Samara beach is quite simply known as one of the safest and prettiest beaches in Costa Rica.

Located on the Northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the Guanacaste region, which is also known as the Gold Coast, no other region of Costa Rica displays its cultural heritage as overtly as does Guanacaste This region is also known for its beautiful weather and the sun bathes this region with a golden hue and gilds the surrounding landscape.

The Guanacaste region is bordered by two mountain ranges, the Cordillera de Tilarán and the Cordillera de Guanacaste which provide splendid craggy backdrops to some of the country's most beautiful countryside. The perfect time to visit Guanacaste is, luckily enough, year around. No matter if you visit during the dry season or during the wet season, both provide spectacular advantages. The dry season affords the serious sun lover with plenty of beach time, while the wet season brings the trees into bloom with explosions of colors and fragrances. The rolling hills become carpeted in brilliant green.

The culture of this region owes much to the blending of Spanish and Chorotega, a pre-Columbian culture, descended from the Olmecs of Mexico. Costa Rica's nationals costume, music, and the national tree "the Guanacaste", all emanate from this region.

Pacific Ridley Sea turtles (the smallest of the world's six varieties of sea turtles) nest on several of the region's beaches, two of which are specifically protected: Ostional and ¨Grande¨ Beach. They nest more or less monthly in such quantities that the beach is literally covered with female turtles. Apart from the turtles, there are iguanas, crabs, howler monkeys, coati-mundi and many birds to be seen.

Samara is a small town and students quickly come to know the local population and to feel at home in this warm and welcoming 'pueblo'. The beaches of Samara and Carrillo also offer a superb coral reef, 5 km of white sand and its own picturesque wooded island in the bay - Isla Chora. The tranquil ocean is ideal for swimming, diving, snorkeling and surf/boogie boarding. For the adventurous, Isla Chora is a short kayak or boat trip away, and there you may snorkel or simply sunbathe on this uninhabited island's deserted beach. Samara is not only a charming beach town, but also offers a wide choice of friendly restaurants, bars and discos, but, unlike other Pacific Ocean resorts, it is also a thriving fishing and farming community.

Nearby, students may visit Nicoya, the colonial capital of the region, or the indigenous areas where traditional ceramics and art still flourish. For those students who wish to stay longer, volunteer opportunities are available.

It is the participant's responsibility to have a valid passport and any necessary visas and permits to study abroad. Visit G3Visas for comprehensive information on visa, passport, permit and general country entry requirements.

Most students arrive at San Jose's international airport. Please plan to arrive in Costa Rica on the Saturday before your classes start. If you have booked the optional airport pick-up, you will be picked up upon arrival at the San Jose airport and taken to a host family or hotel in the city.
Please Note: No airport pickup in San Jose if not opting for a homestay in Samara Beach. On Sunday, you will take a taxi (approximately US$8) to the bus stop where you will take a public bus (approximately US$10). The public bus departs at 12:30pm and 6:30pm and it takes approximately 5 hours to travel to Samara Beach. Depending on the number of students traveling to Samara Beach, a private bus may be hired. You will be given more information about bus transportation upon arrival in San Jose.
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One week program in Heredia before arriving in Samara
Beautiful beach, coral reef ideal for swimming, diving, snorkeling and surf/boogie boarding
Boat trips or kayak to the remote island of Chora
Huge variety of wildlife in surrounding area
The nearby Nicoya region provides indigenous Chorotega culture and colonial town
Other activities: horse-riding, bike rental, ultra light gliding, deep-sea fishing
Dolphin tours, waterfall visits, canopy tours, visits to local 'fiestas'
Charming town with nice nightlife, bars and restaurants
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Our school could not be in a more perfect setting located in Playa Sámara, in a beautiful beach front building surrounded by tropical gardens!

Imagine learning the language in your classroom whilst looking out over the beach and ocean, this is truly an ideal location for beach lovers. Typical Tico seafood restaurants, bars, a local art gallery, internet café, pharmacy, laundry, supermarket, post office, medical clinic and car/bike rental are all within walking distance.

The modern school facilities include: air-conditioned rooms (all with a view of the ocean) and each classroom is equipped with standard audio equipment, white board, and a large communal study space. During breaks and after class students can relax or study in a large open-air rancho used for dance classes or special cultural activities. The beautiful gardens also offer several lounge areas with chairs, hammocks and students can even go for a quick swim during their lunch break.

Students also have access to a kitchen for cooking classes and the school reception offer a tour services desk, where you can book and organize weekend excursions. Nearby restaurants and open air café bars provide ample places to relax and chat with friends, drink a coffee or try the delicious local fresh fruit shakes.

Occasionally our teachers hold classes outdoors either in the rancho, school tropical gardens, or on the beach under the shade of a palm tree. Ecological trips, community interviews and other activities help students practice Spanish "en vivo" with local Costa Ricans.

Our school offers an intimate and relaxed atmosphere with personal attention from the teachers, ideal for a relaxing educational holiday or experience. About 50% of students come from North America the rest are from around the world and the ages are normally between 20 - 36 years of age.

NOTE: Prior to starting this program, all students must either complete at least one week at the main campus in Heredia OR have a placement exam in Heredia by Tuesday of the week before their desired start date.
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Our programs cater for all language levels from absolute beginners to the more advanced, include the use of course materials and provide a variety of options to enhance your program. We have a total of 12 levels, followed by 6 levels of specialized courses, and all are taught entirely in Spanish.

Note:Classes begin every Monday, and you must have a placement interview prior to arrival, either by phone or in our facilities in the capital region (in Heredia, close to San Jose and the airport).

Lessons are held in the mornings or afternoons, alternating in the green season so that everyone has a chance to enjoy the sunny mornings! Each week, students will complete one level, moving up in weekly units through the comprehensive program. Students missing classes or falling behind may be asked to repeat a level, so we advise you to come to class and make sure you do your homework! In order to maintain academic consistency in material covered, classes containing only 1 student may be reduced to 3 hours per day instead of 4. Exceptions apply for academic credit candidates, and/or at the discretion of the program director.

Teachers are native speakers, university educated and have the credentials to teach Spanish as a second language. They are all certified by the schools "Professional Development Training Program" and regularly participate in ongoing seminars, both in Costa Rica and overseas, in order to remain abreast of current methodology trends and teaching concepts.

They will help enhance your speaking, listening, grammar and general comprehension skills entirely in Spanish. They will also use interactive techniques such as role-play and games to support lesson content. Current political, social and cultural materials are integrated to add interest and increase knowledge of the host country, history and culture. Homework assignments are given and students will be tested.

After classes are over for the day, our program allows you plenty of time to immerse themselves completely in the life of the town. Our optional cultural and social activities allow you to make new friends among your new international classmates. In some cases, a small additional fee will be charged to cover local transport and entrance costs.

Activities offered could include: Latin dance and cooking classes, conversational interchanges with Tico students, a graduation party at the beachside café, mountain biking to nearby beaches or forests, playing pool and darts, trying out the local (typical dishes), horse riding, surfing or just hanging out at the beach.

At the weekend many students can arrange to take optional excursions to local cities or local places of interest. These excursions are slightly more expensive than the daily activities ($5 - $30), as they are normally full day or full weekend excursions and could include (transport, meals entrance fees and even accommodation). If you are interested in sight-seeing by yourself or with other class mates, our school staff are more than willing to assist you with any questions you may have and help you book local travel or excursions.

Trips could include: trips to surrounding villages and towns, visit the complex ecosystems of the Monteverde Cloud forest and see a live volcano, Nicoya, the colonial capital of the region, sea turtles and protected parks, canopy tours and much more.

NOTES: School is closed on all public holidays, private lessons and options can be added to any program, lessons normally last 45 minutes, you will be studying with students from around the world, lessons run from Monday - Friday , you will be expected to arrive early on the first Monday morning to take the placement test, a language proficiency certificate is available at the end of the program.
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Host family : (private room) 2 meals daily.

Living with a host family is probably the best and most effective way to become fully immersed into the language and culture of your chosen country. All families are chosen after a careful selection procedure and are visited regularly by the school to ensure that high living standards are maintained. Families live within walking distance of the school and bikes may also be rented for easy coming and going.

Students have access to all living areas in the house and in most cases, will be expected to share the bathroom. All bed linens and pillows will be provided, however we suggest you bring your own towels and your family will provide a laundry service.

However, you should also have realistic expectations and recognize that an element of flexibility is required to adjust to the local customs and way of life. Your host family will provide basic living conditions with a small room, plain food, limited hot water, etc. but you will always be treated as a guest and free to come and go as you wish.

Local hotel:(shared room) no meals.

Students share rooms in a nice hotel, with fan or air Conditioned rooms, which also have a balcony or terrace. Rooms offer bedside tables, lamp, desk, and ample closet and drawer space. The hotel safe is available to store valuables and laundry service is offered to students.

Meals are available at the hotel or local restaurants and students may also use hotel facilities for basic cooking needs.

Note: if choosing the hotel option, a weeks program only includes five nights!

NOTES: Airport transfers to the accommodation may be included or available (at an additional cost, please check price page), the Sunday night accommodation before your course begins on Monday, is included. All meals will be local custom and meal times may be different to what you are used to, however you are not obligated to eat all your meals with the family, just notify them when you will not be returning to eat at home. Our families are diverse with young couples without children, couples with children (of all age groups) and older couples with grown children who are no longer at home. Extra nights are available at extra cost. Please see the Accommodation link for additional information.
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"Accommodation: homestay, 2 meals/day, i loved my host family, the meals were great, it was just a quick walk from the school, and I truly enjoyed living amongst the locals. Thee staff was great, when I had a problem they helped me with it and was resolved. the brochures gave me a good idea of what to expect and what to bring. The classes were held in a very nice building, with a/c, all the staff had a great personality and were a pleasure to work with. Future Advice: do it!"
Daniel Sadowski (age 19)
"I had an awesome time in Costa Rica. I went knowing very little Spanish, and I left with the ability to communicate with my family and new friends. The Spanish I learned made it more fun to travel around the country, knowing I could communicate with the local people. Traveling in Costa Rica was easy and so much fun. It's a beautiful country with so many treasures!.

My homestays were so sweet. I loved my ama de casas and the children in my families. I will always keep in touch! The food was very tasty! The best part, the part that I didn't expect was all the people from all around the world I met who were also attending the program. I made lifelong friends in the two and a half months I was there from every country! I would love to go back and do it again, or would recommend doing language schools in other countries also!"
Amanda Johnson (age: 28)

"Words can't really describe the experience I had in Costa Rica. I already have plans with my host family to go stay with them again in less than a year! I fell in love with my host family. It was incredible and I still keep in touch with them and I am going back to stay with them for the entire summer next year. My teacher and my classes were so helpful and so fun. They provide activities for students to intermingle and the teachers are so fun and intelligent. Services provided by Language Learning Abroad: Everything was great and it was very informative for me.
Future Advice: Just to be prepared that you are entering an entirely different world that you must respect and appreciate. Also, if you have any problems at all you can talk to your school and they will take care of things immediately."
Tescia Martlaro (Age 20)
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