Outward Bound Costa Rica

Outward Bound Costa Rica provides students with outdoor adventures that build capacity in intercultural competence, Spanish language, self-awareness and life skills. Our mission is to facilitate personal growth and success in character development, leadership, service and academic achievement.

Our students get the chance to hike in the rain and cloud forests while living with local host families, learning Costa Rican culture, and working side by side with the local community as they provide much needed assistance. Service projects range in length and focus on people, construction, marine biology and ecological issues. Students surf in our world-renowned warm water breaks, whitewater raft and kayak on our class III and IV rivers and experience the beauty of the Panama coral reef as they earn their Scuba Certification in Bocas del Toro.

The inspiration behind Outward Bound came from the German-born educator Kurt Hahn, who created the first Outward Bound School in 1941 in Aberdovey Wales. Outward Bound is now present in over 30 countries on six continents. Outward Bound Costa Rica has been operating in Central America for more than 20 years.