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Spanish in Playa Samara

Experience
Study
Destination
Costa Rica
Duration
1 to 12 weeks
Ages
18 to 85

Limited spots. Earliest available arrival is currently Dec 2024, and closing very soon.

Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.

Trip overview

Learn to speak Spanish – as you become a local in your neighbourhood  – while living in the heart of Playa Samara, for as little as 1 week, or up to 12 weeks, on this unforgettable trip. 

What better way to learn a language than to jump right into the deep end? Engaging with the community as you live like a local in one of the most nature-forward countries in the world. 

On this done-for-you trip, you’ll get everything you need to live in Playa Samara while learning Spanish, including: 

  • Spanish lessons – Costa Rica style. Your structured Spanish classes are run by highly qualified teachers. And some days – you’ll be taking your classes outside in the beautiful Costa Rican nature. 
  • Accommodation included. Accommodation at a nearby homestay with a local family is included in this trip. Or you can choose to stay in student accommodation for a small additional fee. 
  • Local cultural experiences. To help fast track your learning – and help you have the best trip with your awesome classmates – there are a range of cultural activities included. These  may include: a community tour, Latin dance & cooking classes, movie nights, Zumba, yoga, and arts & crafts.

Explore the coastal paradise of Playa Samara, one of Costa Rica's best kept secrets. Life is relaxed in this charming town nestled within a horseshoe-shaped bay, where shady trees host swinging howler monkeys and hide local cafes and restaurants.

With engaging lessons from a supportive tutor, you'll confidently converse in Spanish, surprising locals and forging lasting friendships with people from around the world. Immerse yourself in the community, practicing Spanish with familiar faces like the coconut seller, the friendly shopkeeper or your surf instructor.

Living among Spanish speakers, your language skills will skyrocket as you learn by day and practice with your neighbours by night. Your ability to speak Spanish will open up a world of travel experiences, as locals admire your efforts. Become the popular traveller by embracing regional slang and colloquialisms.

And when you book with Global, you book with the best. You'll get the ultimate study experience, hassle-free. We assist with visas, enrollment, accommodation, and more, ensuring a remarkable journey into the authentic Costa Rica 'pura vida' way of life.

Inclusions

Tap to expand

Spanish language lessons
Dedicated Trip Coordinator
Pre-Departure Guide
Trip visa guidance
Personal Travel Concierge
Comfortable accommodation
Private airport transfer
Local cultural experiences
Certificate of completion
Ongoing local team support
Global Emergency Line
gWorld access
Social
Global Academy
Marketplace deals
$250 off your next trip

Just in case it’s not clear already, we’re not an employment or recruitment agency. Read more

Qualification

To qualify for this trip you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be between 18-85 years of age
  • Be a citizen of an eligible country
  • Have no criminal convictions in the past 5 years

Get more info!

Got questions or need to know more? Ask us here, we're online 24hrs Mo-Fr.

Trip details

Our Study in Costa Rica trip is designed to get you travelling, living and learning Spanish overseas as smoothly as possible.

Our partners know that Costa Rica is paradise on Earth and that learning a language can be arduous. So why not make that process easier by doing it in paradise? Your Spanish classes will be intense, and taught by Costa Rican university-accredited professors but you’ll take them in an incredibly laid back environment. 

Our partners also know that practising your new skill by conversing with the locals is beneficial to learning Spanish, so they’ve brought the local community into the whole project.

Playa Samara is less of a town, and more of a family. It’s inevitable that you’ll get to know almost everyone and this amazing part of the world will start to feel like home. This process is assisted with the huge range of complimentary cultural activities and homestay options too.  

Arrive in Costa Rica with the reassurance that you will be many steps ahead of every other traveller in search of international experience in Central America. You can hit the ground running in your studies, with everything else taken care of.

While you’re there you’ll have a range of accommodation options that you can choose from depending on what you want to get out of the trip. Homestay; for those who want to have people to practise your Spanish on at all times, but also want to deep dive into what family life and culture is like in Costa Rica. Or the Student Residence located right next to the school, for those that want to bond more with their classmates. (Both options are no further than 500m away from the beach).

Spend your time studying in Costa Rica, immersing yourself in the laid back Tico culture and lifestyle, relaxing on the stunning beaches or deep-diving into the jungles seeing first hand the awe-inspiring biodiversity Costa Rica is famous for. You’ll be able to explore the whole region and jet off to neighbouring countries, leaving the logistical stuff to us.

Embrace a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel, live and study in Costa Rica learning a lifelong skill that will stay with you forever.

Requirements

You must do a Spanish language test before classes on your first day, so you know which level to start on.

What extra costs will I have?

Flights, travel insurance, souvenirs & spending money.

Accommodation

Kick your cultural immersion up a notch by staying with a local family in a nearby homestay. 

Or, for a small additional fee, you can choose to stay in a student residence, which is right behind the school and 30m from the beach!

Trip itinerary

Arrival

Once you’ve touched down at Liberia International Airport, your transfer will take you to your accommodation in Playa Samara. If you’ve given yourself a few days between your arrival and the course starting, use this time to get acquainted with the beach and your new classmates/homestay hosts! 

Day 1

Arrive at school by 7:15am (don’t worry, school doesn’t usually start this early) to take your placement interview. This will help determine which class you should be placed in. When you have your results you’ll be informed whether you’ll be in the morning or afternoon sessions of classes. This will depend on what level your Spanish is at now.  If you’re selected into the morning classes, you’ll jump in straight away as these start at 8am and run until 12pm. If you’ve been selected for the afternoon class, that’s completely fine. Use this time to hang out on the beach, explore the community with the school’s tour of the town, or undertake one of the many cultural activities available before your classes start at 1pm.  Whatever class you’re in, you’ll have a mandatory orientation meeting at 12:15. This will help you get to know the school, the area, and everything that it has to offer. 

Ongoing

Your classes will either be 8am-12pm or 1pm-5pm (alternating daily so you can take advantage of the tides for ocean activities) with two 15 minute breaks per session, Monday-Friday. When you’re not in class you certainly won’t be bored. The school offers huge amounts of cultural/social activities for free as well. Mon-Thurs there is a daily Latin dance class, once a week you can do a Latin American cooking class, there’s a movie night a week, plus Zumba and yoga twice a week respectively too!  You’ll get plenty of time to do all the planned complementary activities plus a bunch of other activities as well. There are lots of surf schools in the area, so you could use your time off mastering that. Or you could go explore the local community, rainforests and beaches.  Your weekends are yours to do as you wish. You could stay in the community, or go out and explore the rest of Central America! If you’d like to go on a more in-depth trip around the country, let your course leader know and they can help you do this after your course ends.   We’ll constantly keep in touch with you throughout your stay. If at any point during your trip you need advice or support, our team will be on hand to answer all your questions. Don’t forget you can jump on our social media pages too or buzz our 24/5 emergency support line for urgent matters.

Why choose us

Our Study trips are designed to get you set up in your new life overseas – learning new skills from the locals –  as smoothly as possible. Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress while eliminating the risk of returning home early. Here’s how we do it: 

We’re with you from the moment you get started. You’ll be assigned a dedicated Trip Coordinator. They’ll guide you through the next steps and answer all your questions. They’ll also help you with the pesky visa. No guesswork – only the right paperwork, approved the first time, in your hands before you leave. 

Your Personal Travel Concierge will help with flights, insurance, visas, and any add-ons you’d like for your trip. These are real humans too – no robots here. 

Once you land in Costa Rica our local team will be waiting for you at the airport. You’ll be taken straight to your initial accommodation in Playa Samara. 

But our support doesn’t end there. We’ll be in touch during your trip to make sure everything is going smoothly. If you have any questions or concerns we’re one quick message, DM, email, or carrier pigeon away. 

Our team is well travelled so you can rely on our experience. We’re with you every step of the way. 

Join 95,000+ travellers – giving us 10,000+ 4 & 5 star reviews – by choosing Global to make your travel dreams come true. 

Most travellers book their trip 6-12 months in advance. Dates are flexible, but spaces are limited. So if you’re serious about studying in Costa Rica, don’t delay. 

With our Book Now, Decide Later feature, you can get started with a small deposit today, and take a full year to choose your dates. 

We’ll take over from there, helping you with visas, flights, accommodation, and setting you up with our partner in Costa Rica. 

This is the trip for you if you’re after the ultimate teaching experience in Costa Rica, complete with everything you need and 24/5 support.

Click the red button to check dates & prices.

Why Study

The main purpose of this trip is to get you speaking Spanish like a local while you live like a local. Which makes this trip perfect for those who want to connect more with the country, instead of simply stopping in for a visit. 

Our in-country partner’s teaching style is about learning Spanish for real situations, not a load of useless phrases and big words. It’s conversational Spanish – the same way normal people speak in Costa Rica. 

These classes won’t teach you formal Spanish with strict rules and fancy words. It’s all about being able to communicate with Spanish-speaking people in Spanish, so you can let the Costa Rican culture become part of you as you get to know it more intimately. 

One of the many reasons you have cultural immersion and local experiences built-in to your course – so you can practise your Spanish on real-life Costa Ricans in real-life situations. 

Living amongst the community while you’re learning the language will fast track your path to success. It will also help you integrate into the community so you’ll get to know Costa Rica much better than most tourists.

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Frequently asked questions

Why are you the best company to choose?

As the world’s leading gap-year and "work & travel" company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, over 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 90,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and maintain a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!

Are flights & insurance included?

While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!

How do I choose the right study trip?

With so many incredible options, we understand that selecting the perfect study trip can be tricky. That's why we recommend booking your favourite one, and your dedicated Trip Coordinator will guide you through the project details. They will consider your interests, goals, and desired outcome for the trip. If we find another trip that better suits your preferences, we can easily swap you over to ensure you have the ideal study experience. Rest assured, we're here to help you find the right fit!

Do I need any prior experience for a study trip?

Most of our study trips are designed to cater to participants of all abilities and levels of experience. You can confidently join our program without any previous background or expertise. Our courses are structured to provide a valuable and enriching learning experience for everyone, ensuring you can make the most out of your study trip adventure, and go home with a new or developed skill!

What is the typical group size I'll be studying with?

The group sizes for our study trips typically range from 4 to 12 people, with variations depending on the specific trip. Most of our participants are travelling solo and share a common enthusiasm for learning and making new connections. And as our travellers come from various countries worldwide, joining a study trip offers an exceptional opportunity to build a diverse network of friends from all corners of the globe!

Do I get a certificate upon completing the study course?

Absolutely! Upon successfully completing the study course, you will be awarded a certificate to acknowledge your hard work and dedication. This valuable certificate serves as a notable achievement and an impressive addition to your resume. Future employers will recognise your commitment to personal and professional growth, reinforcing your qualifications and enhancing your career prospects. Or, frame it on your wall to show off to family and friends of the epic skill you picked up abroad!

Why should I book now?

After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend or partner?

Yes you can! Simply tell your Trip Coordinator after booking that your friend is also going and they can link your profiles. For most of our trips we should be able to have you and your friends placed together or nearby. Meaning that you can live, work, play & travel together! But wait there's more! Not only can you travel the world with your besties at your side, you can also earn some extra cash towards your own trip just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. You can learn more about the great referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you join. And for those who decide to go-it-solo, we’ve made it easier to meet other Global Travellers in the same region as you. Just like any other social platform, you’ll be able to interact, share, chat and meet with some really cool people who are doing trips just like you!

Can I bring my pet along?

At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.

How it works

1. Choose a trip style

Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!

2. We become friends

Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.

3. Time to go!

We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!

4. Global support

Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.

Still have questions?

Why go Global

Flexible trips

The unexpected can happen sometimes. Can't travel right now? Swap your trip, gift it or save it for later with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee.

Worldwide support

Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.

We're the experts

With over 10 years in the industry and a team of over 90 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.

Partner network

We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.

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Spanish in Playa Samara