Explore Costa Rica While Learning Spanish: Beach, Waterfalls, Rain Forest, Volcanic Hot Springs, and So Much More!
Come explore one of the most fascinating countries in Central America. Coffee, ziplining, eco-tourism, rain forests, pristine beaches: Habla Language Services’ trip to Costa Rica has it all! Experience “pura vida” as you visit three distinct ecosystems. See more info here.
What’s included:
- 11 hours of Spanish instruction with expert Gina Covello, MA.
- 6 days of project-based, immersion learning while living the language in a small town.
- 14 breakfasts, 1 picnic lunch, 1 lunch & café, 7 dinners.
- 7 nights staying with host family to enhance the learning experience.
- 2 Nights lodging at beach.
- Entrance to 2 Waterfalls, Coffee Plantation, Local Farm. Visits to high school and pain management clinic.
- Hanging Bridges Guided Walk in Rain Forest (2½ hours).
- Sloth trail (2 hours).
- Animal Sanctuary Wildlife Tour + Volunteer Food Prep (2½ hours).
- 2 Nights Accommodation at Hot Springs Resort.
- Overnight accommodation at Rio Celeste, Tenorio Volcano National Park.
- Lodging upon arrival at and leaving LIR (2 nights).
- Shuttle from LIR airport to hotel.
- Transportation escorted by Gina Covello throughout the program and local Costa Rican guide.
All breakfasts are included. Lunches and gratuities not included. Dinners only included when with host families in Tilaran. Airfare not included.
Please note: We will adhere to the day-to-day schedule as much as possible, but some times changes or deletions may be necessary due to road closures, storms or other events beyond our control. We always work to present to you the best possible trip EVERY TIME!
Day 1
Fly into SJO and take shuttle to nearby hotel. Depending on what time your flight arrives, you can enjoy the pool or gym or grab some dinner.
Day 2
We will have an orientation over breakfast to introduce you to the currency, basic culture, and logistic briefing. Then we travel to Playa Hermosa for fun in the sun and seafood lunch right on the beach! We then head to our beach hotel to enjoy a dip in the pool or jacuzzi. Meals: B
Day 3
BEACH DAY: Enjoy optional activities such as: snorkeling trip, sunset cruise, or any of the many water activities offered in the area. Included in the trip will be transport to some nearby beaches if you opt out of additional activities. Meals: B.
Day 4
Enjoy some free time at the hotel, then we’ll pick up lunch at Subway and head to the Llanos de Cortes Waterfall. After our picnic lunch, we’ll head up to Tilarán while enjoying a beautiful sunset. We will have a brief orientation and settle in with host families. Meals: B, D.
Day 5
Our 1st day of immersion starts here. We will have lessons in the morning with instruction on how to shop in the frutería and supermercado. You will also order lunch in a restaurant. You will explore the town and present your findings. Meals: B, D.
Day 6
Take a field trip to visit La Piedra del Indio Waterfalls and lunch in the campo. Let’s see where the day takes us! Meals: B, D.
Day 7
It’s Sunday! Your host families may have a special excursion or family visit planned for you, or you can explore the town or nearby areas or just relax. We will present you with options. Meals: B, D.
Day 8
Visit the high school to observe classes and we’ll teach/observe a quick English lesson.
Lesson on coffee processing, We will then visit a local coffee plantation for lunch and a tour of the plantation. Meals: B, L, D.
Day 9
Lessons on making hotel reservations and small talk. You will then make a hotel reservation and invite a new Tico friend to lunch or coffee for Spanish conversation. Meals: B, D.
Day 10
Visit a pain management clinic following a lesson on body parts. Lessons on taking a taxi for lunch. Meals: B, D.
Day 11
Work with your team to navigate the local bus system and answer questions on neighboring towns. This scavenger hunt is your final exam! After, we’ll head to Místico Hanging Bridges for a tour over the rain forest canopy, while grabbing a quick brown bag lunch. Then we check into our hot springs resort and have dinner nearby. You can decide to enjoy a soak in the hot springs, get a spa treatment, or just enjoy dinner. Meals: B, L.
Day 12
Early breakfast at the hotel and then our highly popular sloth tour! We will grab a quick lunch in La Fortuna and then head up to Project ASIS Wildlife Rescue Center. We’ll spend the afternoon learning about the sanctuary and we’ll have the opportunity to prepare meals for the animals! We will head to our hot springs hotel for relaxation. Meals: B.
Day 13
Optional morning activities such as: chocolate tour, waterfall, zipline, beauty treatment. Then, we head to Tenorio National Park and Rio Celeste. We plan to arrive in time for the Night Hike that is included, or pay extra for a Night Hike in Tapir Valley (adults only) to try to spot the nocturnal tapirs. Meals: B.
Day 14
Optional morning activities hike to Rio Celeste waterfall, swim or tube in the river. If time and interest allow, let’s go to a chocolate farm. We then drive to our hotel in Liberia and prep for your return home. Meals: B.
Day 15
Make arrangements with the hotel to bring you to the airport in time for your flight and say, “Hasta luego” to Costa Rica. Meals: B.
2025 Pricing
- Single Cost: $4500. Save $200 with cash discount.*
- Two travel partners sharing hotel rooms (separate beds available): $3500 each. Save $200 with cash discount.*
- Family of 4 with 2 kids under 10: $12,000. Save $500 with cash discount.*
- 50% deposit required to reserve your space.
Payments are non-refundable. We highly suggest purchasing travel insurance for trip cancellation and also international medical insurance/medivac coverage.
*Cash discount includes check or Zelle payment.
Apply for program here.
More info available here.
Please Note: If you need Spanish for your job, this trip may be fully tax-deductible. Please talk to your tax advisor. The entire trip is Spanish Immersion and you will leave knowing MUCH more Spanish than when you came.