Costa Rica

Discover peace, nature and pura vida!
Whatsapp or call us on +506 8715 8415 between 3pm and 10pm to speak with the team.

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Stunning Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls, lakes and islands, Costa Rica is an uber environment-friendly country with a strong commitment to preserving natural resources. Costa Ricans tend to be proud, friendly and diverse people who enjoy sharing their culture and social activities with newcomers. Pura vida (enjoying life) is the national motto. Costa Rica does not have a national military, which demonstrates just how much Costa Ricans value democracy, peace and political freedom.

Young people here enjoy the movies, dancing and visiting each other’s homes. Sports are very popular, especially soccer. Don’t miss out on local carnivals and festivals—they will be a great opportunity to soak in local culture with new friends!

The team at AFS Costa Rica are looking forward to discussing the programmes with you and can be called or Whatsapp’d on +506 8715 8415 between 3pm and 10pm.

Alternatively enquire now and we’ll call you back.

Hosting

There are two hosting possibilities in Costa Rica. You could be living with a host family, where you would share day-to-day life with a local family, learn the language, traditions, sounds and flavours in the most natural and pure way. This way of building a bond with new people and carrying them in your heart is priceless. The second option is to live in your project’s facilities. The projects are usually located in isolated areas, surrounded by tropical forests and the diverse flora and fauna that Costa Rica has to offer. Either way, you will be able to connect with the traditions and nature.

Weather and Geography

First of all: welcome to the tropics. Costa Rica has two seasons, the dry season that lasts three months and the rainy season that runs for nine. And in the tropics when it rains it’s a serious thing, so be sure that you bring the right clothing, shoes and protection for both the hot and the rainy days. This weather is what allows Costa Rica to have such a rich geography: beaches, valleys, volcanoes and peaks to hike. A variety of flora thanks to the wet and the dry tropical forest, both of them very present in the country. When you travel inside the country you will be able to see all of this, even if you are moving within a range of 50 or 70 miles.

Language

Spanish is the primary language spoken in Costa Rica, and some people also speak English very well. You don’t have to know Spanish before the program, but having a basic knowledge of Spanish or English will be helpful.

Food

Potatoes, eggs, corn, rice and beans, and dairy products are staples of the Costa Rican diet. Meat or fish may not be included in some meals throughout the week. You will also find a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and fruit juices.

Let AFS guide your intercultural adventure

Go abroad with AFS to discover who you really are, make new lifetime friendships and immerse yourself in a fascinating intercultural experience.
The Global Competence Certificate

The Global Competence Certificate (GCC) program will support your intercultural learning experience. This state-of-the-art program prepares you to successfully navigate new cultural environments—during your experience and long after you finish the program. Online intercultural learning modules combined with in-person sessions help you develop practical and global skills, knowledge and attitudes that employers need and mission-driven organizations believe will help achieve their social impact goals. You will receive your certification upon completion of the training program.

Explore the Programs Available in Costa Rica