At a glance
- Start learning basic Spanish – or improve what you already know – from a professional language teacher
- Practice new words and phrases with local native speakers, as well as your host family
- Study Spanish full-time or combine your studies with one of our volunteer or internship programs
Is learning Spanish in Costa Rica right for me?
If you’re eager to travel and learn Spanish at the same time, this language course is ideal for you. You’ll get to practice your Spanish while exploring the city and interacting with native speakers.
Whether you’re looking to improve your Spanish or you’re a complete beginner, this project will be tailored to your level. You don’t need to worry about having to keep up with a class.
You can study full-time before starting a project, or study part-time while you volunteer or intern, so you can learn while volunteering.
This is a flexible project that is available all year round. We recommend staying as long as you can to hone your skills as much as possible.
What will I be doing?
Depending on your skills and when you travel with us, you may have your classes alone or be in a small group. The time and frequency of these lessons depend on whether you’re studying full-time or part-time. Here are some of the activities that you can expect to do during your stay:
- Learn Spanish during personal lessons
- Explore and experience Costa Rica
- Help with other work if you choose to combine your lessons with a volunteer project
Learn Spanish
Your Spanish classes will be personalized according to your knowledge and skill level. If you’re a beginner, you’ll be taught basic grammar and vocabulary. If you’re at an intermediate level, you’ll have more control over what you and your teacher focus on.
If you choose to do this as a standalone course, you’ll attend 15 hours of classes per week. If you choose to combine this course with one of our other projects, you’ll be able to choose between a 5, 14, or 30-hour course.
Explore Costa Rica
The best thing about learning Spanish in Costa Rica is that you’re able to practice what you learn in your lessons while you’re out and about. Improve your conversation and pronunciation by placing a food order at a restaurant or shopping at a local market.
Participate in a volunteer project
We offer many different projects that are based in Costa Rica. You could support early childhood development at understaffed childcare centers or gain practical work experience as a teacher or sports coach. Take a look at the projects we offer to see if you’d like to combine any of them with your language course.
Alternatively, you can also do a standalone course in Spanish before moving on to contribute to one of our other projects.
Where will I be learning in Costa Rica?
Heredia
The vibrant city of Heredia is situated in the heart of Costa Rica’s coffee-growing country. Due to its large student population and close proximity to San Jose, Heredia has an active social scene with plenty to offer. Its central location also means that Heredia is perfectly placed for exploring the rest of Costa Rica.
You can easily reach the impressive Poas and Irazu volcanoes on a day trip from Heredia. Elsewhere, numerous popular tourist destinations, such as Arenal volcano and Monteverde cloud forest, are only a few hours bus ride away.
You're also never too far from the coast in Costa Rica. Spoilt for choice by the number of idyllic beaches, you'll have plenty of opportunities for water-based activities like surfing, swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving in your time off. The laid-back life of Costa Rica is infectious and you will find it hard to leave.
What is a typical day learning Spanish in Costa Rica like?
Most days will begin with breakfast at your host home. This is a great opportunity for you to practice your Spanish and get to know your host family at the same time. All classes run from Monday to Friday. You’ll have evenings and weekends to explore with other Projects Abroad volunteers and interns.
The structure of your day will depend on whether you choose to do a standalone Spanish Language Course or combine your studies with a project through our add-on options.
If you study full-time, you’ll have around 15 hours of classes per week. You can choose to have your classes in the mornings or afternoons. If you’re combining your language studies with a project, your mornings will be committed to project work, whereas your classes will left for the afternoons and evenings.
What are the aims and impact of this course?
This project aims to help you improve your Spanish language skills through personalized lessons and immersive learning.
It is also a brilliant opportunity for cultural exchange. Through immersing yourself in the language and interacting with your host family as well as locals, you’ll learn about the culture and way of life. You’ll leave with an understanding of traditions and practices different from those of your home country.
If you choose to combine your language course with one of our other projects, you will also become part of our ongoing efforts to support local communities. For example, if you work on a Childcare Project, you will help children with early childhood development, and teach English. Or you can help primary school children improve their language skills by teaching English.
This project will leave you with an increased knowledge of Spanish and a marked improvement in both your grammar and conversational skills.
Join us, study Spanish in Costa Rica, and improve your language skills in this beautiful country.
Measuring our impact
Our projects work towards clear long-term goals, with specific annual objectives. Every volunteer and intern we send to these projects helps us work towards these goals, no matter how long they spend on our projects.
Every year we take a step back and look at how much progress we've made towards these goals. We put together a Global Impact Report, which documents our achievements. Find out more about the impact our global community of volunteers, interns and staff make, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll stay with a host family in Heredia. They will welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and have you teach them about your own culture. We believe that this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Costa Rica and have a truly unique experience.
We will always try to let you live alongside at least one other Projects Abroad volunteer or intern at the same host family. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Your program fee includes three meals a day.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Leisure activities and free time
With more than 25% of its land protected in national parks, Costa Rica is a nature lover’s paradise. It has everything from volcanoes to tropical rainforests, and magnificent waterfalls to beautiful sandy beaches. This tiny country is also renowned for its biodiversity and boasts an array of wildlife.
Our projects are based in Heredia, a laid-back city just 11km north of the capital, San José. Known as the City of Flowers, you'll be surrounded by idyllic gardens.
You're never far from the coast in Costa Rica. Spoiled for choice by the number of pristine beaches, you'll have plenty of opportunities for water-based activities like surfing, swimming, or scuba diving.
There will likely be other volunteers in Costa Rica with you. So you can choose to explore on your own or as a group.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Our Projects Abroad staff are available 24 hours a day to help, and will be on hand to make sure you settle in well at your accommodation and placement. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
This placement is fully researched, safety audited, and risk assessed in accordance with the British Standard BS8848 for the Adventure Travel Sector.
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