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An accredited TESOL certificate
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A TravelBud teacher in her classroom in Thailand.
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Guaranteed Job Placement with Peace of Mind Pre Departure and In-country Support

We outline the entire process you’ll follow to realise the dream of teaching in Costa Rica, from all pre-departure support, to guaranteeing you a job in one of our trusted and vetted schools and supporting you during your entire experience.

Our knowledgable, experienced and passionate enrolment and support teams guide and support you every step of the way both before you leave your home country and once you arrive in Costa Rica.

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With TravelBud, you’ll always be talking to someone who has taught abroad before, so you’ll get informed, first-hand advice to guide, prepare and support you before, during and after your experience.

  • We guarantee you a teaching job in carefully vetted and trusted schools where every effort is made to match placement preferences.
  • We'll explain all the paperwork, visas, contracts, taxes, work hours, budgets, requirements, responsibilities and answer all of your questions to help ease any anxieties.
  • We guide you through everything you need before you depart to Costa Rica and from the moment you touch down, you'll continue to receive peace of mind 24/7 support from our in-country team who will be on hand for you throughout your placement.

Quick Facts

Salary

Earn $1000 – $1800 USD * per month.
* For degree holders. Non-degree salaries will lower. USD per month may fluctuate due to exchange rate volatility. 

Placement Types

Placements are either at a local language academy, teaching remotely online and in International or Bilingual Schools teaching adult learners.

Contract Length

Placements are for 9 months or 1 year and can be renewed if you’d like to stay and continue to teach and travel.

In-class Accreditation & Placement Only options

Get TEFL/TESOL certified in-class in Costa Rica. If you already have an accredited TEFL/TESOL certification, our Placement Only option is best for you.

Job Qualifications

You don’t need to have any teaching experience to teach English in Costa Rica. You do need:

Required

  • A passport from the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand
  • A bachelor’s degree in hand in any field – no teaching experience required (A degree IS NOT required for USA and Canada applicants)
  • A Native English Speaker

Preferred on case-by-case basis

  • Between the ages of 22 – 49 years old
  • No major medical or mental health diagnosis or medication in the past 5 years
  • No communicable diseases
  • No criminal conviction whatsoever (even misdemeanors)
  • No visible tattoos, such as on the face, neck and hands
Free Enrollment Consultation
Unsure? Apply for a Free Consultation

Submit a quick application and we’ll let you know your eligibility and best program fit.

Can I teach English in Costa Rica without a degree?

While you don’t need to have any teaching experience to teach English in Costa Rica, you do require a bachelors degree to qualify for the program. If you are a USA or Canada citizen you do not need a degree to teach in Costa Rica. 

If you are a non-degree holder please see our Teach English in Cambodia program.

Can I teach English in Costa Rica with a diploma or associate degree?

While these often require you to do just as much work as a bachelor’s degree unfortunately they’re just not held in as high regard internationally.

There are a number of reasons for this, particularly that colleges offering these aren’t required to be kept to the same internationally recognized standards as those offering bachelor’s degrees.

Courses can vary wildly in terms of standard and requirements for both enrollment and passing and it makes judging the quality of the certificate really difficult. This means that schools in general, the world over, have a blanket rule of not accepting diplomas and associate degrees as a qualifying certificate.

Check out our Teach English in Cambodia program if you’re a diploma or associate degree holder.

Reviews

5.00 (2 reviews)

I am so glad I found this program!

TravelBud helped guide me through the process and matched me with the program I did once I arrived to Costa Rica. I always felt like I had someone in my corner who was looking out for me. They are responsive, helpful and genuinely wanted to help make my transition and time in Costa Rica the best it could be!

Cassidy

United States, Apr 21, 2022

A life changing experience

The transition into living overseas was smooth, organized, and supported every step of the way. I am a solo traveler, but being a part of this program gave me a sense of community from the very beginning of my journey. I now have a job that allows me to travel internationally, and nothing is more exhilarating than the sense of freedom you receive from that.

Calan

United States, Dec 12, 2021

Program Options

Option 1: In-Class TEFL & Placement

If you do not have an internationally accredited TEFL/TESOL certification, we highly recommend our in-class course held in Costa Rica to prepare you for your teaching adventure abroad.

Option 2: Placement Only

If you already hold an accredited 120 Hour TEFL/TESOL certification, then our Placement Only option guarantees you a teaching job with all our in-country support benefits.

What’s included for each Program Option

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Option 1

In-Class TEFL & Placement

Option 2

Placement Only

Secures your spot
Comprehensive pre-departure support and guidance
Personalised one-on-one Support
Visa Guidance
Your questions answered
Guaranteed Job Placement
24/7 In-country support
Lifetime Teaching Placement Guarantee
TEFL/TESOL Course
(4 weeks in-country)
Internationally Accreditated Certification
Practical Teacher Training in-class
Airport pickup and transfer
Subject to correct arrival times
Airport Assistance
Info & guidance on trains/taxis/buses and routes
SIM Card Included
SIM Card guidance
Local bank account guidance
Shared Accommodation
(for 1st month in-country)

(for 1st week in-country)
Cultural Orientation including excursions
(1 week)

(1 week)
Visa Run
(for 1st month in-country)

(for 1st month in-country)
Lesson Plan templates and resource directories
Support Network
Self-development and advantageous future employability

Fees

View FeesView Fees

Full Program Highlights

  • Comprehensive pre-departure support and guidance

    • Getting the necessary documentation prepared prior to departure.
    • Assisting you with all planning, packing, visas, costs, budgets and booking flights.
    • Answering your questions to help ease any anxieties you may have regarding your trip.
  • Logistics and safety when arriving

    • Airport pickup and transfer to accommodation.
    • Sim card provided with setup assistance (you’ll top it up yourself).
  • A toolkit for navigating Costa Rican culture

    • Cultural Orientation.
    • Social events and meet and greets.
  • Practical Teacher Training

    • To hone your craft and ensure confidence before you begin teaching professionally.
  • Guaranteed Job Placement

    • At carefully vetted schools.
  • An Internationally Accredited TEFL/TESOL certification

    • The knowledge required to teach english successfully.
  • A support network of fellow teachers

    • Lifelong friendships and travel opportunities.
  • 24/7 In-country support

    • Ex-foreign teachers and local, on-the-ground support staff provide you with personal assistance throughout the duration of your teaching experience.
    • You can rest assured knowing that any queries will be answered such as translation help, legalities, emergencies, travel options or school queries. Someone is on hand.
    • Teacher meet-ups.
    • We check in with you regularly and keep up to date with your teach abroad experience.
  • Lifetime Teaching Placement Guarantee

    • Teach somewhere else after your contract and explore new cultures.
  • Self-development and advantageous future employability

    • Add teaching abroad to your CV to stand out from the crowd.

Free Enrollment Consultation
Free Enrolment Consultation

Submit a quick application and we’ll send you more info, explain the program and answer all your questions.

Guaranteed Job Placement

We find you a teaching job or jobs to ensure you have the maximum work hours allowed under your visa.

You could spend your own time trying to find your own teaching position.

But this can be time-consuming and stressful because you’ll have to wade through a myriad of risk factors and paperwork when evaluating teaching positions.

These can include but are not limited to: 

  • Work visas, relevant permits and documentation
  • The interview process
  • The credibility of the school
  • Your safety at the school
  • Understanding contracts, contract length and hidden clauses
  • Payment terms and what happens in the event of non-payment
  • Taxes
  • Teaching philosophy and environment
  • Teaching materials
  • School code of conduct
  • Local staff support and English proficiency
  • After school activities and requirements
  • Disciplinary processes
  • And many more considerations!

So you might find a job but you’ll be unprepared from a teaching, cultural, financial and emotional perspective.

We take the pressure and stress away from you by guaranteeing your job placement and providing peace of mind support

  • We guarantee you a teaching job in carefully vetted and trusted schools where every effort is made to match placement preferences.
  • You can focus on enjoying your new lifestyle knowing your income of $1000 – $1800 USD is secured.
  • We’ll explain all the paperwork, contracts, taxes, work hours, requirements and responsibilities.
  • We guide you through everything you need to know before you depart to Costa Rica and from the moment you touch down, you’ll continue to receive peace of mind 24/7 support from our in-country team who will be on hand for you throughout your placement.
  • We’ve all taught abroad before and, having placed over 2200+ participants around the world, know the key to success is well-trained, culturally-adjusted, and emotionally-supported teachers. Read more about our teaching placements.
Free Enrollment Consultation
Free Enrolment Consultation

Apply now and we’ll call you back, explain the program and answer all your questions.

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Lifetime Placement Guarantee

Once you’ve taught in one of the TravelBud schools, we can guarantee you a position at another partner school in any of our destinations for which you are eligible on your program line, at no additional charge to you.

TravelBud Lifetime-Placement Guarantee Program Lines Infographic

  • Pay one fee and you’re able to teach in any partner school on your program line as long as you like.
  • It’s a once-off fee for a lifetime of opportunities to make a difference in the lives of your students and travel the world in a sustainable way.
  • For example, once you’re finished in Costa Rica you can travel over to South Korea or Vietnam and experience a whole new cultural adventure.

Boost your employability

You might think you’re taking a step back by taking a year off but nothing could be further from the truth!

Although you may think it’s a halt in your education journey, you’re actually fast tracking yourself through:

  • Learning independence.
  • Learning how you react to different situations.
  • Learning how to master and grow your confidence in public speaking.
  • Learning how to overcome obstacles.
  • Learning about yourself through your own personal self discovery.
  • Learning how to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself.

These would normally take much longer in a normal, sheltered environment and wouldn’t be nearly as much fun!

When you do head back home, you’re not just another resume in a pile of resumes – you are someone different who’s done something interesting and rewarding.

People who are able to reflect on their experiences will give them an edge in their interview, no matter what industry or profession.

Read why working abroad boosts your employability →

Teaching Placements

Costa Rica infographic

Teaching Placement Overview

 

Edit
Salary range in USD per month

$1000 – $1800 USD *

* May fluctuate due to exchange rate volatility.

Salary local currency per month 1000 – 1800 USD
Saving potential in USD per month $100 – $200+
Employment Type Full-time
Contract Length 6 months, 1 year
Placement Types Local Language Academy, Online, International or Bilingual Schools
Classroom Audience Adults
Classroom Age Between 18 – 55
Classroom Size Local Language Academy: 4-10
Online: 5-10
International or Bilingual schools: 30-40
Working Hours per week 20 – 30
Days off Online placements variable, for academies and schools: 2 days per week but may not be consecutive.
Holidays / Paid Leave Online placements have no paid holidays, for academies and schools: generally 8 public holidays (paid)
Tax rate range for teachers 10-20%
Visa Visa Exemption stamp on arrival
Initial Enrollment to Arrival 3 Months Minimum
Top Placement Locations 1. San Jose
2. Liberia
3. Heredia
4. Playa Del Codo
5. Tamarindo

 

Teaching Placements

There are three main types of placement in Costa Rica:

Language Academy: language schools (majority adults but with some young learners attending)

Online Placements: Teaching remotely for an online school, which may involve teaching students from other parts of central and South America.

International or Billingual School Positions: Education degree holders should strongly consider coming on the December or July courses, when international school positions are most commonly available.

Language Academies

Local academies in Costa Rica are private language schools where students sign up to take English language courses.

Teachers will work with small groups of students: typically between 4 to 10 students. Evening teaching is most common, shortly followed by morning classes. This works well as it leaves the best part of the day to enjoy the sunshine in Costa Rica.

Teachers will typically work 20 – 30 hours per week. Hours will be mixed throughout the day. Most teachers working at academies will start off with part time hours before moving up to full time hours.

For the first month until classes have built up, teachers may need to supplement with online classes or savings. Pay is hourly, usually from $7 to $12 USD per hour. On average academy teachers will earn around $900 – $1300 USD per month.

Demographics

The most common demographic of English language learners in Costa Rica are young learners aged 5-12 and adult learners.

Professionals: There are many professionals in their 20s, 30s and 40s that are looking to learn English to benefit them in their jobs. These may be people in corporate positions, or in technical fields such as engineers or medical professionals. They are often learning English to gain an extra skill to help them progress in their careers. Some language schools even work with corporations such as Amazon and P & G and teach their students business English.

Young adults: There are many learners that have left high school, but haven’t gone on to university that want to gain a practical skill that will increase their employability. They are people that are looking for a skill that will help them gain employment in key sectors such as tourism.

Young learners: Participants working at local academies will less commonly work with young learners. Most academies have 70% adult learners and 30% or less young learners. Some don’t have any young learners at all.

Online Schools

Lots of teachers in Costa Rica choose to work in online positions full time. This gives location independence and schedule flexibility.

Participants commonly work online for Central American organisations. So they may have students from Costa Rica, Mexico, Chile or elsewhere!

It is common to work for more than one organisation to maximise teaching hours.

Tutoring: There are lots of positions where participants will work one to one with their student. These are often professionals that want to learn English for a practical reason, so opt for one to one learning for a more tailored approach rather than a group class.

Small Group Classes: There are positions with local language schools and Central American organizations where participants will teach small group classes.
There are positions teaching adults and positions teaching children.

International or Bilingual Schools

These positions are much less common but sometimes obtained by qualified teachers.

They generally pay over $1000 – $1800 USD per month. They follow the school year so typically hire in January and need teachers to commit to at least one year.

These positions are much less common outside of January but do come up occasionally. They are great opportunities for qualified teachers or bilingual teachers. Whilst we can’t guarantee them we will endeavour to place qualified teachers taking the course in December in these higher paying positions.

Earning Potential

For language academies and online schools how much teachers earn depends on how much they work.

Occasionally there is a difference in pay based on whether they are working at peak or off peak times and whether the class is business or general English.

Frequency of pay will depend on the school, some pay weekly, others pay monthly! Monthly is most common.

Costa Rica has a lower cost of living than participants may be used to in their home country, however it is not super cheap. Beach areas in particular are more expensive. Pay is enough to cover the cost of living but will not typically stretch to a lot of trips and activities so it is best for participants to bring some savings for these!

Working hours

For both language academies and online positions the hours teachers work will be irregular.

The most popular times for classes are in the evenings and the mornings are also popular for classes. So teachers may work for a few hours in the morning, then log back on in the evenings. This works out well for being able to be outdoors enjoying the Costa Rican sunshine for the best part of the day!

International schools or bilingual schools follow the traditional school day.

Placement locations

There are language schools across the country but the greatest concentration of language schools is in the central valley – one of the most populated areas of Costa Rica.

Most in person language academy placements are in the central region rather than by the coast. We have international school positions both closer to the coast and in the central valley area.

Holidays in Costa Rica

There are 12 public holidays each year in Costa Rica. These are typically, but not always, days off for teachers.

Schools may provide additional paid leave days but this is not 100% guaranteed particularly for contracts less than one year.

Most schools are closed during Christmas and easter week. The exact vacation allowance across each school will differ but rough outline can be found below:

Online Teaching Positions

Paid Annual leave?

  • Each school has their own policy. Teachers can generally request time off in advance and as long as they can still work a minimum number of hours in the month (sometimes around 16hrs/month).

Unpaid leave?

  • If teachers make an effort to get their shifts up for pickup they are usually pretty understanding and most of the time the shifts get picked up.

Sick leave?

  • There is no sick leave. If they have a class they can put it on a pickup board, however if nobody takes it they are liable for it. Whenever they miss a class/shift they have to submit a form explaining what happened.

Academy Positions

Paid Annual leave?

  • Paid leave is generally provided on public holidays if the teacher usually has scheduled classes on that date.

Unpaid leave?

  • Generally schools will close over the Christmas and Easter breaks for one week. Teachers typically take unpaid leave during this time.

Sick leave?

  • Some schools will pay sick leave for the times they were due to work but others will
    not. Teachers are paid hourly without guaranteed hours so sometimes schools won’t pay for hours not worked.

International School Teaching Positions

Paid Annual leave?

  • Paid leave is generally provided on public holidays if the teacher usually has scheduled classes on that date.

Unpaid leave?

  • Generally schools will close over the Christmas and Easter breaks for one week. Teachers typically take unpaid leave during this time.

Sick leave?

  • Some schools will pay sick leave for the times they were due to work but others will not. Teachers are paid hourly without guaranteed hours so sometimes schools won’t pay for hours not worked.

Visa Trip

Visa waiver is automatically given upon arrival to citizens of United States, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa.

Citizens from these countries can enter for a maximum stay of up to 180 days.

Due to the difficulty of getting a work permit in Costa Rica, many schools prefer for teachers to work in Costa Rica without a visa.

This is widely commonplace and there are no risks or challenges.

Teachers can technically ‘sell their professional work services’ on a tourist visa. The only inconvenience is that teachers need to do a visa trip every 180 days, leaving to a neighbouring country and returning for a new 180 day visa.

Teachers can do this as many times as they want with no issues, providing they meet exit and entry requirements. Teachers typically go overland to Nicaragua or Panama. The cost of an overland trip is low and can be done in a weekend.

It is possible to get a work permit and some schools do offer that but typically only for year contracts or longer. The process is that teachers first get a temporary residence permit. This permit takes approximately 90-180 days to process. Once obtained, a work visa is required. This takes an additional 30 – 60 days. This is a lengthy and difficult process hence most schools do not follow this process.

Don’t worry, we’ll talk you through the whole process, explain all your options and guide you every step of the way!

Cultural Preparation

Part of the success of your experience comes from understanding the culture that you’re going to be living and working in.

Cultural awareness training helps you to settle into your new environment, make local friends, avoid misunderstandings, and enjoy success in social and professional life.

Our Program Includes:

Pre departure Support

to guide and prepare you

Logistics and safety

when arriving

A toolkit for navigating

your new country

A support network

of fellow teachers

24 / 7 In-country support

for peace of mind

Having Fun!

& embracing your new adventure

Pre-departure Support

We assist you with all planning, packing, visas, costs, budgets, booking flights and any questions or information you need. 

Pre departure Support

  • We’ll outline the entire process you’ll follow to realise the teaching abroad dream.
  • You’ll be provided comprehensive information relating to each step in the pre-departure process and you’ll have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you like, no matter how silly you may think they are!
  • We’ll explain and help you get the necessary documentation prepared prior to departure.
  • We’ll assist you with all planning, packing, visas, costs, budgeting and booking flights.
  • We’ll ease any anxieties you may have regarding your trip and share the positive and life-changing adventures of the teach abroad experience.

Logistics and Safety when arriving

We’ll pick you up from the airport and introduce you to your support team in-country.

Logistics and Safety when arriving

  • Airport pickup.
  • We’ll introduce you to your 24/7 support team on the ground.
  • Transfer from the airport to your accommodation is included for all participants arriving within the designated time frame prior to the start of the course.
  • We provide you with a SIM card (airtime and data for your own account) so that you can contact your loved ones back home and your new friends you’re about to make on your epic orientation!
  • We provide guidance setting up a local bank account so you can save money on international withdrawal fees. Your salary is paid into your local bank account.
  • You’ll get to meet and greet fellow teacher travellers.

A toolkit for navigating your new country

The perfect foundation for adjusting to life in your new country and meeting your fellow teachers and in-country stafff members.

A toolkit for navigating your new country

Our 1 week cultural orientation on Costa Rican culture and language gives you the perfect foundation for adjusting to life in Costa Rica as well as an opportunity to bond with your fellow teachers-in-training and in-country staff members.

Learn foundational Spanish language

We help you with foundational language to help you navigate:

  • The bustling markets.
  • Grabbing a taxi.
  • Ordering a delicious meal.
  • Garnering respect from locals.

(plus it’s pretty cool to impress your mates at home or add it to your resume!)

Cultural and History lessons

  • Learn from local Costa Rican staff and ex-foreign teachers who have made their home in Costa Rica.
  • You’ll understand the cultural dynamics so that you don’t feel like a fish out of water.
  • You won’t be making any faux pas or disrespecting the locals.
  • How to address locals and your fellow teachers.
  • You will know what you can and can’t do in Costa Rican classrooms.

Relevant Cultural Excursions

Excursions include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Tour of San Ramón to familiarise yourself with your home for the month.
  • Experience the beautiful Las Musas Waterfall.
  • Participating in authentic cooking lessons.
  • Animal Rescue Center Day Visit, a non-profit rescue center that focuses on conservation, animal welfare and environmental education.
  • We visit a coffee farm that produces the coffee that participants will have been drinking on a daily basis at the hostel! Participants will see where their coffee comes from, learn about different types of coffee and enjoy a tasting session afterwards!
  • Trapiche Visit (Sugar Cane Mill) o see a traditional livelihood take place in a village and watch traditional sugar cane processing take place. Then afterwards grab a local lunch!
  • Costa Rican Cooking Class – learn how to buy food from the markets and cook delicious Costa Rican fare!
  • Beach Trip (Optional) – we make reservations for a beachfront hostel on the coast and offer to arrange transportation for anyone looking to head to Jaco beach on the first weekend. This enables participants to experience the stunning coastlines of Costa Rica.

We kick start the week with a tour of San Ramon so participants can get familiar with their home for the month. You’ll learn more about the town and find out all the practicalities you need to know to navigate your way around for the month.


We visit a coffee farm that produces the coffee that participants will have been drinking on a daily basis at the hostel! Participants will see where their coffee comes from, learn about different types of coffee and enjoy a tasting session afterwards!

Students will have the opportunity to see up close and learn about some of the incredible species that call Costa Rica home


Costa Rican traditional food is simple but delicious, consisting of rice, beans, salad and fish/chicken or steak. Empanadas are also a local favorite and focus of our cooking class. Participants will travel to the local market for a tour of different items to buy and then we will go to a local home and learn how to cook delicious Costa Rican fare.


Empanadas are also a local favorite and focus of our cooking class. Learn how to make them to impress your friends back home!


Explore Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches on your time-off from teaching and as part of your cultural orientation.

A support network of fellow teacher travelers

In addition the personal assistance and 24/7 support we provide, you’ll also have a support network of fellow teachers.

Meet fellow Teacher Travellers

Meet other like-minded individuals who are experiencing the same pleasures and challenges you are.

Only they understand what you’re also going through in a way that friends at home would never.

Make Lifelong Memories

Many of our teachers visit the friends they make during the cultural orientation and TEFL Course.

This becomes a valuable network and community for you as you’re able to visit your friends in different parts of Costa Rica and fully experience all that the country has to offer.

Diverse range of background

We have teachers participating in the cultural orientation and TEFL course from all over the world.

24/7 In-Country Support

  • Ex-foreign teachers and local, on-the-ground support staff provide you with personal assistance throughout the duration of your teaching experience.
  • You can rest assured knowing that any queries will be answered such as translation help, culture shock, legalities, emergencies, travel options or school queries. Someone is on hand.
  • Teacher meet-ups
  • We check in with you regularly and keep up to date with your teach abroad experience.

Have some fun and embrace your new adventure!

Take a trip to the coast and enjoy stunning surfing opportunities.

Costa Rican waterfall

Visit stunning waterfalls surrounded by lush green forest.

Cerro Pelado

Visit the other worldly Cerro Pelado in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Experience the magic of Costa Rican sunsets.

San Jose Costa Rica

Many of our teachers get placed in the vibrant capital city of San José

Costa Rican traditional breakfast

Sample a traditional Traditional Costa Rican breakfast. Gallo pinto made with rice, beans, fried egg, cheese, and corn tortilla.

Internationally Accredited TEFL/TESOL Certification

There are so many options when it comes to TEFL/TESOL courses that it can be quite overwhelming to understand what’s legitimate and what high quality schools require from teaching staff.

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), are often used interchangeably but are essentially the same thing: a certification in teaching English.

A quality TEFL/TESOL course helps teachers avoid the frustration and pitfalls of being unprepared in the classroom and provides all the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively teach English.

With TravelBud’s 120-Hour In-Class TEFL/TESOL certification you get years of teacher insight, experience and practical knowledge which has been refined into a quality internationally accredited curriculum that focuses on preparing students in the best possible way for their teaching abroad experience.

Educational Philosophy

Students are trained based on a global ‘best practices’ approach to teaching English as a second language that incorporates the direct method, communicative approach, and task-based teaching approach within a lesson planning structure of Present, Practice, and Produce.

We focus on teacher creativity. In many environments, teachers cannot depend on technology, so they must be both creative and resourceful in their lesson planning and execution. Technology is a tool, not a crutch.

Our teachers must harness their own creative spirit during the course and perform in a low-tech environment. Then once they have demonstrated that, we begin to instruct on how to use technology and allow students to incorporate technology into their lessons.

We require extensive teaching practice. We believe that proper education in TESOL must involve praxis, or the application of theory in a classroom setting. The course provides at least 16 hours of teaching practice whereby students are placed in a classroom as teachers, under instructor supervision and assessment, during the course. This typically happens several times during the course.

The process entails, preparing lesson plans for classrooms of different ages and skill levels, delivering those lessons, receiving peer and instructor feedback, and adjusting lesson plans and teaching approaches based on that feedback. This process is critical to the course and preparing teachers for the field.

Course Location

Our headquarters are in San Ramón. San Ramón is a quaint city set in the lush and mountainous central valley of Costa Rica. Known as the city of presidents and poets, San Ramón has a significant history with many influential people hailing from here.

San Ramón is a medium sized town with a quaint, local feel, surrounded by lush hills and mountains. It borders the central valley, northwest of the capital city San José.

This region is known for agriculture and produces coffee, sugar cane, and vegetables. It is also known to have one of the best climates on earth, with average temperatures in the upper 70s.

Course Components

  • Information and discussion about Costa Rican culture, history, politics, and society to provide exposure and help students navigate their new environment
  • Significant instruction in Spanish language
  • Strong grounding in the history and theory of teaching English as a foreign/second
    language. This is taught in a way that emphasizes application of theory to enhance
    success in the classroom
  • Significant practical training in teaching listening, reading, speaking and writing in the
    classroom, including extensive lesson planning, presentation, and feedback from
    peers and instructors
  • Tons of tips, tricks and examples of how to teach English to every age group
  • Advice and guidance for effective classroom management
  • Teacher practicum in a local charity school and/or language center.
  • Significant focus of teaching adults as most placements entail teaching adults English

Detailed Course Overview

Week One – Orientation

The first week of the course is an amazing, interactive, orientation on Costa Rican culture and language, as well as an opportunity to bond with other teachers-in-training and staff members.

The program is taught by area experts, and includes several exciting and informative cultural excursions.

Week Two

The second week of the course is a deeper exploration of theory in the discipline of English as a second language and how to teach grammar.

Students learn about the structure and key elements of a lesson plan. Every lesson requires a detailed lesson plan that lays out the procedures of the class, and encourages teachers to consider the challenges, technology resources, and other factors that can impact a successful lesson in the classroom.

During week two, students will also learn how to teach speaking and grammar. Grammar can be challenging to teach. One of the reasons for this is that it has been a long time since native English speakers have reviewed grammar rules, so we provide students with a bit of a refresher. The major assignments for week two are to create a lesson plan for teaching grammar and to present a full lesson just as a teacher would in a classroom.

Week Three

The third week of the course focuses on how to teach reading and listening.

The major assignments for this week are to create lesson plans for teaching reading and present full lessons just as a teacher would in the classroom. During this week participants will learn more about teaching young learners and practice planning lessons for kindergarten students.

Additionally, our participants will learn about curriculum development for long term learning goals for their students.

Week Four

The final week the class is dedicated to classroom management and preparing for and conducting the teacher practicum in a local language school.

While classroom management may be the final topic covered, it is in fact extremely important, especially in cross-cultural contexts. Classroom management is about setting ground rules, apply them consistently, getting to know your students, and earning and maintaining their respect and commitment.

Students spend several days preparing their lessons for the Teacher practicum.

During the final week there will also be an in-class final exam.

International Accreditation

Our internationally accredited TESOL course is accepted by employers around the world and is accredited by Accreditat. Accreditat is registered under the UKRLP (UK Register of Learning Providers), Number 10065351. Registration on the UKRLP means they have been verified against a recognised legal source.

Graduates of our internationally accredited 120-hour TESOL course have used their TESOL certificate to successfully find employment in ESL teaching and education fields in nearly every Western, native-English speaking country, as well as across Europe, Asia, South America, and beyond.

You’ll get an internationally accredited TESOL certificate and recommendation letter at the end of your TESOL course.

You’ll get an internationally accredited TESOL certificate and recommendation letter at the end of your TESOL course.

Accommodation

Accommodation during the TEFL/TESOL Course

Your accommodation for your TEFL/TESOL course is all pre-booked and sorted for you before you arrive in San Ramón.

Accommodation is shared occupancy with an en-suite bathroom and fans. Those wanting more privacy can request and pay for a private room. This will need to be pre-approved and will depend on availability.

We provide airport pickups to all participants arriving within the designated time frame prior to the start of the course. Participants will arrive by flying into the main airport in San Jose (SJO). They will then be driven 45 minutes to San Ramón and check in to the Hostel.

Participants are asked to arrive on the Sunday before their course starts between 8am and 6pm. Those arriving earlier should arrange to stay in a hostel near the airport if they would like to use the airport pickup on Sunday.

Accommodation is clean and simple and perfect for your first month during your TEFL/TESOL course.

Air con is not needed in San Ramón as the temperature is no more than 78 degrees all year around with a nice breeze. There are also some common areas for study and relaxation as well as a kitchen.

There is a large, spacious living room area that is reserved for course participants.

There is a kitchen area where participants can prepare meals. Participants typically cook their own meals. There are minimarts with supplies a few minutes walk from the hostel and a large supermarket a ten minute walk from the hostel. There is also a local cafe next to the hostel that opens early. This is a popular spot for an affordable breakfast and lunch for those that prefer not to cook.

The accommodation is located a 15 minute walk from the town centre and a ten minute walk to a beautiful viewpoint where participants can enjoy the sunset and see the whole city.

Classroom Space

The classroom is located downstairs in the same building as the participant accommodation. It is separated from the participant living area and rooms.

This means no traveling to class and participants can enjoy the convenience of having their rooms and kitchen facilities available nearby for breaks, but enough separation from their work space!

 

Accommodation after the TEFL/TESOL Course

Teachers are responsible for their own accommodation after the course, but we will provide advice on finding housing, and schools often assist as well.

There are many different accommodation types and locations where teachers could be based. The decisions teachers make on where to live next will be down to personal choice. We will guide each step of the way and assist teachers in navigating accommodation arrangements once they know what you are looking for.

  • Step 1: Teachers will look for accommodations based on their budget, preferred/necessary location, and any other factors.
  • Step 2: Teachers can ask us for advice / support in negotiation, language barriers or considering options.

Where To Live

After teachers have their placement confirmed they can start considering where to live. This will primarily depend on their placement and where they need to be located.

Academy and International School Positions

If teachers are working for a local academy and teaching in person, it will be best to find an accommodation nearby so they can easily get to classes each day. Academies will be able to guide on which neighborhoods they recommend. Some academies are able to recommend homestays.

Online Positions

If teachers are working online remotely, then they have many options available. Working online provides a great opportunity to be location independent, allowing for opportunities to travel.

Teachers may choose to sign a six month lease on an apartment.

Alternatively, they can look into shorter term rentals so you can see several different areas of Costa Rica.

With tourism affected by the pandemic, there are many accommodations that are not being used and there are good deals to be found.

We will guide participants on how to narrow down options.

How much will rent cost?

  • Teachers will be given guidance on accommodation options in areas accessible to their school.
  • There will be resources available (both from us and from the partner school) to find accommodation in the area (other teachers, staff at the center, list of common accommodations).
  • Accommodation is typically $300 – $500 per month USD. The cheapest option would be a homestay, the most common option is a houseshare or renting a studio apartment.
  • Accommodation is generally considerably cheaper in small and medium sized towns in the central region than in San Jose or beach towns.
  • Homestays are available locally in the San Ramón area for those looking for a low cost cultural experience. This is a low cost way for a new teacher to find suitable housing and immerse themselves in the culture. Homestays are commonly around $100 USD per week with 2 meals a day included.

Couples or friends traveling together

For couples or friends traveling together we will work to find a placement option that will work for them staying together. If two in-person placements close to each other aren’t available then we would endeavour to place either both or one person in an online role. That way they can work remotely and choose where to live so they can stay together even if their friend/partner has a fixed location at a local academy.

We’re here to help you through the whole process and will provide help, guidance, information and assistance finding your ideal accommodation during your teach abroad experience.

Dates

  • One of the huge advantages of taking the TEFL/TESOL course in Costa Rica is that the course itself prepares people thoroughly for teaching in a Costa Rican environemnt and gives you first-hand experience teachin adults during the practical portion of the course.
  • The course begins on Monday morning, we typically have a welcome meeting on the Sunday afternoon before the intake. We would want all participants to be in country by Sunday afternoon before their course starts.
  • Placement-only candidates will join one of the dates outlined below for their orientation before heading to their placements.

2024

19 August 2024CLOSED & FULLApply
25 November 2024
FULLApply

2025

27 January 2025FULL
17 March 2025TESOL: 5 Spaces available

Placement program: 1 spot left
Apply
14 July 2025Spaces availableApply
18 August 2025Spaces availableApply
24 November 2025Spaces availableApply

Budgets

Our support team will walk you through everything prior to you departing to ensure you have exactly what you need by when you need to have it.
    • Costa Rica is generally affordable to travel to, so you should be able to manage on
      a relatively low budget if necessary.
    • This section outlines program costs that you should be prepared for.
    • Although Costa Rica may appear inexpensive, costs add up and it can be easy to overspend.
    • This guide is to provide you with an approximate budget for your initial few months.
    • These values will vary depending on your personal budget and spending habits.
IN-CLASS TEFL/TESOL COURSE & PLACEMENT PROGRAM

We strongly suggest that you bring no less than $2800 USD with you when you
arrive in Costa Rica, or have access to it via ATM, to buffer any unforeseen costs before your first paycheck.

PLACEMENT ONLY & SUPPORT PROGRAM

If you are only completing the cultural orientation week before heading to your placement, we strongly suggest you bring no less than $2,000 USD with you when you arrive in Costa Rica, or have access via ATM, to buffer any unforeseen costs before your first paycheck.

Currency Converter

Change to your currency. Default prices in US Dollar (USD). Please take note that the amount reflected above is based on the current exchange rate and may fluctuate due to exchange rate volatility on the day of being invoiced.

Pre-departure costs

Flights

Flight prices vary depending on where you travel from and when you book. This budget range is for return flights to and from Costa Rica. Prices can occasionally exceed this range. We recommend booking 2-3 months in advance or more for the best rates.

$150 - $2000

Insurance

Travel insurance prices can vary on things like provider, your age, country of origin and duration of your stay. This range is for TravelBud's recommended policies based on stays of 6 months or 1 year. Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for all TravelBud programs

$250 - $800

Documentation

Applying for background check

$30 - $70


* Country dependent

Documentation

Apostilled birth certificate

$50 - $70


* Country dependent

Documentation

Apostille on background check

$20 - $50


* Country dependent

Documentation

Vaccinations

$0 - $500


* Country dependent

TOTAL

$500 - $3490


* country dependent
In Country TEFL Course, Placement & Support - 1 month in San Ramon

Accommodation Rent & Deposit & Early Arrival

It costs $200 USD for a shared room. If you would like to have your own room for the course, it will cost $400
USD for the month and is based on availability and first come, first
serve.

Rent will start from the Sunday night prior to your course start.

If you arrive earlier, you will need to cover the cost of the additional nights.

Rent: $200



Deposit: $100

English School Practical Supplies

As you will learn on the course, having colorful, creative, engaging materials for teaching enhances the experience for your students. During the teaching practical, you will need to make flashcards, props, and possibly some worksheets.

Most teachers spend about 4,500 – 9,200 CRC (8 - 16 USD) on their practical teaching supplies for flashcards, worksheets, activities, and games. You will be able to use these materials once you start teaching at your placement as well.

We do provide access to stationary (sticky tack, stapler, tape, scissors, and whiteboard markers) throughout the course to help you plan your homework and class presentations.

$8 - $16

Startup items (toiletries, phone, miscellaneous)

In Costa Rica, you can find all toiletries like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc. at many convenience stores. We will provide you with a SIM card for your phone but you will need to top it up yourself.

$50 - $70

Daily Expenses (Food, laundry, transportation in Costa Rica)

One of the best ways to budget your cash while living in Costa Rica is eating the local Costa Rican food.

A local meal in Costa Rica is about 2,300 – 4,000 CRC (4 – 7 USD) per dish. There are restaurants that sell western style food but it is substantially more expensive. Western meals like hamburgers, pizza, etc. range from 2,900 – 6,300 CRC (5 - 11 USD) and up for a single meal.

There is laundry service available to use at the hostel.

You will not need to use public transportation often as many local conveniences are within walking distance. Local bus journeys are typically less than 3 USD.

Taxi rides are usually below $10 unless covering a significant distance.

$400 - $600

Optional Expenses (Nightlife, weekend trips, shopping)

One of the best ways to budget your cash while living in Costa Rica is by eating the local Costa Rican food. A local meal in Costa Rica is about 2,300 – 4,000 CRC (4 – 7 USD) per dish. There are restaurants that sell Western-style food but it is substantially more expensive. Western meals like hamburgers, pizza, etc. range from 2,900 – 6,300 CRC (5 - 11 USD) and up for a single meal.

There is a laundry service available to use at the hostel. You will not need to use public transportation often as many local conveniences are within walking distance.

Local bus journeys are typically less than 3 USD. Taxi rides are usually below $10 unless covering a significant distance.

$100 - $300

TOTAL

$858 - $1286

Important

On average those participating in the In-class TEFL/TESOL course, Placement and Support program will be placed within the first 6 weeks in San Ramon, however, on occasion, the placement process can take longer. Therefore, it is important to be prepared and budget for a couple of weeks post- course in San Ramon before heading to your placement.

Placement & Support - Orientation week in San Ramon, Costa Rica

Accommodation Rent & Deposit & Early Arrival

It costs $200 USD for a shared room. If you would like to have your own room for the course, it will cost $400
USD for the month and is based on availability and first come, first
serve.

Rent will start from the Sunday night prior to your course start.

If you arrive earlier, you will need to cover the cost of the additional nights.

Rent: $200



Deposit: $100

English School Practical Supplies

As you will learn on the course, having colorful, creative, engaging materials for teaching enhances the experience for your students. During the teaching practical, you will need to make flashcards, props, and possibly some worksheets.

Most teachers spend about 4,500 – 9,200 CRC (8 - 16 USD) on their practical teaching supplies for flashcards, worksheets, activities, and games. You will be able to use these materials once you start teaching at your placement as well.

We do provide access to stationary (sticky tack, stapler, tape, scissors, and whiteboard markers) throughout the course to help you plan your homework and class presentations.

$8 - $16

Startup items (toiletries, phone, miscellaneous)

In Costa Rica, you can find all toiletries like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc. at many convenience stores. We will provide you with a SIM card for your phone but you will need to top it up yourself.

$50 - $70

Daily Expenses (Food, laundry, transportation in Costa Rica)

One of the best ways to budget your cash while living in Costa Rica is eating the local Costa Rican food.

A local meal in Costa Rica is about 2,300 – 4,000 CRC (4 – 7 USD) per dish. There are restaurants that sell western style food but it is substantially more expensive. Western meals like hamburgers, pizza, etc. range from 2,900 – 6,300 CRC (5 - 11 USD) and up for a single meal.

There is laundry service available to use at the hostel.

You will not need to use public transportation often as many local conveniences are within walking distance. Local bus journeys are typically less than 3 USD.

Taxi rides are usually below $10 unless covering a significant distance.

$400 - $600

Optional Expenses (Nightlife, weekend trips, shopping)

One of the best ways to budget your cash while living in Costa Rica is by eating the local Costa Rican food. A local meal in Costa Rica is about 2,300 – 4,000 CRC (4 – 7 USD) per dish. There are restaurants that sell Western-style food but it is substantially more expensive. Western meals like hamburgers, pizza, etc. range from 2,900 – 6,300 CRC (5 - 11 USD) and up for a single meal.

There is a laundry service available to use at the hostel. You will not need to use public transportation often as many local conveniences are within walking distance.

Local bus journeys are typically less than 3 USD. Taxi rides are usually below $10 unless covering a significant distance.

$100 - $300

TOTAL

$858 - $1286

Important

On average those participating in the Placement and Support program will be placed within the first week after orientation, however, on occasion, the placement process can take an extra week longer. Therefore, it is important to be prepared and budget for a couple of weeks in San Ramon before heading to your placement.

1st month teaching post orientation week and TEFL course

Transportation to Your Placement & Visa run

At the end of the course, the placement team will advise you on the best way to get to your placement.

They will assist you in purchasing the correct bus ticket.

The bus system in Costa Rica is the most common (and cheapest) form of transport. Most people will take a bus to their placement.

Most schools will ask you to do a visa run shortly before your 90 days are up. Most of the time you will need to pay for your own transportation for the visa run.

$0 - $30

Accommodation

When you get to your placement, you will need to pay rent and one month’s deposit.

Depending on your location, the rent will cost anywhere from $350 – $700 per month.

Typically, the deposit is equal to one month's rent, so please expect that in some cases, you may need to pay double.

$350 - $1200


* Includes deposit

Daily Expenses (Food, laundry, transportation around town)

$400 - $600

Work Visa costs
& Visa Run

Most schools will require a visa fee to be paid for the work permit processing. Some schools will ask you to do a visa run shortly before your 180 days are up. Most of the time you will need to pay for your own transportation for the visa run. You will usually be asked to contribute to either the work visa or a visa run. In rare circumstances schools might ask you to pay more for visa costs upfront but will likely reimburse you at the end of the contract.

$0 - $400

TOTAL

$750 - $2230

Budget Totals

Pre-Departure


Flights, insurance, documentation
(Notarization and Apostille)

$500 - $3490


(country dependent)

In-class
TEFL/TESOL
course, Placement
& Support Program


1 month in San Ramon while completing the
in-class TEFL/TESOL course.

$858 - $1286

Placement Only &
Support Program


Budget for orientation week and
approximately 2 weeks while placement is
being secured, before heading to your
school.

$550 - $770

First Month at Placement

$750 - $2230

Pre-departure Total

$500 - $3490

In-Class TEFL/TESOL,Placement &
Support Program Total


- First month of course
+ first month at placement

$1608 - $3516

Placement Only & Support ProgramTotal


- Orientation week + first month at
placement

$1300 - $3000

  • The amounts shown above are estimated for someone who has frugal spending
    habits. We highly recommend that you bring no less than $2800 for your
    program start. This will provide an additional $800 USD cushion.

We realise that moving abroad to teach English in Costa Rica is expensive at first, but remember that with TravelBud your teaching job is guaranteed.

  • You can focus on enjoying your new lifestyle knowing your monthly income of $1000 – $1800 USD is secured.
  • Once you start earning a salary, your living costs will be comfortably covered and you’ll start to learn how to cut down on your monthly expenses (for example, eating out less and finding the most affordable grocery store in your placement town).
  • You will be able to enjoy your time teaching and travelling in Costa Rica!

Fees

The following costs make up the program fee and are payable to TravelBud before you head over to Teach English in Costa Rica.

Currency Converter

Change to your currency. Default prices in US Dollar (USD). Please take note that the amount reflected above is based on the current exchange rate and may fluctuate due to exchange rate volatility on the day of being invoiced.

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Option 1

In-Class TEFL & Placement

Option 2

Placement Only

Enrollment Deposit


$599


$599

  • This fee is payable upfront and secures your spot in a program that has limited availability per course and gets the comprehensive support process started.
Comprehensive pre-departure support and guidance
  • You’ll be introduced to the support team and your dedicated Support Coordinator will reach out with your next steps.
  • You’ll be provided comprehensive information relating to each step in the pre-departure process and you’ll have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you like!
  • Our support team help you get the necessary documentation prepared prior to departure.
  • We’ll assist you with all planning, packing, visas, costs, budgets and booking flights.
Personalised one-on-one Support
  • Your dedicated support coordinator will guide you through everything you need to make your teach abroad experience successful and provide personalised, one-on-one support and guidance.
Visa Guidance
  • We make sure that the visa you initially apply for is the best and easiest option available for you as an individual.
  • All documents required before applying for your visa is explained and we even help you prepare the documents needed to apply for a work permit once you are in-country and have been placed.
  • Our support team will hold your hand through the initial visa application, explain visa runs, applying for a new visa once in-country and obtaining a work permit once you’ve been placed.
Your questions answered
  • You'll get to ask questions no matter how silly and arrange calls directly with our support team.
  • We’ll ease any anxieties you may have and share the positive and life-changing adventures of the teach abroad experience.

Online TEFL Fee

Not applicable.

Final Program Fee, Guaranteed Job Placement and 24/7 Support

Final Program Fee

$2200



$1400


Due 12 weeks prior to your selected intake date.
Guaranteed Job Placement
  • We guarantee you a teaching job in carefully vetted and trusted schools where every effort is made to match placement preferences.
  • We'll explain all the job details, working hours, taxes, responsibilities and more.
  • You can focus on enjoying your new lifestyle and planning your adventures knowing your monthly income is secured.
24/7 In-country support
  • You can rest assured knowing that any queries will be answered such as translation help, culture shock, legalities, emergencies, travel options or school queries. Someone is on hand.
  • Ex-foreign teachers and local, on-the-ground support staff provide you with personal assistance throughout the duration of your teaching experience.
  • Teacher meet-ups.
  • We check in with you regularly and keep up to date with your teach abroad experience.
Lifetime Teaching Placement Guarantee
  • Once you’ve completed your contract, we can guarantee you a position at another partner school throughout Asia for which you are eligible, at no additional charge to you.
TEFL/TESOL Course
(4 weeks in-country)
Internationally Accreditated Certification
  • You will graduate with an Internationally Accredited TEFL/TESOL certificate that never expires and can be used to teach all over the world.
  • Graduates of our internationally accredited courses have used their TEFL/TESOL certificate to successfully find employment in ESL teaching and education fields in nearly every Western, native-English speaking country, as well as across Europe, Asia, South & Central America, and beyond.
Practical Teacher Training in-class
  • The course provides at least 16 hours of teaching practice whereby students are placed in a classroom as teachers, under instructor supervision and assessment, during the course. This typically happens several times during the course.
  • The process entails, preparing lesson plans for classrooms of different ages and skill levels, delivering those lessons, receiving peer and instructor feedback, and adjusting lesson plans and teaching approaches based on that feedback.
  • This process is critical to honing your craft and ensuring confidence before you begin teaching professionally.
Airport pickup and transfer
Subject to correct arrival times
  • We'll provide airport pickup to ensure a stress-free arrival.
  • We’ll introduce you to your 24/7 support team on the ground.
  • We’ll take you to your pre-arranged accommodation.
Airport Assistance
Info & guidance on trains/taxis/buses and routes
Not applicable.
SIM Card Included
  • A SIM card is provided for you.
SIM Card guidance
  • We'll aid in setting up a SIM card for connecting with loved ones and new friends during your experience abroad.
Local bank account guidance
  • We provide guidance setting up a local bank account so you can save money on international withdrawal fees. Your salary is paid into your local bank account.
Shared Accommodation
(1st month in-country)

(1st week in-country)
  • Your accommodation is all pre-booked and sorted for you before you arrive.
Cultural Orientation including excursions
(1 week)

(1 week)

In-class TEFL participants experience:

  • A 1-week cultural orientation that lays the groundwork for your South Korea experience, fostering bonds with your fellow teachers and staff.
  • Learn foundational Korean language
  • Cultural and History lessons
  • Cultural Excursions, including Gyeongbok Palace Tour, Korean War Memorial tour, Korean Cooking Classes, Taekwondo Martial Arts class and a K-POP Dance Class.

Online TEFL & Placement Only participants experience:

  • Cultural Weekends: Join fellow teachers for a Korean cultural program through selected weekends, including group activities and excursions in Seoul.
  • Possible activities encompass a welcome dinner, Gyeongbok Palace Tour, guided cultural walks, traditional hanbok wearing, tea tasting, and more.
Lesson Plan templates and resource directories
  • Access to Lesson Plan Templates and resource directories to help you create fun and engaging lessons.
Support Network
  • In addition to the 24/7 In-Country Support we provide, you'll also have a suport network of fellow teachers.
  • Meet other like-minded individuals who are experiencing the same pleasures and challenges you are.
  • Only they understand what you’re also going through in a way that friends at home would never.
  • Many of our teachers visit the friends they make during the cultural orientation and TEFL Course.
  • This becomes a valuable network and community for you as you’re able to visit your friends in different parts of Korea and fully experience all that the country has to offer.
Self-development and advantageous future employability
  • Learning independence.
  • Learning how you react to different situations.
  • Learning how to master and grow your confidence in public speaking.
  • Learning how to overcome obstacles.
  • Learning about yourself through your own personal self discovery.
  • Learning how to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself.

Total Fee


120 Hour In-Class TEFL

$2799


Placement Only

$1999


Default prices in US Dollar (USD).

Please take note that currency converted pricing is based on the current exchange rate and may fluctuate due to exchange rate volatility on the day of being invoiced.

Free Enrollment Consultation
Free Enrolment Consultation

Apply now and we’ll call you back, explain the program and answer all your questions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ

How much does it pay to teach English in Costa Rica?

You’ll earn around $800 – $1800 USD* (30,000 to 45,000 Thai baht) per month.
* May fluctuate due to exchange rate volatility.

Safety

Moving to another country to live and work is a big step and we realise that safety can be a concern.

What do TravelBud staff and teachers say about safety in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica has a low crime rate and plenty of infrastructure to support foreigners. In fact, Costa Rica is ranked the safest country in Central America to live and travel in.

How are the authorities?

There is no military in Costa Rica and law enforcement is carried out by national police. The police are generally very helpful towards foreigners. Drug-related offences are taken very seriously by Costa Rican police, due to the high incidence of drug trafficking in Latin America.

24/7 On-the-ground Support

Our on-the-ground support staff provide you with personal assistance throughout the duration of your teaching experience.

You can rest assured knowing that any queries will be answered such as emergencies, travel options, translation help, culture shock, legalities, or school queries.

Someone is on hand.

Is English spoken in Costa Rica?

Basic English is quite widely spoken, but not everyone you meet will speak English. But with the help of English language education provided by you and other teachers, the English literacy rate is consistently improving.

Do you need a degree to teach English in Costa Rica?

In most cases you will need a bachelor’s degree to teach English in Costa Rica. A degree IS NOT required for USA and Canada applicants.

If you are a non-degree holder please see our Teach English in Cambodia and Teach English in Myanmar programs.

How many days off do I get? When are the Costa Rican school holidays?

You’ll get at least 8 official national holidays (if they fall on work days) and you can generally request vacation leave as well, depending on your contract. It will also depend on your contract whether vacation days are paid or unpaid.

As the majority of teaching placements available in Costa Rica are at private language schools which operate year-round, you won’t receive school holidays.

Can participants choose part or full time?

Our Placements are for 6 months or 1 year and can be renewed if you’d like to stay and continue to teach English in Costa Rica for longer.

When is peak hiring time for English teachers in Costa Rica?

Peak hiring time for English teachers in Costa Rica is in December and June. That being said, we have an extensive school network and can facilitate placements throughout the year in Costa Rica.

What is the main religion in Costa Rica?

The dominant religion in Costa Rica is Christianity, mostly Catholicism.

Are teachers in high demand in Costa Rica? Why?

Yes, teachers are in high demand in Costa Rica. The Costa Rican government places great emphasis on education and Costa Rican people are highly motivated to learn English because of the employment opportunities it can unlock for them. English language education also unlocks a lot of growth opportunities for the country’s economy as a whole.

Do students have to learn English in Costa Rica?

English is not offered as a school subject in all government schools in Costa Rica. Although literacy rates are high, resources are limited and as a result most schools don’t yet have the facilities to offer English education.

Many young adults however choose to learn English at language centers after their school years, who will most likely be the students you will teach.

Do schools in Costa Rica accept Online TEFL/TESOL certificates?

Online TEFL/TESOL certificates are not generally accepted in Costa Rica.

There are limited exceptions to this and we consider those on a case-by-case basis.

We offer an internationally accredited in-country TEFL/TESOL course that thoroughly prepares students for teaching English in Costa Rica.

Refer to the TEFL/TESOL Accreditation section for more information.

How long does it take to get TEFL/TESOL Certified in Costa Rica?

It takes approximately 4 weeks to complete our TEFL/TESOL course in Costa Rica. This includes our one-week cultural immersion course part, 16 hours of observed practical teaching in a local school (Please note: Due to COVID-19, this practical may be subject to change and is most likely to take place online.), and a guaranteed job placement at one of our strictly vetted schools at the end of the course.

What are the benefits of completing the 120-hour In-class TEFL/TESOL Course?

TravelBud’s in-class TEFL certification course in Costa Rica is customized to ensure that our TEFL graduates are as prepared as possible for both the classroom environment they will be teaching in as well as the cultural environment they will be living in.

Through multiple in-depth lessons led by experts in the field on Costa Rican culture, history, and politics, 6 hours of Spanish language lessons, and cultural excursions and activities, there is no other TEFL/TESOL course geared to helping you immerse responsibly in Costa Rican culture and society better than TravelBud’s TEFL certification in Costa Rica. You can expect to visit a traditional local coffee plantation, historical museums, enjoy a welcome dinner, an authentic cooking class, and more.

You will also receive the benefit of practical in-person training which includes 16 hours of real-life teaching practice in a local Costa Rican school, after which you will receive invaluable feedback from your instructor before heading off to your placement.

Not only will you gain a strong foundation on Costa Rican culture but you will make life-long friends with people from all walks of life who are embarking on the same adventure as you.

I have already completed a TEFL/TESOL course elsewhere. Do I still need to complete TravelBud’s course in Costa Rica?

This may be possible for degree holders. With many courses out there not being accredited and providing the necessary training, our placement team will first need to review your certificate before accepting you for our Placement Only option.

Can you guarantee me a job once the TEFL/TESOL Course course has ended?

Granted we have confirmed that you are eligible to teach English in Costa Rica after reviewing your application, meet the other minimal requirements, and you pass the in-class TEFL/TESOL course, we can 100% guarantee you a job placement at one of our vetted school partners at the end of our TEFL course.

Do schools pay you a fee/portion of my salary?

No, TravelBud and our partners DO NOT receive a portion of the teacher’s monthly salary.

Can my friend or partner come with me to Teach English in Costa Rica?

Yes! We provide friends and couples with placements in the same areas and sometimes even at the same schools.

What are traveling costs like in Costa Rica?

It is possible to travel affordably in Costa Rica, but it depends how you want to do it. Budget travelling, using public transport, will take longer but save you money. Taxis will be more expensive.

Because it is a popular tourist destination with a large expat community, travel costs are rising, but if you budget effectively, you can still travel around at relatively low cost. Our in-country and pre-departure support teams will give you the best advice possible to help you budget carefully.

How safe is it in Costa Rica?

It is relatively safe with petty theft being reported at times. Like anywhere else it is recommended that you remain alert of your belongings. Costa Rica is one of the safest countries in Latin America.

What about Medical services and insurance?

Medical services are efficient in Costa Rica. If you need medical attention, you can go to either a public or private medical facility.

What does the average meal cost?

A local meal will cost $3 – $8 (USD) whereas international food catered for tourists will cost $10 – $20. Depending on your preference and budget, you can eat quite cheaply.

Where am I going to stay and how much will the accommodation cost me?

You will be guided towards the best accommodation options for you.

Homestays will be cheaper – in the region of $100 per week, with meals often included.  If you want to share an apartment with a fellow teacher, you will probably be paying $200 – $300 each per month. It’s most common for English teachers in Costa Rica to live in a shared apartment.

Our 24/7 in-country support team will be on hand to assist you with finding the best accommodation for you.

Is airport pick-up provided?

Yes, airport pick-up is provided as long as you land within 4 days prior to the start of your TEFL/TESOL course intake.

What are the age groups you will be teaching?

Most of our placements are at language centers teaching young adults.

After the contract can you still travel in the country or do you need to leave immediately?

You can stay as long as you like as you maintain a legal Visa status. You might need to leave the country soon after your contract ends and come back in on a tourist visa if you’d like to travel.

What is the possibility of acquiring a second job to make more money?

It is possible, although this depends on your job placement. If you are motivated to pick up extra work, this can probably be arranged through your language center.

What are the authorities like?

The authorities are genuinely helpful and professional. They should be treated with respect as in your own home country.

What is phone and Internet connectivity like in Costa Rica?

WiFi is very good in Costa Rica, so you will be able to use your devices as in your home country.

What if you are unhappy in a job? Can you get a new one?

Yes, but we don’t often find this to be a problem. If the teacher really dislikes their job and they have a good reason, we can move them to an alternative placement within our vetted school network. This however can take time.

What is the dress code for teaching English in Costa Rica?

Smart-casual. Typically collar shirts for men and semi-conservative dress for women. As a teacher, you need to appear professional at all times. For women, skirts and dresses are most commonly worn. And remember, there are mosquitos in Costa Rica so wearing long pants and sleeves can be desirable, even in the heat.

Must the teachers have CV’s or Resumes?

Yes, it is vital for the job placement process for people wanting to teach English in Costa Rica to submit an updated version of their resume or CV during TravelBud’s pre-enrollment application process.

Our placement team will work with you to format your CV/resume according to what the schools are looking for to increase your chances for obtaining a sought after placement.

Packing essentials? Sleeping bag, towels?

All our participants are provided with a detailed packing list before departing for Costa Rica. You can get all the essentials in the country, but it is not necessarily cheaper than back home, so it’s best to bring all your basics which we will guide you through.

Any serious laws that are very strict on in Costa Rica?

Drug possession and trafficking is taken very seriously in Costa Rica and in the rest of Central and South America.

What is the level of English and general behaviour of students?

This will vary. Literacy levels are high, so you can expect students with a good basic English proficiency but everyone is different so not everyone will be a quick learner.

Do your colleagues speak English?

You will be teaching with other first language English speakers at the language centers, most of which will come from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Will you work with any special needs children?

No.

What are the chances of teaching English in neighbouring countries?

TravelBud does not offer any other teaching programs in South America at the moment, but  we offer teaching programs in Myanmar, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan and Thailand.

And with our free Lifetime Placement Guarantee, you can opt to teach in any of these countries through TravelBud absolutely free of charge, once you’ve successfully completed your contract in Costa Rica and provided you meet the requirements of the program.

Are all paperwork and books supplied by the school?

Yes, most of the time. You will also have access to a database of lesson plans, printable graphics, class warmers and flash cards.

What happens if you lose your job? Can you get a new one?

If you are fired, TravelBud and our partners will no longer help with job placement. It’s important that you meet the performance requirements and contractual obligations of your school employer.

Can you drink tap water?

Yes you can, although it is not always recommended in rural parts of the country. You will advised about this during your first week on the program and the locals are always a great source of information.

I am so glad I found this program!

TravelBud helped guide me through the process and matched me with the program I did once I arrived to Costa Rica. I always felt like I had someone in my corner who was looking out for me. They are responsive, helpful and genuinely wanted to help make my transition and time in Costa Rica the best it could be!

Cassidy

United States, Apr 21, 2022

A life changing experience

The transition into living overseas was smooth, organized, and supported every step of the way. I am a solo traveler, but being a part of this program gave me a sense of community from the very beginning of my journey. I now have a job that allows me to travel internationally, and nothing is more exhilarating than the sense of freedom you receive from that.

Calan

United States, Dec 12, 2021

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