Program Reviews

If I could sum up Tico Lingo teen summer camp up in a sentence it would be “the opportunity that will set the tone for your teen’s pursuit of education” In the most cliche way, Tico lingo is the opportunity of a lifetime and one I would well advise your teen not pass up. The experience of being immersed in a new culture is mind blowing itself and the Staff and opportunities Tico Lingo presents will add so much to your teen’s experience. I had the pleasure of getting to know Christopher, the most passionate, hardworking and fun director. He is the backbone of the operation and (while keeping your teens safe) will make sure they have the best time possible. From scavenger hunts around the town to ice cream runs and taking us to see the Barbie movie, Chris listened, and made every kid smile. Along with Chris, I met Clay whose job was to take care of us by being fun, relatable ( college student) , and keeping us safe. He did that and so much more, he was incredibly funny and kind and brought so much laughter to my experience. Something I didn’t expect was how safe and kind Heredia is. I always felt safe walking around town and walking home, and everyone was helpful and patient. Besides all the amazing activities your teen will have the privilege to experience (coffee tour, zip lining, white water rafting, animal rescue, just to name a few) the classes your teen takes will give them passion for the language, get them excited, and teach them SO much! My professors were all incredibly patient and kind, and taught me so much. They went above and beyond to keep the group engaged and make learning fun! Every teacher at Tico lingo is incredibly smart, and kind.

My homestay family was a central part of my amazing experience and were incredibly caring and generous. The food my homestay mom, Rita, made was delicious and I miss it dearly! My homestay dad, Rafeal took incredible care cleaning my room when I was out and doing my laundry. Their sweet daughter Alma became my Tico sister and my roommates and I loved their dogs. I am still in contact with my Homestay family and couldn’t have found more welcoming people.

Before my trip I was a little nervous about my roommates, but along with getting their contact info in advance I was immediately reassured when I met them, both of my roommates are lifelong friends and we made amazing memories from venturing around the town meeting new people to staying up talking and snacking on Costa Rican fruits.

To a parent: Tico Lingo is the best choice of Spanish Immersion program, Heredia is safe and full of language and culture, Tico Lingo staff will take amazing care of your child and they will get the best Spanish immersion available. Homestay families will take your kid in as their own, being incredibly generous and kind. They will have the time of their lives and learn so much Language and culture.

To a teen: Trust me you don’t want to pass up this experience, you’ll meet new besties, you’ll try amazing new foods, you’ll have fun with your teachers and learn so much.

I spent 4 weeks at Tico Lingo and I loved it! One of the greatest benefits of this program lies in the opportunity to join on any given week and stay as long as feasible. So you really have a chance to make this work with your schedule!
Another reason why I recommend Tico Lingo is their commitment to use only Spanish in class (with slight variations based on the group’s level). The students are invited to engage in meaningful conversation, encouraged to share opinions or even debate questions, all while keeping it light and funny. Don’t be surprised if you’ll be prompted to engage in philosophical discussions you might not have had even in your native language :)
And…Tico Lingo is a community of wonderful people—knowledgeable and fun teachers, kind and helpful staff, and adventurous fellow students! While it was great to enjoy the continuity offered by being with a core small group for the entire time, it was equally great to have new students join each week bringing some fresh perspectives to the class.
No host family in my case, but had a great rental condo so I was able to travel with my partner and pets :)

On your arrival someone from the school will pick you up at the airport then drives you to your family.
They had an evaluation prior to the start of the class so we would fit in the appropriate level.
4 hrs daily class of Spanish, lots of grammar and verbs.
Fresh coffee is always available as well as water and tea.
After class the option to salsa dance or do some yoga was available.
Cooking classes to learn how to cook a Costa Rican meal. And then eat it too!!
On the first day of school we got a guided tour of the city.

The host family was wonderful. Very kind and thoughtful. They prepared meals each day trying different fruits, main dishes and fruit juices. We ate together and spoke in Spanish.

The tour to Manuel Antonio was beautiful beside the rain, it rains a lot in Costa Rica. We saw monkeys and sloth, iguana and parrots.
A refreshing stop at the beach before heading to lunch. A long drive to get there but well worth it. Wish we had a guide from the park to explain a few things.

Ticos are so very kind and patient.
Loved every moment of my stay.

My wife and I completed 2-weeks of instruction and wish we had stayed longer. I made rapid progress in this immersive program despite this being my first-ever Spanish instruction. The instructors are sensitive to the learning needs of students. The administrative staff are responsive and helpful. We greatly appreciated residing in a homestay where minimal English was spoken and we practiced what we learned in class. We welcomed interacting with the diverse student population. We plan to return. Thank you Tico Lingo!

i really am thankful for this experience. i have noticed my spanish levels change in just days and i really do care for my peers deeply. i could go on about how this experienced has impacted me as a person in so many good ways. There was never a time where I wasn’t having fun. now when I think of Tico Lingo, I remember all of the loving people I met, and how much they still mean to me. the host families are beyond generous and have made my experience ten times better. i went from not knowing how to have a conversation at the dinner table, to playing games and doing many activities with my host family. I genuinely think of them as my second family. the teachers were so very helpful and interactive with the students. the afternoon activities always put me in a perfect place to test and practice my spanish while also having a good time. traveling with other people around me brought me closer to everyone. this program pushed me outside of my comfort zone to the max, and i think that is what i am most thankful for.

An excellent, and professional experience I had at Tico Lingo. From the staff, and learning, to a supportive host family.
A step in the right direction, for people wanting to learn Spanish.
Have taken Spanish courses on two separate occasions, with Tico Lingo. First one I did, I did not stay with a host family, and I wish I did. Even though it is not home sweet home, with a little bit of flexibility on the students part, living with a Costa Rican family will benefit the learning experience. It will put more value into learning Spanish by having a taste of the culture behind it.

I studied at Tico Lingo for just one week, but it made such an impact on me! Not only did I refresh my rusty Spanish super fast in individual conversation classes with the amazing Erick, but I loved staying with my host family and also made some fun friends along the way. We were able to eat lunch together several times, take cooking and dance classes, and even go on some excursions together. Yenny, Chris, and Robert really made sure I had everything I needed before I arrived, and I received prompt responses to any follow up questions I sent. It was a cheerful, fun place to study, and I hope to come back. My Spanish is so much more on track after that week and then putting it to practice on traveling around CR afterwards. I highly recommend Tico Lingo for its hands on, helpful touches and for great instruction!

My trip to Costa Rica was my first time traveling solo out of the country. Deciding to make it a Learning Vacation was the best decision for me. Tico Lingo offered me a welcoming airport pickup, a caring home stay, and multiple educational experiences. My stay included 1 week of group Spanish classes and 4 free days; I wish I could've stayed so much longer. Additionally, I loved that I could continue my practice of yoga and dance classes while engaging in Spanish immersion. The ease of signing up for an adventurous excursion (that included breakfast, lunch, transportation, and a guide) was such a delight. My initial worries were eased the moment I met my Costa Rican family. They treated me like a longtime friend; they even accommodated my dietary needs. We enjoyed breakfasts and dinners together, talked and even played chess together. After my return to the states, we have continued to stay in touch. I also met other students at Tico Lingo with whom I shared fun times at a night club, farmers market, and hot springs. I had a lot of firsts on this trip, and all of it is because I chose Tico Lingo and I'm so thankful I did. I hope to visit Costa Rica AND Tico Lingo again soon.

My experience at Tico Lingo was great! I participated in a 3-week program (1 week of group classes + 2 weeks of private classes) with two different instructors. My time in class was a good mixture of technical training, to include grammar and vocabulary, combined with conversational training to enforce the skills I had learned. I really enjoyed my group classes, but I learned so much in my private classes. They were personalized to the specific areas I needed to work on--challenging yet beneficial. My host family was hands down the best! They were so accommodating and really treated me like a member of the family. They did not speak English, so I had even more opportunity to practice speaking Spanish. I opted for a longer walk to school which turned out to be pretty nice because every day I could explore the different shops, restaurants, cafes, and landmarks of the city. I also love how central Heredia is as it makes traveling to other parts of Costa Rica so easy. The people are friendly, the food is so good, the area is safe, and Tico Lingo will always hold a special place in my heart.

This is truly a unique experience, that is unlike any I have ever had. The camp is made so that there is structure to your day, but also a good amount of free time as well. The teachers in the learning are excellent. From my times with them, my Spanish level grew exponentially. The homestay parents are amazing and really do care for the campers. In my experience, I created an bond with my homestay parents that I truly treasure. The food they make, though quite simple, is out of this world. The activities that tico lingo plans are tons of fun. From going to the beach at Manuel Antonio to the animal rescue center; there are activities that make the stay that much worthwhile. I totally recommend doing this program because it is an amazing experience that you will never forget.