Adventure, Challenge, and Growth… Designed Around Your Goals
Custom Programs
Custom courses are perfect for...
Groups
Teams
& Family
Troops
Teams
Experience Costa Rica In A Way That’s Uniquely Yours
No two groups are exactly alike, and your program shouldn’t be either.
At Outward Bound Costa Rica, we partner with schools, universities, youth organizations, athletic teams, businesses, community groups, and families to create customized experiences that meet the unique needs of your participants. Whether you’re looking to develop leadership, strengthen teamwork, build resilience, deepen connections, or simply share an unforgettable adventure, we’ll design a program that aligns with your goals.
Our experienced team will work with you to create a meaningful experience rooted in challenge, discovery, and experiential learning, all set against the backdrop of Costa Rica’s extraordinary landscapes, culture, and biodiversity.
Built For You
Every custom program is tailored to your group’s needs, interests, schedule, and desired outcomes.
Together, we’ll design an experience that may include:
- Backpacking & Trekking
- Sea Kayaking
- Community Engagement Experiences
- Environmental & Sustainability Learning
- Leadership Development
- Team Building Initiatives
- Cultural Immersion
- Service Projects
- Outdoor Skills Training
- Challenge Courses & Expedition Experiences
Programs can range from a few days to several weeks and can be adapted for different ages, abilities, and experience levels.
Why Outward Bound Costa Rica?
At Outward Bound Costa Rica, adventure is more than recreation. It’s a powerful tool for learning and growth.
Through shared challenges and meaningful experiences, participants develop confidence, resilience, leadership skills, and stronger connections with one another and the world around them. Our programs are led by experienced staff and grounded in decades of expertise in experiential education and risk management.
From cloud forests and rainforests to coastlines and local communities, Costa Rica becomes more than a destination. It becomes a classroom for discovery.
Start Planning Your Program
Our team will work closely with you from the initial conversation through program delivery to ensure your experience reflects your group’s goals, needs, and vision—partnering together to ensure the safety and enrichment of participants as they experience Central America’s wildlife, rivers, beaches, volcanoes, rainforests, and unique culture.
Whether you have a clear plan or are just beginning to explore possibilities, we’d love to help create an unforgettable experience for your group.
Contact our Custom Programs & Partnerships Manager at
[email protected]
Nature, fresh air, new, exciting and adrenaline filled adventures. No visit to Central America is complete without them! These outdoor activities will help you build confidence, resilience, empathy and embrace being outside of your comfort zone. Not only will you learn more about yourself, you will develop life and leadership skills along the way.
Hike/Trek
- Rainforest Hike
- Wilderness Solo
- Eco, Wildlife & Cultural Tours
- Volcano Hike
- Camping or Homestay
Water Sports
- Surf & Boogieboard
- Whitewater Raft
- Sea Kayak
- Scuba Dive
- Snorkel
- Wakeboard
Climb/Ropes/Height
- Tree Climb
- Zipline Canopy Tour
- Rock Climb
- Waterfall Rappel
Create a positive impact and gain a cross-cultural perspective through one of our meaningful volunteer projects. We work alongside local communities, helping them to increase access to education, improve infrastructure, and conserve the natural world around us.
Community Service
Previous projects include building and painting schools, creating sustainable fresh water systems, creating playground equipment for schools and other infrastructure related activities.
Sea Turtle Conservation
Work alongside local conservationists to help protect sea turtle populations during the nesting and hatching season.
Reforestation & Environmental Initiatives
Plant trees and help with the trail maintenance of a natural reserve or clean-up a major waterway.
We offer training opportunities for participants who want to increase their knowledge and abilities in the outdoors, leadership development, and Latin American culture. We partner with leading outdoor education organizations to offer certifications that are internationally recognized. For detailed information about each of the certifications we offer, visit our Certifications page.
Certifications
- NAUI Scuba Diver Basic or Advanced
- Whitewater Raft Guide License Level 2 or 3
- Whitewater Rescue Technician
- Lifeguarding with Waterfront Module
- CPR for the Professional Rescuer (BLS)
- Wilderness First Responder
- Wilderness Advanced First Aid
- Recreational Rappel Operator
- Basic First Aid & CPR/AED
Personal & Professional Development
- Leadership Skills
- Teambuilding
- Self-Reflection Activities
- Project Management
- Confidence and Resilience
Latin American Culture
- Spanish Language
- Costa Rican Cuisine
- Latin Music & Dance
- Indigenous Culture & Traditions
"This course refreshed my love for outdoor recreation and it rekindled my interest in outdoor education."
Custom Course Alum
“It’s a vacation that is mind altering, life altering, and a dream you never want to wake up from. We will never take a ‘regular vacation’ again!”
Custom Course Alum
“At night we had meetings where our instructors asked us questions. We always answered very honestly, and it usually turned into a very emotional moment. So it was emotional challenging, and we all had to be very honest about ourselves, but I think as a group we all got closer together and I feel like our class dynamic is different now. It was a special moment that I think we all appreciate.”
Custom Course Alum
“This experience is a ton of fun activities with amazing people, in an awesome country. I learned that I definitely need to take the time to go see the world.”
Custom Course Alum
"All the staff were incredibly welcoming and supportive and so enthusiastic. I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to have this experience as an adult because I never did as a kid. I have the life experience to understand what a transformative experience this is for every participant young and old. Thank you!"
Custom Course Alum
"I learned that I can do so much more than I thought and that I definitely have things to work and improve on. I have a different outlook on life than I did before.”
Custom Course Alum
CUSTOM COURSE FAQS
The pricing of a Custom Course is dependent upon the number of participants, type of activities and number of days on course. Once you have an idea of participant numbers, length, and dates for your course, send us an inquiry and we will give you a quote. Insurance (health and travel), personal expenses, airfare and baggage fees are not included in total cost.
Our groups usually reserve their course dates 6-9 months in advance—some even start planning 2 years prior to the course, however we can adapt to any required timeline. For summer courses, we prefer advance notice as it is our busiest time of year, but we will work with your schedule. Course deposits are due 90 days before and full tuition is due 30 days prior to course start date.
As soon as your group confirms the final itinerary and starts enrolling online, you will receive a customized Packing List. It compiles a list of fundamental gear for the activities included in your course, what OBCR provides, and items not allowed on course.
If participants will be arriving separately, it is best to try and plan flights that have similar arrival times. That way, we can arrange to pick them up together without having anyone wait around too long in the airport. That said, on Day 1 of the course, we are able to arrange ground transportation from the airport at any time of day.
If anyone is arriving before Day 1 of course, we ask that they arrange their own transportation to the airport, and we will pick them up there on the first day of the course.
Our certified and professional instructors will lead all aspects of the course. Chaperones contribute in a number of ways to ease group dynamics, enhance teaching moments, improve participant time management, and assist instructors as needed. On course, we empower all participants to lead and take responsibility by assigning them rotating tasks each day. We ask group leaders, accompanying parents and/or chaperones to understand and support our educational models. Chaperones and instructors will meet on course arrival to discuss the roles each will take on course.