Costa Rica Youth Exchange, a bona fide adventure in fluency and friendships.

Slowdown. Be yourself. Have fun.

Language confidence thrives when we are open to new people, new outlooks and new challenges. Slow down this summer, take in the breeze and follow toucans in the trees. While toasting tortillas make new friends, laugh, and feel at ease exploring yourself in a holistic place of waterfalls, horses, honey and cheese.

The Costa Rica Youth Exchange. Since 1998, our historic high school summer immersion inspires visiting students to go beyond tourism and experience the intimate village life in the green highlands of Tilaran, Guanacaste.

Hold My Spot

choose 3, 4 or 5 week Sessions - June 12th to August 7th

An open-summer invitation!

Hosted by our high schools / "Youth to Youth" Spanish immersion.
Flexible dates / Make the most of your summer.
Overseas travel Insurance/ in-house family doctor.
Onsite U.S. Director/ individual assistance and support
Family Lodging and Meals / high school host families.
Community Supported / Mayor's Office / Youth Leadership Council

Wholesome teen leadership.

Youth supported - Arts, Music, Dance. Sports.
Active and dynamic local youth leaders.
Ecology, school farms, rural service projects
Healthy, engaging, village life experience.
Beginning to advance Spanish support.
Family friendly, safe, walk-able home town.
Outdoor nearby adventures on our "hammock highway".
Special events with community partners.

Leave your comfort zone - join ours!

"I'm coming back again,
maybe for forever" Andy T.

"Before, I was scared to speak,
now it just feels natural" Emily K.

As a parent, I wanted my son to gain some life
experience on his own, this program gave him a chance to explore and try new things while also nurturing a community connection. Carol M.

I'm not a health nut, but this place makes you feel
as though you are, the good food, outdoors, people are active and you want to be too. Jasmine B.

Between two oceans - the green highlands of Tilaran

Youth-Lab for Community Engagement

On-going Projects:

Art / Music in the community
Peer to Peer sports/games
Outdoor classrooms and gardens
Trail-making between villages
Farms that benefit plant diversity.
Water trails and Monkey habitat

"So, I actually helped to re-design local signs that link each small village, its easy to miss a turn and if you do that, you miss out on meeting all the cool people that live there"