Costa Rica

Students are greeted at Juan Santamaría International Airport by the Tico Lingo team and transported to the welcoming city of Heredia, located just north of San José. After introductions and settling in, students meet their homestay families and enjoy a traditional Costa Rican dinner.

Begin the day with a hearty breakfast with your homestay family before heading to Tico Lingo for orientation and your first Spanish class.

In the afternoon, explore downtown Heredia, visit the local market, and enjoy a group lunch together. The evening concludes with dinner and conversation with your host family.

Get ready for adventure! Spend the day white-water rafting through Costa Rica’s lush tropical rivers. This thrilling activity emphasizes teamwork, communication, and fun.

Return to Heredia for a relaxing evening and dinner with your homestay family.

After breakfast, walk to school for morning Spanish classes (8 a.m.–12 p.m.).

In the afternoon, participate in a Heredia city scavenger hunt and a language exchange with local Costa Rican students.

Return home for dinner and conversation with your host family.

Start with Spanish class in the morning, then head out to visit a local coffee farm. Learn about the process from bean to cup while practicing your Spanish with local farmers.

Later, challenge yourself on a ropes course surrounded by scenic mountain views.

Dinner with your homestay family in the evening.

After class at Tico Lingo, visit a wildlife rescue center where you’ll see sloths, monkeys, birds, and iguanas up close.

Discuss Costa Rica’s commitment to environmental protection while practicing Spanish with guides and volunteers.

Return for dinner with your homestay family.

Begin with breakfast and Spanish class, then travel to San José, the capital of Costa Rica. Explore the National Museum, Central Market, and historical monuments during a guided walking tour.

Enjoy lunch in the city and return to Heredia for dinner and reflections with your homestay family.

After your final Spanish class, celebrate your progress with a graduation ceremony at Tico Lingo, followed by a fun Latin dance class.

Enjoy your final evening with your homestay family and prepare for the next day’s beach adventure.

Spend a full day exploring Manuel Antonio National Park, famous for its pristine beaches, hiking trails, and abundant wildlife.

Enjoy swimming, local food, and group reflection time before returning for a final group dinner together.

Share a final breakfast with your homestay family before saying goodbye.

The Tico Lingo team provides airport transfers to Juan Santamaría International Airport for student departures.

The goal of this group immersion program is to improve your fluency in Spanish by expanding vocabulary, gaining confidence in conversation, and applying your skills in real-life situations. At our partner school, Tico Lingo, students participate in dynamic, interactive Spanish classes with native-speaking teachers who make learning fun and relevant.

Outside the classroom, students put their Spanish to the test by ordering fresh fruit at a local mercado, chatting with shop owners, or participating in cultural scavenger hunts and games throughout Heredia. Every moment is designed to help students think and communicate naturally
in Spanish.

Language Pledge
To create a truly immersive experience, students are encouraged to speak only in Spanish throughout the program not just in class, but also with teachers, host families, and fellow students. This commitment helps learners break through the fear of making mistakes and dramatically accelerates fluency.

Homestays are coordinated through our trusted local partner, which carefully vets and selects each family based on hospitality, safety, and enthusiasm for cultural exchange. Students live with warm, welcoming Costa Rican families who open their homes and hearts, sharing daily routines, traditions, and meals.

This experience often becomes one of the most memorable aspects of the trip, a time when students truly live the language, form deep connections, and experience Costa Rican life from the inside. Many alumni describe their homestay as the turning point in their Spanish learning journey.

To encourage full participation and cultural connection, we limit cell phone use during the program. Students are encouraged to disconnect from technology and focus on face-to-face communication and local experiences. Phones can be used for photos and translation when needed, but we promote an environment of mindfulness and immersion. Families will receive regular program updates and students will have opportunities for scheduled calls home.

This is an active and engaging program! Students should expect to spend most days outdoors, participating in cultural excursions and adventure activities such as white-water rafting, hiking, and exploring local markets and coffee farms. While no special athletic skills are required, participants should bring curiosity, energy, and an adventurous spirit — ready to walk, learn, and explore daily.

Heredia sits at an elevation of approximately 3,800 feet (1,160 meters) above sea level, offering a pleasant springlike climate with mild temperatures year-round. Students may notice the thinner air during vigorous activity at first, but most adapt quickly within a day or two.

During the program, students stay in comfortable local homes with their assigned homestay families. Each family provides a private room for one or two students, with simple but cozy furnishings and reliable amenities. All homes are within walking distance of Tico Lingo.

When traveling for excursions (such as the beach trip to Manuel Antonio or the rafting adventure), students stay in safe, family-run lodges and eco-hotels selected for comfort and cultural authenticity.

Students enjoy home-cooked meals prepared by their host families, featuring fresh, traditional Costa Rican dishes like gallo pinto, casados, tropical fruits, and natural juices. During excursions or cultural outings, meals are shared at local restaurants chosen for their quality and authenticity. Eating together offers a perfect opportunity to practice Spanish and experience Costa Rican hospitality.