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GLA Costa Rica - Volunteer Programs for Teens

by: Global Leadership Adventures

9.78 (45)Verified

Travel to Costa Rica and make a difference in a subject area you are passionate about! Choose from program themes ranging from Public Health and Medicine to Animal and Wildlife Conservation to Language Immersion and everything in between. GLA's offerings include: - Animal Rescue & Veterinary Project - Beachside Service Adventure - Marine Conservation & Sea Turtle Expedition™ - The Ultimate Advent...

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Program Highlights

Explore Costa Rica and discover where the Atlantic and Pacific ecosystems meet.

Carry out volunteering activities alongside experts or people from local communities.

Engage in exhilarating activities, from ziplining through lush valleys to whitewater rafting!

Spend time on Costa Rica's relaxing beaches.

Learn more about Tico culture through dance or cooking classes, arts workshops, and from our dedicated local staff.

Quick Details

Locations
  • Arenal, Costa Rica
Availability
Year(s) Offered2025, 2026Duration:
  • 1-2 Weeks
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • Summer
  • Alternative Spring Break
Age Requirement:14-17
Types & Subjects:
  • Animal Welfare
  • Building & Construction Projects
  • Community Development
  • Conservation
  • Culture
  • See more
Guidelines:
  • American
  • European
  • Canadian
  • Australian
  • South African
See all program details

Recognitions

GoAbroad Innovation Awards 2024 Finalist -	Volunteer Abroad ProgramInnovative Volunteer Abroad Program 2023 FinalistInnovative New Program – Intern Abroad Finalist 2022

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about the programs

Overall Rating

9.75

Total Reviews

45

Best 10 days

by: Austin Cartagena - United StatesProgram: GLA Costa Rica - Volunteer Programs for Teens
10

My experience with GLA made me more globally aware and makes me want to volunteer within my community more. I believe everyone should have a once in a lifetime experience like this one and I'm eternally grateful for this gift. Thank you GLA!!!!!

Best 10 days

by: Austin Cartagena - United StatesProgram: GLA Costa Rica - Volunteer Programs for Teens
10

My experience with GLA made me more globally aware and makes me want to volunteer within my community more. I believe everyone should have a once in a lifetime experience like this one and I'm eternally grateful for this gift. Thank you GLA!!!!!

Amazing staff throughout each extremely supportive and great people!

by: Wyatt M. Program: GLA Costa Rica - Volunteer Programs for Teens
9

Amazing staff throughout each extremely supportive and great people! I grew to be more social and to understand what it meant to be a leader to peers. My favorite was the plastics documentary as it taught me about how recycling actually relates to real life and how disorganized anti plastic companies really are. The resume workshop felt brief and we were not able to make a resume, but still good info to get.

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Arenal, Costa Rica

Types and Subjects

  • Focus Areas
  • Community Service & Volunteering
  • Experiential Learning
  • Language Immersion

Availability

Years Offered: 2025, 2026

Duration:
  • 1-2 Weeks
  • 1-2 Weeks
  • 2-4 Weeks

Age Requirement

14-17

Guidelines

  • American
  • European
  • Canadian
  • Australian

Program Cost Includes

  • Tuition & Fees
  • Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
  • All Program Activity Costs
  • Medical / Accident Insurance

Accommodation Options

  • Group living

Qualifications & Experience

  • Some high school, no diploma
  • High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (for example: GED)

Application Procedures

  • Physical Exam/Health Records
  • Online Application
  • Essay

Interviews

Read interviews from alumni or staff

Brittany Randles

Participated in 2014

Alumni

I love to travel but have never been out of the U.S. until I decided to go abroad with Global Leadership Adventures. I wanted to volunteer more than just locally. I wanted to learn what this world has to offer!

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Lindsay Goddard

Participated in 2016

Alumni

Travel has been a big part of my life since I was young, and volunteering is a passion of mine, so when my best friend showed me her GLA catalog, I knew I had to try it out.

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