Arcos: High School Programs in Costa Rica

I did the eco program in Costa Rica and it could not have been a better time. The community service aspect was pretty minor overall, and there was lots of free time in Atenas and during excursions to hang out. All of the adventure activities were super fun - whitewater rafting was a highlight for sure. The Arcos staff and engaging and easygoing, and the homestay experience was great (even if my Spanish is pretty rough!). There was plenty of delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to see local wildlife - the monkeys at the beach were super fun to see in person.

My son absolutely loved his time in Costa Rica. Great service opportunities and excursions, wonderful kids and program directors, and terrific homestay. He came back feeling more confident about traveling independently, but also more confident generally. The program provided so many ways for the kids to explore independently, but with enough support to feel safe. Also, great communication with the families while the kids were away. We were comfortable the whole time, knowing our son was in great hands. Great job Arcos! We would absolutely recommend this program to anyone.

I got to do many different kinds of community service as well as some very fun excursions. Throughout the trip being in a Spanish speaking country can help with language skills even if you know very little. For community service we helped paint the local high school in Atenas, Costa Rica as well as marking trails and leveling out out the ground so the hike could be more accessible for wheelchairs and people with disabilities. We also helped out at the preschool in Atenas and played with the kids. We got to go to waterfalls, whitewater raging and zip-lining which were all very fun. The program also left room for us to explore the town we were in and have an immersive experience.

I am a parent to a 16 year old that went to Costa Rica through Arcos Journeys Abroad program. It was a 3 week study abroad focusing on Spanish. I was extremely nervous and felt many times I was making a bad decision; however, my fears never came to fruition and my son had a blast. He was well taken care of, Arcos stayed in constant contact communication with me and three weeks went by in a blink of an eye. The best part of this trip according to my son was the friendships he made. No regrets and my son is looking forward to next summer’s study abroad experience.

My 15 year old daughter had the experience of a lifetime! The staff at Arcos is friendly, welcoming, and trustworthy. The home stay was comfortable and safe. The community service opportunities were rewarding without being overwhelming. The eco adventures were thrilling and the absolute highlight of the trip. The students appreciated the sense of independence and loved living among the locals in a small Costa Rican town. Avery made life long friends and is already planning her next Arcos adventure.

I loved my task week trip to Costa Rica. I became very familiar with the town of Atenas and I got to experience an array of new things that helped me grow individually in a lot of ways. I made friends during the experience and I grew to have a greater understanding of differing cultures and people. The community service aspect enforced a work ethic in me. I liked the ability we had to explore Atenas and La Fortuna on our own. The activities included such as surfing and ziplining were worth the price!

This was the first time our 15 yr old daughter traveled anywhere by herself, much less to a foreign country with no one she knew. She was so nervous- hardly speaking the language; living with a family she didn’t know; making new friends; facing the unknown! But she took on the challenge and was SO happy she did. She had a wonderful experience and came home a very happy camper, feeling so confident and accomplished. No doubt Arcos had everything to do with it. From beginning to end Arcos was on it. Our questions & concerns were promptly addressed; the whole process was well organized and uncomplicated; information was clear & thoughtful; safety of kids always seemed to be their first priority. The program offered a perfect mix of cultural and language immersion with adventure sprinkled in. We recommend Arcos without hesitation! Our daughter has no regrets and would do it again.

My daughter, 14, went on the Arcos Journeys program to Costa Rica last summer 2022 (3 week option) and I would highly recommend it! From the beginning when she was picked up at the airport, to the end when she was assisted through the check-in process to fly home - it all went smoothly (note I would definitely recommend purchasing the unaccompanied minor fee through the airline - it was well worth it).

Everyone I dealt with during the initial paperwork process was efficient and thorough, any questions I had were immediately addressed. I had a last minute paperwork concern before she left for the airport and it was handled/resolved within 5 minutes of sending the email! I was initially hesitant about letting her go since she had never traveled alone, let alone to another country! But looking back on how smoothly it all went, this program is clearly run by a team of people who know what they're doing. And, most importantly, know how to manage a group of teens & structure a program in a foreign country so they're always safe! The program allowed her to fully immerse in another culture, have a ton of fun and improve her Spanish. She had the time of her life and already wants to go again next year!

Her homestay family was amazing - they were so kind, her accommodations were beautiful, and the food she was provided was exceptional (mangos, papaya, traditional Costa Rican cuisine, etc...). She made great friends, even the simple experience of walking into town together to have dessert at a cafe was really memorable for her! The Spanish classes were in this open air classroom that was just stunningly beautiful - her favorite part of the trip was her Spanish teacher - she learned a lot but really had a lot of fun at the same time. The excursions they planned for her group were really beyond what I expected - zip lining in the rainforest (her favorite), learning to surf, going to the beach, cooking/dancing classes, volunteering at a local school etc....All in all, everything was structured/planned really well - the director Cata was so personable and made her feel at home from day 1 - it was an experience I'm sure she'll remember her entire life!

If you're on the fence re letting your teen go through this program - go for it! It's a solid program - I 100% recommend it!