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Teach English in Costa Rica

Volcanoes, beaches, sloths, and the laid-back pura vida lifestyle. Ready for a teaching adventure like no other?

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐   5.00 (2 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 Map

What to Expect

34

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.

 

35

Language

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

 

36

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 in Costa Rica?

Discover a country that lives and breathes pura vida.

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 24 November 2025 Monday, September 01, 2025
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.

San Ramon Medium
TravelBud’s orientation and TESOL 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 opps!
Coffee Medium
Good coffee is a way of life in Costa Rica

Who Is This For?

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

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

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

4. You want both adventure and stability.

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

How It Works

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

Choose Your Program

Select your perfect destination and teaching program with our expert guidance.
2

Apply & get Placed

Submit your application, and we’ll secure your job placement before you go.
3

Complete Your TEFL (if applicable)

Take your internationally recognised TEFL course (we’ll take care of the details).
4

Visa & Paperwork Support

We guide you through the visa application process and ensure all your documents are in order.
5

Arrive & Teach

We’ll meet you at the airport and continue supporting you throughout your teaching adventure.

Which Program is Right for Me?

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 TESOL & Placement

$27990 120 Hour In-Class TEFL

What you get:

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

Placement Only

Enrollment Fee
TESOL/TEFL & Placement
$599 USD In-Clss TESOL & Placement
$599 USD Placement
Payment Schedule
Due upon acceptance and you would like to officially enrol
Due upon acceptance and you would like to officially enrol
Explanation
The enrolment fee kickstarts your journey with TravelBud. You will start working with your assigned support coordinator for your pre-departure support L/TESOL & Placement
The enrolment 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 in the in-class TESOL start date of your choice
✔️ Pre-Departure support

✔️ Securing of your spot on the program

✔️ Securing your place in the start date of your choice

Final Fees
TESOL/TEFL & Placement
$2200USD In-Person TESOL & Placement
$1400USD
Payment Schedule
Due 12 weeks prior to your chosen start date (or as a lumpsum alongside your enrolment fee if the 12-week prior deadline has passed)
Due 12 weeks prior to your chosen start date (or as a lumpsum alongside your enrolment fee if the 12-week prior deadline has passed)
Inclusions
✔️ Internationally accredited 120 hour in-class TESOL 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
$2799USD
$1899USD

Eligibility Requirements

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

But, what you do need is:

Let's Do This

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).

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..

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Honestly, it was terrifying to leave the comforts I had at home for an extremely different lifestyle and experience. My Spanish level was beginner, and I had no real introductions to the people in my program prior to leaving for my trip. I felt very alone, scared, and nervous to have to make new friends and potentially "embarrass" myself in the process. However, I quickly found that I wasn't the only person feeling this way. I was able to overcome because I realized that, for the most part, the people who had chosen to do this experience like me had at least one thing in common: the desire to learn and grow. I (uncomfortably) put myself out there and was rewarded by doing so. Everyone was both nervous and excited. My small group became fast friends, and we all supported each other along the way, differences and all. You must have an open mind and heart to succeed on this journey. It is not always easy, but very worth it.

 

Throughout the whole experience travelbud were by my side, Saskia and Lydia were my pillars . Alot of contact to the build up to leaving your home country and then just checking in every now and again to see how we are getting along. The ground team here are amazing and really help you adjust to Myanmar life.

I am only 3 months into my 13 months here, and I am so excited to what the future will bring. ✌🏼

Oh... And the visa runs! Means you get to see other part of Asia too!

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Shannon, USA

Teach in Costa Rica Program

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 :)

58

Emma, USA

Teach in Costa Rica Program