Marine Biology Study Abroad Programs in San Jose, Costa Rica

Spend a semester or academic year in the lively capital of San José with AIFS Abroad! You’ll earn up to 20 credits per semester from Universidad Veritas through various courses and internship opportunities. Courses are taught in English and Spanish. No previous Spanish language study is required for most programs. Universidad Veritas offers an internship program and volunteer opportunities that’ll help you make the most of your semester abroad. Their Spanish Language and Internship Program welcomes students with an advanced level of Spanish and a minimum of 2 years of college-level Spanish. It combines a 4-week Spanish language course with a 12-week internship placement within local companies or NGOs based on your major. You’ll also enjoy cultural and social activities, including: • Costa Rican cooking classes • Visits to local museums and historical sites • A 3-day trip to Arenal Volcano, hot springs, and Monteverde Cloud Forest • A 3-day trip to the beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park • Day trip to Poás Volcano, Doka Coffee Estate, and Sarchi artisans Optional excursions include a 2-day trip hiking and rafting in Sarapiquí.

Maximo Nivel offers university programs year round including Fall Semester, Winter Session (J-term), Spring Semester, and Summer Session. University students can study part-time or full-time. University credit is awarded by California State University-Monterey Bay and/or our local university partners in each country. INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES - International Development - Business in Latin America - Conservation & Biology SUMMER SESSION-only (Peru) - Ecology & Conservation of Marine Mammals - Community Medicine & Service Learning - Multidisciplinary Research on Medicinal Plants in Peru - Biology Conservation Techniques of Parrots and Macaws - Global Health, Public Health, and Medical Spanish - Natural History of the Peruvian Tropical Coastal Marine System SERVICE LEARNING SPANISH LANGUAGE UNIVERSITY GROUPS Maximo Nivel works directly with universities in the United States, Canada, and Europe to organize semester-long programs as well as short-term group experiences from 1-4 weeks. We work directly with faculty-led groups, as well as independent student groups, and Alternative Spring Break programs.

CIS Abroad Study and Intern Abroad programs are some of the most affordable, comprehensive program packages available. We also don't cut any corners by offering everything you would expect from an overseas program: tuition, housing, support, insurance, excursions, social and cultural activities, and airport pick-up – all considered the core of our package. Some programs also include all or most meals, extensive off-site orientations/excursions, transportation passes, and more. Whether you want to study for a year, semester, or summer, intern for a month to a year, or take an intensive foreign language course for a couple of weeks, CIS Abroad has the perfect program for you at the best value! "You're Going Places with CIS Abroad!"

Located in the central valley of Costa Rica, San José is a vibrant urban center in the heart of a serene and beautiful nation. Three volcanoes surround the city, and quaint villages, farms, and coffee plantations dot the hillsides. Though the metropolitan area is home to 36% of the nation’s population, one can easily explore the smaller central area of the city and discover its neighborhood markets and local restaurants. Cultural opportunities, including theater, music, cinema, and dance, are also abundant in San José. Students can visit the Museo Nacional, the Museo de Oro Precolombino with its sparkling collection of pre-Columbian gold, or the Museo de Jade, boasting the world’s largest collection of jade.

Get your hands dirty on a wildlife adventure! Journey through the amazingly biodiverse rainforests and beaches of Costa Rica. Work with your friends to collect sea turtle hatchling data and contribute to conservation in action. Over the next 14 days, you'll venture across Costa Rica and explore this diverse country through the eyes of a field biologist and conservationist. Work alongside professional biologists and marine conservationists in the field with a small group of teens. Assist with conservation efforts while having a blast experiencing the amazing biodiversity of Costa Rica through activities like rafting, hiking, rappelling, surfing, and more. We are offering 3 sessions for summer 2026 (while space is available): June 20 - July 3, 2026 July 6 - July 19, 2026 July 22 - August 4, 2026

Enjoy the comforts of sleeping on a mattress every night with the experiential impact of diving into science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) topics in the tropics of Costa Rica and Panama. Gain independence and become confident in yourself through course module takeways—marine ecology, mental health, doing your part to combat climate change, improving your Spanish language skills, the fundamentals of photography, Latin cuisine cooking, and more. Electronics, cell phones, and laptops are welcome on this program. Your residential gap semester can last from 35 to 65 days. Each program topic is complemented by excursions that will enhance your learning, including day trips to volcanoes, hot springs, tropical cloud forest or rainforest reserves, turtle nesting sites, and important political and historical locations in Costa Rica and Panama. Please see our website for more information about modules available. COVID-19 adjustments have been applied to this program to ensure your health and safety while studying abroad.