Tropical sun, white sandy beaches, turquoise water, and stellar waves await you in Costa Rica!
This is the perfect course for those who love the water and are looking to grow as a person. Spend your nights camping under the stars and head out early to catch the first morning surf on the picturesque Pacific Coast beaches of Costa Rica. Learn everything you need to know about reading wave conditions, maintaining equipment, and navigating surf etiquette and technique alongside our experienced instructors.
Discover the pura vida way of life while lending a helping hand on community development and conservation projects, like rainforest reforestation, beach clean-ups, working with local school children and more. Cook delicious meals as a group, watch the sunset over the Pacific, and have cozy campfires on the beach.
Fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves, enjoy the laid-back beach atmosphere, and spend time getting to connect with yourself and the natural world around you.
For detailed information on course availability statuses and what they mean,
click here.
All Ages
Sort By
Cost
Duration
Date
Course # HCR0-2521
Age
18 - 25
Days
8
Cost
$3,380
Dates 1/4/2025 - 1/11/2025
string(222) "/enrollment/?tfa_169=HCR0-2521&tfa_4485=18&tfa_4487=25&tfa_173=01%2F04%2F2025&tfa_175=01%2F11%2F2025&tfa_4533=882&tfa_4417=No&tfa_2706=3080&tfa_2707=150&tfa_2708=150&tfa_2710=0&tfa_4420=500&tfa_4539=&tfa_5239=NA&tfa_5230=1"
APPLY NOW
APPLY NOW
This means a course has several open spots and is actively processing applications.
×
What is this?
For detailed information on course availability statuses and what they mean,
click here.
?
Course # HCR0-2522
Age
18 - 25
Days
8
Cost
$3,380
Dates 5/24/2025 - 5/31/2025
string(222) "/enrollment/?tfa_169=HCR0-2522&tfa_4485=18&tfa_4487=25&tfa_173=05%2F24%2F2025&tfa_175=05%2F31%2F2025&tfa_4533=882&tfa_4417=No&tfa_2706=3080&tfa_2707=150&tfa_2708=150&tfa_2710=0&tfa_4420=500&tfa_4539=&tfa_5239=NA&tfa_5230=1"
APPLY NOW
APPLY NOW
This means a course has several open spots and is actively processing applications.
×
What is this?
For detailed information on course availability statuses and what they mean,
click here.
?
Course # HCR0-2621
Age
18 - 25
Days
8
Cost
$3,380
Dates 1/3/2026 - 1/10/2026
string(222) "/enrollment/?tfa_169=HCR0-2621&tfa_4485=18&tfa_4487=25&tfa_173=01%2F03%2F2026&tfa_175=01%2F10%2F2026&tfa_4533=882&tfa_4417=No&tfa_2706=3080&tfa_2707=150&tfa_2708=150&tfa_2710=0&tfa_4420=500&tfa_4539=&tfa_5239=NA&tfa_5230=1"
APPLY NOW
APPLY NOW
This means a course has several open spots and is actively processing applications.
×
What is this?
For detailed information on course availability statuses and what they mean,
click here.
?
Course # HCR0-2622
Age
18 - 25
Days
8
Cost
$3,380
Dates 5/23/2026 - 5/30/2026
string(222) "/enrollment/?tfa_169=HCR0-2622&tfa_4485=18&tfa_4487=25&tfa_173=05%2F23%2F2026&tfa_175=05%2F30%2F2026&tfa_4533=882&tfa_4417=No&tfa_2706=3080&tfa_2707=150&tfa_2708=150&tfa_2710=0&tfa_4420=500&tfa_4539=&tfa_5239=NA&tfa_5230=1"
APPLY NOW
APPLY NOW
This means a course has several open spots and is actively processing applications.
×
What is this?
For detailed information on course availability statuses and what they mean,
click here.
This course starts within the next week. Please call us at 866-467-7651 to assess the possibility of applying for this course!
APPLY NOW This means a course has several open spots and is actively processing applications.
APPLY NOW – Almost Full This means there are three or fewer currently available spots left on a course. To secure your spot click Apply Now to begin an application!
JOIN WAITLIST Once a course has reached capacity, three waitlist positions become available. To join a course’s waitlist, click “Join Waitlist” to begin the application process. A $500 deposit is required. This $500 deposit includes a $150 non-refundable application fee and a $350 tuition payment. The $350 tuition payment is refundable only if you cancel your waitlist application or if an open position does not become available. If a position does become available, the applicant will be applied to the open position and the Application and Cancellation Policies of the Regional Outward Bound School will be followed, including forfeiture of the $500 deposit if you cancel 90 days or less prior to the course start date.
Waitlist applicants are encouraged to complete all required admissions documents while awaiting an open position. Positions may become available up to two weeks prior to the course start date. Applicants may only apply to one course. We recommend applying to a course with open positions instead of a course that is accepting waitlist applications. If you have questions, please call 866-467-7651 to speak with one of our Admissions Advisors.
CALL TO APPLY This means a course is very close to its start date. Although it is unlikely to secure a spot this late, you can call the National Admissions office at 866-467-7651 to discuss your options.
COURSE IS FULL When a course has reached maximum capacity, meaning all spots and the three waitlist spots are occupied, a course will read “Course Is Full.” This means applications are no longer being accepted.
CLOSED As a course nears its start date, the availability status may read “Closed.” In this event, a course roster has been finalized and applications are no longer being accepted or processed.
Sample Itinerary
DAY1
Arrival and orientation to Tres Ríos Basecamp, equipment pack out
Take a break from your routine, radically change your surroundings, and test your tenacity with Outward Bound’s Classic expeditions for adults. Discover the exhilaration of reaching a mountain peak, hearing echoes in a canyon, or navigating whitewater. Put some “firsts” in front of you and find moments of unexpected discovery along the way. Experience Outward Bound as an adult and prepare for an injection of adventure, awareness and adaptability that sticks with you long after you unpack your backpack.
Develop Connections: Adventure with like-minded peers and build relationships as you work through priorities and challenges together.
Value Strengths and Strengthen Values: Rediscover your inner strength, renew your leadership skills, and tap into your trust and compassion as you tackle obstacles with a support crew standing beside you.
Learn Outdoor Skills: Cook delicious meals outside, navigate with a map, and build a backcountry campsite.
Gain Confidence and Clarity: Return home with an energized outlook, a rekindled allowance of empathy into situations and relationships, and an eye toward the future.
Alongside our experienced instructors, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to read wave conditions, maintain equipment, and practice surf etiquette and technique.
Venture to the warm, tropical waters of the Pacific Coast where you’ll gain skills in the basics of surfboard selection, beach safety, paddling techniques, and popping up on your board. Steps away from the waves, your instructors will teach an initial surf lesson, and you’ll begin to practice your new skills in the water. As your skills progress, you’ll build confidence in your ability to learn new things and realize just how amazing this spot can be. Great for beginners or as a refresher for experienced surfers. Alternatively, you can also have fun in the tropical waves on a boogie board.
Service projects are often incorporated into Outward Bound courses through coordination with local land managers, conservation groups, government, or social service agencies.
On this course, students will be able to give back to the local community by volunteering on service projects where they will gain an understanding of the impact every individual can have on people, wildlife, and the environment. For example, students may participate in a beach clean-up, or assist with the high elevation rainforest reserve where the local government runs an environmental education reforestation program for local school children.
While in the wilderness, students are also encouraged to practice service to the environment and their team by sharing responsibilities and following Recreate Responsibly ethics throughout the expedition.
Students need only to be physically fit and motivated to learn and work together. No previous wilderness experience is necessary—all travel and leadership skills are taught from the beginning, and each phase of the expedition builds on the previous one. The initiative, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that they take away from their course will help them reach any horizons they strive for.
The coastal and river environments of Costa Rica provide a perfect backdrop for expanding wilderness travel skills. This small tropical nation is fast becoming a renowned destination for whitewater rafting, surfing, rainforest trekking, and eco-adventures in general. About the size of West Virginia, Costa Rica has a variety of climates including tropical dry forest, rainforest, and cloud forest. The group will camp on the beaches of Uvita right next to the Marino Ballena National Park. The Pacific Ocean provides Costa Rica with exceptional surf conditions year-round for beginner to advanced surfers. During this course, part of each day will be spent providing service in the local community. These regions are the ancestral lands of the Chorotega, Malécu, Rama, Bostos, Nicarao/Nahoa, Huetar, Tjer-di/Teribe Broram, Brunka, Bribri, Buglé and Ngäbé nations.
If you are ready to enroll on a course click the enroll button next to the course you wish to select or you can enroll over the phone by speaking with one of our Admissions Advisors (toll-free) at 866-467-7651.
To secure your spot on a course you must submit an enrollment form and $500 deposit that is applied toward the total cost of the course and includes a $150 non-refundable enrollment processing fee.