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Teach English in Costa Rica

Teach English in Costa Rica and discover the pura vida lifestyle. Our Costa Rica TEFL program includes an internationally accredited TEFL course in Costa Rica, cultural orientation, and guaranteed job placement at vetted schools. Whether you want to explore vibrant cities like San José or teach in smaller communities, you'll earn a sustainable teaching salary in Costa Rica while immersing yourself in one of the most biodiverse countries on earth.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐   4.75 (8 reviews)

 

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Dates & Salary

Teach English in Costa Rica!

Costa Rica is a peaceful, eco-loving gem tucked between the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. With friendly locals, incredible biodiversity, and a focus on wellbeing, it's no wonder Costa Rica consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world. You’ll be immersed in a culture that values sustainability, connection, and community.

Teaching here means meaningful work, stunning weekend getaways, and the chance to live in a place where people genuinely enjoy life.

Costa Rica Info Map

What to Expect

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Climate

Tropical climate with two main seasons: dry (Dec–Apr) and rainy (May–Nov). Coastal regions are warm year-round while mountain towns are cooler.

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Language

Spanish is the official language, but many Costa Ricans (especially students and younger people) speak some English.

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Location

Located in Central America between Nicaragua and Panama. A short flight from the U.S. and home to everything from cloud forests to surf beaches.

Why Teach English in Costa Rica?

Teaching in Costa Rica offers a blend of adventure, stability, and purpose. It’s one of the top destinations in Central America to teach abroad, thanks to its peaceful lifestyle, beautiful landscapes, and friendly locals. With a monthly salary of $900–$1,500 USD, teachers can live comfortably, travel frequently, and gain meaningful classroom experience. This teach abroad program in Costa Rica provides all the tools you need to grow professionally and personally.

Salary

Earn between $900 – $1,500 USD per month—enough to live comfortably in many regions of Costa Rica.

Application Deadlines & Dates
TEACH IN COSTA RICA DEADLINE TO APPLY (12 WEEKS PRIOR)
Monday 19 January 2026 Monday, October 27, 2025
Monday 2 March 2026 Monday, December 08, 2025
Monday 13 July 2026 Monday, April 20, 2026
Monday 17 August 2026 Monday, May 25, 2026
Monday 23 November 2026 Monday, August 31, 2026

School

Most teachers work in private language centers, public schools or bilingual schools in cities like San José or smaller towns/cities.

TravelBud’s Support for Teaching English in Costa Rica

This TEFL certification program with job placement is ideal for first-time teachers and travel lovers alike. You'll live and train in San Ramón, Costa Rica, where you'll complete your in-person TEFL course, receive housing, airport pickup, and join a supportive teacher network. We handle all logistics, from visa prep to job matching, so you can focus on your journey. Most graduates find ESL jobs in Costa Rica within days of completing training, with support available throughout your placement.

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Choosing Your Program

We help you select the perfect teaching destination and program.


You: Fill out your application.

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Guaranteed Job Placement

We secure your job placement at one of our partner schools.


You: Sign your contract.

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Visa & Paperwork Support

We guide you through the visa application and help with all required documents.


You: Submit your documents and pay fees.

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TEFL Course (if applicable)

We arrange your internationally recognized TEFL course.


You: Complete your TEFL course.

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Pre-Departure Support

We provide everything you need to prepare for your journey.


You: Pack your bags.

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Airport Pickup & Arrival Assistance

We’ll be there to meet you when you arrive at the airport.


You: Show up.

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Ongoing Support

We continue to support you while you’re abroad, from housing to emergencies.


You: Enjoy your experience and teach with confidence!

San Ramon Medium
TravelBud’s orientation and TEFL takes place in the beautiful town of San Ramon
Market Medium
Teachers explore local markets- Pura Vida!
Grafitti Medium
Local art makes for great photo ops!
Coffee Medium
Good coffee is a way of life in Costa Rica

5 Reasons to Teach English in Costa Rica with TravelBud

  1. You want to live in a peaceful, eco-conscious country with a strong sense of community.

  1. You're passionate about education and want to make a real difference.

  1. You’re looking for a Spanish-speaking destination with good infrastructure.

  1. You want both adventure and stability.

  1. You value work-life balance and slow living.

How to Start Teaching English in Costa Rica

We know the idea of teaching abroad can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve broken it down into five simple steps so that you can skip the stress and head straight to the adventure.

1

Inquire & Find the right program for you

Click Get Started. Chat to one of our dynamic Enrollment Team members to figure out the right fit for you!

2

Complete the Application Process

Follow a few easy steps and submit your application form, a few basic teacher profile documents, and speak with our Enrollment Team for your consultation.

3

Officially Enroll with TravelBud

Once you're accepted onto the program, you can get officially enrolled. You'll settle your initial enrollment fee and be welcomed officially!

4

Pre-Departure Support

Our incredible, award-winning support team will guide you through all the steps you need before you leave your home country. They'll assist you with document collection, visa applications, and all the information you need to get ready for this epic journey!

5

Your Teach Abroad Journey Begins!

Our support and in-country teams will ensure that you are supported once you arrive in country. From airport pickups, cultural orientations, guaranteed job placement and ongoing in-country support- you're in the best hands to have a successful teach abroad journey!

Costa Rica TEFL Program Options

Not sure which program suits your needs? We’ve broken our pricing down so you can easily choose the one that aligns with your experience, time, and goals.

In-Class TEFL & Placement

$27990 120 Hour In-Class TEFL

What you get:

  • 120-hour in-class TEFL course with practical training
  • Guaranteed job placement & 24/7 in-country support
  • Shared accommodation (1st month) + airport pickup
  • Lifetime placement guarantee & cultural orientation
Get Started

Placement Only

$199916 /month

What You Get:

  • Guaranteed job placement
  • Pre-departure & in-country support
  • Cultural orientation weekend
  • Lifetime placement guarantee
Get Started

In-Class TEFL & Placement

Placement Only

Enrollment Fee
TEFL & Placement
$599 USD In-Class TEFL & Placement
$599 USD Placement
Payment Schedule
Due upon acceptance and you would like to officially enroll
Due upon acceptance and you would like to officially enroll
Explanation
The enrollment fee kickstarts your journey with TravelBud. You will start working with your assigned support coordinator for your pre-departure support, TEFL & Placement
The enrollment fee kickstarts your journey with TravelBud. You will start working with your assigned support coordinator for your pre-departure support
Inclusions
✔️ Pre-Departure support

✔️ Securing of your spot on the program

✔️ Securing your place on the in-class TEFL start date of your choice
✔️ Pre-Departure support

✔️ Securing of your spot on the program

✔️ Securing your place on the start date of your choice

Final Fees
TEFL & Placement
$2,200 USD In-Class TEFL & Placement
$1,400 USD
Payment Schedule
Due 12 weeks prior to your chosen start date (or as a lumpsum alongside your enrollment fee if the 12-week prior deadline has passed)
Due 12 weeks prior to your chosen start date (or as a lumpsum alongside your enrollment fee if the 12-week prior deadline has passed)
Inclusions
✔️ Internationally accredited 120 hour in-class TEFL course in San Ramon

✔️ Airport pick-up

✔️ Immersive Cultural orientation

✔️ Shared accommodation for 4 weeks in San Ramon

✔️ Guaranteed Job Placement

✔️ 24/7 in-country support

✔️ Lifetime Placement Guarantee on program Line A
✔️ Airport pick-up

✔️ Immersive Cultural orientation

✔️ Shared accommodation for your week of orientation

✔️ Guaranteed Job Placement

✔️ 24/7 in-country support

✔️ Lifetime Placement Guarantee on program Line A

Totals
$2,799 USD
$1,999 USD

Eligibility Requirements

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

Check Eligibility
But, what you do need is:

A passport from the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.

A Bachelor's degree in any field. Passport holders from the USA/ Canada without a Bachelor's degree can be considered. 
To be a Native English Speaker.

A 100% clear criminal record with no reflections, including arrests, charges, or convictions of any kind. 

To be in good mental and physical health.

Be between the ages of 21-40. Candidates older than 40 can be considered on a case-by-case basis.

No visible tattoos (such as on the face, neck and hands).

Let's Do This

Relevant Blog Posts

Top 10 Reasons to Teach English in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Americas. We’re counting down the top 10 reasons to teach English in Costa Rica, as we've just launched our newest Paid Teaching Program there!

Costa Rica

See Why 2,400+ Participants Chose Us

If you need more proof of why we’re the best at what we do, look no further than the thousands of people we’ve helped live, teach, and travel abroad. 

A New and Unfamiliar Beginning

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My name is Shannon, & I am here to share a little about why I am so proud and grateful for my teaching abroad experience in Costa Rica.

Firstly, the Travelbud team genuinely made my experience so much better with their encouragement, support, and enthusiasm. I was very nervous when I started, but they made sure I never felt alone. It's a crazy (and scary!!!) change to move away from home, but equally so rewarding and amazing. This experience is 1 of a kind and I wouldn't trade it for the world..

Continue reading >

Unforgettable Experience

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I can say with confidence that this has been the most rewarding and exciting experience I have had. TravelBud made the process of moving to a new country a hassle free experience. I was put into a TEFL program in Costa Rica where met lifelong friends and build a network in a new country. We had plenty of free time to explore and enjoy local activities. My time in the TEFL program was truly such a memorable and fun time and I will always remember it fondly. Going through TravelBud, I felt a peace of mind and overall excitement for the journey that was ahead. I highly recommend them :)

Great experience in a wonderful part of the world!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I didn't know what to expect when uprooting my life to move to Costa Rica and embarking on this training. I was so lucky to have such an amazing group of fellow teachers around me including an utterly sensational and supportive course leader, Carla, who always kept the course fun and light while also putting my skills and experience to use and giving me responsibilities in the classroom.

I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a new challenge. I came here to deliberately make life more challenging for myself, leave my cushy life back in England, and discover who I was deep down in this brave new world.

Already I can feel I have changed so much and, come what may, I will never regret the courage it took to boldly go into the unknown. The sentiment as to why I left and the opportunities this course has provided me can be summarised in a poem that is close to my heart:

'I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.'

All in all - 10/10 would highly recommend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions about teaching in Costa Rica? Here are some of the most common ones we hear from applicants.

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, Teach English in Myanmar or Teach English in Japan (Non-Degree Holder) programs.

Teachers in Costa Rica typically earn between $900 and $1,500 USD per month, depending on experience and location. While this isn’t a savings-heavy destination, it’s enough to cover your living expenses and enjoy the country’s relaxed lifestyle.
Yes! Costa Rica is known for its friendly locals, stunning natural beauty, and safe environment. It’s one of the most stable and progressive countries in Central America, making it a popular choice for first-time and seasoned teachers alike.
The program fee includes your TEFL certification, airport pickup, accommodation during training, orientation week, guaranteed job placement, and ongoing support from our local team. You’ll arrive confident and ready to teach.
No, Spanish fluency is not required. You’ll be teaching in English, and part of your 1 week cultural orientation includes learning basic foundational Spanish.
The program accepts applicants year-round, with training courses starting every month. It’s best to apply at least 3-4 months in advance so you have enough time to prepare, book flights, and complete pre-departure tasks.

Got more questions? Check out our Knowledge Base!