Where We Travel

Costa Rica

Overview Program Details Itinerary FAQs Related Stories

About Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a rugged, rain-forested, peaceful Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific. With roughly a quarter of its area made up of protected jungle, Costa Rica has some of the most bio-diverse ecosystems on earth.

During this program, Global Glimpse goes beyond Costa Rica’s natural beauty to focus on conservation and environmental justice; critical issues for the health and sustainability of our planet, and Costa Ricans living in one of the most biodiverse countries on earth. As students engage in meaningful service and immersion, we’ll ask them to explore the intersections of culture, history, environmental sustainability, and economic growth and support them to define their own purpose and vision for a better world.

Sample Itinerary Highlights:

Explore historical landmarks and participate in local music, dance and cooking activities.
Visit local farms to understand sustainable farming practices.
Spend the day with host families, create lasting bonds through cooking and storytelling.
Enjoy outdoor adventures such as hikes to beautiful waterfalls.
Collaborate with local schools or organizations on a Community Action Project.

Program Resources

How to Apply Cost & Scholarships Our Program Model Safety & Risk Management

Costa Rica Program By the Numbers

Student smiling and looking at someone off camera

“Traveling to Costa Rica was powerful in so many ways. Experiencing people from a different culture both the people in our group and in the local community. Also the environmental justice seminars and wealth of knowledge we were offered. Being in such a biodiverse area, the healthy food, and the positive people boosted my mental health immensely as well. It was life-changing.”

Sophie Slaghekke

Glimpser, 2024

“Thank you so much! Our daughter and we as a family had an incredible experience with Global Glimpse. When we picked her from the airport she was eager to share her great adventures and experiences on her trip to Costa Rica. Our daughter would love to keep in touch with this wonderful program as an alumni ambassador at her high school next year!”

Kersten & Gregory

Parents of 2024 Glimpser

Students walking through jungle in Costa Rica

“I created amazing bonds and I learned so many things in Costa Rica. I found a passion for the betterment of the environment and I learned what kind of impact I want to leave on the world. Every day is filled with so many life lessons and lifelong memories.I wish I could go back.”

Sabrina Palacio-Medina

Glimpser, 2024

Costa Rica Program Details

Our programs in Costa Rica take place in safe, vibrant locations that provide our students with genuine, authentic experiences and immersion in daily life beyond the beaten path.

About Turrialba

Turrialba is a small town located on the hillsides of the province of Cartago. It is located only 1.5 hours away from the capital and it offers the perfect mix of immersion, community engagement, and flavor of real Costa Rica. Locals call it “Turri,” or the “capital of the world” and they are very proud of their natural resources and roots. A quiet town, Turrialba with its charming street corners and gorgeous surrounding sceneries is among the few places in Costa Rica with direct access to a volcano’s crater. From the summit of the volcano, on a clear day, you can see the Irazú, Poás and Barva volcanoes in the distance. Turri is surrounded by sugar and coffee plantations and has a deep connection to farming and sustainable agriculture practices.

Culture

People from Turri are known not only for their natural resources and popular adventure activities but also for their welcoming hearts. They are very open to visitors and are always happy to share a cup of coffee and stories of their lives. Turri offers the perfect combination of a small city and a big enough town to go beyond the natural beauty of Costa Rica and explore the complexities of life in a developing country.

2025 Trip Dates

All trips are 11 days long.

Turrialba 1A: June 6 – June 16
San Francisco Bay Area

Turrialba 2A: June 16 – June 26
San Francisco Bay Area

Turrialba 3A: June 17 – June 27
Chicago

Turrialba 1B: June 27 – July 7
New York

Turrialba 2B: July 1 – July 11
Massachusetts

Turrialba 3B: July 3 – July 13
Los Angeles

Turrialba 1C: July 11 – July 21
San Francisco Bay Area

Turrialba 2C: July 17 – July 27
New York

Turrialba 3C: July 18 – July 28
Chicago

Turrialba 1D: July 28 – August 7
San Francisco Bay Area

Turrialba 2D: August 1 – August 11
Massachusetts

Turrialba 3D: August 11 – August 21
New York

Our 11-day international trips are open to motivated high school juniors who want to learn more about their world.

How to Apply

Sample Costa Rica Itinerary

Each of our programs is a unique experience that is built on a carefully considered set of program components. Because each country and city has its own unique cultural and physical landscape, the emphasis of each component varies. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary for our Turrialba, Costa Rica program.

Day 1

Arrival to Costa Rica

Students are met by Global Glimpse staff at the airport in San José and then travel by private bus through the mountainside to Turrialba. They arrive at their group accommodation, get settled, and attend our Hotel Orientation where they are introduced to our dedicated accommodations provider and staff before enjoying their first Costa Rican “cena” or dinner. Before bed, they have their first nightly meeting to discuss the day’s events and prepare for the next day!

Day 2

Welcome & Orientation

Students begin the day with a Culture and Safety Orientation and team-building activities. They get to know their Global Glimpse Program Coordinators and together take a walking tour around the city they’ll get to know over the next 10 days, learning about the most important history of the town and places where members of the local community frequently spend their time. They may even spot some local wildlife like a Sloth. Students close the day with a discussion about how history impacts the present and prepare for the next day.

Day 3

Environment & Culture

Students spend the morning exploring the Central Market of Cartago, one of the best-organized markets in Costa Rica. For lunch, students eat their first “casado,” a delicious typical Costa Rican staple composed of white rice, black beans, plantains, and meat (optional), accompanied by a salad and a tortilla. In the afternoon, students experience elements of Costa Rican culture through music and dance and then head to “Las Trillizas,” a waterfall nestled in the forests of Turrialba, where students take a hike through nature and cool off in the refreshing water. This adventure not only provides a fun outdoor activity but also fosters an appreciation for the conservation efforts that preserve Turrialba’s natural landscapes.

Day 4

Global and Local Business

Students wake up early and take a trip to a local coffee farm for an in-depth look at the cultivation and production of high-quality coffee in a region known for its rich soil and favorable climate. They learn about the vital role that coffee plays in the community’s economy and its impact on the daily lives of Turrialba’s residents. This experience highlights the sustainable practices employed to protect the environment and support local livelihoods, a thread that is continued in the afternoon when students partake in a tour of a local, family-owned dairy farm, to learn about the entire process of producing sustainable cheese, from the different breeds of cows, their needs, the milking process, and sampling delicious cheese. At the end of the day, students reflect on the effects of globalization on the local economy and culture of families and workers in the community.

Day 5

Aid & Development

Students are introduced to the partner organization that they will be working with on their service-learning project and spend the day understanding the mission of the organization and the needs they are addressing. The students then participate in a workshop to discuss how they will design and deliver their project in partnership with the local organization. They are then introduced to a community partner whose work supports social and economic sustainability in rural communities. Through their discussion, students gain insight into the key factors of sustainable community development. In the afternoon, they break up into small focus groups to interview community members to identify community needs and resources to support the Community Action Project (CAP).

Day 6

Community Day

On this day, students experience and share a full day in the life of a family in the Turrialba community. Through partaking in daily household chores, such as collaboratively cooking a meal of tortillas and cheese, they build powerful relationships with local families who open their homes to small groups of students, each with a student interpreter to guide the conversation. In the evening students reflect as a group on what makes the heart and soul of a community.

Day 7

Exploring Conservation

On this day, students explore Costa Rica’s renowned biodiversity and conservation efforts. They learn about global initiatives to fight climate change and about Costa Rica’s own successes in reforestation. Discussions with local leaders encourage students to think about the effects of human action on the environment. The day ends with a sunset hike.

Day 8

CAP Day 1

Students prepare and facilitate a panel presentation to the key community members and technical experts of the Community Action Project. Projects range from construction to marketing to event planning and more, but a focus on providing our students with a model for sustainable development and community ownership of the project is our primary concern. The students present how their unique skills can be assets for the project and the community provides feedback on timeline, tools, and materials needed for a successful execution.

Day 9

CAP Day 2

During the final week of the program, students have to work together to deliver their Community Action Project. They learn to delegate roles and responsibilities, manage a budget, and set goals.

Day 10

CAP Day 3

Students work alongside locals to deliver their community action project. They take care of themselves and others, collaboratively building toward a sustainable development project.

Day 11

Closing Reflection

Students have a chance to enjoy their last day in Turrialba and purchase souvenirs for family and friends. Students participate in a structured closing reflection workshop where they reflect on all they have learned and experienced during their GG journey. They have an opportunity to appreciate others for their contributions (GG Leaders, Coordinators, and their peers). They spend time evaluating the program and identifying how they will keep the GG spirit alive back home as Alumni Ambassadors.

Featured Costa Rica Partners &
Service Projects

On our Costa Rica programs students connect with inspiring local leaders and participate in hands-on service learning projects. Check out a few examples below.

Featured Projects

Covered Outdoor Pavilion

Students engaged in a service project to construct a covered outdoor pavilion for a local school in Turrialba, Costa Rica, significantly enhancing the school’s facilities. This new pavilion serves as a versatile space for school events, providing shelter and a communal area for various activities. During recess, students enjoy a shaded, safe environment to gather, play, and socialize, promoting a sense of community and well-being.

Featured Projects

Vegetable Garden

Students participated in a service project to create a space for an outdoor vegetable garden for a local school contributing to the school’s sustainability efforts and hands-on learning experiences. This garden serves as a living classroom where students can engage in practical lessons about agriculture, nutrition, and environmental stewardship. By cultivating various vegetables, the project promotes healthy eating habits and provides fresh produce for the school community.

Meet Karla

A dairy farmer who transformed her family’s farm into a model of sustainable agriculture. By pioneering carbon-neutral milk production and animal-friendly farming practices, Karla teaches our students about environmental conservation and lets them experience the joys of milking her cows and making cheese.

Meet Andrés

A Turrialba native and environmental management expert from the University of Costa Rica, whose insights into the effects of gentrification and legal environmental protections inspire students to critically engage with the challenges of sustainable development.

Meet Memo

A Global Glimpse Program coordinator and ecotourism guide from the small community of Aquiares. With over 20 years of experience, Memo is passionate about sharing his deep knowledge of local flora, fauna, and history with our students.