Welcome to Our School
About Tico Lingo
Tico Lingo was founded in 2015 as a small, boutique language and cultural center aimed at offering the most unique and genuine Costa Rican learning experience. Since opening, we’ve taught students from over thirty five different countries across the world and continue to reach new students far and wide seeking to learn the Spanish language.
Our success is based on our commitment to quality and the highest level of student service and personalization. We continuously invest in professional staff and offer custom program options to ensure each student’s overall experience with us is nothing short of excellent.
Why Choose Tico Lingo?
Our Incredible Reviews
Tico Lingo is the most reviewed and highest rated Spanish immersion school in Costa Rica and the larger Central America region. With more than 600 verified reviews from students worldwide, our reputation is built on genuine experiences and consistent excellence.
Across platforms, the feedback speaks for itself: over 300 reviews on Google, more than 200 reviews on GoOverseas, 90+ on Tripadvisor, plus additional reviews on Trustpilot and other educational directories.
Students consistently highlight our personalized teaching, welcoming host families, and the life-changing cultural experiences they enjoyed while studying Spanish at Tico Lingo in Heredia. These authentic voices make Tico Lingo the top choice for anyone seeking a trusted and transformative Spanish immersion program in Costa Rica.
Our Awards and Global Recognition
Tico Lingo has been featured in leading international publications that highlight the world’s best places to learn a language. We were proudly showcased by National Geographic as one of the top Spanish schools worldwide and recognized by StudyTravel Magazine and Admission Sight for excellence in education and cultural immersion.
We’ve also been honored with multiple awards from respected organizations in the study abroad community. GoOverseas has celebrated our programs with their prestigious Community Choice Awards in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024 for categories including Best High School Program, Student Support, Housing, and Overall Value.
Our commitment to quality is further reflected in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award, which recognizes institutions ranked in the top 10% of worldwide listings based on student reviews and ratings.
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Our Accreditations and Affiliations
As an internationally accredited organization, Tico Lingo adheres to strict codes of practice and maintains the highest professional standards. Accreditation by respected external educational bodies provides vital verification that our programs are run by a professional, quality-focused institution. Tico Lingo is proud to hold international accreditations and affiliations that confirm our commitment to academic excellence, cultural immersion, and exceptional student support.
International Association of Languages Centers
The International Association of Language Centres (IALC) is a prestigious global network of independently owned and operated language schools. Only schools that meet the association’s rigorous standards for academic quality, student welfare, and cultural immersion are granted accreditation.
As an IALC-accredited school, Tico Lingo has undergone a detailed evaluation of our teaching methods, facilities, staff, homestay programs, and student services. This recognition places us among the top language schools worldwide and guarantees that every student who studies with us in Heredia receives a program that meets the highest international standards of professionalism and excellence.
To learn more about IALC’s quality standards, visit IALC Quality Standards
The International Association ofLanguage Centres (IALC) is a prestigious global network of independently owned and operated language schools.
Only schools that meet the association’s rigorous standards for academic quality, student welfare, and cultural immersion are granted accreditation.
As an IALC-accredited school, Tico Lingo has undergone a detailed evaluation of our teaching methods, facilities, staff, homestay programs, and student services. This recognition places us among the top language schools worldwide and guarantees that every student who studies with us in Heredia receives a program that meets the highest international standards of professionalism and excellence.
To learn more about IALC’s quality standards, visit IALC Quality Standards 
Bildungsurlaub
The German government’s Bildungsurlaub program officially recognizes Tico Lingo as an approved and certified Spanish language center for the provinces of Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Lower Saxony, and Rhineland-Palatinate. This accreditation allows German citizens to apply for paid educational leave from work in order to attend our Spanish immersion programs in Costa Rica.
Thanks to this certification, Tico Lingo can welcome German professionals who wish to combine career development with cultural immersion and intensive language study. Our staff assists with the application process to ensure a smooth experience from start to finish.
The German government’s Bildungsurlaub program officially recognizes Tico Lingo as an approved and certified Spanish language center for the provinces of Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Lower Saxony, and Rhineland-Palatinate. This accreditation allows German citizens to apply for paid educational leave from work in order to attend our Spanish immersion programs in Costa Rica.
Thanks to this certification, Tico Lingo can welcome German professionals who wish to combine career development with cultural immersion and intensive language study. Our staff assists with the application process to ensure a smooth experience from start to finish. CSN
Tico Lingo is officially recognized by CSN (Centrala studiestödsnämnden), Sweden’s national authority for student financial aid. This accreditation means Swedish students can apply for government funding to cover the cost of their Spanish immersion studies at Tico Lingo in Costa Rica.
Joining the CSN network reflects our commitment to making Spanish education accessible to students around the world and ensures that those coming from Sweden can pursue language learning with the support of their national education system.
For more information about CSN and how to apply, visit CSN Sweden.
Tico Lingo is officially recognized by CSN (Centrala studiestödsnämnden), Sweden’s national authority for student financial aid. This accreditation means Swedish students can apply for government funding to cover the cost of their Spanish immersion studies at Tico Lingo in Costa Rica.
Joining the CSN network reflects our commitment to making Spanish education accessible to students around the world and ensures that those coming from Sweden can pursue language learning with the support of their national education system.
For more information about CSN and how to apply, visit CSN Sweden.
GlobalEdu Costa Rica
Tico Lingo is a proud member of GlobalEdu, a Costa Rica–based network of universities, language schools, and educational institutions committed to promoting international education. Through this affiliation, we collaborate with other leading organizations to strengthen academic standards, expand cultural opportunities, and ensure safe, high-quality programs for international students.
Membership in GlobalEdu reflects our commitment not only to excellence inside the classroom but also to supporting the broader mission of making Costa Rica a top destination for international study abroad and Spanish immersion.
For more information about GlobalEdu, visit GlobalEdu Costa Rica
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Tico Lingo is a proud member of GlobalEdu, a Costa Rica–based network of universities, language schools, and educational institutions committed to promoting international education. Through this affiliation, we collaborate with other leading organizations to strengthen academic standards, expand cultural opportunities, and ensure safe, high-quality programs for international students.
Membership in GlobalEdu reflects our commitment not only to excellence inside the classroom but also to supporting the broader mission of making Costa Rica a top destination for international study abroad and Spanish immersion.
For more information about GlobalEdu, visit GlobalEdu Costa Rica
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Our Spanish Professors
Since 2015, we’ve built a team of passionate Spanish professors who know how to adapt to every student—no matter the level, age, or learning style. What started as a small group of teachers has grown into a family, united by a love of language and a mission to help students thrive.
All of our professors are native Spanish speakers with years of professional teaching experience in Costa Rica and across Central America. Each brings unique energy and expertise to the classroom, making learning both effective and fun.
Click the names below to meet the Tico Lingo professors who make our immersion programs unforgettable.
Freddy is a native to Costa Rica born and raised in the city of Alajuela. He helped co-found the school after working 10+ years as an English teacher and 8+ years as a Spanish teacher. He holds a linguistics degree from the University of Costa Rica and continually implements the newest learning techniques while staying steadfast to the tried-and-true classic methods. Never a dull moment, Freddy’s classes are known to feel like a party more than they feel like school.
Favorite Cuisine: The typical Costa Rican classics!
Born in the beautiful Costa Rican province of Guanacaste, Yóbeth has called Heredia home for more than thirty years. She studied at the National University in Heredia as well as at the University of Costa Rica in San José. Holding a degree in Spanish Philology, with supplemental studies in Educational Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, Yóbeth knows the Spanish language inside and out. She started teaching in 1994 and has since earned a certification from the University of Salamanca, Spain to prepare other’s who are looking to pass the DELE test preparation and teach Spanish as a foreign language. Enjoying the cultural aspect of Tico Lingo, she’s been teaching with us on and off since 2016. In her free time she looks after her lush tropical garden and goes on walks with her adorable dogs.
Favorite Cuisine: Seafood
Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Philology and a Master’s degree in Latin American Literature, Kevin was born and raised in the heart of San José and truly loves dissecting the Spanish language and sharing it with his students. He’s been teaching for 7 years now and is a huge fan of hearing the many stories and backgrounds of the students who come through Tico Lingo. He also loves music and can often be spotted wearing metal band t-shirts!
Favorite Cuisine: Lebanese
Born in the heart of Alajuela, Costa Rica, Marcela has been teaching Spanish as a foriegn language since early 2009. She studied elementary teaching techniques at one of the largest universities in Costa Rica (Universidad Estatal a Distancia) and has taught Spanish at the university level at various institutions throughout the country. Having a joy of sharing Costa Rican culture, Marcela teaches Spanish to connect with new people from around the world and help them get to know Costa Rica on deeper level.
Favorite cuisine: anything chocolate!
Hailing from the great country of El Salvador, Zulma moved to Heredia in 2001 and has called Costa Rica home ever since. As a young woman, Zulma studied law at Eastern University (UNIVO) in San Miguel, El Salvador. Later in life, she discovered the world of teaching and dedicated herself to studying and mastering the art of education. She obtained a license to teach Spanish as a foreign language through the University of Costa Rica and has taken supplemental courses at the Technology Institute of Costa Rica as well as the National Institute for Education. Having taught Spanish for well over 20 years, Zulma enjoys meeting new people from around the world and giving them a personalized Spanish learning experience.
Favorite cuisine: Las pupusas!
A native to Costa Rica, Karina was born and raised in San José. She studied Spanish Philology in San Pedro, San José at the University of Costa Rica. For more than 30 years, she has called “Profesora de Español” her profession and has easily taught more than a thousand students how to speak the language. Since a young woman, she’s always enjoyed seeing how students’ eyes shine when they manage to communicate their ideas and feelings in Spanish. Having taught all levels, ages, and backgrounds, she finds teaching Spanish allows her to constantly be connecting with new people from all walks of life. In her free time, Karina is a cat lover who enjoys shopping organic fruits and vegetables at the local farmer’s market.
Favortie Cuisine: Anything with personality and history behind it.
Born in San José and having spent the majority of her adult life working and living in Heredia, Zaida has been teaching Spanish to foreigners for well over 10 years. With extensive experience working with children as well as with seniors, Zaida excels at pinpointing the needs of her students and aiding them in getting over the fear of speaking. She studied Human Resources at the Professional Technical College of Heredia and holds a teaching Spanish as a foreign language degree from Amistad Institute.
Favorite Cuisine: Seafood
Our Saftey Promise
Contact Details
Before your arrival, you’ll be given an emergency phone contact, your homestay family’s contact, and our airport pickup team’s contact
List of Doctors
If requested, a list of recommended doctors is available in case of illness. Likewise, the Heredia hospital is just a 10 minute drive from Tico Lingo.
Airport Pickup
With every Spanish Immersion Program, an Airport pickup is provided by our licensed transport staff.
City Map of Heredia
A local city map with important locations is provided to each student on the first day of class.
Community Outreach
Tico Lingo is an advocate of community outreach and development. Once a month, we open our school doors to community outreach programs in Costa Rica who need a place to organize. We offer our financial support to public schools, community associations, high schools, street cleanups and more. Your dollars help our local community!
Where your tuition money goes:
Are you ready?
Book a call today to begin planning your personalized Spanish immersion program at Tico Lingo!