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Study Abroad Programs in Central America

Central America is the kind of place that sneaks up on you (in the best way possible!) With eight unique countries, epic landscapes, and cultures that are both vibrant and deeply rooted, this region is packed with opportunities for meaningful study experiences. Dive right into studying abroad in Central America and get a front-row seat before all the good ones are taken!
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Seamester

Featured Provider of the Month

153 Study Abroad Programs in Central America

9.6198 reviews

Arcos Learning Abroad

Arcos Learning Abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica

Study abroad in the highlands of central Costa Rica, in the charm...

8.9147 reviews

University Studies Abroad Consortium

USAC Costa Rica: Heredia - Latin American Studies & Ecology

The Heredia program in Latin American Studies and Ecology is an i...

9.1137 reviews

AIFS Abroad

AIFS Abroad in San José, Costa Rica: Semester

Spend a semester or academic year in the lively capital of San Jo...

See All 7 Programs
00 reviews

StudyAbroad.com

Study Abroad in Costa Rica (Universidad LCI Veritas)

Dive into an unforgettable study abroad journey in San José, Cost...

8.8918 reviews

WorldStrides

Study Abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica

San José – or Chepe, as it is lovingly called by locals – is the ...

See All 2 Programs
9.7629 reviews

CIEE College Study Abroad

CIEE Tropical Ecology + Conservation in Costa Rica

Explore the high biodiversity of the tropical cloud forest of Mon...

See All 15 Programs
72 reviews

EF Education First

EF - Language Abroad

Step beyond the classroom and into the world with EF Language Abr...

See All 2 Programs
9.437 reviews

IFSA, Institute for Study Abroad

IFSA Universidad Nacional Partnership

CULTIVATE FLUENCY IN SPANISH, INDULGE YOUR LOVE OF THE OUTDOORS ...

See All 2 Programs
9.48609 reviews

MAXIMO NIVEL

Spanish Immersion Programs | Learn Spanish in Latin America

Live and study in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Maximo Nivel...

See All 9 Programs
9.7651 reviews

Seamester Study Abroad at Sea

Seamester Study Abroad and Gap Year Voyages

Seamester is the educational adventure of a lifetime! For more th...

See All 2 Programs
00 reviews

Expanish

Summer Abroad in Costa Rica: Environmental Science & Biology

Spend six weeks in Costa Rica during summer 2026 earning universi...

9.01277 reviews

CIS Abroad

Affordable, Comprehensive Study and Intern Abroad Programs

CIS Abroad Study and Intern Abroad programs are some of the most ...

See All 5 Programs
9.420 reviews

SIT Study Abroad

SIT Study Abroad: Panama: Tropical Ecology, Marine Ecosystem

Explore rainforests, coral reefs, highland canopies, and mangrove...

See All 2 Programs
9.7544 reviews

Therapy Abroad Inc.

CEU Workshop on Cultural & Linguistic Diversity for SLP

Earn CEUs abroad while advancing your cultural competence in spee...

8.9520 reviews

Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy

Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy Certification

The Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy offers the only COMTA Ac...

108 reviews

Intercultura Costa Rica

Spanish + Cultural Immersion - Beautiful Beach & City Campus

Learn Spanish and immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture at one ...

See All 2 Programs
9.5723 reviews

CEA

CEA CAPA Education Abroad in San José, Costa Rica

San José, the capital of Costa Rica, blends urban life and natura...

See All 2 Programs
9.8318 reviews

GVI

Costa Rica Community Development Service Learning for Groups

This trip takes you to the stunning Costa Rican Pacific Coast. Gr...

See All 4 Programs
9.7363 reviews

Arcos Journeys Abroad

Spanish Language & Costa Rican Culture

Immerse yourself in the Spanish language of Costa Rica, the happi...

96 reviews

Seeds of Change Research

Tropical Field Research

During the Seeds of Change Tropical Rainforest Research Program, ...

See All 2 Programs
9.8358 reviews

Toucan Abroad

Physical Therapy Shadowing in Costa Rica

Join Toucan Abroad and other students from around the US in this ...

8.52 reviews

Academic Programs International

API: Experience San Jose, Costa Rica (with Scholarships)

Located in the central valley of Costa Rica, San José is a vibran...

See All 2 Programs
91 reviews

Broadreach

Costa Rica: Veterinary Experience

Want to know what it's like to work with animals every day? Think...

See All 2 Programs
91 reviews

Jakera: Learn Spanish, Volunteer and Adventure

Learn Spanish & Surf or Yoga 1 or 2 Weeks

The lively beach town of Santa Teresa is world famous for surf br...

9.9111 reviews

TEFL Heaven

Paid Teaching in Costa Rica & Lifetime Placement Guarantee

Teach English abroad in Costa Rica and experience firsthand the l...

00 reviews

CIEE High School Grads Abroad

CIEE College First Year Abroad in Monteverde

Your First Year Abroad program in Monteverde lasts 12 weeks and i...

101 reviews

Greenheart Travel

TEFL/TESOL Certificate in Costa Rica with Greenheart Travel

The Costa Rica TESOL Certificate course is an intensive, in-perso...

00 reviews

Global Work & Travel

TEFL/TESOL in Costa Rica | Teach & Travel in the Americas

When people talk about “running away and living on a beach somewh...

See All 2 Programs
9.5139 reviews

The TEFL Institute

World Class - Government-Regulated Level 5 TEFL Diploma

Earn a Globally Respected Level 5 TEFL Qualification! If you’re ...

9.320 reviews

Teach Explore Asia (XploreAsia)

Xplore Costa Rica TEFL Program with Guaranteed Placement

Join Xplore’s In-Country TEFL/TESOL + Placement Program for exper...

00 reviews

Enforex - Spanish in The Spanish World

Learn Spanish in Latin America with Enforex

Learn Spanish in Latin America with Enforex and discover a countr...

9.2172 reviews

Intern Abroad HQ

Intern Abroad HQ - Affordable Internships From Just 2 weeks!

Are you a student or young professional looking to enhance your c...

See All 17 Programs
00 reviews

Language Vacation

Spanish Language Course and Immersion in Panama

Learn Spanish in Panama City, enjoy your Spanish learning vacatio...

See All 2 Programs
00 reviews

Projects Abroad

Summer Abroad in Costa Rica

Spend Your Summer Abroad in Costa Rica's Cloud Forests! Embark o...

See All 2 Programs
00 reviews

The National Registration Center for Study Abroad

Study Spanish in Manuel Antonio Beach, Costa Rica

Our programs offer a unique combination of Spanish language train...

00 reviews

Don Quijote

Learn Spanish in Latin America at Don Quijote

Live "the Spanish way" while learning the language at Don Quijote...

9.58188 reviews

CELA Belize

Large Animal Veterinary Practice in the Tropics

Enhance your chances for vet school with an intensive, hands-on, ...

See All 5 Programs
1026 reviews

Loop Abroad

Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research

Known affectionately in our office as “dogs and dolphins”, this p...

See All 12 Programs
9.8848 reviews

Tico Lingo - Spanish Immersion School

Adult Spanish Immersion Program

Tico Lingo offers the most comprehensive and expertly designed Sp...

See All 2 Programs
7.2218 reviews

Universidad LCI Veritas

Study at the Universidad Veritas in Costa Rica

Founded in 1968, Universidad Veritas is a Costa Rican educational...

See All 4 Programs
8.610 reviews

Actuality Abroad

Documentary Outreach - Service Learning for Storytellers

Actuality Abroad's Documentary Outreach is a month-long immersive...

9.717 reviews

Nosara Spanish Institute

Spanish & Yoga Program @ Nosara Spanish Institute

For those looking to combine training of the body and mind, NSI's...

9.9521 reviews

Outward Bound Costa Rica

Gap Year & Semester Courses: Costa Rica & Panama

Go on a life-changing journey abroad through the gap year and sem...

See All 3 Programs
9.1947 reviews

Operation Wallacea

Operation Wallacea - Honduras

Operation Wallacea is a research and environmental organisation, ...

101 reviews

The GREEN Program

Belize: Action for Coastal Communities & Ocean Conservation

Belize is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world an...

00 reviews

SSA Education Abroad

Panama, Panama | Health Practices in Spanish

Discover how culture, language, and public health intersect in on...

See All 2 Programs
00 reviews

Earth Education International

International Environmental Issues & Globalization

Join this 12-day Field Course, which includes online pre-departur...

00 reviews

Florida State University International Programs

First Year Abroad in Panama City - Florida State University

Dive into the vibrant atmosphere of Panama City, a modern city by...

00 reviews

Project Dragonfly, Miami University

Earth Expeditions (EE) Study Abroad Courses

Earth Expeditions (EE) are Miami University study abroad courses ...

101 reviews

SIT TESOL Certificate - World Learning

SIT TESOL Certificate in Costa Rica - I4CL

Aspiring to teach English abroad? Increase your chances of landin...

00 reviews

Aerial Atitlan / Urban Circus International

Aerial Atitlan - Intensive Aerial Retreat &Training Program

Aerial Atitlán: Come Fly with Us! Immersive Aerial Arts Intensive...

00 reviews

Toucan Education Programs (TEP)

Culture Learning Summer Intensive in Belize

Culture Learning in Belize: Uncover a World of Cultures in One Su...

107 reviews

Manuel Antonio Spanish School

Affordable Spanish Program on the Beach in Costa Rica

This language program includes everything you need to learn, prac...

00 reviews

AdventureEXP

AdventureEXP Life Skills Foundation Course

Planning to work during your gap year? Or are you just looking to...

00 reviews

Dreamspear Retreats

Transformational Leadership Retreat – Panama

DreamSpear Retreat — Panama | July 19–24, 2025 6 days / 5 nights ...

00 reviews

MEDLIFE

Nursing Service Learning Trip (SLT)

A MEDLIFE Nursing Service Learning Service Trip offers free, high...

00 reviews

Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation

Coral Reef Ecology Summer Study Abroad

Snorkel the second largest barrier reef on the planet, off the co...

00 reviews

Celas Maya

Medical Spanish for Healthcare Professionals

Take your Spanish to the next level with Celas Maya’s Medical Spa...

00 reviews

Global Learning Programs

Customized Semester in Costa Rica with GLP

Your institution's students can experience an enriching semester ...

00 reviews

Cooperative Center for Study Abroad

Belize Anthropology Program

Belize is an English-speaking country in the heart of Central Ame...

00 reviews

The School for Field Studies

SFS Costa Rica: Ecological Resilience Studies

Spend a semester off the beaten path in Costa Rica’s lush rainfor...

See All 5 Programs
00 reviews

Universidad Santa Paula

International Programs at Universidad Santa Paula

Broaden your academic knowledge and global perspective with Unive...

00 reviews

Round River Conservation Studies

Belize Conservation Program

This program provides an exciting opportunity to assist the Ya’ax...

How to Study Abroad in Central America

Prepare to Study Abroad in Central America

Set goals

Before diving into your study abroad adventure in Central America, take a little time to set the tone.

  • Choose your purpose. Are you here to learn Spanish, gain fieldwork experience, or explore a future career? Locking in your "why" helps guide your choices.
  • Match your goals to your destination. Align your goals with a Central American country’s academic and cultural vibe.
  • Decide how immersive you want it. Consider the pros and cons of staying with a host family versus living in a dorm. Your choice impacts your immersion.
  • Create a personal challenge. Say yes more often, try local foods, or commit to exploring new cities.

Understand the benefits

Studying abroad in Central America is more than just a change of scenery. It’s a total perspective shift!

  • Language skills for life. Spanish isn’t just taught here, it’s lived. You’ll gain vocabulary, dialect nuance, and cultural fluency.
  • Affordable education. Compared to other regions, Central America offers low-cost living and tuition without sacrificing quality.
  • Unique fieldwork opportunities. Environmental science, public health, and social justice work are just a few areas where hands-on learning thrives.
  • Unbeatable travel experiences. Hike volcanoes, surf Pacific waves, and explore ancient ruins, all just a weekend trip away.

Latest Program Reviews

I loved it!

November 06, 2025by: Nelly Schywalsky - GermanyProgram: Spanish Immersion Programs | Learn Spanish in Latin America
10

I loved the lessons and classes here at Maximo Nivel. All the teachers are very friendly and kind. In general all the people here are. I enjoyed the cooking classes very much as well as the salsa classes at Maximo Nivel.

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