High School Study Abroad in Costa Rica

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91 High School Trips to Costa Rica

Featured High School Program Provider of the Month

MAXIMO NIVEL
9.5
2
Develop your Spanish skills in Costa Rica with the Maximo Nivel Spanish Camp. Maximo Nivel Summer Spanish Camp is a full-immersion experience ...

Travel For Teens
9.79
14
Join us in Costa Rica for unforgettable memories and valuable service work! We will have the unique opportunity to perform 20 hours of valuable s...
See All 13 Programs
Arcos Journeys Abroad
9.73
94
Immerse yourself in the Spanish language of Costa Rica, the happiest country on the planet! Live like a true local in the traditional town of Ate...
See All 3 Programs
AFS-USA
8
1
Our high school study abroad program in Costa Rica is filled with an immersive homestay and high school experience and an unbelievable tour of th...

Global Leadership Adventures
9.8
64
Travel to Costa Rica and make a difference in a subject area you are passionate about! Choose from program themes ranging from Public Health and ...
See All 10 Programs
Beyond Sports Tours
9.8
25
The Girls Leadership Academy for Service & Sport (GLASS) is designed specifically for high school female athletes. Our one-of-a-kind curriculum i...

CIEE High School Abroad
10
1
Delve into the science of climate change surrounded by Costa Rica’s lush forest. Discover its impact on tropical ecosystems as you explore the wo...
See All 3 ProgramsGoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
9.63
41
GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and med
See All 14 ProgramsGreenheart Travel
9.5
2
Learn and improve your Spanish skills through full language and cultural immersion on Greenheart Travel’s summer language camp program in San Jose or Manuel Antonio! We welcome teen students of all skills, including beginners! Live with a Costa Rican host family and make friends from around the wor
See All 2 ProgramsRustic Pathways
9.2
35
Costa Rica is where adventure, service, cultural immersion, and the wonders of nature intersect. Our programs focus on turtle conservation, surfing, and connection with the local communities. With programs for high school students, college students, and young explorers, there’s an exciting opportuni
Westcoast Connection
9.83
6
Travel to Costa Rica this summer for a teen community service program you won’t forget! Work alongside some of our long-standing service partners on projects such as building infrastructure in the Central Valley. The trip uses a service-learning framework tailored for high school students, wherein
See All 8 ProgramsGlobal Works
9.7
10
Global Works specializes in teen service trips and educational experiences to Costa Rica for high school and middle school students. These student travel programs have been our most popular over the years for good reason. Incredible biodiversity and a welcoming culture make Costa Rica an awesome cho
See All 2 ProgramsIntercultura Costa Rica
10
5
Learn the language. Live the culture. Be the change. Join our summer camp for ages 13 - 17! Ready for a meaningful immersion experience? Take part in our Teen Summer Camp for a more encompassing adventure than the usual camp routine. Our new language program also empowers you to become an agent for
Freepackers
10
1
Experience an unforgettable summer camp in the heart of Costa Rica's beautiful tropical forests, where adventure meets conservation. Engage in wildlife research while exploring the jungle, hiking, ziplining, and immersing yourself in the local culture. Gain insights from experienced researchers on h
MEI Academy World High School
10
1
This program finds you traveling through Belize, Guatemala, and Costa Rica to experience first-hand some of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. Studying Biology is the ideal way to make beaches, rainforests, and reefs your classroom as you earn your senior English and Biology credits and get into t
Putney Student Travel
9.57
7
Live and volunteer in a rural Costa Rican community on this immersive high school service program. Begin at a rainforest ecolodge near Lake Arenal, where you learn about sustainability, explore jungle trails, and prepare for your project work. Settle into your host community to partner with local re
See All 2 ProgramsARCC Programs
9.43
7
The Costa Rica: Cloud Forest Community Initiative program offers the perfect mix of adventure and service. Whitewater raft through the lush rainforest of the Pacuare River, spotting wildlife like monkeys, sloths, and toucans along the way. Live in a remote cloud forest village, contributing to impo
See All 2 ProgramsInternational Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
0
0
Join the Teen Volunteer Summer Camp in Costa Rica with International Volunteer HQ for an unforgettable cultural immersion and community volunteering experience designed for 16- and 17-year-olds. This fully supervised program combines meaningful volunteer work with social activities, cultural explora
Rooted Life Adventures
0
0
Join us from June 21st to August 1st, 2025, for a 6-week Summer Camp for Teen Girls between 14 and 17 years old. Based in Costa Rica, the program includes therapeutic support. Imagine a summer camp with water gun fights, paint battles, and never-ending slumber parties with karaoke nights and poolsi
Carpe Diem Education
9.19
26
Venture through Guatemala and Costa Rica, exploring lush tropical rainforests, towering volcanoes, steep-sided mountains, and extended coastlines. Embrace the spirit of "pura vida" and learn from the unique crossover of individuals who call these nations home. Living alongside Indigenous communities
A 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.
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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Juliana Ferrer
Outward Bound Costa Rica
I was inspired by my love of adventure and I wanted to have a chance to step out of my comfort zone.

Lindsay Goddard
Global Leadership Adventures
Travel has been a big part of my life since I was young, and volunteering is a passion of mine, so when my best friend showed me her GLA catalog, I kn...
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