7 Best Programs for TEFL in Costa Rica
James Austin Can we take a minute to appreciate the words we use to describe Costa Rica? Lush jungles, extreme biodiversity, pristine white beaches, cerulean waves, tantalizing aromas, delectable meals, and welcoming locals. That’s a lotta alluring lingo, but you can actually sum it up in one word: paradise. And guess what? You can teach English in Costa Rica, and live that pura vida every. Damn. Día.
Pictured here: Your new backyard during TEFL in Costa Rica. Score!
Is this too good to be true, or an incredible deal?! You have questions, we have answers. (Spoilers: You can totally live in paradise while doing your TEFL in Costa Rica.) If you’re on the hunt for an idyllic place for your TEFL training, Costa Rica is the country for you.
Why get your TEFL in Costa Rica? If you want to start teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), you’re gonna need a TEFL certification. Sure, you can get certified online or in person, in the states or abroad, but if you already know you want to teach in Costa Rica, you should get your TEFL onsite with one of these programs.
You’ll get hands-on training with passionate professors, a chance to apply your skills right away, and easy access to the beach. The actual class time is 150-180 hours, with 10-15 hours practicum. The programs include lifelong job assistance, so you’ll never have to stress about finding work on your own in a foreign country.
*BONUS* The ESL teaching job market is poppin’ in Costa Rica right now, so getting a well-paying job is that much easier. People value their education and are very dedicated to studying English, so your students will actually WANT you to teach them! If you’ve ever taught before, you know it’s way more fun when everyone wants to be there. But you don’t need experience, hence getting your TEFL in Costa Rica.
Are you ready to get your TEFL certification? Costa Rica has a wealth of top-notch options:
7 best programs for Costa Rica TEFL
Editor’s note: This information on TEFL training in Costa Rica was accurate at the time of publishing. Please refer to each individual program for current data.
1. Get Paid to Teach English in Paradise in Costa Rica with a TEFL/TESOL Certification — 9.68 stars
International TEFL Academy is a highly rated TEFL certification program with accredited classes all over the world, so you can be sure that getting your TEFL in Costa Rica through ITA will be a fantastic experience. ITA is dedicated to making sure your TEFL certification gets you where you want to go. The program in Heredia is an intensive course that lasts four weeks. You’ll be in class from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., but don’t worry—breaks are scheduled in. We all need a good siesta.
If you’re living abroad, it’s important to dedicate time to exploration during your TEFL certification. Costa Rica won’t disappoint. ITA’s teachers encourage students to explore the quaint City of Flowers (Heredia’s nickname) and the surrounding parks. They also want you to explore the culture! You can take a Latin dance class, cooking class, and even go on a tour of Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall during the course.
2. TEFL Costa Rica | Teach English in Costa Rica — 9.8 stars
Maximo Nivel specializes in educational travel and study abroad programs in Latin America, so it’s a great option for people who want to dive into the culture while getting their TEFL. Costa Rica is known for alluring outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers, so it makes sense that this program set up an open-air training center in Manuel Antonio. The national park is right on the coast of the Pacific, so jungles and beaches await! Go for the beach, stay for the TEFL certification—it’s worth every penny.
Maximo Nivel offers a personal, affordable experience. Groups range 2-14 people, so you know you’ll get the best education 150 hours of class with 15+ practicum hours to observe experienced teachers. Maximo Nivel goes beyond a basic TEFL certification by introducing you to various international English exams like TOEFL, Cambridge, and IELTS, which are likely what your high school and adult students are studying for.
Having specialized knowledge on how to best prepare students for these exams is a nice perk, and will definitely help you get a well-paying job in Costa Rica. TEFL courses that give you a little bit of a step up are a good way to make yourself more marketable worldwide, because ESL students around the world take the same tests.
3. BeyondTEFL Costa Rica In-Person TEFL Course — Be the first to review!
This program gives you the tools to go beyond being a good ESL teacher; you’ll be a great one. The course focuses on hands-on learning, teaching methodologies and techniques, lesson planning, and classroom creativity. Sure, you’ll get the basics of grammar and pronunciation practice and all that jazz, but being a good teacher is about creating an engaging classroom environment, and Costa Rica TEFL does just that.
Hang out in Heredia where the climate's warm and the tropical breezes blow your worries away. Studying all day can be draining, even if you’re chillin’ with knowledgeable, enthusiastic instructors all day. End the day bonding with your classmates so you’ll be ready to kick butt and get your TEFL. Costa Rica, man. Sounds like heaven IRL.
4. International TEFL and TESOL Training: Costa Rica — 10 stars
ITTT is invested in providing high quality, accredited TEFL courses online and worldwide, but the TEFL Training Costa Rica program is a popular choice (ten stars wouldn’t lie; that’s practically a constellation). The training institute in Manuel Antonio is decked out with air conditioning, a cafe, free WiFi, and a computer lounge you can access seven days a week.
If you’re living in Costa Rica, it makes sense to immerse yourself in the culture. ITTT helps arrange accommodations, including homestays. Live like a local in Quepos, a tiny town with big culture, known for being the gateway to Manuel Antonio. The national park makes for easy access to beaches, snorkeling, diving, iguana viewing, and more. Totally beachin’, right?
5. TESOL Certification Program in Costa Rican Jungle & Beach — 9.75 stars
Hibiscus Travels offers a variety of learning abroad experiences in Costa Rica. Service learning and volunteering, adventure excursions, language immersion courses, and TEFL training. Costa Rica boasts vibrant scenery, diverse wildlife, and enticing culture.
Hibiscus Travels wants you to have the most authentic experience you can, so they set up camp on the Osa peninsula, a lesser-known area on the Pacific coast. You’ll be learning in a jungle-facing training center, surrounded by toucans, monkeys, and overlooking a natural spring.
After chilling out in southern Costa Rica for four weeks while you’re getting certified, you can participate in a teaching internship with a Costa Rican institution, which would give you a huge step up in the job market.
6. TEFL Certification in Costa Rica with Greenheart Travel — 10 stars
You should be living your best life during your TEFL training. Costa Rica will give you that and more. How could you pass up living in the province of flowers? Unless you have terrible pollen allergies, you don’t don’t have an excuse. Summer break? Nah, summer school. But don’t worry, it’ll be the most fun you’ve had in class since you were finger painting in preschool.
Greenheart Travel provides a safe environment and pure cultural immersion to ensure an unforgettable month of learning and living. You’ll build skills and confidence that will help you excel in teaching positions all around Costa Rica, and have the chance to take your TEFL to schools around the world.
7. Teach English in Costa Rica - Full Certification & Paid Job — 9 stars
It’s always a perk when you can live and work abroad comfortably, and have the luxury of taking trips in a beautiful country like Costa Rica. TEFL Connect has a helpful team looking out for you. They’ll help you settle in during and after the course, which will definitely help with the culture shock.
It’s nice to learn the language in whatever country you travel to, even though you don’t need to be bilingual for a TEFL certification. Costa Rica is great for people interested in learning Spanish, because the locals are always glad to hear people trying to speak the language. Hey, they even want to practice their English with you! Win win. If you need a little extra support, TEFL Connect provides free Spanish lessons.
TEFL in Costa Rica is a holatta fun!
Hey, if you don’t like your classmates, there’s plenty of other friends to be made during TEFL in Costa Rica!
We know you’re dying to get your TEFL; Costa Rica is calling. Not only will you have the time of your life, but you’ll accumulate infinite bragging rights. You can casually tell all your friends and family: “Oh, hey, nbd, I’mma go live with monkeys and iguanas and hang out on the beach after teaching English in COSTA FRICKEN RICA. I won’t ever be stressed out by the intensive courses because, ya know, yoga on the beach is a thing, and how could anyone living in paradise be upset about that? Did I mention I get paid? No? Yeah, pretty much guaranteed job placement within weeks of getting certified, so that's also a thing. What are you doing with your life?”
If they stare at you blankly, mouths agape, do not be surprised. That little monologue sounds more like a dream come true than an actual career path. But guess whaaaaat? Dreams do come true in Costa Rica. Attain your actually realistic dream of living and teaching in Costa Rica!
