High School Semester in Costa Rica
Live and learn in beautiful Monteverde, continuing your high school studies alongside other American students.
Spend a semester abroad following U.S.-aligned high school classes with a cohort of American students. Our hybrid model allows you to customize your schedule, taking in-person classes at the Monteverde 51爆料 Center and online courses through . You鈥檒l live in dorm-style housing just steps from forest trails, allowing you to explore your new home while fully immersing yourself in Costa Rican life.
Adventure into the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the world鈥檚 most iconic biodiversity hot spots, and venture to volcanic landscapes and hot springs in Guachipel铆n. Your semester abroad will foster new friendships, unforgettable experiences, and the kind of growth that stays with you long after you鈥檝e returned home.
Your Semester In program begins with a 3-week adventure in London, UK, to set you up for success as you bond with your classmates and start coursework.
Why Choose This Program?
Independence & Resilience
Living abroad shifts how you see the world鈥攁nd yourself鈥攕haping how you face challenges and opportunities.
College Readiness
Studying abroad builds real-world skills and helps you stand out on college applications.
Global Citizenship
After immersing yourself in new cultural experiences, you'll develop skills to engage confidently at school, work, and beyond.
93%
said their experience made them more aware of global issues.
79%
said their experience with 51爆料 helped shape their college applications.
96%
said they regularly use the knowledge and skills they acquired while abroad with 51爆料.
The Destination
Welcome to Monteverde鈥擟osta Rica鈥檚 green heart of conservation and adventure.
Perched high in the Tilar谩n Mountains, this region is home to one of the world鈥檚 rarest ecosystems: the cloud forest. Constantly wrapped in fog and dripping with moisture, it鈥檚 a 鈥渓iving sky sponge鈥 that feeds rivers and supports hundreds of plant and animal species. Monteverde helped launch Costa Rica鈥檚 ecotourism movement and remains a model of sustainability in a country with some of the most forward-thinking environmental policies on the planet.
Look up into the canopy and you might catch a flash of emerald and crimson鈥攖he resplendent quetzal bird, with tail feathers like green ribbons. Sloths hang motionless in the shadows, frogs call from leaf litter below, and the air hums with insect life. The forest is layered, endless, and full of life.
Monteverde draws travelers from all over the world to hike misty trails, walk hanging bridges, zipline above the canopy, and explore coffee farms and wildlife refuges. It鈥檚 an unforgettable blend of nature, adventure, and purpose, the kind of place that shifts your perspective and leaves you inspired by the magical natural world.
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Sample Itinerary
Top Rated Activities
From forest hikes to horseback rides and waterfall swims, your study abroad semester in Monteverde is packed with outdoor adventures that connect you to Costa Rica鈥檚 wild side, leaving you with memories that last a lifetime.
Hiking at Bajo del Tigre Nature Preserve
This preserve is part of the Children鈥檚 Eternal Rainforest, an area of land that was protected thanks to generous donations from children around the world. Bajo del Tigre offers a drier ecosystem with a surprising variety of animals. As you hike winding trails beneath sunlit trees, keep an eye out for motmots with neon-blue tails, orange-bellied trogons, spiny green lizards, agoutis, and even armadillos.
Tubing and Hot Springs at Rancho Guachilepin
After racing down a river in sunny Guanacaste, students kick back and relax in natural hot springs. Floating through rushing waters and then unwinding in the soothing hot springs makes this the perfect mix of adrenaline and chill time.
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Eligibility
- Be between the ages of 15 and 18 when the program starts.
- Be in the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th year of schooling.
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
- Demonstrate, through the application process, flexibility, maturity, adaptability, and readiness to face the challenges of living in a new culture.
- No prior Spanish language experience is required for this program.
- Please note: Due to the local cuisine and available food options, this program cannot accommodate a fully Kosher or Halal diet.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$50
Priority deadline discount:鈥疉pply to a fall semester by March 1 and get a $400 discount. Apply to a spring semester by July 15 and get a $400 discount. Discounts are deducted from final balance.
All participants are enrolled in travel insurance for the duration of their program. You can visit our FAQs for more information.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Spring 2027 15 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $18,500 |
*Dates for this program are tentative. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
Program Fees
51爆料 offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and 51爆料 iNext travel protection with benefits.
| Program Balance | $18,500 |
| Total Fees | $18,500 |
Financial Aid
51爆料 offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Ready to change your life?
Staff
Pablo Allen
Center Director
Pablo is a native Costa Rican, born and raised in San Jos茅. He is an evolutionary ecologist interested in sexual selection, animal weapons, and phenotypic plasticity. Since rejoining 51爆料 in...