San José

The City Academics Excursions Housing Free Shuttle Accessibility & Inclusion Eligibility Internships & Volunteer Cost & Dates What's Included Program Calendar

The City

San José: The Heartbeat of Costa Rica

Welcoming and rich in culture, San José is Costa Rica’s dynamic capital and largest city — buzzing with 340,000 inhabitants and sitting at the crossroads of history, modernity, and adventure. Often called the gateway to the country's breathtaking natural wonders, San José is also a destination in its own right—ranked as one of the most popular tourist cities in Latin America and the heart of Costa Rica’s economy and culture.

Founded in 1737 during Spanish colonial rule, San José’s Spanish influence can be seen in its language, architecture, and traditions. Since becoming Costa Rica’s capital in 1821, the city has blossomed into a vibrant hub of progress and innovation, fueled in part by the legacy of the coffee trade and the energetic mix of people from across the region.

Today, San José is a colorful patchwork of barrios, or neighborhoods—each offering its own charm and rhythm. Spend your days exploring the lively downtown or wandering through the artistic Barrio Amón, where vine-draped mansions and cozy cafés give the area a bohemian flair. In the evening, head to the ultra-trendy Barrio Escalante, where top-tier restaurants and bustling nightlife redefine Costa Rican cuisine and cool. Craving a movie night? Catch an indie film at the iconic Cine Magaly in Barrio La California.

The city’s energy is matched only by its ideal year-round climate—daily temperatures hover comfortably between 65°F and 85°F. From December to April, the dry season brings sunny skies, while the rainy season (May to November) adds refreshing rhythm to the afternoons without slowing the city down.

San José’s central location makes it perfect for exploring both urban environments and outdoor adventure. Join the locals in cheering for one of the city’s three professional soccer teams, or venture out for a weekend hike, cycling trip, or rainforest getaway. Or, fly to another Latin American destination for a weekend trip or school break.

Whether you're here for the language, the culture, or the countless adventures within reach, San José offers the perfect launchpad for discovering the soul of Costa Rica.

Course Offerings

SEMESTER PROGRAMS: UNIVERSIDAD VERITAS

SUMMER PROGRAMS: UNIVERSIDAD VERITAS

Academics

ASA partners with Universidad Veritas in San Jose, Costa Rica. Universidad Veritas offers a wide range of courses in English in Sustainability, Art, Design, Marine Biology, Zoology, Social Justice, Psychology, Business, Communication, International Studies, Latin American Culture, History, and Politics. Optional Spanish language courses and a certificate program are available as well. Click the links above for course offerings.

Semester programs include 2 overnight excursions. Summer programs include 1 overnight excursion and 1 full day trip. Destinations may vary by term. Past terms have included trips to:

Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna - Tour a local sustainable farm, relax in the area's hot springs, and take part in activities such as hiking in the rainforest.
Manuel Antonio National Park - Contains 3 beautiful beaches, casual forest trails, and a dense rainforest with three-toed sloths, endangered white-faced capuchin monkeys, and hundreds of bird species.

Housing

ASA offers homestays with local families in San Jose.

Host 1-2 students
Individual rooms and shared bathrooms
Meals included (breakfast & dinner on weekdays; breakfast, lunch, & dinner on weekends)
Laundry included
WiFi internet access
Located in safe neighborhoods near campus

Housing FAQ

Can I room with a friend?

In most cases we can accommodate same-gender roommate requests. Mixed gender roommate requests can sometimes be accommodated as well, but you will not be sharing a room. You'll complete a Housing Request Form after being accepted, and you can give us the name(s) of those you want to live with. Roommate requests must be mutual, so be sure your friend requests you back!

When will I find out where I'll be living?

ASA will notify you of your living arrangements via email approximately 1-2 weeks before the start of your program. You will receive a detailed description of your housing and the location, and if there are other ASA students in your housing, we will include their names and email addresses.

Will I have a roommate?

Rooms are single occupancy. Some homestays host more than one student at a time (typically 1-2 students per homestay) so while there could be other students in your housing, you will have your own room.

What if I don't like my host family?

If it is a problem with the homestay and not a language or cultural misunderstanding, ASA will move you to a different homestay right away. We have on-site staff in every city who are there to help students with any issues they encounter while abroad, and who check in periodically with students throughout their stay to ensure all is well.

Will my host family speak English?

It is possible they will speak some English but there’s no need to worry! Living in a homestay is the best way for you to learn Spanish and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you will improve. They've hosted international students before so they understand that you are there to learn their language and want to help you.

What should I bring with me?

A detailed list of what to bring (and what not to bring) will be included in your ASA pre-departure handbook, which will be emailed to you about a month before your program begins. Please consider bringing a small gift for your host, such as a candle, kitchen towel, chocolates, etc.

Are meals included?

Homestay accommodation includes breakfast and dinner.

What is the food like?

The food is great and will be typical of your host country. Be prepared to try new things! If you have any food allergies or dietary needs, please let ASA know as soon as possible and we'll be happy to advise you on your options.

How far will I live from school?

Please rest assured that we place a high priority on location, and all ASA students live within a reasonable distance from their classes!

Free Shuttle

Universidad Veritas provides a FREE shuttle service for international students Monday through Friday during semester and summer terms!

The shuttle brings students back and forth from the housing area to campus and is designed around the Veritas class schedule.

Pick-up and drop-off times enable students to arrive to campus in time for classes, as well as return back to the housing area after classes. Several routes are made throughout the day that coordinate with the university class schedules. Simply show your Veritas ID card when you board the bus!

Accessibility & Inclusion

Diversifying study abroad is a priority for ASA. Detailed information for underrepresented groups considering San Jose can be found below. You should also check out Diversity Abroad’s Costa Rica Travel Guide.

If you have questions or concerns about how any of your identities may impact your study abroad experience, please contact us.

Details

Culture & Ethnicity

Costa Rica is comprised of a mix of ethnic groups, with the largest being those primarily of European descent (83%), followed by those primarily of African descent (7%), and smaller populations of Indigenous (2-3%) and Asians (1-2%), predominantly of Chinese descent.

Black haircare products and salons/barbershops are available in Costa Rica, particularly around San Jose and in Limon. There is a Black Expats in Costa Rica Facebook Group you can join for tips and networking.

In 2012, the governments of China and Costa Rica partnered to create a Chinatown in the Paseo de los Estudiantes district in San Jose in part to recognize the contribution of Chinese immigrants to Costa Rica.

Disability Accommodation

According to Wheel the World, The Law of Equal Opportunity for People with Disabilities makes it mandatory for all public and private establishments to provide accessible services for all in Costa Rica. Lonely Planet named Costa Rica the best accessible travel destination in 2021.

We encourage you to open a dialogue with us so we can assess accessibility in housing and academic spaces.

The U.S. State Department has advice for international travelers with disabilities at this link.

Food

Please notify us about any special dietary needs with as much advance notice as possible, so we can assess whether your needs can be accommodated within a homestay family.

Resources for dietary needs for allergies, religious beliefs, or other preferences below. We strongly encourage you to order food/allergy translation cards to help communicate your needs while abroad.

Financial Aid & Money Matters

Costa Rica is generally more affordable than other study abroad destinations given the lower cost of living and cheaper flights from the United States.

ASA allows payment deferral until your institution releases your Financial Aid, and we offer payment plans upon request to students who need it. More information on billing and payment can be found here.

ASA also has several scholarships you can apply for within our program application. Students who receive a Pell Grant as part of their Financial Aid package are eligible to apply for the Gilman Scholarship.

First Generation

ASA provides hands-on support throughout the entire process. This includes housing, course registration, flight and arrival logistics, and student visa guidance. While you're abroad, our on-site staff is available to support you 24/7. They coordinate social and cultural activities and offer guidance on the local culture, to give you and your support system peace of mind throughout your program. We also have an online orientation for parents/families/support systems at this link.

Gender Identity & Sexuality

We welcome students with any gender identity and sexuality on all of our programs. Veritas offers a course on LGBT Diversity and Sexual Identity in the Americas.

Same-sex activity, marriage, and adoption are all legal in Costa Rica.
Manuel Antonio hosts a Pride parade every year.
Transgender people are able to change their legal name on documentation so that it matches their gender identity and changing sex assigned at birth is allowed.

Check out the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association Guide here.

Mental Health

Students with a range of mental health conditions can successfully study abroad. If you take any medications, please review the U.S. State Department recommendations for traveling abroad with medications.

ASA is happy to talk to you about what resources are available for any mental or physical health needs you have. Please reach out to us by clicking here. Having advance notice of what your needs are will allow us to identify resources to support you, such as therapy or ongoing medical care to allow you to be successful. Any ASA team member is a safe person to share things with!

Our medical insurance partner, CISI (Cultural Insurance Services International) offers Remote Behavioral and Mental Health Services. These telephonic consultations happen between a U.S. mental health professional and the student, at no additional expense, for the purposes of delivering counseling services.

This service can help:

Mitigate emergencies through accessible psychological care administered by U.S. based specialists
Immediate crisis intervention
Early intervention
Psychology assessment
Follow up

For more information, see our mental & emotional health information here.

Non-Traditional Students

ASA welcomes all degree-seeking undergraduate students on any of our programs. We are happy to talk through any component of your identity (e.g. age, marital status, parental/caregiver status, military affiliation, et al.) that may affect your ability to participate on a program. Click here to contact us.

Religion

While Roman Catholicism is the official religion, the Costa Rican constitution recognizes freedom of religion and there are several active Protestant denominations as well as mosques, synagogues, Hindu temples, and Buddhist centers throughout the country. Roughly 13% of Costa Ricans do not practice any religion. More detailed information on religion in Costa Rica can be found here.

Eligibility

Universidad Veritas - San José, Costa Rica
Summer/Semester/Academic Year

At least 18 years of age
Minimum GPA 2.6 (Students with GPA between 2.0-2.59 may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students with a GPA of 1.99 or lower will not be considered.)
Passport. Your passport must be current and valid for 6 months past your program end date. An application can be submitted without a valid passport if you have applied for an expedited passport
Language requirement: None. Open to any Spanish level
Transcript from your college or university (unofficial is ok)
Completed ASA Application
For Application Deadlines, please click the Cost & Dates tab

Internship & Volunteer Opportunities

Veritas offers Experiential Learning, Internships, and Volunteering opportunities. Community engagement and internship placements give students the opportunity to put into practice what they learn in the classroom, practice their Spanish skills, and contribute to the efforts for sustainable human development in Costa Rica. Placements are determined based on student’s interest, language proficiency, and research skills and experience, as well as the host institution’s needs. To find out what opportunities will be available during your time abroad, please contact us.

Cost & Dates

Billing Information and Cancellation Policy

Price Breakdowns / Estimated Costs of Attendance

Please wait to book a flight until you receive arrival instructions from ASA.

Universidad Veritas

DATES	PRICE	APPLICATION DEADLINE	PAYMENT DEADLINE	PROGRAM CODE	VISA NEEDED FOR US PASSPORT HOLDERS?
Summer 1 2025 Arrive May 24 - Depart June 28 Up to 4 credits	$5,295	March 14, '25	April 1, '25	CRSU1-4-25	No
Summer 1 2025 Arrive May 24 - Depart June 28 Up to 8 credits	$6,195	March 14, '25	April 1, '25	CRSU1-8-25	No
Summer 2 2025 Arrive July 5 - Depart Aug. 9 Up to 4 credits	$5,295	April 1, '25	April 15, '25	CRSU2-4-25	No
Summer 2 2025 Arrive July 5 - Depart Aug. 9 Up to 8 credits	$6,195	April 1, '25	April 15, '25	CRSU2-8-25	No
Fall 2025 Arrive Sep. 20 - Depart Dec. 13	$11,895	Extended to May 1, '25	Extended to May 15, '25	CRF25	No
Spring 2026 Arrive Jan. 31 - Depart May 2	$12,195	Nov. 1, '25	Nov. 15, '25	CRS26	No

What's Included

ROOM & BOARD: Costa Rican homestay with daily breakfast and dinner and 1 load of laundry per week included.
TUITION at Universidad Veritas for the maximum number of credits or courses indicated on the program course offerings page. Enrolling in more than the maximum number of credits/courses (if permitted by the host institution) will result in an additional fee.
ACADEMIC CREDITS: Students who receive pre-approval from their home institution can transfer the credits they earn to their home institution.
OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT: Final transcript is issued by the Universidad Veritas. Upon completion of the program, ASA will provide one free shipment of your final transcript to your U.S. institution.
BOOKS, MATERIALS, LAB FEES.
SHUTTLE SERVICE TO/FROM CAMPUS AT SCHEDULED TIMES: Shuttle route and schedule distributed during on-site Orientation.
ACADEMIC CREDITS: Students who receive pre-approval from their home institution can transfer the credits they earn to their home institution.
EXCURSIONS: Semester and quarter programs include 2 overnight excursions. Summer programs include 1 overnight excursion. Locations to be decided.
INTERNET ACCESS: Students will have free Internet access at their host institution and in their program housing.
AIRPORT PICK-UP: Group ground transportation is provided from San José (SJO) airport for students who arrive on the official arrival date, by the designated time.
SITE DIRECTOR: Students will have an on-site director to assist them with any academic or cultural difficulties they may encounter.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Comprehensive international medical insurance is included. Click here for details on benefits and coverage.
VISA ADVISING: Students are ultimately responsible for obtaining their visa (if required for their term), but ASA will provide detailed, helpful information upon acceptance about which visa students will need and how to go about applying for one. Please click here and scroll down to “Student Visa Information” to find out if a visa is required for your program.
PRE-DEPARTURE HANDBOOK & ON-SITE ORIENTATION
SUBSCRIPTION TO SAFETURE SAFETY-ENHANCING MOBILE APP
SUBSCRIPTION TO CISI Remote Behavioral and Mental Health Services: telephonic consultations between you and a U.S. mental health professional for the purposes of delivering counseling services, crisis intervention, assessment and follow up.

NOT INCLUDED

Round trip airfare and travel expenses to and from the program location
Local transportation
Personal expenses
Lunch on weekdays
Visa (if required), Airport Departure Tax
Transportation from the airport if the student does not arrive on the official arrival date by the designated time
Transportation back to the airport at the end of the program

For academic year students and those enrolling in more than one session, housing, medical insurance, and other ASA services and benefits are not provided during the break between sessions. For academic year students, medical insurance during winter break can be purchased for an additional fee, if it is required to get your visa.

If you need a budget or Costs of Attendance click here.

APPLY

Program Calendar

Program dates are subject to change. Although date changes are rare, they are typically changes made by the host institution and are, therefore, outside of ASA’s control. If any changes are made to your program dates, ASA is not responsible for fees or losses associated with changing or canceling your plane ticket, additional lodging and other travel costs, etc.

Please do not book a plane ticket until you are accepted to an ASA program and receive written notification of your program’s arrival and departure dates.

Summer 2 2025

EVENTS	DATES
Arrival and Housing Move-in	In order to make our group airport pick-up, students should arrive at SJO airport on July 5. We recommend arriving early in the day, if possible.
Orientation	July 6
Classes begin	July 6 - 7
Excursions - Locations TBA	TBA
Last day of classes	August 8
Housing move-out; students depart	August 9

Fall 2025

EVENTS	DATES
Arrival and Housing Move-in	In order to make our group airport pick-up, students should arrive at SJO airport on Sep. 20. We recommend arriving early in the day, if possible.
Orientation	September 21
Classes begin	September 22
Excursions - Locations TBA	TBA
Last day of classes	December 19
Housing move-out; students depart	December 20

Spring 2026

EVENTS	DATES
Arrival and Housing Move-in	In order to make our group airport pick-up, students should arrive at SJO airport on Jan. 31. We recommend arriving early in the day, if possible.
Orientation	February 1
Classes begin	February 2
Excursions - Locations TBA	TBA
Last day of classes	May 1
Housing move-out; students depart	May 2