Location
  • Costa Rica
    • San José
    • Alajuela
    • Atenas
    • Cartago
    • Heredia
    • Monteverde
    • Montezuma
    • Playa Flamingo
    • Nosara
    • Playa Blanca
    • Playa Grande
    • Puerto Jimenez
    • Puerto Limón
    • Samara Beach
    • San Joaquin de Flores
    • San Miguel
    • San Ramón
    • Santa Ana
Length
52+ weeks
Classroom Audience
Early Childhood University Students Adults Business

Program Details

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree preferred but not required for North Americans (USA and Canada)
  • 22 to 49 years old.
  • Passport holder from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, New Zealand or Australia.
  • Native English speaker – you must be completely fluent in English.
Classroom Audience
Early Childhood University Students Adults Business
Housing
Apartment
Weekly Classroom Hours
25
Age Min.
20
Age Max
40

Pricing

Starting Price
1700
Price Details
Our In-Class TEFL & Placement and Placement Only program options cater for those who require an accredited TEFL certification as well as those who hold existing TEFL Accreditation.

The price above is our Placement Only program fee and includes our guaranteed job placement in carefully vetted schools which ensures your income is secured and we guide you through everything you need before you depart and from the moment you touch down, you’ll continue to receive peace of mind 24/7 support from our in-country team who will be on hand for you throughout your placement.

Visit our program page for our In-Class TEFL & Placement and Placement Only pricing and benefits.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers SIM cards Transportation Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

Shared accommodation for your 1st month in country
Internationally Accredited TEFL/TESOL Certification
Cultural Orientation including excursions
Lesson Plan templates and resource directories
24/7 In-country support
Support Networks
Lifetime Teaching Placement Guarantee

What's Not Included
Some Activities Airfare Domestic Airfare Meals Travel Insurance Visa
Apr 08, 2024
Oct 07, 2024
63 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Join TravelBud's Teach English Program in Costa Rica and immerse in the Pura Vida lifestyle! Learn Spanish, earn a sustainable income, and discover the beauty of this incredible country. Our comprehensive program is designed to ensure your success in the classroom.

We walk you through everything you need to know before you depart to Costa Rica and from the moment you touch down, you'll receive 24/7 support from our in-country team who will be on hand for you throughout your teaching placement for anything you need help with - be it big or small.

Our In-Class TEFL & Placement, Online TEFL & Placement and Placement Only program options cater for those who require an accredited TEFL certification as well as those who hold existing TEFL Accreditation. You’ll get informed, first-hand advice to guide, prepare and support you before, during and after your experience.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • JOB SECURITY: TravelBud guarantees you a teaching job in carefully vetted schools where every effort is made to match placement preferences. Earn salaries of $1000 – $1800 USD per month.
  • SUPPORT: We walk you through everything you need to know before you depart to Costa Rica and from the moment you touch down, you'll continue to receive 24/7 support from our in-country team who will be on hand for you throughout your placement.
  • TEFL & PLACEMENT OPTIONS: Our internationally accredited In-Class TEFL & Placement and Placement Only program options cater for those who require an accredited TEFL certification as well as those who hold existing TEFL Accreditation.
  • TEACHER NETWORK: A support network of fellow teachers where you can meet other like-minded individuals who are experiencing the same pleasures and challenges you are.
  • LIFETIME PLACEMENT: Once you’ve completed your contract, we can guarantee you a position at another partner school throughout Asia for which you are eligible on your program line, at no additional charge to you.

Current Teaching Jobs

Program Reviews

4.60 Rating
based on 5 reviews
  • 5 rating 60%
  • 4 rating 40%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Benefits 4.2
  • Support 4.6
  • Fun 4.4
  • Facilities 4.2
  • Safety 4.8
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Default avatar
Lance
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Go for it!

I found this program back in 2022.. I was scheduled to leave in the summer of 2023. Life happened thus I ended up going in 2024. The inquiry was completely smooth from the start of it all to arriving in Costa Rica! It was a great experience to learn about myself. It was very humbling and pushed me to develop my Spanish. If you are looking to take sometime away from the hustle and bustle I recommend teaching abroad. I would recommend Costa Rica to anyone looking to travel and live somewhere for a bit and network/connect with ticos!

What would you improve about this program?
At least one meal should be included a day for the price. (i.e. lunch)
Pros
  • New scenery
  • Meet new people
  • Develop your spanish
Cons
  • Costa Rica is expensive for what we are paid
  • There should new activities the first week than the recycled ones
  • Meals are not included
11 people found this review helpful.
Response from TravelBud

Dear Lance,

We're thrilled to hear about your incredible experience teaching abroad in Costa Rica! It's amazing how life can take you on unexpected journeys. We're so happy you were able to make your dream a reality in 2024.

Your review is a testament to the transformative power of teaching abroad. It's great to hear how this experience helped you grow, develop your Spanish, and step outside your comfort zone.

We're delighted to know that your inquiry was smooth from start to finish. Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional support to our participants, and it's rewarding to hear that we were able to assist you every step of the way.

Costa Rica is a beautiful country with so much to offer. We're thrilled that you were able to immerse yourself in the culture, connect with locals, and explore all that it has to offer.

Thank you for choosing TravelBud. We're incredibly grateful for your trust and support. We hope to see you on another adventure soon!

Happy travels,
Charlotte and the TravelBud Team

Default avatar
Alyssa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica-TravelBud

Coordinating my trip with TravelBud was an easy and smooth process. From my very first inquiry back in 2019 to actually making it to Costa Rica in 2022. There was a lot that happened globally and they did a great job navigating the steps. I was able to have all the documents needed for my arrival in San Jose. Also, being able to have support through the TESOL course to receiving my job placement. The transition was easy to navigate. The team was always there for support and guidance while I was living in Costa Rica.

37 people found this review helpful.
Response from TravelBud

Dear Alyssa,

We are so glad you had a fabulous time in Costa Rica! It was such a pleasure working with you and we really appreciate your review and honest feedback about the program. We look forward to following all your future adventures.

Your TravelBud Support Team - always here for you

Default avatar
Kenyatah
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

What a way to learn yourself in the most accepting place of peace

I think I had the right idea coming here with little to no expectations. I did not realize how much pressure we had in the States to be or not to be many things on a daily basis. I was fueled by appreciation from the start based on overcoming so many odds as a woman of color doing something this crazy, like moving to another country. I chose Costa Rica based on the support from Travel Bud from the very beginning. I want to take this moment to recognize Kim as a huge part of why I continue to let the Pura Vida lifestyle guide me as I learn myself in the most accepting country of inner peace. Another shout out to Adam for his vulnerability in his journey allowing me to know at that time of my life when I needed clarity, the high mountains on this island would give me the perfect view to do so. I can not tell you all of these perfect things that are amongst the forests' green trees and clear waters, the peculiar creatures that you MUST learn share a space with and the amount of rice and beans you will eat, because sometimes it has not been perfect at all. However every day that I wake up in this small town I feel the spirit of the simple life I was told about and no it is not always ideal to not have one-day Amazon shipping for hair products or CHIPOTLEEE, God do I miss those things, BUT I have never been able to understand myself more than I have all my life. From the small precious moments tucked away in Pura Vida in the classrooms to the solitude with the waves, to the bright smiles of women in the local sodas, or the gentlemen that let you cross the road in these crazy streets or the giggles from your little students when you pronounce some Spanish wrong. It really has brought out the best versions of myself and for that, I get the chance to say I know how to live in gratitude every day because of this experience. If you don't believe me, you'll just honestly have to take a chance and come see for yourself. I promise the country won't disappoint you.

Pros
  • learning the langauge
  • networking
  • new hobbies
Cons
  • school options limited
  • communication
  • limited housing options
87 people found this review helpful.
Response from TravelBud

Hi Keey,
Your heartfelt review has left us deeply touched and immensely grateful for sharing your Pura Vida experience with us. We are thrilled to hear that your decision to embark on this adventure has brought you closer to understanding yourself and appreciating the simple joys of life.
Your recognition of Kim and Adam's contributions to your journey is truly heartwarming. We are honored to have them as part of our team and your experience and sharing this with us continues to motivate the team to push and make sure all our travelers have these experiences.

We understand that your experience in Costa Rica wasn't entirely perfect. There have been challenges and you have embraced and adapted and that is important in any journey. You pushed yourself to understand working in a multi-cultural working environment and that is something to be proud of. While there also may be moments of longing for familiar comforts like Amazon shipping and Chipotle, the irreplaceable experiences you've gained far outweigh any temporary inconveniences. Your words beautifully capture the essence of Pura Vida – the appreciation for the simple things, the connection with nature, and the warmth of the Costa Rican people. Thank you for choosing Travel Bud as your partner in this journey of self-discovery. Your review serves as a testament to the profound impact that immersing oneself in a new culture and embracing its unique way of life can have. We are humbled to have played a role in this enriching experience.
As you continue to navigate the Pura Vida path, we encourage you to hold onto the lessons learned and the connections made. May your next journey be filled with continued growth, gratitude, and Pura Vida!

Best regards,
The Travelbud Team

Default avatar
Cassidy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great and Helpful Program and Coordinators

I am so glad I found this program! They helped me to finally move abroad and become an English teacher! They helped guide me through the process and matched me with the program I did once I arrived to Costa Rica. The help Saskia provided was amazing, through and I always felt like I had someone in my corner who was looking out for me. She is responsive, helpful and genuinely wanted to help make my transition and time in Costa Rica the best they could be! I think the program is great because they have so many resources and programs all over the world so you really have a lot of options for where you want to go! I also love that after my first year teaching, I have the support of the program for a lifetime in many different countries all over the world!!

Pros
  • Placement with a program that gives you the TESOL/TEFL.
  • Support even after you have been placed.
170 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Calan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica - GoOverseas Experience

This was my first time traveling internationally and it was, without a doubt, a life changing experience. With the help from the staff of GoOverseas and the in-country partner, the transition into living overseas was smooth, organized, and supported every step of the way. I am a solo traveler, but being a part of this program gave me a sense of community from the very beginning of my journey. During the first month in the program, I had the opportunity to go on adventurous, yet affordable excursions, find work, and build a support system made of friendships that I will have for a lifetime. Although I wish my work pay was a little higher, I now have a job that allows me to travel internationally, and nothing is more exhilarating than the sense of freedom you receive from that. My job allows me to create my own work schedule and I can work as much or as little as I desire. I have never been happier.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Hormigas Culonas: Large leaf cutter ants, roasted and salted. In Bogotá, Colombia.
179 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers