8 Best Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica

Dreaming of palm trees, pristine beaches, and endless adventure? Costa Rica study abroad might be exactly what you’ve been looking for! Known for its incredible biodiversity, "pura vida" lifestyle, and warm, welcoming culture, Costa Rica offers a unique blend of outdoor exploration and academic growth. Whether you're diving into conservation studies, learning Spanish, or just want to experience life in one of the happiest countries in the world, Costa Rica has it all.  

Eager to find the perfect program for you? Awesome – let's learn more about the best Costa Rica study abroad programs! 

Best Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica 

When you study abroad in Costa Rica, you have the opportunity to explore the incredible nature and unparalleled biodiversity of this Latin American country. Monteverde plays host to CIEE’s study center in Costa Rica and is bursting with incredible study abroad opportunities that combine education with adventure. With iconic wildlife, from scarlet macaws and tree frogs to howler monkeys and sloths, Monteverde is home to lush jungles and exotic wildlife, making this the perfect location for students interested in sustainability and environmental studies.  

Stick around as we jump right into the top eight Costa Rica study abroad programs that CIEE Study Abroad offers! 

Featured Program #1: January in Monteverde 

Grab your hiking boots and get ready to spend January in the progressive mountain community of San Luis de Monteverde, where the region's breathtaking natural scenery will surround and astound you! Designed for students from all fields of study, this program is an ideal fit for those eager to develop healthy and sustainable lifestyle habits to protect the environment. When class is in session, your coursework will be delivered in English at CIEE Monteverde.  

Outside the classroom, you'll participate in immersive activities that complement classroom learning and increase intercultural understanding, including visiting natural protected areas like Rincon de la Vieja National Park, or the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, ziplining over one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, enjoying the magic of waterfalls deep in the forest and more. 

• Program Length: 3 weeks 
• Credit: 3 semester hours/4.5 quarter hours 
• Eligibility: 2.5 overall GPA 
• Featured Excursion: Take a day trip to a local, sustainable farm to enjoy a meal of 100% organically grown food direct from the fields   

Read More: Study Abroad in Latin America: The Ultimate Guide 

Featured Program #2: Open Campus Block 

Designed for students who require a flexible study abroad experience, CIEE's Open Campus Block program was thoughtfully structured to be completely customizable. You can participate in this program for one block – or up to three blocks – of your study abroad adventure. At CIEE Monteverde, you will learn from instructors in courses across various subject areas, including science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), Spanish, and more. 

• Program Length: 18 weeks 
• Credit: 6-7 per Block semester hours/9-10.5 Block quarter hours  
• Eligibility: 2.5 overall GPA 
• Featured Excursion: Experience biodiversity after the sun goes down with a guided hike in the forest 

Featured Program #3: Sustainability + The Environment 

Attending CIEE Monteverde is a unique and life-changing experience where you will develop new knowledge and skills while taking your Spanish language skills to the next level. This program is for students from all fields of study interested in digging into today's pressing environmental issues. When class is in session, you'll take three required content courses, an internship, and a Spanish language course. Outside the classroom, you'll participate in activities on local farms, natural reserves, field stations, and other experiences that provide intercultural understanding. 

• Program Length: 16 weeks 
• Credit: 16-17 semester hours/24-25.5 quarter hours  
• Eligibility: 2.5 overall GPA 
• Featured Excursion: Rise with the sun for birding tours or farm chores 

Featured Program #4: Tropical Ecology + Conservation 

Explore the high biodiversity of the tropical cloud forest of Monteverde, where conservation initiatives, environmental education, ecotourism, and the local community live together to preserve this unique place threatened by climate change. Students interested in environmental and natural sciences will learn valuable skills through hands-on experience courses. Students can also learn Spanish and interact with the local community in their native language. During the last weeks of the program, you’ll carry out independent research projects where they apply the knowledge gained through the program courses. 

• Program Length: 16 weeks 
• Credit: 17-18 semester hours/25.5-27 quarter hours  
• Eligibility: 2.5 overall GPA 
• Featured Excursion: See how local coffee farms, livestock, and butterfly gardens add to Monteverde’s vibrant landscape. 

Read More: Eat, Drink, Explore: Monteverde 

Best Summer Costa Rica Study Abroad Programs 

Costa Rica study abroad programs in the summer provide a unique chance to gain valuable insights while enjoying the country's natural beauty. Check out these four programs that will make your summer both educational and unforgettable. 

Featured Program #5: Summer in Monteverde  

Spend your summer in the mountain community of San Luis de Monteverde. When class is in session, your coursework will be delivered in English at CIEE Monteverde where you’ll learn alongside fellow American students. Outside the classroom, you'll participate in hands-on activities and excursions organized by CIEE!  

• Program Length: 4 weeks 
• Credit: 3-4 per session semester hours/4.5-6 per session quarter hours  
• Eligibility: 2.5 overall GPA 
• Featured Excursion: Hike under the dripping boughs of the cloud forest to observe colorful plants and animals 

Featured Program #6: Summer Global Internship 

Make the most of your summer by interning abroad in Monteverde, a unique region known for its biological diversity, multicultural society, and the efforts its community organizations and businesses make to conserve natural resources and mitigate climate change. During your summer internship, you'll gain new skills and abilities while living in one of the few ecosystems of a Tropical Cloud Forest. Discover first-hand the initiatives and ventures involved in balancing an economy and ecotourism without compromising sustainability, human well-being, community resilience, conservation, climate action, and more in this biodiverse Costa Rican region. 

• Program Length: 8 weeks 
• Credit: 6 semester hours/9 quarter hours  
• Eligibility: 2.5 overall GPA 
• Featured Excursion: Visit local businesses involved with tourism 

Read More: How to Get an Internship Abroad: 4 Easy Steps 

Featured Program #7: Summer Sustainability + The Environment 

Live on the edge of the world-famous Costa Rican cloud forest in Monteverde, where you'll learn about sustainable economic development, environmental engineering, and other STEM-related topics. See firsthand why there is no better place than CIEE Monteverde for students to study ecology, conservation, sustainable practices, the consequences of climate change, conservation in the tropics, and more. During this summer Open Campus Block program, you can choose to spend one six-week block (or up to two) exploring ways to protect the environment and live more sustainably. 

• Program Length: 6 weeks 
• Credit: 6-7 per Block semester hours/9-10.5 per Block quarter hours  
• Eligibility: 2.5 overall GPA 
• Featured Excursion: Optional weekend at a homestay where students can live with a local family in Monteverde   

Read More: Best Places to Study Abroad in Latin America 

Featured Program #8: Summer Tropical Ecology + Conservation 

Explore the high biodiversity of the tropical cloud forest of Monteverde, where conservation initiatives, scientific research, environmental education, ecotourism, and the local community live together to preserve this unique place threatened by climate change. You will carry out a faculty-led research project where you apply the knowledge gained in the classroom and participate in activities to learn about different tropical ecosystems. 

• Program Length: 8 weeks 
• Credit: 10 semester hours/15 quarter hours  
• Eligibility: 2.5 overall GPA 
• Featured Excursion: Explore natural destinations, such as national parks or reserves 

Which Costa Rica Study Abroad Program Will You Choose? 

With so many incredible programs to explore, the decision is yours! Whether you're drawn to Costa Rica's rich biodiversity, passionate about environmental conservation, or eager to immerse yourself in the local culture, there's a CIEE program tailored to your interests. Each offers a unique opportunity to enhance your education while experiencing the natural beauty and warmth of this extraordinary country.  

Your experience in Costa Rica is sure to be full of excitement, personal development, and unforgettable moments that will stay with you long after you return home! 

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