FAQs - Costa Rica

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 realize 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.

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