Costa Rica

In the cool highlands of southern Costa Rica, the region of Los Santos stretches across mountain slopes filled with shade-grown coffee, cloud forest, and close-knit rural towns. This is one of the country’s premier coffee-producing areas, where generations of families have cultivated both the land and a culture of resilience, cooperation, and care for nature. Education and conservation often go hand in hand here, with farmers and community leaders working together to protect the forests that feed their rivers and give life to their crops. Coffee is not just an export—it is a rhythm, a ritual, and a link between people and place.

A few hours away on the southern Pacific coast, Uvita offers a completely different rhythm. The town sits beside Marino Ballena National Park, a protected area where humpback whales return each year and rainforest meets ocean. Local residents are deeply involved in protecting the coastline, whether by supporting the park rangers, guiding eco-tours, or running surf hostels that educate travelers about wildlife and waste. And just outside San José, in the hills of Heredia, small towns and community organizations are experimenting with alternative education models that blend creativity, ecology, and cultural pride.

Each of these regions offers a different way to connect with the people and landscapes of Costa Rica. Explore our internship offerings for Los Santos, Uvita, and Heredia below.