Gap Year Programs in Costa Rica
92 Gap Year Programs in Costa Rica

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with Seamester Study Abroad at Sea

MAXIMO NIVEL
In three of the world's most beautiful countries—Costa Rica, Guat...
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Raleigh International
Joining a Raleigh Costa Rica Expedition is a truly unique experie...

Impact Gap Year
Take on an 8-month trip of adventure, community service, and comm...
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Institute for Global Studies
Costa Rica is a personal favorite of IGS staff members and a loca...
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EF Education First
Spend 12 incredible weeks exploring Tamarindo, Rome, and Tokyo, t...
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Gapforce
Adventure and animal lovers rejoice! Alongside its stunning jungl...
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International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 9...
See All 9 ProgramsCIEE High School Grads Abroad
Your First Year Abroad program in Monteverde lasts 12 weeks and i...
GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with awa...
See All 17 ProgramsCarpe Diem Education
Venture through Guatemala and Costa Rica, exploring lush tropical...
Kaya Responsible Travel
Spend 7 to 10 weeks in a valley off the beaten path, surrounded b...
Rustic Pathways
Costa Rica is where adventure, service, cultural immersion, and t...
See All 2 ProgramsPure Exploration
Get ready for six weeks of non-stop adventure in Costa Rica! This...
ARCC Programs
Venture to some of the world’s most exotic and intriguing regions...
Intern Abroad HQ
Are you a student or young professional looking to enhance your c...
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Whether you want to support vulnerable communities in developing ...
Volunteer World
Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find ...
See All 2 ProgramsArcos Learning Abroad
Study abroad in the highlands of central Costa Rica, in the charm...
Seeds of Change Research
During the Seeds of Change Tropical Rainforest Research Program, ...
Intercultura Costa Rica
Learn the language. Live the culture. Be the change. Join our sum...
See All 2 ProgramsAcademic Programs International
San Joaquín de Flores is a charming, colorful, and quaint colonia...
Global Work & Travel
Costa Rica is a nature lover's paradise. Experience stunning beac...
Pacific Discovery
Uncover the spirit of Central America on a 10-week journey throug...
See All 3 ProgramsOutward Bound Costa Rica
Feed your love for the outdoors or gain the necessary skills to j...
See All 4 ProgramsOyster Worldwide
Interested in taking a gap year? Do it with an organization well ...
Manuel Antonio Spanish School
This language program includes everything you need to learn, prac...
Tico Lingo - Spanish Immersion School
Tico Lingo offers the most comprehensive and expertly designed Sp...
Nosara Spanish Institute
Our intensive Spanish program is offered year-round and is highli...
See All 3 ProgramsVolunteering Journeys
Sea turtle and marine conservation volunteer abroad projects are ...
See All 2 ProgramsThe Leap
Costa Rica may be small, but this sun-drenched Central American c...
Universidad LCI Veritas
Universidad Veritas has partnered with the Supportive Immersion I...
A Guide to Gap Year in Costa Rica
Popular locations
Realistically, you could check out any place in Costa Rica and it would be worth it...but where are the best places to take a gap year abroad?
San Jose. Check out the capital of Costa Rica for modern amenities built upon old spanish colonial foundations. San Jose is hugged with mountains and volcanoes all around and sits near the center of the country, perfect for settling down into a home base for your gap year program in Costa Rica and traveling around to the rest of the pristine lands all around. There are several universities located in the city that can help you solidify your conservational understanding of Spanish.
Monteverde. Escape to Monteverde for your gap year abroad if you want to be caressed by rolling hills of lush tropical forests, clean air, and a chance to escape from the modern world. Monteverde is a portal to all things adventure travel and ecotourism. Though not as cramped as a city, Monteverde still attracts many visitors each year. Find a job working here in sustainability, environmental research, tourism, hospitality, or wildlife conservation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Popular places for gap years in Costa Rica are San Jose, La Fortuna, and Monteverde. However, with so much to do in Costa Rica, you can find a fun and fulfilling gap year experience almost anywhere.
The cheapest time of year in Costa Rica is shoulder season, typically from May-August and November-December. During this time, weather is more rainy and less agreeable. Tourist high season is December-April.
To stay in Costa Rica for one year, you'll need a digital nomad visa. In order to qualify for the visa, you need to prove that you have a stable monthly income of at least $3000 USD/month.
Gap year students in Costa Rica have many activities available to them. You can explore environmental projects, volunteering, scuba diving, Spanish immersion, and much more.
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September 5, 2025




















