
WHEN, WHERE AND HOW: Spanish Immersion for 55+ Year-Old Students
- Posted by Intercultura Staff
- Date January 13, 2025
Costa Rica is one of the most popular destinations in Central America for students and travelers alike looking to immerse themselves in a new language and culture.
Read Our Latest Guide to Planning and Choosing Your Spanish Immersion Program Abroad as a 55+ Learner
For older students (55+), there is a unique opportunity to study Spanish at a relaxed pace, while enjoying the beauty of the country’s natural landscapes. By choosing to visit Costa Rica during the low season, you can create the ideal study-abroad experience that combines language learning with tranquility, personal attention, and affordability. Here’s why timing, location, and learning environments make a big difference.
WHEN: Why the Low Season is Ideal for Older Students
During April and May and from mid-August to mid-November, Costa Rica offers travelers a more peaceful, laid-back
atmosphere. This means:
1. A SLOWER PACE: A perfect opportunity for our older students, particularly beginners, to benefit from unhurried
completion of class topics, and the chance to focus on their studies with other like-minded students.
2. SMALLER CLASSES & PERSONALIZED ATTENTION: Intercultura offers smaller groups or even private lessons during this period, ensuring that you get more one-on-one interaction with your instructor. This is especially beneficial for older students who enjoy taking their time to absorb new material.
3. AFFORDABLE PRICES: Prices in Costa Rica drop during the low season, meaning lodging prices are lower, as are
tour and activity prices. Our beachfront campus in Sámara with air conditioning offers private rooms with AC,
private bathroom, shared kitchen, gardens and lounge, for as little as $59 per night.


WHERE: Sámara vs. Heredia - Choosing the Best Location
Costa Rica offers a variety of locations to study Spanish, but for older students, Heredia stands out as a favourite among our students for the following reasons:
- a cooler climate compared to the tropical heat of coastal areas
- easy access to volcanos, rainforests, beaches and national parks on the weekends
- excellent health services and cultural offerings (museums, exhibits, concerts)
- a safe and peaceful atmosphere that’s perfect for true Spanish immersion
- proximity to San José, the capital, offering easy access to urban amenities and services
- a range of activities that combine language learning with cultural immersion, designed with adults in mind, a wonderful way to meet like-minded students while learning Spanish in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere.
- availability of private classes
This is not to say that the beach is not for you, but remember, temperatures can be VERY HOT on the coast, classes are bigger, tropical insects are more common, and private lesson availability is very limited.
HOW: PRIVATE VS. GROUP – Which to choose?
Many older students find that while group classes can be beneficial, they often need a more personalized approach to feel comfortable and make progress. This is where private lessons come in. The low season allows for a customized learning experience, focusing on areas that interest you most or with which you need extra help. If it has been some years since you studied a language, you might benefit from a slower pace, individualized instruction, and a private teacher who can adjust lessons according to your learning speed, allowing for a more comfortable learning experience.
In many cases, older group students will find that they benefit from transitioning to private lessons partway through their course (option available at the Heredia campus). Students who are at the beach and need private lessons have the option to move to Heredia or switch to online lessons, even spreading the classes over a longer time period.
PAST STUDENT’S OPINION: “If you come during the low season, you can make either campus work for you, but if you come want to come during high season, HEREDIA is probably the better choice.”
Whichever option you decide upon, we are committed to making sure you have an incredible learning journey, and are here to advise you if you have any questions or doubts. ¡Hasta pronto y buena suerte!
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1 Comment
I am senior American citizen and am currently in Costa Rica I am interested in an intensive language study program in the Heredia location. I would also like to stay with a family. Please provide information about current study opportunities, lodging,and costs for the next few weeks. I am eager to start ASAP. I do have some basic elementary Spanish fluency.