Spanish language programme in Santo Domingo de Heredia – San José

A quiet and small city of 60000 inhabitants, Santo Domingo de Heredia is located halfway (15 minutes by public transport) between the cosmopolitan capital city San José and Heredia, the country’s historical capital, home to the University of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica offers an extraordinary combination of nature, culture, and adventure. A small country that has crawled its way out of extreme poverty in the past 50 years, Ticos (native Costa Ricans) enjoy a laid-back lifestyle, peaceful (and unarmed) democracy and sublime natural surroundings. Each year the Central American nation attracts tourists from around the world itching to explore its long sandy beaches, steamy rainforests, wildlife and volcanoes.

The dry season goes from December to April but temperatures remain comfortable and do not vary much during the whole year.

Our international language school, located in Santo Domingo de Heredia, is encircled by a tropical garden full of palm trees and other exotic plants.

School facilities include:

  • 15 bright and spacious classrooms
  • WiFi
  • 1 lounge area with table football

Accreditations: Instituto Cervantes registered institute, accredited by FEDELE, ELITE, AEECYL, the Bildungsurlaub German government programme, recognised by the Swedish government (CSN) and by several prestigious American universities.

Spanish classes: general information

  • Lesson length: 55 minutes
  • Maximum number of students per class: 8 (4 on average)
  • Timetable: classes are generally held in the morning by can also be held in the afternoon during peak season
  • Placement test: online written test after you register for the course and an oral test the first day of classes
  • Certificate of participation at the end of your stay
  • All teachers have university diplomas and are experienced in teaching Spanish as a foreign language.
  • Teaching is as personalised as possible.

20 lessons per week in mini-groups

Schedule: 8:30am – 1pm (possibly afternoons in summer)

Develop and perfect written and oral competences, boost confidence in speaking skills and learn about Latin American culture.

Language level: all levels

30 lessons per week

Schedule: 8:30am – 2pm (possibly afternoons in summer)

Standard Program + 10 extra lessons per week concentrating on conversation, writing and revision of difficulties encountered.

Language level: all levels

30 lessons per week (20 group lessons + 10 private lessons)

Schedule: 8:30am – 10:30am, 2pm – 4pm

Standard Program + 10 private lessons per week to work on individual objectives, goals and difficulties. Tailor-made to fit each student.

Language level: all levels

20 lessons per week

Schedule: 8:30am – 1pm (possibly afternoons in summer)

Recommended for students who want to make fast, individual progress. The most flexible program, the lessons are tailor-fit to meet students’ needs.

Language level: all levels

  • Cooking – 6 classes a week: Learn to cook the local cuisine, and use your Spanish skills at the marketplace to discuss ingredients. Prepare and taste the national dishes of Costa Rica!
  • Dancing – 6 classes a week: your age or experience does not matter in the slightest. Your teacher will introduce you to the different types of latino-american dancing.
  • Culture – 6 classes a week: Discover Costa Rica’s unique culture through literature, art, music, cuisine and sports. Students visit local cultural organizations, nearby attractions and learn all about the national traditions.

Every week, the school offers an activity programme with cultural and leisure activities in the afternoons and the evenings. These may include: dance classes, guided museum visits, conferences, cooking classes & parties. Excursions are also organised during the weekend so you can discover Costa Rica. These activities may be free or they may require a fee. The variety and availability of these activities depends on the time of year.

Possible excursions:

  • Arenal Volcano, still active
  • Tortuguero National Park (boat and canoe trip)
  • Poas Volcano
  • La Paz Waterfall (a famous lagoon)
  • Caribbean coast
  • Pacific coast
  • Montezuma
  • Rafting
  • Aerial Tram (guided hike and gondola ride through the national park)
  • Canyoning

Features

  • Single room (double room available for two students travelling together)
  • Shared bathroom
  • No meals included
  • Distance from school: maximum 30 minute walk or by public transport. Families are usually located in Santo Domingo de Heredia.

Optional extras

  • Half board
  • Full board

Practical information

  • Bed linen provided
  • Towels are not provided
  • WiFi
  • Laundry: your host family will let you use their laundry facilities once a week or let you know their laundry day

Features

  • Double room (available for two students travelling together)
  • Shared bathroom and toilet
  • Self-catering
  • Distance from school: 20 minute walk, 5 minutes by public transport
  • Location: city centre
  • Capacity: maximum of 8 students
  • Deposit to be paid on-site (reimbursable by the school at the end of your stay if no evidence of damage has been found). Please see ‘Dates & Prices’ tab for more details.

Facilities/Services available

  • Garden
  • Fully equipped communal kitchen
  • Lounge with a TV
  • Washing machine
  • WiFi
  • Bed linen provided (changed once a week)
  • Cleaning is carried out on a weekly basis. Students are responsible for keeping the apartment clean for the rest of the time.

Optional extras

  • Single room

Practical information

  • Towels are not provided

Transport

Arrivals: Sunday

Departures day: Saturday

Arrival airport: San José Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría (SJO)

Airport transfer available on request (fees apply, please see ‘Dates & Prices’ tab)

Please note: Do not make travel arrangements until we have confirmed your enrolment in your chosen course (about 4 days after deposit payment).

Visa Information

Do you need a visa for this programme? For more information please consult our page Visa Information.

Please do not hesitate to contact us by telephone or email if you require any additional information.

Dates & Prices 2019

Dates 2019

Course start dates: Most courses start every Monday year-round (exceptions are outlined below.) If Monday is a holiday then classes will start on the Tuesday.

Public holidays (No lessons will take place on these dates but they will be rescheduled within a week): 01/01, 11/04, 18/04, 19/04, 01/05, 25/07, 02/08, 15/08, 15/09, 14/10, 25/12

*If there are 2 holidays in the same week, please contact us.

Prices 2019

Includes all taxes and enrolment fees, lessons and accommodation as described

WPCS 42.0.3
Cours & logement en appartement partagé, chambre double, sans repas
Durée20 leçons30 leçons20+10 ou 20 leçons privées
1 semaine€ 480€ 580€ 775
2 semaines€ 840€ 1.035€ 1.430
3 semaines€ 1.225€ 1.520€ 2.120
4 semaines€ 1.615€ 2.005€ 2.800
6 semaines€ 2.240€ 2.740€ 3.815
8 semaines€ 2.965€ 3.630€ 5.070
12 semaines€ 4.240€ 5.410€ 7.560
16 semaines€ 5.630€ 7.190€ 10.060
18 semaines€ 6.330€ 8.080€ 11.310
20 semaines€ 7.025€ 8.970€ 12.555
24 semaines€ 8.415€ 10.755€ 15.055
32 semaines€ 11.200€ 13.695€ 19.300
36 semaines€ 12.595€ 15.400€ 21.705
Semaine suppl.€ 350€ 430€ 605
Suppléments cours - par semaine
Espagnol & danse€ 125
Espagnol & culture€ 125
Espagnol & cuisine€ 125
Cours particulier (par cours)€ 35
Supplément logement - par semaine
Chambre individuelle en appartement€ 50
Logement en famille, chambre indiv., demi-pension€ 30
Logement en famille, chambre indiv., pension complète€ 55
Nuit supplémentaire€ 35
Transfert (par trajet)
Depuis l'aéroport de SJO (San José)€ 60

Prices include:

  • Your chosen course
  • Flatshare accommodation, double room
  • Course materials (loan)
  • Level test
  • Certificate of participation
  • All taxes and enrolment fees

Prices do not include:

  • Travel to/from Costa Rica
  • Airport transfers
  • Meals
  • Local transportation
  • Possible visa fees
  • Deposit, if applicable (USD 150, to be paid on-site)
  • Insurances