Study Abroad in Costa Rica: EdOdyssey Expands Educational Travel Opportunities
Students are perched on smooth rocks in Arenal Volcano National Park, notebooks resting on their knees. The volcano rises above them, enveloped in an early-morning mist. Around the group, leaves of the rainforest rustle and birds call in overlapping pitches. Sunlight begins to pierce through the canopy as they breathe in the scent of soil after an overnight rain and reflect on what climate resilience looks like in real life.
Moments like this capture the power of travel to connect people, place, and purpose.
At EdOdyssey, we’ve long believed that travel changes people — and people change the world. That belief drives everything we do, and it’s why we’re thrilled to share that we’re deepening our presence in Costa Rica, expanding opportunities for students and educators to experience a country that perfectly embodies what meaningful, place-based learning is all about.
This growth means strengthening our local Costa Rica team, broadening community partnerships, and developing new program themes across disciplines like public health, sustainability, and education. It reflects the increasing demand from our school and university partners, and our ongoing commitment to offering high-quality, values-driven programs that connect people, place, purpose, and perspective.
Why Costa Rica
Costa Rica has long been one of EdOdyssey’s most popular destinations for student learning, and for good reason. It’s a country where sustainability and education are woven into daily life, and it’s known for its biodiversity, safety, affordability, and cultural warmth.
Choosing a peaceful existence, Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948, instead investing heavily in education, equality, and environmental stewardship. With over a quarter of its land protected in national parks and reserves, it’s a living laboratory for learning across disciplines.
We recently welcomed our new Program and Partnership Coordinator, Sofía Carillo, on board.
“Costa Rica is a true ‘living classroom’ because sustainability, education, and public health are part of everyday life here,” Sofía said. “Students can learn directly in the rainforest, visit eco-friendly farms, and see how local communities protect nature. They can visit schools to see how values like peace and equality are taught, or explore clinics to understand how universal healthcare focuses on prevention and community well-being.”
Besides being an ideal destination for both high school and university programs, Costa Rica is also remarkably accessible — offering meaningful, high-impact global learning experiences at affordable price points, opening doors for more students than ever before.
“I’ve spent nearly a decade designing and leading programs in Costa Rica,” EdOdyssey’s COO Ben Polansky said. “No place better captures the essence of what experiential education can do. It’s safe, inspiring, and full of people who care deeply about sharing their culture and protecting the planet. Whether it’s a high school introducing students to international travel for the first time or a university designing a global experience around an academic focus like ecology, business, policy, or language, Costa Rica is an ideal destination.”
Born and raised in Cartago, Costa Rica, and a graduate of Sustainable Tourism Management from the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Sofía shared a few words on what partners can expect when they choose her home country:
“In Costa Rica, mornings begin with birdsong and the gentle sound of rain on tin rooftops. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee blends with the scent of damp earth and tropical flowers. Warm, humid air settles softly on the skin as mist rises from the mountains and the rainforest wakes up. Everywhere, shades of green stretch across forests, rolling hills, and colorful homes where locals greet others with a smile. Visitors taste warm gallo pinto, sweet pineapple, and homemade tortillas cooked over a wood fire, offered with genuine warmth.”
Programs that Inspire Across Ages and Disciplines
Our Costa Rica portfolio continues to grow, connecting learning to place through hands-on experience and collaboration with local experts, educators, and communities.
Here, learning happens not in lecture halls, but on forest trails, coffee farms, coastal research stations, and village plazas. Each program reflects the country’s deep respect for community, environment, and cultural exchange.
Recent examples include:
Ecology and Sustainability Expeditions, where students learn alongside local guides, researchers, and NGOs in national parks and reserves. They explore how a significant portion of Costa Rica runs mostly on renewable energy, how communities balance conservation with development, and what it means to live sustainably in a world facing climate change. “Students see how rural communities lead in sustainable living,” Sofía said. “They meet locals, learn about organic farming, conservation, and traditional cooking—not as observers, but as participants.”
Community and Leadership Programs that pair cultural exchange and service-learning, allowing students to engage with communities on projects focused on reforestation, food systems, and social entrepreneurship. In San Ramón de La Virgen de Sarapiquí, for example, a women-led cooperative welcomes students into daily life, offering workshops and shared meals that reflect mutual respect and collaboration. “Our partnerships are immersive and responsible because we work hand-in-hand with communities rather than simply visiting them,” Sofía said. “Students gain real-world learning and a deeper understanding of sustainability and culture, while the community receives respectful support that aligns with their values and goals.”
Public Health and Social Impact Programs, where university students explore how Costa Rica’s widely accessible healthcare system emphasizes prevention and accessibility. Through visits to local clinics, discussions with practitioners, and community health projects, they connect academic learning to real-world application.
Each program balances immersion, reflection, affordability, and safety, and we ensure that students and faculty won’t have to worry about logistics.
What EdOdyssey Brings to Costa Rica
With our expanded team and long-standing partnerships across the country, EdOdyssey provides full-service support for institutions and educators designing programs in Costa Rica. We take care of the details so that faculty and students can focus on what matters most—learning, connecting, and growing.
With our local presence, we can ensure each program is authentic, safe, and tailored to the goals of our partners.
We offer you:
Thoughtful program design aligned with learning outcomes and institutional priorities.
End-to-end logistics including transportation, lodging, meals, registration, and on-site coordination.
Strong, lasting community partnerships built on mutual respect and long-term collaboration.
Comprehensive pre-departure and post-program resources, including reflection tools and impact assessments.
Our approach combines the flexibility of a small, mission-driven organization with the reliability of a trusted global education partner. Across every discipline, programs are intentionally designed to reflect our core values (the 4 Ps): People, Place, Purpose, and Perspective.
What does that look like in practice?
“People are at the heart of every experience,” Sofía said. “Students build genuine relationships with local families and community leaders. Place is not just a destination but something they truly experience—through the rainforest, farms, schools, and small communities. From there comes purpose, as they begin to understand why sustainability, education, and community matter. All of this shapes perspective, allowing them to see the world with more empathy and global awareness.”
Carrying a Legacy Forward
As EdOdyssey expands in Costa Rica, we’re also honored to carry forward the legacy of Costa Rica Global Learning Programs and its Founder and Director of Programming, Alexis Wren, who is transitioning out of the study abroad field after years of building meaningful programs across the country. Alexis and her local team have trusted EdOdyssey to continue their work with care, ensuring that the same thoughtful partnerships, high standards, and community relationships continue to thrive under our shared vision.
“I’ve trusted EdOdyssey to carry forward this work because they share the same heart and high standards that have always guided my approach — deep respect for local communities, a student-centered philosophy, and a commitment to purposeful travel,” Alexis said.
We’re proud to build on this foundation and excited to create new opportunities for students and educators to experience Costa Rica in ways that are immersive, responsible, and real.
Carrying this legacy forward is important to Sofía too:
“For me, it means honoring what made these programs meaningful: strong local relationships, authentic cultural exchange, and a deep commitment to sustainability and education,” she explains. “At the same time, we’re bringing new energy—expanding partnerships, creating more hands-on learning experiences, and incorporating themes like climate action, social impact, and guided reflection.”
Through this evolution, EdOdyssey continues to grow as a connector between people and place—creating experiences that are immersive, responsible, and real.
Looking Ahead
As EdOdyssey deepens its roots in Costa Rica, we’re expanding our program offerings but we’re also nurturing a community of educators, students, and local partners who believe in the power of travel to shape more conscious and compassionate global citizens.
“What I hope faculty take away from their EdOdyssey programs in Costa Rica is a renewed sense of purpose in teaching,” Sofía said. “I want them to see how education can extend beyond the classroom and come alive through real relationships, local knowledge, and meaningful connection to place.”
“For students,” she continued, “I hope the experience opens their minds and hearts. I want them to leave with greater empathy, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of how their actions can create a positive impact in the world.”
Costa Rica reminds us that transformation begins when we slow down, listen, and learn from the world around us—one community, one conversation, one connection at a time.
Let’s Start a Conversation
If you’re an educator or administrator interested in exploring a program in Costa Rica—or know a colleague who might be—we’d love to connect.
