Outward Bound Costa Rica
Vitals
- GYA Accredited Since: Unaccredited by the GYA. Please see the Standards for more information.
- COVID-19 Plans: In-person only
- Enrolling:
Yes - App Deadline:
- Next Available Departure? Feb, 2020
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Mission Statement:
Outward Bound Costa Rica inspires a lifetime of leadership, growth, and a commitment to serve through adventure-based learning programs. Since 1994, led by highly skilled and safety-conscious staff, we have delivered experiential education courses, utilizing Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua’s tropical rivers, reefs, and rainforests to help participants discover their hidden potential, and move beyond what they thought possible.
- Level of Independence/Supervision (mouse-over for definition):
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Attachments
Program Locations
Typical Itinerary
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W e e k 1 |
Depart to cross the Panama border. Take a boat taxi across Caribbean waters to your picturesque island home in the archipelago of Bocas del Toro. Settle in, cook a delicious dinner, and watch the warm sherbet sun set over the waters. | Take a morning theory course in scuba diving, learn about the equipment, and take your first lesson in a shallow water setting. Boat out to your first dive location to see spectacular tropical coral reefs and colorful fish. | Continue to build on your diving skills as you glide and explore new coral reefs, sunken catamarans and shipwrecks. If you are already certified, earn your advanced certification by completing special dives including a compass navigation dive. | In the morning, spend time meeting & playing soccer with the school kids next door to your island home. Discover more about their day-to-day life while putting your Spanish to the test. Scuba dive in the afternoon & practice responding to visual commands. | Take your practical & written exam toward earning your scuba diver certification. Enjoy a celebratory bioluminescent night snorkel or dive—waving your hands and gliding through the waters as thousands of magical bioluminescent lights illuminate your path. | Cruise to a local limestone cave filled with stalactite and stalagmite formations. Swim and explore while learning about this unique ecosystem. Make a stop at Sloth Island for guaranteed sloth sightings. | Return back to our San Ramón de Tres Ríos rainforest base in Costa Rica to clean gear, relax, repack and prepare for the next phase of course. |
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W e e k 2 |
Grow your confidence in speaking to locals, and then, give back to the environment on much needed service projects. These projects will be dependent on the current need, but may include trail and greenhouse maintenance or planting new trees. | Depart early to your hiking expedition trailhead. Then, begin your “far from the tourist route” trek as you pass through the spectacular mountains of Costa Rica’s southwestern highlands. Arrive at your campsite. | Continue rainforest trekking as you drop in elevation and notice the changes in the flora and fauna of the forest. Arrive at Tinamu Rainforest Eco Lodge where a breathtaking mountain view and local family welcomes you. | Wake early for a thrilling waterfall rappel challenge. Later, local host family members will teach you how to process sugar using a trapiche—a method used to traditionally process raw sugarcane stalks. | Meet the driver for your group at the exit point for a short ride away to our Manuel Antonio beach base. Begin the surfing and lifeguarding phase of your program across a series of beaches on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. | Spend the day learning to surf and relax at the spectacular white sand beach that has been named one of the top 10 tropical beaches in the world. | Learn the skills & knowledge needed to prevent & respond to aquatic emergencies in both pools & waterfront settings such as open water areas found at public parks, resorts, summer camps, & more. Earn your Lifeguarding with Waterfront Module cert. |
The two Gap Year options offered by Outward Bound Costa Rica run each Fall and Spring. To view the full program itineraries visit the links below:
Outdoor Leader Semester (65-days): https://bit.ly/OLSgap
Coast to Coast Expedition (85-days): https://bit.ly/C2Cgap
Peer Reviews
Program Details
- Program Starts: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
- Program Duration: Less than 2 months, Semester, Yearlong
- Program Cost: $9,770 - $11,977
- Program Financial Aid: Yes
- Other Financial Aid Details:
Outward Bound Costa Rica offers partial scholarships to eligible students who demonstrate a financial need as well as a strong desire to attend one of their programs. To apply for this scholarship, request an application by emailing Enrollment@OutwardBoundCR.org.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Scuba dive, raft, surf, hike & explore Costa Rica & Panama
- 5-7 internationally-recognized certifications
- Earn 10-12 academic credits
- Gain valuable life skills
- Strengthen your Spanish skills through immersion with locals and formal instruction
- Expanding your self confidence
- Discover your capabilities and passions
You do not have to be an athlete or in peak physical condition to attend an Outward Bound Costa Rica (OBCR) course, but you do have to mentally prepare to take on the challenges you will experience. The courses aren’t for leisurely vacationers. You will be challenged, but you will walk away with knowledge and experience that you will take with you the rest of your life.
We believe that the development of leadership skills, service experience, self-esteem and self-confidence is paramount for students and adults to thrive—in the classroom, in the workplace, in their family and in the world.
OBCR courses encourage participants to value each other’s strengths and differences and to live, work, and learn as a team. The program provides opportunities for individuals to challenge themselves and to succeed.
Staff Training and Certification
Our instructors are the heart and soul of every course; their leadership, talents, certifications, and insights guide each participant to become the best version of themselves. We will always have two instructors on course no matter the size, with at least one instructor Wilderness First Responder certified.
Outward Bound has been a leader in wilderness safety and risk management for 70+ years worldwide. Outward Bound Costa Rica courses are regularly reviewed and audited by Outward Bound International and by our Board Safety Committee—a group from our Board of Advisors with professional training in safety, risk analysis and management. This helps us to proactively identify and assess potential hazards, as well as areas of commendation.