10-Day High School Spanish Program
Experience the language of Costa Rica
10-Day High School Spanish Program
This 10-Day immersive program offers teens a comprehensive experience that blends rigorous Spanish language classes, local homestay accommodations, daily cultural excursions, and an exciting weekend adventure tour. It’s aim is to offer teens an all-encompassing introduction to the culture, language, and breathtaking landscapes of Costa Rica.
Armed with newfound Spanish-speaking confidence and a broader cultural perspective, our students head home with a rekindled passion to pursue fluency, eagerly anticipating the sharing of captivating photos and videos from their Spanish adventure in Costa Rica.
Ages 14-17
10 Days
Contact Your Advisor
Payment Plans Available
10-Day High School Trip
14 Days
Ages 13-17
$3,500
Multiple Camp Start Dates
— This program has a maximum of 40 participants.
— We never put more than 8 students in a Spanish classroom
— Each student will have at least one other like-gendered student living with them in their homestay.
All meals, classes, tours, transportation, class materials, and activities are included in the program. We provide 24/7 communication with parents and upload photos of students daily to parent Whatsapp group chats.
What’s Included
Spanish Immersion:
• 20 hours of Spanish class taught by native Costa Rican professors
• Local Costa Rican homestay accommodation where only Spanish is spoken
Tours and Cultural Activities
• City tour visiting museums, local markets, churches, and historical parks
• Scavenger hunt encouraging exploration and use of Spanish with locals
• Coffee farm, volcano, and animal rescue center visit exploring the flora and fauna of Costa Rica
• Latin dance class focused on salsa, bachata, and cumbia styles
• Community engagement projects teaching English to local Costa Rican students
All Meals and Transportation
• Home cooked breakfast and dinner at the homestay
• Mix of traditional and modern Costa Rican lunch provided daily
• Airport pick-up and drop-off (from SJO)
• All tour and activity transportation throughout Costa Rica
Additional Services
• 24/7 chaperone support; 7:1 student-chaperone ratio
• Spanish oral and written examination to ensure proper Spanish class placement
• Program orientation and graduation ceremony
• Official certificates for Spanish class and volunteering
• Daily updates to parents with photos and videos of program activities
Not Included in the Program:
— Airfare & Travel Insurance
— Spending money for umbrellas, snacks, ice-cream, souvenirs, etc. (we recommend $100 for the week)
The sun is up early in Costa Rica! Your home cooked Costa Rican breakfast is typically served at the breakfast table around 7am. Once you’ve filled up on fresh fruit, eggs, rice, beans, and local coffee, you and the other students that live in your homestay walk to Tico Lingo to start Spanish class at 8am.
From 8am to 10am only Spanish is spoken. Your Spanish professor implements games, activities, grammar lessons, listening activities, and speaking exercises to get you digesting the Spanish language like you never have before. You and your classmates will have a short break from 10am-10:15am, and re-enter class till 12:00pm.
Afternoons vary daily and have us on buses visiting animal rescue centers, exploring coffee farms and city architecture, and meeting locals in the community who are learning English.
You’ll be back at your homestays by 6pm where dinner is typically served around 6:30pm. In the evenings, you’ll have time to look over your Spanish notes and complete homework… but even more fun is reviewing all the photos you took during the day’s afternoon adventure!
Housing
To truly immerse each student in Costa Rican culture and language, this program places students with local Costa Rican homestay families. Located within walking distance of Tico Lingo, each homestay family provides students opportunities to practice their conversational Spanish over meals and get a first-hand look at how traditional Costa Rican family lives.
The homestay families that host high school students are required to have been hosting with Tico Lingo for a minimum of two years. Homes are equipped with hot water, stable wifi, and a quiet place to study and do homework. Each student will have at least 1 other student living with them and will be given their own private bedroom as well as keys to their room and the front door of the home.
Meals
Obviously meals vary day to day, buy fresh fruits, veggies, rice, beans, and locally grown coffee should be expected on the regular. Costa Rican cuisine is nutritionally well rounded, always cooked from scratch, and loaded with the many exotic fruits and vegetables readily available locally.
Breakfast will almost always be served at your homestay and will include things like toast, coffee, orange juice, eggs, homemade tortillas, gallo pinto (a traditional Costa Rican dish), pancakes, bananas, mangos, kiwi, and pineapple.
Lunch is shared with the entire group either at Tico Lingo or out at a local restaurant. Depending on the day and activity, students will either be given a lunch allowance, select items off the menu as they see fit, or share the lunch that we offer during the activity.
Dinner will be served at your homestay and will vary daily. Students shouldn’t hesitate to let homestays know what they like to eat, but a typical dinner could include rice, beans, chicken, fish, lots of fresh vegetables (think broccoli, cauliflower, onions, and sweet peppers), pasta, salads, soups, and the occasional pizza night.
What your week looks like
Program Itinerary
¡Bienvenidos!
Orientation
Coffee Farm + Volcano
Scavenger Hunt + Intercambio
In the evening, we visit a local English school for our "intercambio" activity, where we strengthen our Spanish speaking skills and help local Costa Rican students learn English.
Beach Day!
Animal Rescue Center
Graduation + Dance Class
Kayak Tour & Overnight Stay
White Water Rafting
Airport Drop-offs
Camp Videos
Check out our fun videos for a sneak peek into the action-packed, culturally immersive experience!
Trip Highlights
Join us on this fun field trip to one of the country’s most renowned animal rescue centers, where you’ll meet some of the most fascinating and adorable creatures on the planet.
From the majestic scarlet macaws to the playful white-faced monkeys and the massive land turtles, you’ll be amazed by the incredible diversity of animals that call this place home. And let’s not forget about everyone’s favorite creature – the lovable and oh-so-cute sloth!
But it’s not just about meeting these amazing animals – you’ll also learn about the importance of protecting their habitats and the vital role they play in the local ecosystem. Our expert guides will teach you all about the challenges facing these animals and what we can do to help preserve their natural habitats.
Get ready to unleash your inner adventurer and explore the hidden gems of Heredia like never before! Join forces with your teammates and dive into a thrilling competition that will take you on a wild ride through the streets of this amazing Costa Rican city.
From simple tasks like saying “hola” to a local to more daring challenges like recording yourself asking for directions at the post office, you’ll push your limits and discover new ways to connect with the local Costa Rican culture. And with every challenge you complete, you’ll earn points towards victory and claim your spot as the ultimate Heredia explorer!
But it’s not just about the competition – you’ll also gain newfound confidence in your Spanish language skills and connect with native Costa Ricans on a deeper level. And let’s not forget about the ultimate prize – the team that emerges victorious will be rewarded with a custom Heredia award!
Get ready to make new friends and help them take their English skills to the next level! We’re teaming up with a local English school to connect with awesome English learners aged 12-18, and you’re invited to join the fun! As a native speaker, you’ll have the opportunity to share your expertise and help these eager learners build their confidence in speaking English. Help them master pronunciation, learn new vocabulary, and get firsthand stories at what life is like for you back in your home country.
Get ready to take your adventure to new heights! We’re heading up into the sky for an epic high-ropes course challenge that will put your skills to the test. Think you’ve got what it takes to complete the course the quickest without cheating? Show us what you’ve got! But that’s not all – we’ll also dive into the amazing world of Costa Rican coffee and discover how this delicious brew impacts the local economy. Sample some of the finest locally grown and roasted coffee, and even try some coffee-infused ice cream! This adventure promises to be a treat for your senses!
Spring Break Spanish Camp