Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
112 Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
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with Seamester Study Abroad at Sea
University Studies Abroad Consortium
The Heredia program in Latin American Studies and Ecology is an i...
WorldStrides
San José – or Chepe, as it is lovingly called by locals – is the ...
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Arcos Learning Abroad
Study abroad in the highlands of central Costa Rica, in the charm...
MAXIMO NIVEL
Do your international internship with Maximo Nivel - get internat...
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StudyAbroad.com
Dive into an unforgettable study abroad journey in San José, Cost...
EF Education First
Step beyond the classroom and into the world with EF Language Abr...
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IFSA, Institute for Study Abroad
CULTIVATE FLUENCY IN SPANISH, INDULGE YOUR LOVE OF THE OUTDOORS ...
See All 2 ProgramsAIFS Abroad
Spend a semester or academic year in the lively capital of San Jo...
See All 7 ProgramsCIS Abroad
On our Semester in Costa Rica program, you’ll live minutes from t...
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Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy
The Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy offers the only COMTA Ac...
Intercultura Costa Rica
Learn Spanish and immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture at one ...
See All 2 ProgramsCIEE College Study Abroad
Your Open Campus Block program in Monteverde lasts 6, 12, or 18 w...
See All 15 ProgramsExpanish
Spend six weeks in Costa Rica during summer 2026 earning universi...
SIT Study Abroad
Explore rainforests, coral reefs, highland canopies, and mangrove...
Therapy Abroad Inc.
Earn CEUs abroad while advancing your cultural competence in spee...
CEA
San José, the capital of Costa Rica, blends urban life and natura...
See All 2 ProgramsGVI
This trip takes you to the stunning Costa Rican Pacific Coast. Gr...
See All 4 ProgramsArcos Journeys Abroad
Immerse yourself in the Spanish language of Costa Rica, the happi...
Seeds of Change Research
During the Seeds of Change Tropical Rainforest Research Program, ...
See All 2 ProgramsToucan Abroad
Join Toucan Abroad and other students from around the US in this ...
Academic Programs International
Located in the central valley of Costa Rica, San José is a vibran...
See All 2 ProgramsBroadreach
Want to know what it's like to work with animals every day? Think...
See All 2 ProgramsJakera: Learn Spanish, Volunteer and Adventure
The lively beach town of Santa Teresa is world famous for surf br...
TEFL Heaven
Teach English abroad in Costa Rica and experience firsthand the l...
CIEE High School Grads Abroad
Your First Year Abroad program in Monteverde lasts 12 weeks and i...
Greenheart Travel
The Costa Rica TESOL Certificate course is an intensive, in-perso...
Global Work & Travel
When people talk about “running away and living on a beach somewh...
See All 2 ProgramsThe TEFL Institute
Earn a Globally Respected Level 5 TEFL Qualification! If you’re ...
Teach Explore Asia (XploreAsia)
Join Xplore’s In-Country TEFL/TESOL + Placement Program for exper...
Enforex - Spanish in The Spanish World
Learn Spanish in Latin America with Enforex and discover a countr...
Intern Abroad HQ
Are you a student or young professional looking to enhance your c...
See All 9 ProgramsProjects Abroad
Spend Your Summer Abroad in Costa Rica's Cloud Forests! Embark o...
See All 2 ProgramsThe National Registration Center for Study Abroad
Our programs offer a unique combination of Spanish language train...
Don Quijote
Live "the Spanish way" while learning the language at Don Quijote...
Loop Abroad
Known affectionately in our office as “dogs and dolphins”, this p...
See All 7 ProgramsTico Lingo - Spanish Immersion School
Tico Lingo offers the most comprehensive and expertly designed Sp...
See All 2 ProgramsUniversidad LCI Veritas
Founded in 1968, Universidad Veritas is a Costa Rican educational...
See All 4 ProgramsNosara Spanish Institute
For those looking to combine training of the body and mind, NSI's...
Outward Bound Costa Rica
Feed your love for the outdoors or gain the necessary skills to j...
See All 3 ProgramsEarth Education International
Join this 12-day Field Course, which includes online pre-departur...
Project Dragonfly, Miami University
Earth Expeditions (EE) are Miami University study abroad courses ...
SIT TESOL Certificate - World Learning
Aspiring to teach English abroad? Increase your chances of landin...
Manuel Antonio Spanish School
This language program includes everything you need to learn, prac...
MEDLIFE
A MEDLIFE Nursing Service Learning Service Trip offers free, high...
Global Learning Programs
Your institution's students can experience an enriching semester ...
The School for Field Studies
Spend a semester off the beaten path in Costa Rica’s lush rainfor...
See All 3 ProgramsUniversidad Santa Paula
Broaden your academic knowledge and global perspective with Unive...
A Guide to Studying Abroad in Costa Rica
Locations
It’s not hard to see why Costa Rica is the most popular destination for study abroad students headed to Central America. Cradled between two oceans, its leafy rainforests and idyllic beaches are easily confused for a tropical paradise. The government’s dedication to environmental conservation has created a successful ecotourism industry; therefore, studying abroad in Costa Rica will be a great way to experience the nation’s natural treasures firsthand.
No matter where you choose to study abroad in Costa Rica, you’ll likely spend some time in San José. The nation’s capital, economic center, and transportation hub, this city is a lively mix of business, universities, and cultural institutions. Many students choose to study abroad in San José in order to quickly acclimate to the Tico way of life, whether it’s catching a fútbol match at the Estadio Nacional, sipping on homegrown coffee at the trendy Café de los Deseos, or checking out artists’ wares at the Festival de Arte.
A short drive from San José is Heredia, a university town with deep historical roots. Colonial buildings overlook lush plazas, providing a relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for student life. The National University of Costa Rica and Latin University of Costa Rica are both based in Heredia, ensuring great nightlife and plentiful street food options; go ahead and stock up on those tamales, empanadas, and some carne asada between classes.
If you’d rather leave the city behind and immerse yourself in the rainforest, head to Monteverde, home of the famed Cloud Forest Reserve. The nearest town to the reserve, Santa Elena, is small and filled with tourists, but if you’d rather spend your time in a biological research station than partying at the club, Monteverde is the place for you. In addition to countless nature hikes, the area offers tours of coffee plantations and the Monteverde Cheese Factory.
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Frequently Asked Questions
San José is the country's capital, economic center, and transportation hub. The city also has a rich array of commercial, academic, and cultural institutions, so it is one of the best places to study in Costa Rica.
Yes! Immerse yourself in a new culture while maintaining your concentration on your academics and having some fun; explore Costa Rica to take in its breathtaking scenery, amazing food, and lovely people.
Studying abroad in Costa Rica roughly costs $3,000 for summer programs, while semester programs cost approximately $7,000 or more. You can lessen your expenses by fundraising or applying for several scholarships available.
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