Edited by Nik Higgins · Co-founder & CEO
Costa Rica offers a range of international schools for expat families, with options spanning British, IB, American, and other curricula. Families relocating here will find schools at various price points, from affordable to premium institutions with world-class facilities.
Compare 46 international schools in Costa Rica. Filter by curriculum, fees (average CRC 13,462), location, and more to find the right international school now.
There are 46 international schools in Costa Rica covering 18 curricula. The most widely offered are Bespoke Curriculum (27), IB (DP) (23), American Curriculum (14), IB (MYP) (9), IB (PYP) (8). If your child may move countries again, an internationally-portable curriculum (IB, or Cambridge/British) keeps options open; if you're likely to settle, a curriculum matching your home or target university system can be the better fit.
Annual tuition across Costa Rica runs from about CRC 1,400 to CRC 36,520, averaging roughly CRC 13,462. Budget for one-off costs on top — application and enrolment fees, a refundable deposit, uniform, transport and exams.
Sought-after schools in Costa Rica run waiting lists, so apply early — ideally a term or two ahead. Most admissions involve an application, prior school reports and an assessment or interview, with entry points often tied to the school year. Each school's profile shows term dates, open days and how to enquire.
1 of the 46 schools offer boarding — useful if you're relocating or want weekly or full boarding.
doris lists every international school in Costa Rica we can find — not only those that pay. We take no placement fees and sell no rankings or "top school" spots, so the schools above aren't ordered by who paid most. Details come from the schools' own information and public sources, and you can compare any of them side by side.
