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What we are and what we do!

Widely recognized as one of the top language schools in Costa Rica, Intercultura Costa Rica has a variety of Spanish programs for all ages and learners.

You can learn Spanish in Costa Rica with our internationally recognized Spanish programs, offered year-round at both city and beach campuses. Each Spanish course is designed for full immersion in real-life contexts and social interactions.

STUDENT RATING:

100 % 5/5 ***** on Trip Advisor

Spanish teacher qualifications:

100 % hold a University degree in the field of Second Language Acquisition or Philology,

50% hold post-graduate certificates and

20% have Master´s degrees.

WHAT STUDENTS LIKE ABOUT INTERCULTURA COSTA RICA:

  • Our two beautiful, custom-built campuses:
    • The vibrant Samara beachfront campus, whose gate leads right onto the sand!
    • The historic Heredia campus, a tropical oasis in the heart of the city
  • Small, fun classes with dynamic & highly qualified professors
  • Friendly atmosphere, multilingual support staff and welcoming facilities – students’ home away from home
  • Free daily cultural activities like Latin dance, cooking and yoga – students are never bored!
  • Amazing homestays make students feel like part of the family, creating lifelong relationships
  • Great place for solo travelers to easily make friends and meet fellow students of all ages and nationalities.

ACCREDITATIONS, STUDY PROGRAMS & WORKSHOPS:

  • ACTFL, SIELE, Bildungsurlaub, United Nations Global Compact IALC – (regional visit pending), iStudy Global Award Winner,
  • Duke University, UNC Kenan- Flagler Business School, Organization for Tropical Studies, UCR, Crear Association, U of Southern Mississippi, Lead Abroad, Austin College, Francis Parker Charter, CEGEP Montreal, College de Maisonneuve, Putney UK, CR TEFL, UPeace United Nations Mandate
  • ICEF, ACTFL, WYSTC, NAFSA, AATSP, OECD, Harvard Extension School.

STUDENT BODY DATA:

Nationalities: Ages:
  • US & Canada: 35%
  • Switzerland: 17%
  • Netherlands: 11%
  • Germany: 8%
  • UK: 6%
  • Portugal: 5%
  • Scandinavia: 4%
  • Brazil: 4%
  • Russia: 3%
  • Asia: 2%
  • Italy: 1%
  • Others: 4%
  • 18-25: 32%
  • 26 – 35: 21%
  • 36-50: 20%
  • Over 50: 22%
  • Under 18: 5%

NOTE:

  • Average number of students by campus: Heredia: 25 – 45   /  Sámara:  30 – 70
    Average number of students per class: 3-4 (min.1, max.6)
  • Number of levels offered:   12 from beginner (A1) through advanced (C1), plus 6 superior (C1-C2) levels.
    Minimum/maximum age of students: 18 years (except family or school groups, run separately)/ no maximum age (so far, our oldest student was 85)!
  • During school holidays, there are more families, groups and college-age students.
  • At other times of the year independent travelers of all ages and nationalities are the norm.
  • Most students travel by themselves

SCHOOL FACILITIES:

  • Free coffee and tea
  • Microwave for student use
  • Fridge for student use
  • Computer lab
  • Movie room
  • Lounge
  • Gardens
  • Study rooms
  • Free WIFI
  • Smartboard in every classroom
  • Adapted curriculum available
  • Air conditioning in all classrooms
  • Ample natural light in all classrooms
  • 100% Solar paneled schools
  • 15 Spanish classrooms in each campus
  • 2 public PC workstations in each campus
  • Wheelchair accessible classrooms, reception, coffee and toilets

 

Languages spoken by staff:

English, Spanish, German, French & Portuguese

PRICES INCLUDE:

  • Daily activities (Latin dance, cooking, films, local tour, zumba, yoga and arts)
  • Free Wifi
  • Certificate of course attendance
  • Language level placement test at first day of classes
  • Free pickup for Heredia students with homestay from SJO airport
  • Course book

FREE SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:

  • Latin Dance: Daily, Mon – Thurs
  • Latin American Cooking: 1/wk
  • City tour: At start of program
  • Movie afternoon/evening: 1/wk
  • Zumba: 1/wk Heredia, 3/wk Sám.
  • Yoga: 1/wk Heredia / 3/wk Sámara
  • Local outing: 1/wk Heredia only

THE WEATHER:

  • Heredia is the “land of eternal spring:” year-round averages of 78 F  /  5 C
  • Sámara beach is always hot and sunny: average temperatures of 89 F / 31.6 C

Note: Green season (best time of year!) is May – Oct, with light rains in afternoons.

Our reading tip: Why coming to Costa Rica during green season!

AIRPORT TRANSFER

  • Free from San José airport (SJO) for students with min 1 week Heredia homestay
  • For Sámara Beach students, students can arrive at SJO (San José) or LIR (Liberia) and take public or private transport ($20 – $220) to Sámara: trip takes 1.5+hrs from LIR, or 4.5+ hours from SJO.