Location
  • Costa Rica
    • Heredia
Length
1 to 24 weeks
Language
Spanish
Payment plans

Program Details

Language Level
BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
Immersion Level
Intensive Standard
Class Size
Private Lessons Small Class (1-7)
Weekly Classroom Hours
20
Housing
Host Family Hostel Hotel
Age Min.
18

Pricing

Starting Price
350
Price Details
Included in each program:
• Written and oral exam to assess Spanish level
• Airport pickup from SJO (Juan Santamaría International Airport)
• Orientation tour with map of Heredia and surrounding area
• 24/7 support and local contact in Heredia
• All necessary class materials: pencils, notebooks, etc.
• Wifi internet access both at school and in homestays
• Fresh coffee and tea throughout the day at school
• Dance and yoga classes as well as conversational “intercambios” with locals
• Official certificate of course completion
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Classes Some Meals Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

Written and oral Spanish exam
Airport pickup from SJO Airport
Orientation tour with map of Heredia
All necessary class materials
Free internet access at school and in homestays
Fresh coffee and tea each morning
Conversational classes with locals
Official certificate of course completion

What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare Some Meals
Jan 24, 2024
Feb 03, 2025
97 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Tico Lingo offers the most personalized and immersive Spanish programs in Costa Rica. We offer students a relaxed learning environment with small classrooms, free coffee, and good vibes.

Our Intensive Spanish Immersion Program aims to give students linguistic fluency through cultural immersion and an intensive Spanish curriculum. We emphasize oral communication and application by connecting students directly to the local community through conversational classes and homestay accommodation.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Flexible start dates; pick any Monday to start your classes
  • All levels welcome; start as a complete beginner or an advanced speaker
  • Airport pickup from SJO included
  • Free cultural activities like dance class and yoga
  • Free walking tour of the local city Heredia

Program Reviews

4.98 Rating
based on 101 reviews
  • 5 rating 99.01%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0.99%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Instruction 4.95
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.85
  • Housing 4.85
  • Value 4.95
Showing 1 - 8 of 101 reviews
Default avatar
Craig
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing school!

I started looking at Spanish immersion schools years ago to become a Spanish medical interpreter and found there are a lot of schools out there. After trying to narrow them down by their reviews I found that this school was at the top of the list. I am here in Costa Rica going to this school now.

I am in my fourth week here and my Spanish has improved dramatically. The reason for such improvement comes from the way they teach and how multi-faceted it is. From grammar lessons to vocabulary to 'modismos', it's all there and helps a person to get a solid grasp of the language. The teachers are mostly bilingual and are knowledgeable in all aspects of Spanish.

What helps even more is the school will set you up with a family to live with during your stay that fits your needs and gives you a chance to practice your Spanish every day. The host families are patient and will help you a lot. These families are wonderful. I'm staying with Gabby and her family and they have become very near and dear to me. There are over 50 families you could stay with and Yenifer will get you settled into a family that best fits your needs.

This school has been amazing from the start with super helpful people like Robert who begins the process to Yenifer who works at the school and will ensure you have the best experience possible. They also off many day trips or dancing and cooking classes to further immerse you in the Tico culture! I cannot recommend this place enough.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I think the only thing I would change is make the stay longer as I have absolutely loved this whole experience!
Pros
  • Great teachers here, especially Kenny who I have never heard a single negative about him from many students
  • The city where the school is located is Heredia, Costa Rica. It is a safe area with many good restaurants, cafes, places to shop and has cheap transportation
  • Great families to stay with plus all kinds of possible excursions from the volcanos to the beaches.
Cons
  • There really aren't any!
5 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Clay
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An awesome Spanish learning experience in Costa Rica

Tico Lingo transformed my Spanish skills far beyond what I achieved in high school and college courses. In just five weeks, my confidence soared, allowing me to hold regular conversations with native speakers. The program’s cultural immersion fosters out-of-class speaking and experimentation with our lessons. The intercambio conversation meet-ups were invaluable for practicing advanced grammar, something I rarely did in university. Meeting people from Costa Rica and around the world made learning Spanish incredibly enjoyable.

Heredia, the city where Tico Lingo is located, was a joy to explore. Its vibrant streets, welcoming locals, and rich cultural heritage added an extra layer to my learning experience. From bustling markets to tranquil parks, every part of Heredia contributed to my Spanish practice and cultural understanding.

Tico Lingo excels at making language learning fun and practical. The combination of immersive classes and the charming city of Heredia made my experience unforgettable. I'll definitely be back!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Granadilla
39 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Shane
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Immersion in Costa Rica

Tico Lingo school in Heredia was exactly what I needed to rejuvenate my Spanish-speaking skills. Nestled in the quaint city of Heredia, the school offers engaging group and private lessons tailored to every student's needs. What sets Tico Lingo apart are the daily complimentary classes in dance and yoga, adding a delightful cultural touch to the learning experience. Additionally, the school organizes weekend group tours to explore different parts of Costa Rica, enriching both language skills and cultural immersion. I spent two weeks at Tico Lingo and found myself wishing for more time to continue learning in such a vibrant and supportive environment.

42 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Stephanie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Learned lots, met great people and had fun

I really enjoyed the intensive nature of the program. I really liked my homestay family and meals and I really appreciated how flexible the scheduling is. I stayed for two weeks and after the first week I was able to add on private lessons in addition to my group lessons at request. There were others that decided to stay longer as well at request which was really nice and seems like not a lot of Spanish programs offer that (granted I don’t know of many programs outside of TicoLingo). I also came with my friend and the coordinators made it possible for us to stay with the same host family which made my trip all the better! I am considering returning and would definitely recommend to anyone considering going. Would recommend you bring an umbrella if go during May, it rained hard and random most times.

50 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Timothy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great program!!

Tico Lingo offers a great program with excellent teachers and a helpful staff. This was the program I needed to catapult my Spanish to the next level. Everyone here wants to learn and the teachers are happy to help. There are also opportunities to experience Costa Rican culture and Latin culture. My Costa Rican family was very helpful, too. I should also add that the school and the Tica family network are centrally located near stores, restaurants, gyms, and anything else you might need. Everywhere you go there are plenty of opportunities to speak and learn Spanish.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Whatever amount of time you're planning at Tico Ling, try to add more.
Pros
  • Great teachers
  • Good facility
  • Dedicated students
Cons
  • It's humid. Deal with it.
  • I wanted more time.
47 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Timothy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great way to immerse in Spanish

I spent 4 weeks learning Spanish with Tico Lingo. My 2 professors were both incredibly capable and their lessons were productive and super fun. The homestay option really made the difference for me. Being immersed in Spanish 24/7 finally enabled me to break out of my plateau and get comfortable with speaking Spanish.

They organized weekly intercambio events where I got to meet and practice my Spanish with locals. These were very helpful for getting more exposure to the language in different contexts.

The weekends at Tico Lingo we're super fun as well. There were always tours or other activities to take part of.

Finally, Heredia and Costa Rica in general are super safe and nice places to visit.

Ps. The Coffee is amazing

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Tico Lingo didnt offer a tour to Monte Verde so we organized a 4 person group with some other students and it was AMAZING! Highly recommend making it out there if you're in Costa Rica.
Pros
  • Home stay with a wonderful Tico Family
  • Intercambio events with locals
  • High quality of teaching
Cons
  • Slightly pricier than programs in other countries
  • Espresso drinks are more expensive than in Seattle (but better)
50 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kim
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Experience of a Lifetime

there are not enough words to express my gratitude to Tico Lingo, and for the experience I had.

I spent three weeks in Heredia - lived with an amazing family had every day the best meals of my life. Attending class for four hours each day was pure joy. My professor, Zaida, never spoke English but had a way of getting you to understand. and my Spanish improved a lot. The students I met were from 18 - 75 all walks of life from all over the globe. And the Ticos - the nicest folks you would ever want to meet. The tours were outstanding - did one each week.

If you are serious about improving your Spanish and you enjoy being immersed in a country’s culture and you have the time, go for it.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would have stayed for a month.
Pros
  • very organized program
  • the country is beautiful
  • improved my Spanish
Cons
  • first week was brutally hot no AC in home but I adjusted
  • needed another week
  • did not have time to get to Monteverde
48 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kim
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Experience of a Lifetime

there are not enough words to express my gratitude to Tico Lingo, and for the experience I had.

I spent three weeks in Heredia - lived with an amazing family had every day the best meals of my life. Attending class for four hours each day was pure joy. My professor, Zaida, never spoke English but had a way of getting you to understand - and my Spanish improved a lot.

The students I met were aged 18 - 75 and were from all walks of life from all over the globe. And the Ticos - the nicest folks you would ever want to meet. The tours were outstanding - did one each week. If you are serious about improving your Spanish and you enjoy being immersed in a country’s culture and you have the time, go for it.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would have stayed for a month.
Pros
  • very organized program
  • the country is beautiful
  • improved my Spanish
Cons
  • first week was brutally hot no AC in home but I adjusted
  • needed another week
  • did not have time to get to Monteverde
54 people found this review helpful.

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