Welcome to Heredia, Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s Cultural Capital
Tico Lingo is located in the heart of Costa Rica’s Central Valley, in the charming city of Heredia—just 20 minutes from the international airport.
Immerse yourself in Spanish-colonial architecture, friendly communities, and enjoy Heredia as a perfect base for weekend trips to coffee farms, waterfalls, whitewater rafting, and volcanoes. Ideal for Spanish immersion students, Heredia is a non-touristy destination where English is rarely spoken, providing students an authentic language-learning environment.
The City
We chose Heredia because it is not a tourist city. Throughout it’s markets, coffee shops, parks, and churches, very little English is spoken. Heredia is home to one of Costa Rica’s most renowned universities as well as its own local soccer stadium which draws locals from neighboring cities and towns to Heredia’s streets.
Students have access to gyms, parks, museums, restaurants, yoga studios, swimming pools, and much much more. It’s a safe, walkable city and Tico Lingo is located just a minutes walk to the central park.
The Nature
Heredia is a city, yes. But it’s also very close to the nature and biodiversity Costa Rica is known for. On the afternoons and weekends, students are encouraged to sign up for tours to explore nearby rainforests, rivers, and beaches. One short bus ride and students can find themselves at the foothills of a volcano or amidst a traditional Costa Rican coffee farm.
Public buses are also very easy to catch and can take students to all parts of the country. If going out to the ocean for some scuba diving, or out to the rainforest for a zip-line tour, Heredia offers students many public bus routes to all parts of the country.
Heredia is a charming city located in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, just 10 kilometers north of San José. Its proximity to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) (only 20–25 minutes away) makes it an easy arrival point for international students. Being so close to the capital gives students access to big-city conveniences, but Heredia maintains a calmer, more authentic Costa Rican vibe that is ideal for Spanish immersion.
Heredia enjoys a mild, spring-like climate throughout the year thanks to its elevation in the Central Valley. Temperatures average between 65°F and 80°F (18°C–27°C), which is cooler and less humid than the beaches or lowlands. Rainy season runs from May through November, when you can expect sunny mornings followed by refreshing afternoon showers. This climate makes Heredia a pleasant and comfortable place for outdoor classes, cultural activities, and exploring local neighborhood shops and cafés.
Known as La Ciudad de las Flores (City of Flowers), Heredia offers a unique combination of history, nature, and culture. Unlike tourist-heavy areas such as Jacó or Tamarindo, Heredia provides a genuine Costa Rican atmosphere where students can truly immerse themselves in Spanish and local traditions. The city’s historic downtown features colonial-style architecture, colorful markets, and beautiful gardens, while the surrounding hills are filled with coffee farms and nature trails. For students, this means more opportunities to practice Spanish daily with locals in authentic settings where English isn’t spoken.
Heredia is a very walkable city, which makes daily life simple for students. Crossing from one side of town to the other takes less than 30 minutes, so the city feels compact, accessible, and easy to navigate. All our local homestay families live within walking distance to Tico Lingo, the central market, and many local cafés, markets, and shops which means you can get almost everything you need on foot.
For longer trips, Heredia’s public buses run frequently and cost less than $2, making it affordable to reach nearby neighborhoods or even travel into San José. Ride-sharing apps like Uber are also widely used, reliable, and inexpensive. Because of the city’s size and accessibility, students quickly feel at ease moving around town, which helps them settle into their Spanish immersion experience without stress.
Most international cell phones work in Costa Rica, including in Heredia, as long as they are unlocked. Students often purchase a local SIM card from companies like Kolbi, Claro, or Movistar, which offer affordable prepaid plans with data and calling. SIM cards cost around $2–3, and monthly plans with data can be as low as $10–20. Tico Lingo and every local homestay families offers wifi, as do the many cafés, restaurants, and public spaces, so staying connected is easy and inexpensive.
Heredia, like the rest of Costa Rica, uses the same electrical system as the United States: 110 volts with standard Type A and Type B outlets (two flat prongs, with or without a grounding pin). Students coming from North America won’t need adapters, but travelers from Europe, Asia, or South America should bring a simple plug adapter. Voltage converters are usually unnecessary for laptops and phones but may be required for some appliances.
Regular mail delivery in Costa Rica can be slow and sometimes unreliable, so it’s not the best option for sending or receiving important items. However, students in Heredia can receive packages through international courier services like DHL, UPS, or FedEx, which are faster and more dependable. Many people also use specialized courier companies that ship items from the United States directly to Costa Rica, often with better tracking and delivery times.
If you need something during your stay, it’s a good idea to check with your host family or the Tico Lingo staff for advice on the safest and most efficient way to receive it. Keep in mind that customs procedures can add time and cost to shipments, so whenever possible, it’s best to bring essential items with you before you arrive.
Heredia is a charming city located in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, just 10 kilometers north of San José. Its proximity to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) (only 20–25 minutes away) makes it an easy arrival point for international students. Being so close to the capital gives students access to big-city conveniences, but Heredia maintains a calmer, more authentic Costa Rican vibe that is ideal for Spanish immersion.
Heredia has all the amenities international students need while studying abroad. You’ll find supermarkets, fresh farmers’ markets, shopping malls, gyms, pharmacies, and medical clinics within easy reach. The city also offers plenty of affordable restaurants and cafés where students can relax, study, or meet with friends. For those who want a mix of modern convenience and traditional Costa Rican culture, Heredia provides the perfect balance.
Yes, plenty. Heredia’s historic center is full of small shops, restaurants, and local markets. Students often gather at the central park or visit the local farmer’s market for fresh tropical fruit. The city also has museums, theaters, and cultural events throughout the year. On weekends, Heredia is the perfect starting point for tours to nearby volcanoes like Barva or Poás, waterfalls such as La Paz, or coffee farm visits. It’s a lively city with a young, student-friendly atmosphere, thanks to several universities in the area.
Living in Heredia is much more affordable compared to more tourist-driven destinations in Costa Rica. A typical meal at a local soda (small Costa Rican restaurant) costs around $6-7, a coffee about $2, and a bus ride less than $2. Homestay accommodations always include breakfast and dinner, making day-to-day expenses even more manageable. Students find that their money stretches further here, allowing them to enjoy cultural activities, weekend trips, private Spanish classes, and local food without breaking their budget.
Heredia offers students a warm and welcoming community that is ideal for Spanish and cultural immersion. Costa Ricans, or “ticos”, are known for their friendliness and hospitality. Students often comment that locals are patient and encouraging when they practice their Spanish. The city has a strong sense of community, with lively festivals, soccer games, and cultural traditions that make students feel included and connected to the culture during their stay learning Spanish.
Yes, one of the biggest advantages of living in Heredia is its central location. From the city, students can take buses, private tours to reach Costa Rica’s beaches, volcanoes, cloud forests, and national parks within just a few hours. The Pacific Coast is about 2–3 hours away, while popular destinations like La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio can be reached in a weekend trip. This makes Heredia the perfect hub for exploring the rest of Costa Rica while studying Spanish.
For longer trips, Heredia’s public buses run frequently and cost less than $2, making it affordable to reach nearby neighborhoods or even travel into San José. Ride-sharing apps like Uber are also widely used, reliable, and inexpensive. Because of the city’s size and accessibility, students quickly feel at ease moving around town, which helps them settle into their Spanish immersion experience without stress.
Addresses in Heredia — and throughout Costa Rica — are not always based on street names and numbers like in the United States or Europe. Instead, many addresses are written using landmarks. For example, a home might be described as “100 meters west of the central park” or “across from the church.” While this system can be confusing at first, it’s a normal part of Costa Rican culture and daily life.
For students in Heredia, this actually makes getting around easier than it sounds, since locals always know landmarks and are happy to give directions. Ride-sharing apps like Uber and delivery services use GPS, so you won’t need to worry when ordering a ride or food. Tico Lingo will also provide students with clear directions to the school and homestays, making it simple to find your way.
How to Get to Heredia
If flying internationally, plan to arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), which is the closest major airport to Heredia at only a 25–30 minute drive away. This is the best option for nearly all students coming from abroad.
If arriving locally within Costa Rica, you have a few options. Students already in the country can:
- Take a domestic flight into SJO from smaller airports such as Liberia or Quepos.
- Use the public bus system, which is inexpensive and connects most regions of Costa Rica to San José and Heredia.
- Arrange a private shuttle or rental car if traveling with luggage or from areas farther away.
No matter how you arrive, our team can meet you at SJO or in Heredia to ensure you get safely to your host family or local lodging.
What Students Are Saying About Heredia
Still have some questions?
Don’t hesitate to contact us and talk directly to a Program Advisor about studying Spanish in Heredia!