High School Study Abroad in Costa Rica
79 High School Trips to Costa Rica

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Global Leadership Adventures
Travel to Costa Rica and make a difference in a subject area you ...

MAXIMO NIVEL
Develop your Spanish skills in Costa Rica with the Maximo Nivel S...

Travel For Teens
Join us in Costa Rica for unforgettable memories and valuable ser...
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Arcos Journeys Abroad
Immerse yourself in the Spanish language of Costa Rica, the happi...
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AFS-USA
Our high school study abroad program in Costa Rica is filled with...

Global Leadership Adventures
Travel to Costa Rica and make a difference in a subject area you ...
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Beyond Sports Tours
The Girls Leadership Academy for Service & Sport (GLASS) is desig...

CIEE High School Abroad
Delve into the science of climate change surrounded by Costa Rica...
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Seeds of Change Research
During the Seeds of Change Tropical Rainforest Research Program, ...
See All 2 ProgramsGoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with awa...
See All 13 ProgramsGreenheart Travel
Learn and improve your Spanish skills through full language and c...
See All 2 ProgramsGVI
GVI offers a variety of opportunities for young adults between th...
See All 4 ProgramsRustic Pathways
Costa Rica is where adventure, service, cultural immersion, and t...
Westcoast Connection
Travel to Costa Rica this summer for a teen community service pro...
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Global Works specializes in service trips and educational experie...
See All 2 ProgramsA Guide to High School Programs Abroad in Costa Rica
Best Cities for Teens
Whether you choose to adopt the slightly more busy city life or a laid back beachside lifestyle, one truth remains: with the right amount of dedication to speaking Spanish and openness to new experiences, your high school program in Costa Rica will be exciting and productive. The most popular destinations for high school programs in Costa Rica include:
San José. The capital and largest city, known locally as Chepe, is a bit of a concrete eyesore. Even so, students who take the time to get to know the city through a high school program will be treated to a playground of historic neighborhoods and colorful street art. During high school programs in San José students will be able to witness firsthand the interweavings of the Tico’s indigenous heritage and colonial past.
Heredia. This university town is small and easily managed by first time visitors to Costa Rica. Its adorable town square will keep you busy after class, and its accessibility to nearby mountain towns and villages means opportunities for adventure (the culturally immersive type!) are abundant. Don’t forget to take a dip in the nearby waterfalls or swimming holes!
Other student-friendly highland cities include San Joaquín de Flores and Monteverde, and for those that want to study on the coast, Samara, Manuel Antonio, and Playa Flamingo (Yes, FLAMINGO!) all host high school program opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The education system in Costa Rica is similar to other parts of the world—public high school is free and private high school comes at a cost. If you want to study abroad in Costa Rica in high school, you will need to pay the associated tuition.
Secondary school in Costa Rica lasts from about 12-years-old to 18-years-old, lasting about 6 years. These 6 years are split into two cycles of 3 years each.
High school in Costa Rica, or secondary school, is about 6 years long. Secondary school is split into two cycles of 3 years each; the first cycle is dedicated to general education, and the second cycle is intended for pursuit of a specialization.
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