Costa Rica
Ecotourism, sustainability, and conservation in Central America's gem
Costa Rica is the world leader in ecotourism and sustainability practice. For SA students in environmental science, conservation, or sustainable hospitality, this is a unique and career-defining destination.
SA passport visa requirements
SA citizens get 90 days on arrival in Costa Rica. No visa required. One of the easiest entry situations for SA students.
What a typical day in Costa Rica looks like
Create a free account to access detailed day-in-the-life guides for Costa Rica and every other destination.
See full day guideAvailable fields and positions
Marketing
Positions available in marketing across 300+ verified partner companies.
Sustainability
Positions available in sustainability across 300+ verified partner companies.
Hospitality
Positions available in hospitality across 300+ verified partner companies.
Creative
Positions available in creative across 300+ verified partner companies.
NGO
Positions available in ngo across 300+ verified partner companies.
Tech
Positions available in tech across 300+ verified partner companies.
Living costs in Costa Rica in ZAR
Compared to Johannesburg, to give you a realistic sense of what to budget.
Funding your Costa Rica internship
Erasmus+ ICM
If Costa Rica is in Europe and your SA university has an ICM agreement, you may qualify for EUR 800/month. Ask your International Office.
University Bursaries
UCT, Wits, Stellenbosch, UP, and UJ all have limited international experience funds. Apply through your Faculty International Coordinator.
Private Foundations
Oppenheimer Memorial Trust, Mandela Rhodes Foundation, and Allan Gray Orbis Foundation support international experience for qualifying students.
Common questions about Costa Rica
SA citizens get 90 days on arrival in Costa Rica. No visa required. One of the easiest entry situations for SA students.
A realistic monthly budget is R12,000 to R18,000. This includes accommodation, food, transport, and basic social activities. Your free account includes a detailed ZAR budget calculator for Costa Rica.
In most cases, yes. We provide formal documentation, learning agreements, and supervisor reports for SA universities including UCT, Wits, Stellenbosch, UP, UJ, and others. Share your faculty's specific requirements and we will confirm compatibility.
Full Service students have a local mentor who handles your onboarding, introduces you at your workplace, and runs weekly check-ins. You also have access to our 24/7 emergency support line. You are never figuring it out alone.
Ready to make Costa Rica happen?
Start with a free account. Get your SA visa guide, ZAR budget calculator, and connect with SA students already heading to Costa Rica.
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