Starting from $4,195 | History, Culture, Trekking | Sacred Valley, Andes |
Rustic Pathways’ Costa Rica programs combine adventure, biodiversity, and cultural immersion. Teens explore rainforests, coastlines, and volcano regions through activities like zip lining, white water rafting, surfing, turtle conservation, and community service.
Middle school option: students ages 12–14 can join Costa Rica: Pura Vida Service (Middle School), 8 days, starting from $2,495.
Students experience vibrant Caribbean culture, coastal life, and community connection. Teens engage with local families, participate in service projects, and learn about regional traditions while staying in vetted accommodations.
Explore Dominican Republic Teen Tours
Belize offers reef, rainforest, and cultural immersion. Teens support conservation initiatives, learn from Indigenous communities, and explore the world’s second-largest barrier reef.
Peru offers rich culture, history, and outdoor exploration. Teens visit local communities, explore Andean landscapes, and learn about ancient traditions.
Rustic Pathways’ United States programs offer students the opportunity to explore Hawaii through meaningful community service and activities like surfing, snorkelling, and trekking.
Explore Hawaii: Surf, Snorkel, and Service
Consider your teen’s:
Great for teens who want:
“Traveling through Latin America with Rustic Pathways helped me understand different cultures, make new friends, and see the world from a new perspective. It was exciting, safe, and life-changing.”
Stacey J., Alumni
