Discover the best of both worlds with Intercultura Costa Rica’s dual-campus Spanish immersion program—a unique opportunity to experience the vibrant urban culture of Heredia and the laid-back beach lifestyle of Sámara, all while advancing your Spanish skills. Whether you’re wandering the historic streets of the “City of Flowers” or studying just steps from the Pacific Ocean, this program offers a dynamic and enriching way to learn the language through total cultural immersion. Seamlessly transition between campuses at your own pace without interrupting your learning, and gain two distinct perspectives on Costa Rican life. If you’re looking for a well-rounded, immersive, and unforgettable language experience, this is the trip for you.
Why choose Costa Rica to learn Spanish? This vibrant country—tucked between Nicaragua and Panama and bordered by the Pacific and Caribbean coasts—offers the perfect mix of natural beauty, cultural richness, and educational excellence. Costa Rica is known for its safety and has placed a strong emphasis on education and environmental preservation. With an incredible variety of ecosystems, from active volcanoes and tropical beaches to rainforests and jungle lowlands, it’s one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Students can immerse themselves in Spanish while exploring breathtaking landscapes, spotting exotic wildlife, and experiencing daily life in a country deeply committed to sustainability. Easily accessible from the U.S. and Canada, Costa Rica is an ideal destination for an unforgettable language learning experience.
School Overview:
Intercultura Costa Rica is a highly respected language and cultural center offering immersive Spanish programs at both urban and beachside campuses. Recognized for its academic excellence and innovative teaching methods, the school provides year-round instruction tailored to students of all ages and backgrounds. With a strong emphasis on real-life language use and intercultural exchange, Intercultura has hosted participants from prestigious institutions such as Duke University, the World Health Organization, and the Fulbright Commission.
Vision:
Intercultura strives to be a leader in language education and multicultural learning. Its vision emphasizes equality, inclusiveness, and cooperation, with the goal of empowering individuals and fostering meaningful, positive change within communities and across cultures.
Mission:
The school’s mission is to promote Spanish fluency through immersion-based education while cultivating global awareness, empathy, and effective communication. Intercultura encourages students to become responsible global citizens who understand, respect, and contribute to a diverse and interconnected world.
More than just accommodation – it’s a cultural connection!
Staying with a host family in Costa Rica offers a unique and affordable alternative to hotels, especially for solo travelers. Beyond just lodging, it’s an opportunity to experience everyday Costa Rican life and build meaningful connections with your host family—known for their warmth and hospitality.
Ideal for open-minded, adaptable guests who are eager to immerse themselves in local culture, homestays provide a true glimpse into Costa Rican living. Keep in mind that comfort standards may differ from what you’re used to: homes typically don’t have air conditioning, and beach-area homes often lack hot water due to the tropical climate.
Intercultura Costa Rica offers homestay options at both of its campuses—Heredia and Sámara Beach. All host families are carefully selected and live within walking distance of the school (from just half a block up to 1.5 km). Homestays include two daily meals, Wi-Fi, and laundry service, making them a convenient and enriching choice for students seeking a deeper cultural experience.
This Sample Itinerary offers a comprehensive look at a two-week Spanish immersion program in Costa Rica, designed to combine language learning with cultural experiences and adventure. Students begin their journey in Heredia, where they live with carefully selected host families and attend daily Spanish classes at a local language school. Afternoons are filled with cultural activities such as cooking, dance, and city tours. Midway through the program, students embark on an exciting weekend excursion to the Arenal and Monteverde regions, featuring ziplining, hot springs, and nature exploration. The second week takes place in the beach town of Sámara, where participants continue their language studies while enjoying outdoor activities like yoga, beach volleyball, and hikes. Throughout the program, homestays provide an authentic opportunity to practice Spanish and connect with local life, making for an enriching and unforgettable educational experience.
Flight from Richmond to San José
Arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport
Travel to the host school in Heredia
Meet host families
Dinner and overnight stay with host families
Breakfast with your host family
Spanish class
Lunch
Orientation and City Tour
Dinner and overnight stay with host family
Breakfast with your host family
Spanish class
Lunch
La Paz Waterfall Tour
Dinner and overnight stay with host family
Breakfast with your host family
Evaluation at school
Spanish class
Lunch
Cooking class
Dinner and overnight stay with host family
Breakfast with your host family
Spanish class
Lunch
Zumba class
Dinner and overnight stay with host family
Breakfast with your host family
Spanish class
Lunch
Depart for Arenal
Check-in at hotel
Dinner at Baldi Hot Springs
Overnight at hotel
Breakfast at the hotel
Boat ride across the lake
Lunch
Check-in at Hotel Quetzal
Zipline adventure & Night Tour
Open dinner
Overnight at hotel
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning activity
Lunch on the way
Visit La Fortuna Waterfall
Arrival in Sámara
Dinner and overnight stay with homestay families
Breakfast with your host family
Spanish class
Lunch
Yoga class
Dinner and overnight stay with host family
Breakfast with your host family
Samara Trails Hike
Lunch
Spanish class
Dinner and overnight stay with host family
Breakfast with your host family
Spanish class
Lunch
Latin Dance Class
Bonfire on the beach
Dinner and overnight stay with host family
Breakfast with your host family
Beach volleyball
Lunch
Spanish class
Dinner and overnight stay with host family
Breakfast with your host family
Spanish class
Lunch
Ice cream in town
Dinner and overnight stay with host family
Breakfast with your host family
Free day / Beach day
Lunch
Dinner and overnight stay with host family
Breakfast with your host family
Travel to San José
Flight back to Richmond
"Marlene was really great. Her house was very clean. I liked being able to talk with her."
"Mi familia tica es muy bien, la comida me gusta mucho y puedo hablar mucho. My host family is really nice and taking me to different places. We talk a lot and I can improve my spanish every day. The food is delicious so all good :)"
"Narcisa is the greatest! I am so lucky I have her incredible food two times a day!"
“I studied in Heredia in 1998 and lived with the most amazing (host) family. Thank you Intercultura Costa Rica for a life changing experience. Even 22 years on, I look back at my time in Costa Rica as the best 5 months of my life.”
Lindsay Jones, 20 in 1998, USA
“It’s our second time here and we wanted to come back, we were here 6 years ago for two weeks. I am really happy with the experience. I picked Intercultura because it is in Sámara, and the reviews were really good, and the staff who I was dealing with for booking were really good, it was Marianela and she was super nice and quick to answer, and that was important to me.” (Marly, mother)
“My favorite thing about the Spanish classes was that we could do games while we were learning Spanish, and I met friends. I love the beach, we don’t have beaches like this in Canada!” – Nehlia (daughter)
Marly Bernard, 37, CANADA
2023
Es mi primera vez aprendiendo español, y yo aprendí mucho en una semana. Estoy impresionada con la instrucción del idioma, la organización y la calidad de la escuela. ¡Gracias! It’s my first time Learning Spanish and I learned a lot in one week. I am very impressed with the instruction, the organization and the quality of the school. Thank you!”
Irina Kourilenko, 48, UKRAINE
2023
