Learning the Language

As more people travel to Costa Rica with the intention of learning Spanish, the number of options for Spanish immersion vacations increases. You can find courses of varying lengths and degrees of intensiveness, and many that include cultural activities and day excursions. Many of these schools have reciprocal relationships with U.S. universities, so, in some cases, you can even arrange for college credit. Most Spanish schools can arrange for home stays with a middle-class Tico family for a total-immersion experience. Classes are often small, or even one-on-one, and can last anywhere from 2 to 8 hours a day. Listed below are some of the larger and more established Spanish-language schools, with approximate costs. Most are located in San José, but there are also schools in Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Playa Flamingo, Malpaís, Playa Nosara, and Tamarindo. (I'd certainly rather spend 2 weeks or a month in one of these spots than in San José.) Contact the schools for the most current price information.

Adventure Education Center (AEC) Spanish Institute (tel. 800/237-2730 in the U.S. and Canada, or 2248-0147; www.adventurespanishschool.com) has branches in La Fortuna, Dominical, and Turrialba, and specializes in combining language learning with adventure activities. A 1-week course here with 4 hours of classes each day, including room and board with a Costa Rican family, costs $400 (£200).

Centro Linguístico Conversa (tel. 888/669-1664 in the U.S. and Canada, or 2221-7649; www.conversa.net) has classes in both San José and Santa Ana (a suburb of the capital city). A 1-week course here with 4 hours of classes each day, including room and board with a Costa Rican family, costs between $500 and $715 (£250-£358), depending on which campus you choose.

Centro Panamericano de Idiomas (CPI) (tel. 877/373-3116 in the U.S., or 2265-6306; www.cpi-edu.com) has three campuses: one in the quiet suburban town of Heredia, another in Monteverde, and one at the beach in Playa Flamingo. A 1-week program, with 4 hours of class per day and a home stay with a Costa Rican family, costs $465 (£233).

Costa Rican Language Academy in San José (tel. 866/230-6361 in the U.S., or 2280-5164; www.spanishandmore.com) has intensive programs with classes held Monday to Thursday to give students a chance for longer weekend excursions. The academy also integrates Latin dance and Costa Rican cooking classes into the program. A 1-week class with 4 hours of class per day, plus a home stay, costs $321 (£161).

Costa Rica Spanish Institute (COSI) (tel. 2234-1001; www.cosi.co.cr) offers small classes in the San Pedro neighborhood of San José, as well as a program at Manuel Antonio. The weekly cost of $450 (£225) includes a home stay.

Forester Instituto Internacional (tel. 2225-3155 or 2225-0135; www.fores.com), is 75m (246 ft.) south of the Automercado in the Los Yoses district of San José. I've received glowing reports from satisfied customers here. The cost of a 1-week language course with a home stay and excursions is approximately $570 (£285).

Institute for Central American Development Studies (ICADS) near San Pedro (tel. 2225-0508; www.icads.org) has one of the best and most extensive fieldwork and volunteer programs in Costa Rica, as well as quality Spanish-language immersion programs. A 4-week course with home stay costs $1,900 (£950).

International House Costa Rica (tel. 2234-9054; www.institutobritanico.co.cr), formerly the Instituto Britanico, is a venerable institution with installations in the Los Yoses neighborhood of San José. A bit more attention seems to be paid to teacher training and selection here than at other institutions around town. A 2-week course with 40 hours of classes and a home stay costs $810 (£405).

Escuela D'Amore (tel. 800/261-3203 in the U.S. and Canada, or tel./fax 2777-1143; www.escueladamore.com) is situated in the lush surroundings of Manuel Antonio National Park. A 2-week conversational Spanish course, including a home stay and two meals daily, costs $995 (£498). This is a much nicer environment than San José for learning Spanish (for most everything else too, in fact).

Wayra Instituto de Español (tel./fax 2653-0359; www.spanish-wayra.co.cr) is located in the beach town of Tamarindo. A week of classes, 4 hours per day, will run you $250 (£125). Home stays and apartment rentals can be arranged.