Housing

You’ll cover a lot of ground and become fast friends with your fellow participants on this program. The housing accommodations you’ll share are varied and all arranged by the program. As the program moves you to various research sites and activities, you will experience living in hotels, homestays, and dormitory-style field stations in various parts of Costa Rica.

 

homestay

Homestay

Program-arranged

Dormitory

Program-arranged

Hotel

Program-arranged

Accommodations

  • Shared or private bedroom
  • Shared bathroom
  • Most meals provided

Ostional National Wildlife Refuge

In the first part of the program, students are welcomed into carefully selected Costa Rican host families within the community of Ostional, many of whom have partnered with BIOMA for nearly two decades. Living with local families provides an authentic cultural immersion experience while placing students just minutes-walk from the nesting beach and field research sites.

San Juanillo

Following Ostional, students will move to a three-star boutique hotel in San Juanillo, minutes away from the Pacific Ocean. Comfortable shared accommodations, open spaces and open classrooms provide an ideal base for interactive lectures and field activities while allowing students to experience the relaxed atmosphere of one of Costa Rica's most traditional coastal fishing communities. Meals are served at the hotel, while lunches and dinners feature fresh Costa Rican cuisine prepared by the local restaurant.

Osa Peninsula

Here, students stay in a family-operated field station in the coastal community of Playa Blanca. Accommodations are comfortable, modest, and designed to foster collaboration, with shared dormitory-style rooms, shared bathrooms, electricity, Wi-Fi,
and common gathering spaces.

Los Santos Region

Finally, students live with carefully selected host families, providing an immersive introduction to Costa Rican Mountain culture and everyday life. Accommodations are comfortable and modest, with shared bedrooms (same gender), shared bathrooms, electricity, and running water. Host families prepare three traditional Costa Rican meals daily using fresh local ingredients, and most dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.

Live with

  • Local residents
  • UCEAP students
  • Program instructors

Commute

Commuting times and methods may vary from site to site. Plan on walking and hiking for a significant portion of your time in Costa Rica.

Meals

Meals are an important component of the program's cultural and educational experience. Students enjoy traditional Costa Rican cuisine prepared by host families, locally owned restaurants, and community partners, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients that reflect the diverse agricultural traditions of each region. Sharing meals provides opportunities to engage with local families, the field team and communities while exploring the connections among food, culture, sustainable agriculture, and regional livelihoods. Special diets (such as vegetarian, vegan and gluten free) can be accommodated when informed in advanced. Students with very specific dietary requirements may want to bring extra funds for specific selection of food items if necessary. The program will include most meals, except during specific excursions on the weekends and during days off. Several program activities at different locations which will include local cooking lessons as part of the program learning components.