Costa Rica: Sustainable Business & Social Innovation
San José • Sarapiquí • Caribbean Coast | 10-Day Faculty-Led Program
Explore Business & Sustainability Through a Different Cultural Lens
Costa Rica offers a unique setting for students to explore how business, innovation, environmental stewardship, and community development can work together to create more sustainable and resilient economies.
Through visits to innovative businesses, sustainable farms, renewable energy facilities, community enterprises, and conservation initiatives, students examine how organizations across different sectors are responding to environmental and social challenges while creating economic value.
What Students Explore
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS | Explore how businesses integrate environmental responsibility, social impact, and long-term economic sustainability into their operations.
INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP | Examine how entrepreneurs and organizations use innovation to develop products, services, and business models that respond to social and environmental challenges.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE | Explore the connections between agriculture, biodiversity, local livelihoods, food systems, and responsible business practices.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | Learn how cooperatives, local enterprises, and community-based initiatives use entrepreneurship to strengthen rural economies and create positive social impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP | Connect business and sustainability with conservation, renewable energy, biodiversity protection, and the responsible management of natural resources.
10-Day Itinerary
A Program, Built to Be Customized
This itinerary shows what a Costa Rica Business & Sustainability program could look like. Specific activities, organizations, site visits, and sequencing will vary based on program dates, group size, academic goals, partner availability, time of year, and other local considerations.
We’ll work with your faculty and study abroad team to adapt the program to your course objectives and students. Activities listed below are examples and subject to availability and confirmation.
Day 1 | Arrival & Introduction to Healthcare in Costa Rica
Arrive in Costa Rica, meet your EdOdyssey Program Leader, and settle into the program with an in-country orientation covering culture, health and safety, transportation, and expectations.
Students are introduced to the themes of sustainable business, innovation, and environmental stewardship that will shape the days ahead.
Sample Experiences:
Arrival orientation • Introduction to Costa Rica's sustainability model • Welcome dinner • Program overview • Group reflection
Day 2 | Business, Culture & Chocolate Innovation
An exploration of downtown San José and its central market offers insight into Costa Rica's history, culture, and local economy. Later, an interactive chocolate experience introduces sustainable entrepreneurship, local production, and innovative business practices.
Sample Experiences:
Walking tour • Central market • Local economy • Chocolate innovation • Sustainable entrepreneurship • Cultural exploration
Day 3 | Sustainable Agriculture & Responsible Business
A visit to an organic coffee farm highlights the connections between sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and local livelihoods. The afternoon focuses on responsible business through a visit to a sustainability-driven company and its innovative approach to creating positive environmental and social impact.
Sample Experiences:
Organic agriculture • Coffee production • Sustainable supply chains • Circular economy • Responsible business • Environmental innovation
Day 4 | Sustainable Production & Business Innovation
Sustainable agriculture and artisanal production take center stage as participants explore local sourcing and environmentally responsible practices. A second business visit showcases innovative approaches to sustainability, social responsibility, and long-term economic success.
Sample Experiences:
Sustainable production • Local sourcing • Agricultural entrepreneurship • Business innovation • Circular economy • Social and environmental impact
Day 5 | Community Enterprise & Rainforest Exploration
A rural cooperative provides an inside look at sustainable agriculture, community development, and cooperative business models. Afterward, a guided rainforest night walk reveals Costa Rica's nocturnal biodiversity and the importance of protecting tropical ecosystems.
Sample Experiences:
Rural cooperative • Sustainable agriculture • Community enterprise • Cooperative business models • Rainforest night walk • Biodiversity
Day 6 | Renewable Energy & Sustainable Development
Renewable energy takes the spotlight during a visit to a clean energy facility, where participants explore sustainable infrastructure, energy production, and Costa Rica's sustainability goals. The group then travels toward the Caribbean coast, continuing the exploration of sustainable development.
Sample Experiences:
Renewable energy facility • Clean energy • Sustainable infrastructure • Energy production • Environmental responsibility • Caribbean coast
Day 7 | Biodiversity & Caribbean Culinary Traditions
A protected coastal ecosystem offers an opportunity to explore biodiversity, conservation, and the relationship between natural resources and local economies. The day continues with a traditional Caribbean cooking experience that highlights local culture and the sustainable use of regional ingredients.
Sample Experiences:
Protected ecosystem • Biodiversity • Conservation • Sustainable tourism • Local economy • Caribbean culture • Cooking experience
Day 8 | Conservation in Action
Hands-on conservation takes place through a sea turtle activity and beach cleanup, connecting environmental stewardship with community involvement and biodiversity protection. The afternoon provides time to relax, explore, or reflect on the sustainability concepts encountered throughout the program.
Sample Experiences:
Sea turtle conservation • Beach cleanup • Coastal ecosystems • Community engagement • Biodiversity conservation • Free time & reflection
Day 9 | Reflection & Return to San José
The final day in Costa Rica brings together the program's key themes through reflection on sustainable businesses, community initiatives, and conservation efforts. A farewell dinner offers an opportunity to celebrate the experience and consider how responsible leadership can contribute to sustainable development.
Sample Experiences:
Program reflection • Sustainable business discussion • Responsible leadership • Group discussion • Return to San José • Farewell dinner
Day 10 | Departure
Depart Costa Rica with new perspectives on sustainable business, innovation, entrepreneurship, and environmental stewardship.
Sample Experiences:
Breakfast • Airport transfer • Departure
Make this program your own
Start Here. Then Shape Around Your Course.
This itinerary is a starting point. Depending on your goals, we can place greater emphasis on areas such as:
Business & Entrepreneurship
Sustainable business models • Entrepreneurship • Innovation • Leadership • Local enterprise
Sustainability & Environmental Studies
Environmental stewardship • Climate resilience • Sustainable development • Natural resource management
Marketing & Economics
Consumer behavior • Local markets • Sustainable supply chains • Economic development • Responsible consumption
Environmental Business
Circular economy • Renewable energy • Sustainable production • Green innovation • Corporate sustainability
We can also adjust the program length, locations, site visits, cultural activities, reflection, community engagement, accommodations, meals, and level of EdOdyssey Program Leader support.
Could this work for your students?
Use this program as your starting point or tell us what you’d change. We’ll work with you to align the itinerary with your course objectives, students, preferred dates, group size, and budget.
Have a different academic focus in mind?