All courses at Outward Bound Costa Rica have been specifically designed to highlight our unique environment and our expertise in experiential education. Through our partnership with Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, we offer a wide array of open enrollment courses for both teens and adults. In addition, Outward Bound Costa Rica offers the ability to customize programs for educational and community groups from Central America and beyond.

The OBCR Advantage

Our Educational Model is based on years of teaching through experiential learning. The pedagogical foundation is one that demands personal reflection, group communication, cultural sensitivity, mental expansion, and physical commitment. Students learn to rely on themselves and each other as they push through long hikes, difficult climbs or whitewater rapids. Service projects and community connection are opportunities to maximize their development as they gain compassion and cultural competency. The absence of computers and cell phones contributes to meaningful interaction and active participation.

We see students coming away from our courses with stronger leadership skills, a greater understanding of the world around them, and having discovered that they are capable of more than they ever thought possible.  

Independent Student Travel

Individual Teen Courses for ages 14-18 range from 7-14 days and can even be combined, so that students can fully explore Costa Rica and Panama and engage in everything from hiking, surfing and scuba diving, to sea turtle conservation, cultural immersion, and community service projects. Our Individual Courses for ages 18+ include the best activities and highlights from our teen courses in a shortened one-week expedition—or a longer one-month reset—tailored specifically for adults.

Our 50 and 65-day Gap Year & Semester courses are designed for ages 18-25 and are held each fall and spring. These courses focus on leadership, outdoor education skills, and international outdoor industry certifications. Courses take place in Costa Rica and Panama. Through our partnership with Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, students interested in Academic Credit are eligible through Outward Bound’s relationship with Western State Colorado University.

Group Trips

We partner with several schools, universities, and groups to design Custom Courses, specifically tailored for their students. These courses can be First Year programs, alternative Spring Break courses, in junction with a course curriculum, Service Learning trips, and more. Some schools have even integrated an Outward Bound Costa Rica course as a part of their curriculum, which students take part in every year!

Our Custom Courses can include outdoor certifications, adventure activities, service projects, and/or a focus on a specific topic, based on students’ interests and educational needs (i.e. Environmental Sciences, Spanish language, Marine Biology, etc.).

For more information, please contact our Custom Courses & Partnerships Manager: [email protected]