The Top Programs For Teaching English in Costa Rica

For many aspiring teachers and digital nomads, Costa Rica hits the sweet spot: lush nature, warm communities, a laid-back lifestyle, and a real need for English instruction. Whether you’re strolling through the capital or surfing Pacific waves between classes, the country offers a blend of adventure and purpose that’s hard to resist.

English is in high demand—especially in tourism, hospitality, and growing business sectors. While there isn’t a large-scale, government-backed program like those found in Spain or Chile, there are still multiple paths to teach in Costa Rica legally and meaningfully.

This guide explores your best options, from teaching at private language schools to combining online work with life near the beach. If you're looking for a rewarding way to live and work abroad, Costa Rica is a strong contender.

🏫 Private Language Schools (Mainstream Option)

Overview

The most common route for teaching English in Costa Rica is through private language schools. These schools are spread across the country, with high demand in cities like San José and Heredia, and growing opportunities in coastal towns such as Jacó, Tamarindo, and Puerto Viejo—especially during peak tourism seasons.

Most schools cater to working adults, high school and university students, or professionals in the tourism industry. Expect a focus on conversational English, business communication, and test preparation (like TOEFL).

Requirements and Conditions

Hiring standards vary, but the typical expectations include:

• A TEFL certification (120+ hours) is often required or strongly preferred
• A bachelor’s degree is helpful but not always mandatory
• Work hours tend to fall in the late afternoon, evening, or weekends—when students are off work or school

Many teachers begin by working part-time or freelance and eventually pick up more hours once settled.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• A steady schedule with face-to-face classroom experience
• A great way to build teaching skills and local connections
• Opportunities to live in desirable locations with a supportive expat network

Cons:

• Wages are modest—typically around $600 to $1,000 USD/month, depending on hours
• Many schools do not sponsor work visas, meaning teachers often work on a tourist visa and do border runs or overstay
• Cost of living in beach towns can be higher than expected without supplemental income

Despite the visa limitations, many teachers find language schools to be a reliable and enriching starting point. It's a solid option for anyone looking to ease into life in Costa Rica while gaining hands-on classroom experience.

🌱 Volunteer Teaching and NGO Programs

Overview

For those more motivated by purpose than paycheck, Costa Rica has a vibrant network of NGOs and volunteer teaching programs that work to expand English access in underserved communities. These opportunities are often based in rural villages, small towns, or under-resourced neighborhoods on the outskirts of urban centers.

Volunteers typically support local teachers, run conversation clubs, or lead after-school English programs aimed at empowering youth and helping them access future education or tourism-related jobs.

Program Features

Unlike paid teaching jobs, these programs focus on cultural exchange and community service. While there's no salary, many offer benefits like:

• Free housing with host families or shared volunteer housing
• Meals provided, often prepared by your host family or community center
• Orientation and cultural immersion activities to help you adjust
• A sense of local integration that’s hard to find in more commercial roles

Some programs ask for a small fee to cover logistics, while others are subsidized by grants or donations.

Best For

This path is ideal for:

• Gap year travelers who want to give back and experience real community life
• Career changers or aspiring teachers testing the waters before committing to TEFL full-time
• People passionate about education equity, youth empowerment, or grassroots development

Volunteer teaching in Costa Rica won’t make you rich, but it may offer something just as valuable: connection, perspective, and a chance to make a difference where it’s truly needed.

🎓 TEFL Course + Job Placement Providers

What They Offer

One of the most beginner-friendly ways to start teaching in Costa Rica is by enrolling in an in-person TEFL certification course—especially with providers that include job placement assistance. These programs typically run for 3–4 weeks in cities like San José, Heredia, or beach towns like Manuel Antonio, giving you both training and time to settle into the local culture.

After completing the course, many providers either guarantee a teaching job or connect you with partner schools across the country. Some also include mock interviews, resume workshops, and ongoing support, making this route especially valuable for those new to the field.

Ideal Candidate

These programs are best for:

• First-time teachers who want to feel prepared and confident before entering the classroom
• Travelers who want to train and live in Costa Rica simultaneously, rather than get certified online from abroad
• Those looking for structured support, rather than navigating job hunting and visas solo

You’ll not only leave with a TEFL certificate but also with local experience, job leads, and a network of fellow teachers—a major head start in the Costa Rican job market.

Well-Known Providers

Some of the most trusted names offering in-country TEFL training in Costa Rica include:

• Maximo Nivel – One of the most established Latin American TEFL providers, with placements and volunteer options
• Costa Rica TEFL – Located in Playa Samara, known for small class sizes and job support
• International TEFL Academy – Offers a Manuel Antonio location with U.S.-level accreditation and job assistance
• International TEFL and TESOL Training (ITTT) – Offers TEFL in Heredia with flexible start dates and job guidance

While these programs aren’t cheap (expect to pay $1,500–$2,200), they offer a strong foundation, network access, and a legal, well-supported entry into the local TEFL world.

🌐 Online Teaching While Living in Costa Rica

Remote Teaching Advantages

Thanks to reliable internet infrastructure, especially in urban and well-developed tourist areas, Costa Rica is a solid base for online English teaching. Whether you're working with established platforms like Preply, Cambly, or iTalki, or managing your own roster of private students, remote teaching can offer:

• Higher earning potential than most local teaching jobs
• The ability to set your own hours and maintain a flexible schedule
• The freedom to live anywhere—from a surf town to a jungle retreat

Many teachers also use online work to supplement lower in-person wages, helping cover higher living costs in beach areas or fund weekend getaways.

Popular Pairing

One of the most effective strategies is to combine online teaching with a local role:

• Teach online in the mornings, and volunteer or work part-time with a school or NGO in the afternoons
• Use online work as a financial safety net while job hunting or transitioning between cities
• Build a long-term income stream that allows you to stay in Costa Rica beyond the typical tourist visa window

This hybrid approach offers the freedom to explore while still making a sustainable income.

🎯 Choosing the Right Path in Costa Rica

Choosing the right way to teach in Costa Rica depends on your goals, timeline, and comfort with flexibility. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Looking for a job and a paycheck?
  → Try private language schools in San José or popular expat towns.

• Want to give back and gain grassroots experience?
  → Join a volunteer or NGO program focused on education and community work.

• Need structure as a first-time teacher?
  → Enroll in a TEFL course with job placement to get certified and connected quickly.

• Want full flexibility or higher income?
  → Go for online teaching, and live wherever the Wi-Fi and weather suit you best.

Costa Rica doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all program—but that’s part of its charm. You get to choose the lifestyle and teaching setup that works for you.

🌟 Teaching English in Costa Rica Is a Lifestyle Choice

Costa Rica might not top the charts in terms of salary, but what it offers in return is something money can’t always buy: natural beauty, a slower pace of life, and a deep sense of connection. Whether you're teaching in a bustling city or a coastal village, you'll find that "pura vida" isn’t just a slogan—it’s a way of life.

For adventurous teachers, digital nomads, and service-minded travelers, Costa Rica presents an ideal mix of opportunity and experience. You can teach in a classroom, give back through community work, earn a flexible income online—or blend all three.

With the right mindset and path, teaching English in Costa Rica can become more than just a job abroad—it can be the start of a more balanced, meaningful way of living.