International Schools in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific

Why are more families moving to Costa Rica’s Central Pacific?

For years, Costa Rica’s Central Pacific was viewed mainly as a destination for surfers, retirees, vacation-home owners, and real estate investors. That picture is changing.

Here in Jacó and the surrounding communities, we are meeting more families who are not simply purchasing a second home. They are relocating with school-age children and building a full-time life near the coast. Parents are drawn to the same qualities that have long attracted visitors: warm weather, outdoor living, access to nature, an active community, and the convenience of being within reach of San José.

Fortunately, families considering Jacó, Playa Hermosa, Herradura, Los Sueños, Esterillos, and nearby Central Pacific communities now have several private and international education options to explore. The growth of these schools reflects a broader change in our local community. Coastal living is no longer seen only as a retirement or vacation lifestyle. Increasingly, it is becoming a practical long-term choice for families with children.

A changing community in Jacó and the Central Pacific

From a local real estate perspective, we have noticed a clear shift in the conversations we have with buyers.

A growing number of clients ask about:

• International and bilingual schools
• Commute times from home to campus
• Safe residential communities
• Reliable internet for parents who work remotely
• Sports, nature, and after-school activities
• Access to healthcare and everyday services

For parents, the availability of a suitable school can influence whether they choose a home in Jacó, Playa Hermosa, Herradura, or farther down the coast. It can also determine whether they rent first, purchase immediately, or wait until they understand the school calendar and admissions process.

The expanding selection of local schools is therefore important not only for education. It also supports the long-term growth and stability of the Central Pacific community.

Horizon International School reaches a major milestone

One of the clearest signs of this growth is the expansion of Horizon International School in Jacó.

Horizon recently shared an important milestone with the community: the school poured the foundation for its new campus. In its announcement, the school described placing a Bible at the building’s entrance as part of the occasion, reflecting the Christian values that form the foundation of its educational approach.

For local families, the construction represents more than a new building. It signals confidence in the future of family life in Garabito. A school does not expand without demand. The new campus reflects the need for additional educational space as the community welcomes more students and more families make the Central Pacific their permanent home.

What does Horizon International School offer?

Horizon International School describes itself as Jacó’s first private Christian school option. It serves students from kindergarten through Grade 12 and combines traditional classroom instruction with blended online learning in the upper grades.

The school emphasizes:

• A Christ-centered curriculum
• Small classroom formats
• English and Spanish communication skills
• Cross-cultural learning
• Community service
• Adaptable learning strategies
• Dual-credit opportunities for older students

Horizon states that native Spanish-speaking students have opportunities to strengthen their English, while native English speakers can develop Spanish skills that help them integrate into the local community. Its upper-grade program also includes access to college dual-credit courses through a virtual learning room.

For families seeking a faith-based environment, Horizon offers an option that combines academics, Christian education, and the experience of living in an international coastal community. The school’s new-campus foundation is an encouraging development for Jacó. It shows that our area is maturing from a tourism-centered town into a community with more of the infrastructure that full-time families need.

Journey School of Costa Rica brings an international program to Jacó

Another option for families is the Journey School of Costa Rica Jacó campus.

Journey describes its Jacó location as a bilingual international school serving students from kindergarten through Grade 12. The school promotes an immersive learning environment where students connect with the biodiversity of the Central Pacific through activities such as rainforest exploration and beach cleanups.

This approach feels especially relevant to families who choose Costa Rica because they want their children to have more contact with nature. Living in the Central Pacific gives students access to an outdoor classroom that is difficult to reproduce elsewhere. Beaches, tropical forests, rivers, wildlife, and conservation projects can all become part of the learning experience.

Journey School’s Jacó campus

The Jacó campus is located on Calle Ancha at Plaza Boulevard. The school provides an admissions process that begins with a campus visit, followed by an application and acceptance stage. It also offers a scholarship application process based on financial need and availability.

Journey notes that its established Tamarindo campus holds several accreditations and memberships, while its other campuses are working toward similar accreditation. Families considering the Jacó location should speak directly with the admissions team to confirm the current status of each program and credential at that specific campus.

Journey may appeal to parents looking for:

• A bilingual international environment
• Kindergarten through Grade 12 continuity
• Nature-based and experiential learning
• A diverse student community
• A pathway connected to international educational standards
• A school culture influenced by Costa Rica’s environment

Its arrival and continued development in Jacó add another important choice for relocating families.

Las Nubes School: an established local and international community

While some schools are newer or expanding, Las Nubes School has served families in the Jacó area for more than 26 years. The school reports an enrollment of approximately 200 students from more than 10 nationalities. Las Nubes serves children and teenagers from ages 3 to 17.

This established history gives families another type of option: a school deeply connected to the local community while also serving international students. It promotes a balance among academics, culture, sports, social development, and environmental awareness. The curriculum includes elements from Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Education alongside international components.

Las Nubes may suit families who value:

• An established school with a long local history
• Small class sizes
• Spanish and English instruction
• A mix of Costa Rican and international families
• Preschool through high-school continuity
• A curriculum connected to both local and global education

The school’s student population also illustrates how international Jacó has become. Families from several countries now study alongside Costa Rican students, creating a multicultural experience within a relatively small coastal community.

Comparing the international school options near Jacó

Every family has different educational priorities. The best choice depends on a child’s age, language level, learning style, family values, and future academic plans.

Parents should contact each school directly because tuition, enrollment space, schedules, transportation, accreditation status, and admissions requirements can change. A website is an excellent starting point, but a campus visit is essential. The feeling of the classrooms, the communication style of the administration, the daily schedule, and the school culture are difficult to evaluate online.

Questions parents should ask before enrolling

When relocating to Costa Rica with children, school research should begin early.

Parents may want to ask each school:

• Is there availability in my child’s grade?
• Which languages are used in daily instruction?
• What support is available for students learning English or Spanish?
• Which accreditations apply specifically to this campus?
• Will the diploma transfer easily to another country?
• What is the school-year calendar?
• Are uniforms required?
• Is transportation available?
• What sports and extracurricular activities are offered?
• How does the school communicate with parents?
• What are the tuition and registration fees?
• Are there additional costs for materials, meals, or activities?
• How does the school support children entering midyear?
• What is the average class size?
• What safeguarding and emergency policies are in place?

Families planning a future move should also ask whether they can begin the admissions process before arriving in Costa Rica.

Where should families live near the schools?

School location often becomes a major factor in choosing a home. A property may look close on a map, but travel time can vary with traffic, road conditions, and the time of day. Parents should drive the school route during normal morning and afternoon hours before selecting a neighborhood.

Jacó

Jacó provides convenient access to schools, supermarkets, medical services, restaurants, sports facilities, and daily necessities. Families who prefer a walkable or centrally located lifestyle may consider homes and condominiums in or near town. Jacó also provides access to extracurricular activities, cafés, gyms, and the beach.

Playa Hermosa

Playa Hermosa attracts families who want more space, a quieter residential atmosphere, and close contact with nature. It is located just south of Jacó, making the school commute manageable for many households. However, exact travel time depends on the property’s location and the school selected.

Herradura and Los Sueños

Herradura offers established residential communities, shopping, healthcare access, and proximity to Los Sueños Resort and Marina. It can be a strong option for families who want a gated community or a residential setting while remaining within driving distance of Jacó’s schools.

Esterillos and communities farther south

Esterillos and nearby areas can offer larger homes, more land, and a quieter lifestyle. However, parents should carefully test the school commute. A peaceful coastal property may be attractive, but a long twice-daily drive can affect family routines.

Education is changing the Central Pacific real estate market

The growth of international and private education has a direct relationship with local real estate. In the past, many buyers focused primarily on proximity to the beach, rental income, or retirement convenience. Families with children often have a different set of priorities.

They may search for:

• Three- or four-bedroom homes
• Gated communities
• Safe outdoor areas
• Flexible home-office space
• Reliable fiber-optic internet
• Swimming pools and recreation areas
• Storage for sports equipment
• Shorter school commutes
• Access to healthcare and supermarkets
• Neighborhoods with other families

This creates demand for properties that support full-time family living rather than short vacation stays. The new foundation at Horizon International School provides a visible example of that change. As schools invest and expand, families gain more confidence that the Central Pacific can support them throughout their children’s school years. In turn, a stronger year-round family population supports local businesses, sports programs, medical services, community organizations, and residential development.

More than a beach destination

Those of us who live in the Central Pacific know that this area is much more than a place to vacation. On a normal weekday morning, parents are driving children to school, professionals are opening their businesses, students are practicing two or three languages, and families are building routines that look very different from a week at the beach. Children can grow up close to the ocean, see scarlet macaws overhead, learn Spanish through daily life, and form friendships with classmates from Costa Rica and around the world.

At the same time, families still have access to structured academics, organized sports, technology, and international education options. That combination is helping Jacó and Garabito evolve into a more complete year-round community.

Is the Central Pacific right for your family?

Moving abroad with children requires more planning than purchasing a vacation home. Parents need to evaluate education, residency, healthcare, transportation, housing, language, and community support. A successful relocation usually begins with a discovery visit rather than an immediate purchase.

During that visit, families should:

1. Tour each school under consideration.
2. Drive between the schools and preferred neighborhoods.
3. Visit supermarkets, clinics, sports facilities, and community spaces.
4. Speak with local parents.
5. Compare renting and purchasing.
6. Review legal and residency questions with qualified professionals.
7. Explore properties that match the family’s daily routine.

The goal is not simply to find a beautiful house. It is to create a lifestyle that works from Monday morning through Sunday evening.

A growing future for Central Pacific families

The expansion of Horizon International School, the development of Journey School’s Jacó campus, and the long-standing presence of Las Nubes School all point toward the same conclusion:

The Central Pacific is becoming an increasingly viable place for families to live, learn, and grow.

Horizon’s newly poured campus foundation is especially meaningful because it turns that growth into something visible. It represents classrooms, teachers, friendships, and opportunities that will serve the next generation of local and international families. For parents who once believed they had to choose between coastal living and access to international education, the choices around Jacó are expanding.

At REMAX Oceanside Realty, we live and work in this community. We understand that a family relocation is not only a real estate transaction. It is a decision about school mornings, friendships, daily routines, and the future your children will experience.

Considering a move to Jacó, Playa Hermosa, Herradura, Los Sueños, or another Central Pacific community? Explore available homes here. Contact a local expert for more information.

School resources

• Horizon International School: Visit the school website
• Journey School of Costa Rica, Jacó: Explore the Jacó campus
• Las Nubes School: Learn about Las Nubes