Learning Spanish

In Heredia

general overview

Our Spanish school in Costa Rica is devoted to helping its students achieve Spanish fluency through immersion and cultural education. Our aim is to teach, immerse, and initiate a global understanding of Costa Rican culture and language. You will learn conversational skills you need to begin speaking with locals immediately. You will take fun and relaxed classes taught by experienced native speakers.

The school is passionate about creating the perfect environment to learn Spanish. With the combination of an interactive classroom and an immersive cultural experience, any student can share their culture, ideas, and passions through foreign language.

The school is located in the beautiful small-town Heredia, close to Costa Rica’s capital San Jose.

Heredia

MINIMUM 1 WEEK

learn spanish

about
Heredia

Heredia is the capital of the Heredia province. The lush province of Heredia Costa Rica is in the hills north of the Central Valley. It is known as the City of the Flowers due to the beautiful flora and fauna surrounding the city. Heredia is an elegant and charming city that has maintained its colonial essence and style. The city was founded in 1705 and has a rather relaxed atmosphere away from all the humdrum and traffic of the capital San José.

Located only 10 kilometers from Costa Rica’s capital, Heredia is a perfect location to explore San Jose. Sprawling and chaotic at first sight, San José is a vibrant capital with plenty to see and do. Once upon a time San José was a small, elegant city catering to the needs of the surrounding agricultural enterprises. However, when capitalism really kicked in, the city, and its population, skyrocketed, and continued to do so throughout the latter half of the 20th century. Sky scrapers sprung up, development powered on unchecked and many of the city’s original buildings were lost in the scrum. However, there are still pockets of colonial gems and Victorian mansions around San José and some very fine museums and green spaces, as well as a lively cultural life.

things  to consider

What is included?

    • Administration fee
    • Orientation meeting
    • Local support volunteer coordinator
    • 7 night accommodation in a homestay
    • Breakfast & dinner
    • Arrival transfer from the airport
    • 20 hour classes per week (standard course)
    • Class material
    • 3 afternoon activities (yoga, dance, cooking etc)

What is NOT included?

  • Personal expenses
  • Medical insurance (mandatory to confirm the reservation).

 

What to consider…

  • Arrival airport: SJO
  • Classes begin every Mondays. Students should arrive in Heredia at the latest on Sunday
  • Available all year round
  • 4 hours per day, Monday to Friday with the exception of public holidays.
  • Programs from 1 to 15 weeks
  • Small Classes (max 2 to 6 people)
  • Intensive course or private classes upon request
  • You will take an entry test to determine your level
  • There are hospitals and ATM machines in the city
  • We recommend a weekly budget of U$ 100 for meals and tours

A NORMAL DAY
LEARNING SPANISH

When you arrive at San Jose Airport a transfer will be waiting for you to take you to your home for the next days. You have the rest of the weekend to get to know the family you will be living with, relax and visit Heredia on your own.

On Monday you will head to the school, which is walking distance from your homestay. You will be received there; you will meet your teachers and companions and you will start this fun learning process. Your classes are scheduled 4 hours a day from Monday to Friday. During the week you will also some have extra-curricular activities, these could be Yoga, Latin dance classes or Cooking classes and will be organized according to the school’s schedule.

The ACCOMMODATION

By staying with a local homestay family, students will experience the typical culture, food, and community of Costa Rica. Expect to have many opportunities to speak Spanish with native speakers over meals and family outings.

Local homestay accommodation includes breakfast, dinner, laundry service (typically once/week) and Wi-Fi internet access. All students are guaranteed a private bedroom, a key to their bedroom, a key to the front door of the house, and a quiet place to study. All the families are within 20 minutes walking distance of the school. Private bathrooms are provided upon request but are at limited supply and are given to students on a first come first serve basis. There is no extra fee in the event a student is placed with a family that can offer a private bathroom.

Fresh fruits and vegetables aplenty! Costa Rican cuisine is nutritionally well rounded, always cooked from scratch, and loaded with the many exotic fruits and vegetables readily available locally. Traditional meals have a home-cooked, comforting feel to them, and with our homestay program you will be given two meals a day, breakfast and dinner.

WHAT TO DO IN
YOUR FREE TIME

Every day the school offers activities for students to get to know each other, experience different aspects of Costa Rican culture, and provide opportunities to practice Spanish outside of the classroom. Each activity is offered at least once a week. In our programs two activities are included and students can signed-up for others upon arrival. The activity calendar will be posted every week and students will pay and register for activities in person.

Some of your options are:

  • Beach & rainforest
  • Volcano & Hot Springs
  • Cave Spelunking
  • White Water Rafting
  • And more…

more experiences in costa rica

Looking for more inspiration? have a look at the experiences below:

IS VOLUNTEERING A
PASSION OF YOURS?

We know our destinations, volunteer programs and language schools by heart. If you dream about experiencing Latin America the real way, helping and learning together and creating a positive impact, we can help you do that!