Additional Resources

Family Visit & Arrival Information

We understand that your child’s arrival on campus is an important milestone for families. To support a smooth and welcoming experience, please review the following guidelines and recommendations.

Families are welcome to accompany students to campus during designated arrival days. To ensure a safe and organized process for all students, access to campus is limited to specific times and areas.

  • Families may enter the campus only on official arrival days and at designated times.
  • All visitors must register upon arrival.
  • Access to residential areas may be guided or limited to ensure student privacy and a smooth transition.

Further details and schedules will be shared closer to arrival.

We will host a Family Cafecito and Welcome Activity on August 7th. This session is designed to:

  • Introduce families to the UWC Costa Rica community
  • Include a campus tour
  • Offer opportunities to meet other families and connect with members of the UWC Costa Rica community

Families are warmly invited to bring a sweet or savory treat from their country to share with others.

Attendance is optional. A schedule will be shared in advance.

We kindly encourage families to allow students to begin their transition into campus life after the welcome activities.

Consequently, families are generally asked to depart campus following the welcome activity and campus tour. This helps students settle into their new environment and connect with their peers

We appreciate your understanding in supporting this important transition.

For families visiting Costa Rica, we recommend staying in nearby areas such as Santa Ana or Escazú, which offer a range of hotels and short-term rental options.

Suggested options include:

Please note that families should arrange transportation to campus, as UWC Costa Rica provides transport for students only on designated arrival dates.

More detailed arrival instructions, schedules, and logistics will be shared with families prior to the start of the academic year.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Admissions Team.

We look forward to welcoming you to campus.

Recursos para familias costarricenses

En UWC Costa Rica contamos con estudiantes de diversas nacionalidades y contextos. Para las familias costarricenses o residentes en el país, existen procesos, requisitos y lineamientos específicos que es importante conocer desde el inicio.

Hemos preparado una guía dedicada que reúne información relevante sobre el Bachillerato de Educación Media (Bachillerato Nacional), la atención médica, los procedimientos en caso de emergencia y otros aspectos aplicables a estudiantes locales.

Esta guía tiene como objetivo brindar mayor claridad sobre el rol del Colegio y las responsabilidades de las familias en estos temas.

Les invitamos a revisar el documento completo para comprender mejor estos procesos y prepararse adecuadamente para el inicio de la experiencia en UWC Costa Rica.

Consultá la guía completa

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is not required for enrollment. However, it may be required to enter Costa Rica depending on your country of origin or recent travel history.

According to Costa Rican regulations, travelers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission must present an International Certificate of Vaccination. The vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before travel if the student has been in a risk country within the last 6 days.

While some vaccines listed in the UWC medical form are recommendations, the following are required due to community health risk:

  • Hepatitis B
  • Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap)
  • Measles, Rubella, Mumps (MMR)
  • Varicella (Chickenpox)

You must provide laboratory evidence (antibody test) confirming previous infection.

The preferred test is:

  • Quantiferon®-TB Gold (QFT-GIT)

Alternative options (if needed for cost reasons):

  • Mantoux (PPD) test
  • Sputum test

Please note:

  • The Mantoux test may show false positives in individuals vaccinated with BCG.
  • If this happens, a Quantiferon test will be required for confirmation.

Any indeterminate result must be repeated.

The form must be:

  • Completed by a licensed physician
  • Fully filled out (including vaccines and lab tests)
  • Signed and stamped

If you require an extension due to special circumstances, please contact the school medical team directly.

Students must travel with enough medication for the full duration of the program, as:

  • Some medications may be expensive in Costa Rica

Certain brands may not be available locally