Costa

Rica
C ou n try Gu i d e

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| Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a Central American country known for its rainforests,

beaches, and peaceful pura vida (which translates roughly to “It’s all
good!”) way of life. More economically and politically stable than most
of its regional neighbors, Costa Ricans, or Ticos, take pride in the fact
that their country has no army. In line with this, the people of Costa
Rica are its true standout feature. Warm, open, and always eager help
a lost or struggling tourist, the Ticos you meet in Costa Rica will make
teaching in this tiny, tropical country truly unforgettable.

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Culture
Costa Ricans lead a laid-back lifestyle where nobody hurries and things will get done mañana. In the Central Valley,
home to capital city San Jose, urban Ticos work hard, but spend their weekends strolling around the Parque Central
with family, or packing a picnic and driving up through the coffee plantations for a day of crisp mountain air and
relaxation. Young people like their nightlife, too, which usually includes drinks and dancing, sometimes until dawn.
There’s salsa and merengue everywhere of course, but you’ll hear lots of reggae and its offshoot, Reggaeton, as
well, especially as you near the coast.

Costa Rican beaches have a culture all their own. In Santa Teresa, on the Nicoya Peninsula, surfing is taken with a
seriousness rivaling religion. Further northwest, the beaches of Guanacaste draw surfers, too, but here they mix with
a more polished crowd that enjoys creature comforts after a day in the waves. If a rough–around-the-edges Rasta
and dreadlock culture is more your speed, head instead to the Caribbean beaches of Cahuita and Puerto Viejo, and
watch the world go by to an even slower beat.

Things to Do and See

Costa Rica is the most popular tourist destination in Central America for a reason. Every corner of this small but
wildly diverse country bursts with ecological wonders, and you are never far from your next outdoor adventure. If
you’re a beach lover, take your pick of endless, postcard-perfect coastline, or surf one of the country’s many sought
after waves, like Salsa Brava in the Caribbean. Animal enthusiasts will love the diversity and accessibility of Costa Ri-
ca’s many wild things. Watch sea turtles hatch on the Caribbean beaches of Tortuguero Village, see howler monkeys
swing from trees in stunning Manuel Antonio National Park, or try to spot toucans on the scenic drive in between the
two.
When you’re ready to escape the heat of the beach, head for Costa Rica’s misty mountains, where you can zip-line
through the treetops of Monteverde Cloud Forest, then visit Volcan Arenal and soak in the lava-heated hot springs
of its home town, charming La Fortuna. Those wanting even more adventure can hike the country’s highest peak,
Chirripó, and be rewarded with a view of the entire country, from Pacific to Caribbean coast.with teachers.

Currency/Cost of Living Sample Cost Guide,

The currency in Costa Rica is called the Colón (CRC). Heredia* (in USD)
For the most up-to-the-minute conversion rate to *Heredia is a mid-sized city north of San Jose in the
your country’s currency, click here: currency Central Valley that is home to many language insti-
converter. tutes.
A local beer- $2.00
A gallon milk- $4.75
Lunch at a local restaurant- $7.00
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in San José $400
Public transport (one way fare)- $.75

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| Teaching in Costa Rica

Demand for Teachers

The presence of international industries, such as tech companies and call centers, has contributed to the huge
demand for English teachers in Costa Rica, especially in the Central Valley.

Major TEFL Cities

San José, Heredia, Cartago, Alajuela, Escazú and surrounding (often charming) suburbs of these Central Valley
cities have the most teaching opportunities. There may also be some vacancies to teach at beach towns, especially
in tourism, but these positions are harder to come by.

Typical Students
TEFL certification qualifies you to teach at language institutes, where most of the students will be adult professionals
and college students. You will likely teach some kids classes, too, perhaps on weekends. At some language insti-
tutes, teachers are contracted out to teach onsite at companies throughout the city.

Typical Salary
Like much of Latin America, teachers in Costa Rica make enough to support themselves comfortably (without the
necessity of outside income), but it’s usually difficult to save extra money. A typical salary range is the equivalent of
about 800-900 USD per month, working about 30 hours per week. Teachers can also pick up private students on

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the side to supplement their income, at a rate of around 10 USD
per hour.

Typical Benefits
Your teaching contract in Costa Rica will not likely include
housing or other benefits, such as flight reimbursement or health
insurance. However, employers will usually assist you in finding
suitable housing, and often schools offer perks like free Spanish
or Latin dance classes to teachers.

Teaching Hours
A typical teaching schedule at a language institute depends a bit
on the students taught, but could be 4-9 PM, Monday through
Friday, and perhaps one weekend day (this often rotates). If you
teach for an institute that requires travel to your students’ place
of work, your schedule might be split, meaning you might teach
early mornings, lunch classes, and/or evenings.

Contract Length
Employers tend to prefer hiring teachers for one-year contracts,
though it’s possible to find six-month contracts as well, and
potentially even shorter.

Peak Hiring Season

Positions are generally available at language institutes year
round (with the exception of the Christmas holiday season), but
it’s best to search for jobs in January or July because this is
about a month before common semester start dates at lan-
guage schools (February and August).

Preferred Hiring
Requirements
Both onsite and online TEFL certificates are accepted in Costa
Rica. A college degree (in any subject) may also be required

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 by some schools, but if you do not hold one, don’t worry; you
can certainly still find teaching vacancies, as demand is high for
teachers and new language institutes are continually cropping
up.

How to Find Jobs

While you may see some teaching vacancies advertised on
online TEFL job boards, the majority of language institutes
hire teachers who are already in the Costa Rica. Therefore, to
get teaching jobs, it’s a good idea to contact schools directly
before you go, in order to make connections you can visit once
you arrive. It’s important to arrive in peak hiring months, such as
January and July. Expect to spend a couple of weeks inter-
viewing before landing a job. Bring enough money to support
yourself until your first payday, which may be at the end of your
first month of teaching.

Interview Tips
Costa Ricans are very put together and take pride in their ap-
pearance and personal grooming. Regardless of the laid back
atmosphere of Costa Rica, you should dress professionally for
an interview, just as you would at home. Bring a copy of your
resume, TEFL certificate and degree(s), as well as a recent, pro-
fessional-looking photo.

Work Visa Process

Work visas are extremely hard to come by, in part because
the process is expensive and time-consuming for employers,
especially in light of the fact that TEFL teachers may only stay
six months to a year. Therefore, English teachers in Costa Rica
generally work on the tourist visa they received when entering
the country. This visa will expire 90 days, but can be renewed
by leaving Costa Rica for 72 hours and then returning (teachers
might spend the weekend in Nicaragua or Panama, for exam-
ple). When reentering Costa Rica, your passport will be re-
stamped with the tourist visa for an additional 90 days.

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Recommended Courses
One option is to take an onsite TEFL course in Costa Rica then begin work afterward. This can be a good
choice because Costa Rican language institutes do not typically hire from abroad, preferring to meet teachers face-
to-face first. Taking the course in Costa Rica will give you the benefit of knowledgeable job placement assistance
from local center staff, to connect with a position immediately after graduating.

Another option is to complete an online TEFL certificate of at least 100 hours before you arrive; this certification
is accepted by most language schools in Costa Rica. If you decide to get certified online, you might also consider a
university-level online TEFL course, in order to stand out more to employers for the most competitive jobs.

| Contact Us

If you have additional questions about teaching in Costa Rica and would like to speak to an advisor, call 1-800-
437-0413. You can also visit our TEFL Resource Page for other helpful information about teaching abroad or to
message an advisor online.

Copyright © 2017 Bridge Education Group, Inc. All rights reserved. The Bridge name and logo are
registered trademarks of Bridge Education Group, Inc. in the United States. All other trademarks
held by their respective owners. This brochure, or any portion thereof, may not be reproduced
without the express written permission of Bridge Education Group, Inc.

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