Our campus is located in the mountainous region of Tres Rios about 25 minutes outside of central San Jose.

Warm air rising from the valley to the lovely, lush hills of Costa Rica makes the campus a magical place to live and to learn. Located in the heart of Costa Rica in the Central Valley, the region of Tres Rios boasts a nearly perfect climate, spectacular views, interesting museums, drive-up volcanoes and fertile hillsides dotted with coffee plantations. Located at an altitude of 5,750 feet above sea level, it is an idyllic climate with temperatures that vary from the mid-70's F during the day to about 60 degrees F at night.

The nearly 10 acre campus lies next to a much larger forest reserve where students routinely hike, mountain bike, climb and rappel. The beautiful cloud forest is home to some of the most diverse ecology in Costa Rica. Rivers, forest and wildlife are in abundance and the solitude and beauty are only matched by the amazing sun sets that are daily occurrence for student residents. The calming atmosphere makes it easy for students to live life a bit more slowly, a bit more intentionally, something Costa Ricans refer to as “pura vida,” which literally means “pure life.”

During the academic week, students stay in double rooms in our dorms which are nestled deep within the primary forest. Each complete bathroom is shared between two rooms and each student has a single bed, desk, lamp, outlets for personal music, locking closet and book shelves. The exterior of the dorms contains a spacious wraparound balcony overlooking the common courtyard area that includes large grass areas with outdoor benches and tables. The commons area includes a television, two computers, and a printer. Hiking trails are also available in the forest surrounding the residence.

On adventure weekends, students stay at either small hotels, homestays, village community stays or tent camping depending on the activity area. Numerous activities are organized both on and off campus. Students have time allotted each day for personal relaxation as well as studying.

Not far from campus is the friendly town of Tres Rios just five minutes away complete with everything one needs: banks, shopping, internet cafes, post office, medical facilities, ice cream parlors and photo developing shops. Just 15 minutes more takes one to San Pedro with its grand shopping mall and outlet mall.

25 minutes from campus is the Capital city of San Jose. San Jose offers a wide variety of activities and a thriving cultural experience with many fine restaurants, shops and some very impressive museums sprinkled throughout the city. In the Plaza de la Cultura, lies a fantastic collection of pre-Colombian gold artifacts. Next door is the National Theater, a 100 year old architectural jewel offering various performances ideal for cultural exposure to Latin America. A few blocks away is the Jade museum with the largest collection of pre-Colombian jade in the Americas.

Costa Rica is Central America's “Switzerland” boasting the most robust economy in the region as well as a political and cultural climate that rivals western standards. It has a reputation for being an oasis of calm, but there's more to Costa Rica than a stable status quo. The country's natural attractions, wildlife and reputation for enlightened conservation draw tourists from all over the world, making it an extremely approachable environment for tourist the world over.

Below are a list of links pertaining to Costa Rica. If you are interested hearing about Costa Rica first hand please feel free to call us directly 1-800-676-2018.

• Costa Rica Travel Bureau
• Lonely Planet
• World Fact Book
• Map of Costa Rica