International schools in Costa Rica 2026: fees & curricula
Affordable bilingual and international schools around San José.
Costa Rica has free public schools (in Spanish) and many private bilingual and international schools around San José and expat areas, offering American, IB and bilingual programmes at roughly US$4,000–14,000 a year. Resident children can attend public school; homeschooling is legal but lightly regulated.
International schools in Costa Rica
Private bilingual and international schools cluster around San José and the Central Valley (plus some in expat coastal areas), offering American, IB and Spanish-English programmes at fees roughly US$4,000–14,000 a year — affordable versus North America.
Public schools and homeschooling
Public schools teach in Spanish and are free for residents; many expat families choose bilingual private schools for continuity and English. Homeschooling is legal but lightly regulated, often following a US online curriculum.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| International schools | Good around San José |
| Curricula | American / IB / bilingual |
| Typical tuition | ~US$4k–14k / year |
| Public school access | Free (Spanish) |
| Homeschooling | Legal, lightly regulated |
Where it fits in a borderless plan
See our Costa Rica tax-residency guide. Schools are often the deciding factor in a family move. Weigh them with healthcare, banking and where you are tax-resident. Compare options in our international-schools guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much are international schools in Costa Rica?
Typical tuition: ~US$4k–14k / year. Curricula include American / IB / bilingual. Fees change yearly and vary widely by school and age — request current fee schedules.
Can expat children attend public school in Costa Rica?
Public school access: Free (Spanish). Language of instruction and enrolment rules matter — check with the local education authority for your area.
Is homeschooling legal in Costa Rica?
Homeschooling: Legal, lightly regulated. Rules and recognition differ by country and change, so take local legal advice before relying on it.
Directories & official sources
Providers and rules change — these are the authoritative directories and regulators to check for current, complete listings:
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