Costa Rica is a remarkable place to visit. A relatively small country located in Central America, Costa Rica features an extraordinarily varied landscape — from cloud forests and live volcanoes to dramatic coastline featuring magnificent black sand beaches.

CAPA offers two centers in Costa Rica, one in the center of San José and one outside of Alajuela, Costa Rica’s second-largest city. The San José center houses our internship programs and some faculty-led programs. The Alajuela center houses faculty-led programs focused on Spanish language immersion. Both centers are located in Costa Rica’s central valley. By being in the center of the country, it is easy to explore other parts of Costa Rica, as both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts are only a few hours away by public bus. 

Located in the urban Zapote / San Pedro district of San José, the CAPA San José Center is a short bus ride from the city’s famous museums and markets. San Pedro is home to the Universidad de Costa Rica; the area has a vibrant student life with many restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Located within 20 miles of San Jose, and just 20 minutes by bus from Alajuela, the CAPA Alajuela Center is in a rural setting surrounded by flowers, fruit trees, and coffee plantations. The CAPA Alajuela Center is housed on an old farm, and students from around the world come to study Spanish.  

Both CAPA Centers are lively places with a strong sense of community. International students learning Spanish create a rich international flavor. Regular activities encourage interaction amongst all the students on campus. These include special events such as group lunches, culture nights, Latin dance classes, and walking tours of the local area. The centers have fully equipped classrooms, a faculty office and access to computer facilities.

CAPA actively encourages students to explore beyond the confines of the Center in order to meet and interact with the full-time residents of the area. Student volunteers have the opportunity to participate in a number of community outreach programs. Drama, music, and dance evenings are regular events and students are encouraged to join local groups. Athletes can participate in pick-up soccer games in local parks or join an exercise class in town.