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GAP YEAR
IN COSTA RICA

WORK STUDY TRAVEL IN COSTA RICA

Costa Rica offers a wide variety of ways to organize your gap year experience. Get involved with community service working in sea turtle conservation, teaching English, and working with kids, all while studying Spanish. Go to surf school and get certified in scuba diving!

The standard gap year program in Costa Rica is a 12-week or 24-week itinerary, but you can also create your own customized gap year itinerary. Your program begins in the capital city of San Jose, and then you move on to Manuel Antonio Beach—the best beach and National Park in Costa Rica!

Suggested gap year itineraries are very flexible, so you can pick and choose to create a personalized program. Wherever you want to go for your gap year, we’re already here in-country, ready to help you.

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– At least 17 years of age
– Able to be creative with limited resources
– Hard working, ready to do anything!
– Positive mindset
– Background check is required for all gap year participants working with children

Daily Schedule
– 2-4 hours/day Spanish classes
– 3-4 hours/day of community service
– Community service hours are morning or afternoon depending on project
– Community service projects may be walking distance or require public transportation

Gap year programs combine travel, Spanish, community service, and skill building courses. You have weekends free, and a 2-week break to organize extra treks, tours, and beach time. All gap year participants receive the following services as part of the program:

– Airport pick-up
– Safety orientation and walking tour
– Host family accommodations (private room)
– Breakfast and dinner, 7 days/week
– 3 to 4 hours/day community service
– 2 hours/day Spanish language classes
– Other certification courses depending on program
– Official program certificates
– Tandem Conversation Program
– Free WiFi and computer lab

AND MUCH MORE!

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Programs San Jose,
Costa Rica		 Manuel Antonio,
Costa Rica
12 Weeks $6,995 $6,995
24 Weeks $8,995 $8,995
Country Jumper
12 Weeks		 $4,995
Country Jumper
24 Weeks		 $8,995
Build your own Contact us

Why I Maximo Nivel

The people working at Maximo are always available at any time for support, whether it be in relation to the volunteer placement or for tours and experiences in the area. There are supplies, computers and people around for a chat as well as numerous weekly activities.
Lucia H.

COSTA RICA GAP YEAR ITINERARY

Spanish Immersion | 12 weeks

Small group Spanish classes start every Monday, year round. Class schedules are available in the morning or in the afternoon. Group classes are offered at all levels, Basic through Advanced. Groups are formed based on your results on our free Spanish Placement Exam. We keep our group classes small, ranging in size from 3–8 people, though most groups average only 3–6 people. Small group classes provide a great balance between personalized attention, social interaction, and engagement.

Volunteer Working with Kids | 8 Weeks

Volunteers work in daycare facilities, community centers, and schools. Depending on your individual skills and interests, your volunteer work may vary, but generally includes supporting local project staff, providing individual attention and care for the kids, organizing games and sports, tutoring, hygiene education, and cleaning. Your love and support are the most important things for these disadvantaged children. Bring your special skills in art, music, dance, and theater—remember a child’s play is a child’s work. We encourage you to use your skills and creativity, be open-minded, and be ready to pitch-in and help out.

Volunteer Teaching English | 8 Weeks

Teaching English projects serve underprivileged schools and communities—people who want to learn English, but who do not have the financial means to do so. International volunteers work in a variety of settings including public schools, community centers, after school programs, shelters for street children, and other educational programs for the poor. Work varies at these projects, but generally consists of creating lesson plans, teaching classes, one-on-one tutoring, and organizing educational games and activities.

Sea Turtle Conservation | 4 Weeks

Known for being one of the most bio-diverse countries, Costa Rica is home to 5 of 7 sea turtle species in the world. Each turtle species faces threats from poachers, habitat destruction, and commercial fishing. As a sea turtles volunteer you help reverse the risk of extinction by taking an active role in protecting both adult and baby sea turtles.

Surf School | 1 Week

Manuel Antonio is the best beach in Costa Rica and it is the perfect destination for surfers of all levels. The beach life in Manuel Antonio offers great waves in a safe and protected environment. Learn the techniques of surfing or bring your current surf sills to the next level. There is also time to just relax and catch some great sun!

Scuba Certification | 1 Week

Manuel Antonio is located on the pacific coast of Costa Rica and is home to the best beaches in the country. The scuba course takes place in the Manuel Antonio National Park, which is home to a bustling tropical marine oasis. Divers view volcanic rock formations, sea turtles, white tip and small reef sharks, octopuses, lobsters, and an infinite variety of tropical fish. The Costa Rica scuba program is a 4 day course and includes host family accommodations with breakfast and dinner.

*All Gap Year programs include private family-stay housing except at offsite projects and placements (e.g. Turtle Conversation). Community Service and Spanish language programs run simultaneously.
*Transportation to/from Manuel Antonio is included.

Spanish Immersion | 8 weeks

Small group Spanish classes start every Monday, year round. Class schedules are available in the morning or in the afternoon. Group classes are offered at all levels, Basic through Advanced. Groups are formed based on your results on our free Spanish Placement Exam. We keep our group classes small, ranging in size from 3–8 people, though most groups average only 3–6 people. Small group classes provide a great balance between personalized attention, social interaction, and engagement.

Volunteer Working with Kids | 4 Weeks

Volunteers work in daycare facilities, community centers, and schools. Depending on your individual skills and interests, your volunteer work may vary, but generally includes supporting local project staff, providing individual attention and care for the kids, organizing games and sports, tutoring, hygiene education, and cleaning. Your love and support are the most important things for these disadvantaged children. Bring your special skills in art, music, dance, and theater—remember a child’s play is a child’s work. We encourage you to use your skills and creativity, be open-minded, and be ready to pitch-in and help out.

Volunteer Teaching English | 2 Weeks

Teaching English projects serve underprivileged schools and communities—people who want to learn English, but who do not have the financial means to do so. International volunteers work in a variety of settings including public schools, community centers, after school programs, shelters for street children, and other educational programs for the poor. Work varies at these projects, but generally consists of creating lesson plans, teaching classes, one-on-one tutoring, and organizing educational games and activities.

Sea Turtle Conservation | 2 Weeks

Known for being one of the most bio-diverse countries, Costa Rica is home to 5 of 7 sea turtle species in the world. Each turtle species faces threats from poachers, habitat destruction, and commercial fishing. As a sea turtles volunteer you help reverse the risk of extinction by taking an active role in protecting both adult and baby sea turtles.

Surf School | 1 Week

Manuel Antonio is the best beach in Costa Rica and it is the perfect destination for surfers of all levels. The beach life in Manuel Antonio offers great waves in a safe and protected environment. Learn the techniques of surfing or bring your current surf sills to the next level. There is also time to just relax and catch some great sun!

Scuba Certification | 1 Week

Manuel Antonio is located on the pacific coast of Costa Rica and is home to the best beaches in the country. The scuba course takes place in the Manuel Antonio National Park, which is home to a bustling tropical marine oasis. Divers view volcanic rock formations, sea turtles, white tip and small reef sharks, octopuses, lobsters, and an infinite variety of tropical fish. The Costa Rica scuba program is a 4 day course and includes host family accommodations with breakfast and dinner.

*All Gap Year programs include private family-stay housing except at offsite projects and placements (e.g. Turtle Conversation). Community Service and Spanish language programs run simultaneously.
*Transportation to/from Manuel Antonio is included.

Maximo Nivel Gap Year video
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EARN ACADEMIC CREDIT

DURING YOUR GAP YEAR ABROAD

Maximo Nivel is one of the few organizations in the world to offer academic credit for gap year programs. Our School of Record issues official transcripts and academic credit for your program. Get the credit you earn!

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