Outward Bound Costa Rica

Since 1994, Outward Bound Costa Rica has offered outdoor adventure courses to high school, university students and adults to Costa Rica and Panama. Our mission is to facilitate personal growth and success in character development, leadership, service and academic achievement through outdoor adventure education. We are part of an international network of Outward Bound schools.

Our students get the chance to hike in the rain and cloud forests while living with local host families, learning Costa Rican culture, and work side-by-side with the local community as they provide much needed assistance through local service projects. Service projects range in length per course 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.