Choose your Summer 2026 Program!
| Support local educational initiatives in the Central Valley town of Atenas and navigate the lush rainforests of Arenal while experiencing the authentic 'Pura Vida' culture of Costa Rica. From verified community service projects and local homestays to rainforest ziplining and Pacific coast surfing, our Community Service & Eco-Adventure offers a high-impact, staff-led journey for high school students aged 14–18.
Immerse yourself in the best of both worlds with a program that blends meaningful community service with thrilling eco-adventures. Your journey begins in Atenas, a traditional town in the Central Highlands, where mornings are dedicated to earning 23.5 certified service hours through impactful local projects. Beyond the service core, you’ll transition into high-adrenaline exploration: from the majestic Arenal Volcano and its cascading waterfalls to the exotic Pacific coast. Navigating whitewater rapids and surfing tropical breaks, you will move beyond the role of a tourist to discover Costa Rica’s world-renowned commitment to environmental harmony and sustainable tourism. Supported by our expert directors and a secure "Group Bubble," this is the ultimate balance of hands-on stewardship and tropical discovery.
Program Location: Atenas, La Fortuna (Arenal), Jacó Beach, & Manuel Antonio National Park
Eligibility: 13-18 years of age
Group Size: Typical cohort of 8–12 participants (Min: 5 / Max: 15)
Community Service: 21 - 23.5 hours (total hours completed can be affected by weather or other unforeseen circumstances)
Focus: Community Service, Eco-Adventure & Cultural Discovery
Activity Level: Moderate. Includes hiking, rafting, and manual service projects
Accommodation: Vetted Homestay (2-3 students per home) & Boutique Hotels
Arrival & Departure Airport: SJO (San Jose International Airport)
Room & Board | Onsite Director & 24/7 Support | Community Service | Excursions | Cultural Activities | Airport Transfers | International Medical Insurance
8:00 AM: Traditional breakfast with your host family.
9:00 AM: Community Service Core: Hands-on projects at local schools, nature parks or community centers.
1:00 PM: Authentic Tico lunch at your homestay or project site.
2:30 PM: Cultural Immersion: (Ex. Traditional Costa Rican cooking class)
6:30 PM: Dinner and cultural exchange with your host family.
9:00 PM: Curfew and evening reflection.
7:30 AM: Group breakfast at hotel.
9:00 AM: Active Core: Ziplining through the Arenal canopy or surf lessons on the Pacific Coast.
1:30 PM: Lunch included during the activity or at a Costa Rican soda.
3:00 PM: Ecological Discovery: Hiking the La Fortuna Waterfall trails or exploring the biodiversity of the Pacific coast.
7:00 PM: Group dinner and reflection time to discuss the day's highlights.
At the center of the Costa Rica expedition is a commitment to Stewardship. Students don’t just visit Costa Rica; they contribute to its world-renowned reputation for environmental and social harmony, moving from the role of a tourist to that of a global citizen.
Community-Led Impact in Atenas: Mornings are dedicated to hands-on service in the town of Atenas. Working alongside local leaders, students engage in projects ranging from school infrastructure improvements to environmental restoration, gaining a direct introduction to the Tico way of life.
Trail Restoration: Students work on vital trail maintenance and reforestation projects within private nature reserves like Puente Mulas. This service helps preserve the migratory corridors for sloths, toucans, and the region's diverse wildlife.
Cross-Cultural Exchange: A deep dive into the "Pura Vida" philosophy through cultural exchanges with local students. Living with vetted host families in Atenas, participants move beyond tourism to build genuine global connections.
While our morning service projects provide the purpose, our afternoon and weekend excursions provide the context. We venture beyond the classroom to experience the ecological diversity and cultural heartbeat of the "Pura Vida" lifestyle.
Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna Waterfall: A journey into the northern highlands to witness the power of a dormant volcano and hike through lush rainforest to swim at the base of a 200-foot cascading waterfall and Zipline through the rainforest canopy.
Jaco Beach & Manuel Antonio National Park: Surf the waves of Jacó Beach with expert instructors. Then head to Manuel Antonio for an overnight excursion to explore of one of the world’s most biodiverse coastal reserves inside of the national park, where tropical rainforest meets white-sand Pacific beaches, home to sloths, monkeys, and exotic birds.
Whitewater Rafting: A high-energy expedition navigating Class II and III whitewater rapids on a tropical river, requiring teamwork and communication while surrounded by untouched riverine ecology and wildlife.
Latin Dance & Rhythmic Heritage: A professional workshop in Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata that provides a rhythmic window into the social traditions of Atenas.
Traditional Tico Culinary Arts: A hands-on dive into Costa Rican heritage, mastering iconic recipes like Gallo Pinto and empanadas with local experts.
Artistic Expression & Community Workshop: Collaboration with local artisans to explore Costa Rican folk art and traditional techniques, fostering a deeper connection to the creative spirit of the region.
Since this program has a unique "hybrid" housing model (Homestays + Hotels), the "What's Included" section needs to be very clear about the transitions.
Certified Service Hours: Students earn 21 to 23.5 hours of community service through hands-on projects in Atenas. Every participant receives an official Arcos certificate of completion for their school or college portfolio.
The 'Best of Both Worlds' Housing: Experience the cultural warmth of vetted homestays in the friendly town of Atenas, followed by secure, boutique hotels and eco-lodges during our expeditions to Arenal and the Pacific Coast.
All-Access Adventure Pass: All activity fees are included—from the La Fortuna Waterfall entrance and Arenal Hot Springs to our professional White Water Rafting expedition and Surf Coaching in Jacó.
Professional Gear & Instruction: We provide all technical equipment for our adventures, including high-quality surfboards, life jackets, helmets, and rafting gear, all overseen by certified local guides.
National Park Exploration: Guided treks through Manuel Antonio National Park, where the rainforest meets the white sand beaches, including all entry permits and expert wildlife spotting.
Pura Vida Dining: Every meal is included—from home-cooked Tico breakfasts with your host family to beachfront lunches and celebratory dinners at our favorite local "sodas."
Not Included: Round-trip airfare to San José (SJO) and personal spending money for souvenirs or additional snacks.
At Arcos Journeys, our safety protocols are designed to provide students with the freedom to explore while maintaining a high level of professional oversight. In Costa Rica, this involves a specialized approach to both our mountain home-base and our mobile adventure circuit.
Our programs utilize a 'Group Bubble' model, where students reside in hand-picked, vetted local homestays and hotels. This allows for 24/7 professional supervision by our veteran directors. For all technical activities—including whitewater rafting and ziplining—we partner exclusively with certified outfitters who adhere to international safety standards. All regional travel between Atenas, La Fortuna, and the Pacific Coast is conducted via private, air-conditioned transport dedicated solely to our group.
In Atenas, students are placed in pairs within a long-standing network of trusted families. These homes are vetted for safety and hygiene, providing an authentic and secure "home base" for cultural immersion and three home-cooked meals a day. For this program, we place our students near the Atenas centro as it is most convenient for the planned activities.
With over 20 years of experience managing international student travel, our headquarters team in Austin, Texas maintains a rigorous 24/7 safety net for every participant. Experienced on-site directors are available around the clock in case of emergency. Trained in comprehensive health and safety protocols, our headquarters and on-site leadership provide a direct line of communication for parents, ensuring expert guidance and support is always a phone call away.
Every student is covered by a premium international medical insurance policy with Cigna Global. We have established relationships with nearby hospitals such as Hospital CIMA in Escazú to ensure immediate care if needed. For more local medical attention there are two clinics in Atenas; Linea Vital, a private clinic, and CCSS Clinic Atenas; EBAIS Los Angeles, the public clinic.
Our headquarters team and on-site Program Directors provide a seamless, high-support arrival and departure experience in San José (SJO) with transfers to and from Atenas, about a 35-45 minutes drive away. From real-time flight monitoring and professional airport transfers to direct WhatsApp communication with parents and students, every aspect of your transit is supervised by our veteran staff to ensure a safe, coordinated journey from the moment you land until your final departure home.
Born and raised in the heart of Atenas, María Laura—known as "Lau"—provides our students with an insider’s bridge to the Costa Rican community. With a degree in Hotel Management and a professional background as a Director of Human Resources, she brings a unique blend of "Pura Vida" warmth and executive-level logistical precision to every expedition. Having managed high-stakes teams at international brands like the Waldorf Astoria, Lau ensures our "Group Bubble" is secure, organized, and culturally authentic. A passionate advocate for nature and conservation, she loves guiding students through the hidden gems of the highlands. Whether coordinating service projects at the local Montessori school or navigating the Pacific Coast, Lau’s mission is to provide a safe, immersive experience that reflects the true soul of her home country.
"I love kids, so volunteering at the Montessori school in Atenas was the absolute highlight of my summer. I originally chose the trip for the ziplining and the beach, but I left feeling like I actually made a tangible difference and became part of a Tico (Costa Rican) family." — Milo, 11th Grade, Madison West High School, Madison, WI
"The balance of this program is perfect if you want to have adventure but also give back to the community. Having our amazing Director, Lau, there to guide us made a huge difference. She handled all of the logistics and was always there for us for whatever we needed." — Evelyn M., 10th Grade, Portland High School, Portland, OR
"I needed service hours for my graduation requirements, but I got so much more than that. Living with a host family in Atenas pushed me to use my Spanish in a real way, and the whitewater rafting finale was the most exhilarating thing I’ve ever done." — Emerson, 12th Grade, Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill, NC
No prior Spanish fluency is required. While our home-base in Atenas provides an incredible environment for language practice, our projects are designed to be accessible to all levels. Director Lau and our bilingual staff are always on hand to facilitate communication, ensuring that your contribution to the community is meaningful and your interactions with host families are seamless.
Our host families are the heart of the Atenas experience and are part of a long-standing, hand-selected network. Each home is rigorously vetted for safety, comfort, and the family’s ability to provide a nurturing environment. Even though students stay in local homes, the "Group Bubble" remains intact; students travel together for all projects and excursions, and our Directors are available 24/7.
Yes. Upon successful completion of the program, Arcos Journeys Abroad provides an official letter of Service documenting your hours of community impact. We plan for 23.5 service hours. This letter details your work at the Super Kids Montessori school and other local initiatives, making it a professional asset for high school graduation requirements and college applications.
