Xplore Costa Rica In-Country TEFL + Placement Program

Xplore Asia's TESOL in-house 4-week course in Costa Rica was a great experience. The course itself was very full on with a lot of theory and practical assignments to complete; however, Nicky, the trainer, is super enthusiastic and experienced and will support and go above and beyond to support you during the whole course.

If you want to teach English overseas and travel, I would recommend completing this course.

The town of San Ramon where the course was based was ideal to study however not much else happening around the area. The accommodation provided could do with an update with new mattresses, beds and definitely a bigger space for a communal kitchen as pretty basic and small.

Overall, I had a great experience, and I came away as a qualified ESL teacher.

The training program was excellent as it gave numerous opportunities to create lesson plans and carry out those lesson plans with students of all ages. The placement program is excellent as well. It is well organized and has a lot of connections with schools and language academies all over Costa Rica. The training program is held in San Ramon which is a small, comfortable and safe town. It is elevated so it has a pleasant climate. I highly recommend this program if you are looking to teach English in Costa Rica.

I did the month long intensive course in August, and it was a great experience. During orientation week I got to visit many interesting places like a coffee farm, animal rescue, and a waterfall. During the overall experience I got to cross paths and get to know some really cool people. As for the academic side, my instructor Nicky brought a ton of great energy and passion into teaching our group. The course covered everything I needed to know, and I can definitely say I was well prepared for the job I was placed with after the course!

Already living in San Ramón, Costa Rica, this TESOL program was a great fit for me. I did not stay in the hostel and was able to commute from home (15 minute drive). Nicky is a fantastic teacher and clearly loves what she does. She and the hostel manager (where classes are held) are both warm, kind, intelligent women who really know their stuff. The support staff is always encouraging and responsive. Also, I had a great group of diverse classmates that made the whole experience that much better!

If you're looking for an incredible experience and up for the challenge, I highly recommend the Xplore program. I joined the orientation and placement program (I didn't need the TEFL certification course) for Costa Rica in Nov. 2024 and have had an overall positive experience. I'm very happy with the staff (shout out to Jordayne, Carla, and Dustin!) who helped get me here and the support that is always there if needed. While it is definitely hard at times, it truly is amazing to live and teach abroad. The people you meet, the skills you gain, and the memories you make are totally worth the fear and doubt that you will eventually work through. I'm proud and happy to have taken the leap.

I am super glad I took this program and incredibly happy with the way things are going. I started as a new teacher and I feel the program helped me gain confidence and experience necessary, even in the short time of the course. Now I am traveling and teaching and enjoying beautiful Costa Rica. :) I would definitely recommend, especially for solo travelers but also those traveling with friends can definitely benefit! After sharing my experience with friends and family, a number of them are considering taking the program for themselves!

The program is straight forward, helpful, and equips you with skills that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. I enjoyed my time living in San Ramon. The course is in person and we got through a lot of information in a short amount of time. One thing I really enjoyed about the course was that even though we had a lot of work, we also had a lot of down time. The energy in Costa Rica is beautiful as well, so if anyone is looking for a place to heal, rest, grow, and just experience pura vida this is the experience for you. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and I recommend for open minded people to try it out.

In July 2025, I got the chance to complete my TESOL in San Ramon, Costa Rica. The program is given at a hostel, which is also where you can stay for the month. The hostel itself is clean, safe, has good wifi, a shared kitchen and everything you may need during your time there. Although do not expect a five star hotel. You may sleep in a bunk bed and struggle to share kitchen space.

The staff at the hostel are friendly, and always there to assist you in everything you may need.

San Ramon may look rough around the edges, but the people are friendly and the town has everything you need. Don’t hesistate to venture out and expand your horizons.