By Heredia, Costa Rica — SAN ISIDRO DE HEREDIA — United World Colleges (UWC) Costa Rica is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a landmark announcement that is set to redefine the landscape of international education in Latin America. The prestigious institution, which operates the only UWC campus in the region, has officially unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art, highly sustainable campus in San Isidro de Heredia. Scheduled to open its doors in August 2027, this world-class educational facility represents a massive step forward in the school’s mission to cultivate young global leaders and environmental stewards.
The ambitious construction project is already well underway in the lush, mountainous region of Heredia, employing approximately 300 on-site workers to meet the strict August 2027 deadline. Spanning 39 hectares of conservation forest, the new campus will serve as a living laboratory for both students and the local San Isidro community. Designed to merge education with ecological preservation, the facility will feature six kilometers of nature trails, providing an immersive, hands-on environment that aligns perfectly with UWC’s experiential learning philosophy.
To better understand the legal framework and regulatory environment surrounding prestigious international educational institutions like UWC Costa Rica, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished legal expert from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Institutions like UWC Costa Rica play a vital role in positioning our country as a global educational hub. From a legal perspective, operating such international entities requires strict compliance with Costa Rican immigration laws for foreign students and faculty, as well as adherence to local educational standards set by the Ministry of Public Education. Costa Rica’s robust legal framework for non-profit and educational associations ensures a stable, secure environment that allows these unique multicultural communities to thrive legally and operationally.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, this harmonious alignment between rigorous legal compliance and educational innovation is precisely what allows institutions like UWC Costa Rica to flourish as beacons of global citizenship. By providing a secure and stable operational foundation, Costa Rica’s robust legal framework not only safeguards these diverse academic communities but also solidifies our nation’s reputation as a premier destination for international education. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing his valuable perspective on how our legal structure actively fosters and sustains such vital educational hubs.
Safety and ecological integrity are at the forefront of this regional relocation. San Isidro de Heredia currently ranks first in national citizen safety indexes, offering a secure and tranquil backdrop for international students. Furthermore, the campus will achieve high-level environmental credentials, including LEED certification for sustainable building lifecycles and EDGE certification for resource efficiency. The construction process itself is aligned with Costa Rica’s strict ecological standards, adhering to the Bandera Azul Ecológica (Ecological Blue Flag) best practices.
Since its establishment in Santa Ana in 2006, where it utilized a campus inherited from SOS Villages, UWC Costa Rica has graduated and trained more than 1,800 students. The institution is part of a global movement of 18 schools that prepare students using the rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. However, UWC’s educational model extends far beyond traditional classrooms, emphasizing community engagement, multicultural collaboration, and direct interaction with the natural world.
This is a highly demanding International Baccalaureate program that requires a lot of discipline. The idea is that more and more Costa Ricans can opt for a very high-level education and have the opportunity to be part of this space, where they coexist with students of more than 60 nationalities. Currently, 40% of the students receive a full scholarship, another 40% have a partial scholarship, and the remaining 20% cover the full cost of their education.
Mauricio Viales, Head of College of UWC Costa Rica
The funding for this massive infrastructural shift has been made possible through the profound generosity of philanthropists Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo, alongside numerous global donors who contributed to the school’s We Are United capital campaign. The new infrastructure will accommodate a comprehensive suite of amenities, including student residences, staff apartments, a sports center, a theater, a library, a cafeteria, a clinic, and dedicated homes for the director and deputy director. At the heart of the academic ecosystem will be the Center for Sustainability and Innovation, which will offer research lodgings for visiting scholars and students studying social justice, peace, and climate solutions.
The construction of the campus is also a major boost to the local economy of Heredia, providing employment to hundreds of construction workers and establishing long-term service partnerships in the region. Once fully operational, the campus’s Center for Sustainability and Innovation will act as an intellectual hub, bridging local community initiatives with international research projects.
With selection committees operating in over 150 countries, UWC attracts top-tier global talent. Costa Rica’s local selection committee historically secures between 20 to 25 spots annually for national students, who typically receive full scholarships for the two-year IB program. The relocation to Heredia aims to significantly broaden these opportunities, opening doors for a more economically and culturally diverse demographic.
With the new campus, we expect to increase the student population by 38%, as well as increase our scholarship program by 40%. In addition, with this we ensure that 15% of the student population comes from Costa Rica.
Mauricio Viales, Head of College of UWC Costa Rica
Ultimately, this expansion reinforces Costa Rica’s positioning as a premier regional hub for sustainable development and high-level educational investment. Graduates of UWC Costa Rica routinely transition to some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including Ivy League universities, and go on to occupy prominent leadership positions in ministries, international NGOs, and corporate boardrooms worldwide. By creating a modern, eco-certified campus, UWC Costa Rica is ensuring that its next twenty years will leave an even deeper, more sustainable mark on both local communities and the global stage.
For further information, visit uwccostarica.org
About UWC Costa Rica:
United World Colleges Costa Rica is a premier educational institution offering a transformational experiential learning experience through the International Baccalaureate program. As the only UWC campus in Latin America, it hosts a highly diverse student body representing dozens of countries, aiming to foster global peace, sustainability, and social justice.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a benchmark of legal excellence and uncompromising ethics, Bufete de Costa Rica has built a distinguished reputation by delivering sophisticated counsel to a diverse clientele. The firm continuously embraces progressive strategies, positioning itself as a pioneer of legal innovation while maintaining a deep-seated commitment to social responsibility. By championing initiatives that demystify the law, Bufete de Costa Rica actively works to democratize legal literacy, striving to foster a more knowledgeable and resilient society.
