The Best Places To Teach English In Costa Rica

Where you choose to teach in Costa Rica has a big impact on your experience — not just professionally, but personally too. Some cities offer steady school contracts and structured schedules, while others thrive on tutoring demand fueled by tourism. In the capital, you’ll find a dense job market, fast pace, and lots of networking. Out on the coast or in the mountains, the rhythm slows, and daily life becomes more about community connection and cultural immersion.

Costa Rica’s compact size means that even remote towns aren’t far from a volcano, rainforest, or beach. But your day-to-day lifestyle will vary depending on the region’s infrastructure, climate, and teaching demand. Whether you thrive in a classroom with clear boundaries or prefer building your own schedule with private students, the right city makes all the difference.

This guide helps you weigh your options so you can find a location that fits your personality, goals, and vision for your TEFL journey in Costa Rica.

🌆 1. San José – The Heart of TEFL in Costa Rica

San José, the capital and largest city in Costa Rica, is the country’s TEFL hub. If you're looking for the most job opportunities, this is where you'll find them — from private language schools and bilingual academies to corporate clients needing business English. The city’s dense population, economic activity, and central location make it the most reliable place to launch or grow a teaching career.

Living in San José also gives you access to modern infrastructure, shopping, dining, and cultural events. While the city isn’t known for being especially beautiful, it’s surrounded by natural beauty and offers excellent weekend access to Costa Rica’s volcanoes, beaches, and cloud forests. Teachers who prioritize career stability and want to connect with a strong expat network will feel at home here.

The trade-off is cost of living and urban chaos — traffic, occasional pollution, and a faster pace. But for those who thrive in a city and want to build a long-term TEFL foundation, San José is the most practical place to start.

Best for: Teachers seeking job stability, structure, and convenience.
Expect: Competitive market, modern amenities, and great travel access.

🎓 2. Heredia – Small City with Strong Education Focus

Heredia is often called “The City of Flowers,” but it’s just as notable for its strong academic reputation. Located just north of San José, it’s home to several major universities and a population that values education. This makes it a great location for English teachers, especially those interested in tutoring university students, working in bilingual schools, or teaching professionals.

Compared to the capital, Heredia offers a slower pace of life, cleaner air, and a generally safer and more relaxed atmosphere. Yet it’s still only a short commute from San José, meaning you can enjoy job opportunities in both cities if needed. The local public transport and highway links make it easy to get around the Central Valley.

Heredia is a smart choice for teachers who want proximity to Costa Rica’s TEFL heart without the stress of city life. It also appeals to those who want to build stronger relationships with local students and communities.

Best for: Teachers who want an academic, student-focused environment close to the capital.
Expect: Reliable work, peaceful neighborhoods, and an education-minded population.

🏖️ 3. Jacó – Beach Town with Tourism-Fueled Demand

Jacó is one of Costa Rica’s most well-known coastal destinations — famous for its consistent surf, laid-back energy, and heavy tourist traffic. While it’s not a traditional TEFL hub, the local need for English is fueled by the tourism and hospitality sectors, creating demand for teachers in language centers, hotel staff training, and private tutoring.

Because it’s a small town, teaching jobs can be competitive and somewhat seasonal, with more opportunities during the high tourist season. Salaries here tend to be lower than in the Central Valley, and full-time positions may be harder to secure — but for teachers willing to hustle a bit or supplement with online or private lessons, it can still work.

What draws teachers to Jacó isn’t career advancement — it’s the lifestyle. This is the spot for beach lovers, surf enthusiasts, and anyone who wants their downtime to include sunsets, yoga, and warm ocean air. Just keep in mind: the slower pace and transient population can mean less structure and more self-reliance.

Best for: Teachers who want to live by the beach and don’t mind a patchwork schedule.
Expect: Relaxed vibes, tourism-driven teaching gigs, and stunning coastal scenery.

🌄 4. La Fortuna – Adventure Hub with Growing TEFL Opportunities

Nestled at the foot of Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna is one of Costa Rica’s top adventure tourism destinations. With a steady flow of international visitors, there's a growing local push for stronger English skills—especially in hospitality, tour guiding, and eco-lodge operations. While traditional schools may not hire in large numbers, there’s increasing demand for private tutoring and flexible English instruction tied to the tourism economy.

Teaching in La Fortuna means becoming part of a small but tight-knit community. Locals are welcoming, and cultural immersion comes naturally through daily life, local events, and slow-paced conversations in both English and Spanish. It’s a great place to form lasting relationships and experience the genuine warmth of Costa Rican hospitality.

For teachers who crave natural beauty, La Fortuna doesn’t disappoint. Weekends can be spent hiking through rainforest trails, soaking in hot springs, or exploring waterfalls. It’s a destination where work and exploration go hand in hand — though the job market may require patience and creativity.

Best for: Teachers who want to live close to nature and immerse themselves in local life.
Expect: Modest pay, personal connections, and easy access to Costa Rica’s most iconic natural sites.

🏞️ 5. Liberia – The Gateway to Guanacaste

Liberia is the capital of the Guanacaste province and a rising destination for English teachers. As a regional hub with an international airport, Liberia serves both locals and tourists, creating demand for English in business, hospitality, and education. Bilingual schools and private language centers are present, and there’s steady interest from students and professionals aiming to improve their English for work or travel.

Compared to San José, Liberia offers a more relaxed pace of life while still providing essential amenities. It strikes a balance between being accessible and livable, especially for teachers who want to avoid the noise and congestion of the capital. The city’s dry climate and wide-open streets give it a distinct feel—less tropical jungle, more open plains and sunshine.

One of Liberia’s biggest perks is its proximity to some of Costa Rica’s most famous Pacific beaches—like Tamarindo, Playa Hermosa, and Playa Flamingo. Whether you’re into surfing, snorkeling, or just catching sunsets, weekend trips are both easy and rewarding.

Best for: Teachers looking for a mix of urban convenience and access to natural beauty.
Expect: A growing job market, manageable costs, and easy travel to Guanacaste’s beaches.

🧑‍🌾 6. Rural Towns and Volunteer Placements

For teachers who prioritize cultural immersion and meaningful work over income, Costa Rica’s rural towns offer something special. While paid positions are rare, a number of NGOs, church-based initiatives, and government-backed programs place teachers in underserved communities where English education can make a real difference.

These placements often involve teaching in local schools, community centers, or informal settings. Resources may be limited, but the impact is tangible—and the appreciation from students and families is heartfelt. Living in a small town also means full immersion in Costa Rican daily life: shopping at local markets, participating in village celebrations, and building real relationships with locals.

The slower pace of rural life offers time and space for personal reflection, language development, and connection. Spanish language skills tend to grow quickly in these settings, as there’s little reliance on English and frequent interaction with monolingual Spanish speakers.

While these roles don’t typically come with high salaries—if any—they often include housing, meals, or stipends. Some programs also provide orientation, teaching materials, and ongoing support.

Best for: Teachers seeking cultural depth, language growth, and community connection.
Expect: Modest or no pay, but high personal reward and full immersion.

💡 How to Choose the Right Place

Where you teach in Costa Rica can shape your entire experience—so take time to align your location with your goals. Start by thinking about what matters most to you: Do you want stable work and career growth, or deeper cultural immersion? Would you thrive in a bustling city with social opportunities, or prefer the calm of a coastal town or rural village?

San José offers the largest number of job opportunities and a more structured teaching environment, which can be ideal if you're just starting out. Cities like Heredia or Liberia strike a balance between access to work and a more relaxed pace of life. If you’re drawn to nature, surfing, or a tight-knit community, beach towns like Jacó or eco-tourism hubs like La Fortuna might feel more aligned with your lifestyle—even if the job market is smaller.

It’s also worth thinking about logistics: How important is being near an international airport? Do you want to live where Spanish is more commonly spoken, or where there’s a larger expat network? Will you need part-time work or housing support?

Some teachers find that starting in a more developed area—like San José or Heredia—helps them get their footing before branching out to smaller towns or volunteer-based roles.

Tip: Visit a few places first if you can. A short stay can quickly reveal what feels like home.

🎯 Final Thoughts: There’s a Place for Every Teacher in Costa Rica

Costa Rica isn’t a one-size-fits-all destination — and that’s what makes it so rewarding. Whether you're drawn to the lively rhythm of San José, the educational energy of Heredia, the laid-back beaches of Jacó, or the natural beauty of places like La Fortuna or Liberia, there’s a corner of the country that fits your teaching goals and lifestyle.

What really matters is finding the environment that matches who you are. Some teachers thrive on structure, fast-paced city life, and a wide range of job options. Others are motivated by community connection, nature, and the chance to immerse in a slower, more intentional way of living.

Costa Rica offers the freedom to explore both — to try different roles, settings, and places as your journey unfolds. For teachers open to discovery, growth, and meaningful connections, it’s one of the most fulfilling places you can choose.

With the right mindset and a bit of planning, teaching English in Costa Rica becomes much more than a job — it’s a lifestyle that nourishes you inside and outside the classroom.