Arcos Learning Abroad - Study Abroad in Costa Rica

Arcos Learning Abroad - Study Abroad in Costa Rica

Location
  • Costa Rica
    • Heredia
Term
Academic Year, Fall, J-Term, Maymester, Short Term, Spring, Spring Break, Summer, Winter
Subject Areas
Animal Science Biology Business Cultural Studies Education Film Health Sciences Hispanic Studies History Hospitality Humanities Language Studies Latin American Studies Liberal Arts Linguistics Literature Marketing Social Sciences Social Work Sustainable Development Wildlife Sciences +11
529 Plan eligibility
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
High School Diploma Associates Bachelors
Housing
Host Family
Language
Spanish

Pricing

$3,195
Price Details
Program Price Includes:
- Pre-Departure Advising
- Visa Advising
- International Medical Insurance
- Program Orientation
- University Tuition & Fees
- Onsite Directors & Staff
- Homestay & Meals
- Laundry
- Excursions
- Cultural Activities
- Volunteer & Community Service
- Transcript Processing
- Airport Transfers
- Reception & Farewell Activity
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Classes Meals Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare SIM cards Travel Insurance
Apr 30, 2026
Apr 20, 2026
10 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Costa Rica consistently ranks as the happiest country on the planet. Travel to this tropical destination with Arcos and see why! Our study abroad program is based in the charming city of Heredia, known as the City of Flowers. It is perfectly positioned in the beautiful central valley with mountain views and cool temperatures. This ideal location allows us to easily embark on our excursions to explore the fascinating regions of this Central American country. Classes are held at a private university campus with lots of green space. You can choose from electives and Spanish language classes of all levels. Unique to Arcos are our internship courses and Animal Studies program based at a local wildlife rescue center. Our life-changing study abroad programs are known for the quality and personal care we provide our students. Step through the arch and into a world of growth and possibilities!

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers well-organized, immersive experiences with supportive staff and welcoming host families, blending academic learning with cultural activities.

Program Highlights

  • Excursions to the Pacific coast and Rainforest.
  • Intern or volunteer at a wildlife rescue center, teach English, or participate in an ecology and tree planting project.
  • Live with carefully vetted homestays specifically chosen for each student.
  • Enjoy a tropical and healthy diet, with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables (some unique only to Costa Rica!), and the world’s best coffee.
  • Experience the bountiful biodiversity of Costa Rica’s natural wealth of plants, animals, and ecosystems.

Join Arcos for Winter Break or Spring Semester!

Program Reviews

4.94 Rating
based on 36 reviews
  • 5 rating 94.44%
  • 4 rating 5.56%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.35
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.8
  • Housing 4.85
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 17 - 24 of 36 reviews
Eric
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

10/10 Highly Recommend!

I was able to utilize Arcos' services during a Spring Break Study Abroad in March 2025. From the moment we met Angie at the airport on our first day, I felt we were in good hands. Angie was fun, engaging, and was able to cultivate a relaxed and respectful atmosphere for my students and I. All of the planned events/activities helped my students learn more about the culture and healthcare system of Costa Rica. Our driver Jessica also helped all of us feel safe and relaxed while traveling in country.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Angie designed a great activity where my students bought fruits from the local market and then we all tasted the fruits we bought. It was a great learning/cultural experience. My students felt proud to navigate the market and find the fruits they needed while overcoming language barriers. I loved the Mamón!
68 people found this review helpful.
Hannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing!!!

The experience was truly a one of a kind trip! Our guide Cata and our driver Jessica were amazing and taught/explained so much for us. We fit so many activities in such a small amount of time, we were always on the move. The trip was a nice balance between academic activities and fun excursions. My host mom was amazing and took great care of us. The trip was eye opening and I'll take what I've learned and apply it to my future practice as a nurse. Not to mention Costa Rica is beautiful! I miss it already.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
All the different fruits Costa Rica has to offer that aren't in the US!
67 people found this review helpful.
Dawn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Magical time with Arcos in Costa Rica

The overall experience with Arcos was phenomenal. The care and attention we received went above and beyond. As a faculty member, I felt well supported and knew that the student would be cared for. This program balances academics with fun excursions to provide many life-changing experiences for the students. The director of our program, Cata, and our driver, Jessica, were amazing and I felt like I was traveling with family. I would recommend Arcos as a study abroad program to any faculty member seeking to start a program.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
We were able to see the Poas volcano erupt on a fairly clear day. This was amazing. I also was able to see a pizote which I've wanted to see since my first time in CR. I can mark that off my list of animals to see.
Pros
  • Director, driver, and all those at Arcos
  • Balance of meaningful academics with other activities
  • Connections with homestay families
Cons
  • The amount of time in the car and traffic
82 people found this review helpful.
JudelMay
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Choose ARCOS as your leading vendor!

ARCOS is the best and the leading vendor for all your study abroad needs. I finished traveling for about two weeks to Costa Rica with my group of 24 students, and I always felt safe and taken cared of. They organize the on ground cultural activities, events, transportation, translations, homestays, etc. and really, anything else you would need. Communication is easy, and they really work with you. The entire ARCOS team and program directors were all so knowledgeable and helpful from start to finish. I appreciate ARCOS so, so much and look forward to many more study abroad trips with them!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
During one of our cultural activities, the Heredia City Tour, the students and I were able to go to the market, break up into groups, and purchase multiple and different types of fruits. Then, we went to a nearby cafeteria where they prepared it for all of us to taste! I got to taste a lot of different types of fruit including cas, the Costa Rican guava.
102 people found this review helpful.
Danna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Loved the experience

I loved my experience studying abroad in Costa Rica. I was placed in the care of an amazing host mother and I had amazing ARCOS directors on my side that helped teach us about the history of Costa Rica. We also had amazing excursions where I got to experience events I wouldn’t of be able to do in California. For example, snorkeling and ziplining would not be something K could experience in my hometown so getting to do it in a new environment surrounded by nature and amazing scenery was a one of kind experience.

81 people found this review helpful.
Cristina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Time

It was my first time traveling since I was 11/12 years old. I had a great time visiting Costa Rica. I would love to come back. The tour guides, Angie and Cata, were terrific. They were funny and friendly. The homestead was grand. I wish I had my Mama Tika cooking for me to this day. The excursions were fun, and I enjoyed conversing with the friendly Costa Ricans. This experience made me think I could travel in the future since, prior, I did not want to travel. I want to use this program when traveling.

84 people found this review helpful.
Diana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

ARCOS is AMAZING!

Once again a stellar program for our Child and Adolescent Studies majors. The 13 day custom program was amazing and so representative of the phenomenal leadership of ARCOS. Each day was arranged perfectly and our students learned so much about the true culture of Costa Rica. We have basically left our heart in Costa Rica. We loved all the cultural and service learning activities. We highly recommend this vendor if you want professionalism, individual attention and quality. Thanks again to Janiva, Cata, Angie, Alejandro and Brent! Our amazing Costa Rica team!

What was your funniest moment?
We loved the cooking class and folkorico dance class.
Pros
  • Organized
  • Knowledgeable
  • Connected staff
Cons
  • 13 days was not enough
  • Had some rain in CR
  • NONE
75 people found this review helpful.
Theresa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica - Winter 2025

Loved this trip - it was a real immersion in Costa Rican hospitality and a great introduction to the businesses and business climate there.

Our tour guide was great, and the weather (supposed to be dry season) was funny. We experienced a lot of rain, but luckily, it wasn't cold. We saw a lot, learned a lot, ate a lot, and laughed a lot.

Our tour guide was so knowledgeable about her country - we got a great history lesson, learned a lot about the flora and fauna from her, and got to experience so much of Costa Rica. It was great.

What was your funniest moment?
Tie between zip-lining and horseback riding.
Zip-lining was so much fun, and the guides were excellent.
Horseback riding at the Los Lagos resort was hilarious - some of the group had never ridden a horse before, and we all had a lot of laughs.
Pros
  • tour guide Andrea was awesome (so was our bus driver Marlon) - she shared her love of the nature and the history of her home country, and she was fun, kind and a joy to be around
  • living with the families gave us a real taste for the every day lives of the Costa Rican people
  • the business tours were eye-opening and very informative
Cons
  • didn't love drive from Jacos to Heredia on a Sunday evening between Christmas and New Year's - horrible traffic and long drive when we were so tired from flight the day before
  • didn't love LONG layovers in Mexico city airport - those were brutal
  • least favorite lecture was one totally in Spanish - even with the translator (who was very nice) it was hard to follow
67 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers