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.
Our Values
Community First
Tico Lingo thrives because of the people around it. We work hand-in-hand with our neighbors, host families, and local partners throughout Costa Rica to create impact beyond the classroom.
Passion in
Everything We Do
From teaching Spanish and organizing homestays to leading weekend tours and cultural workshops, we put care, sincerity, and passion into every detail of the Tico Lingo experience.
Students at the Center
Every decision begins with our students in mind, ensuring that each student who joins Tico Lingo has a personalized experience and feels seen, supported, and inspired to reach their Spanish speaking goals.
Culture as the Classroom
We believe that learning doesn’t stop at the whiteboard. It happens outside of the classroom, over coffee, on a bus, at a host family’s dinner table, and in the rhythm of everyday Costa Rican life.
Communication with Purpose
We listen, respond, and adapt. Open, honest, and ongoing communication with students and staff allows us to create experiences that truly fit each student’s personal journey.
A Home for Every Story
We welcome students from every corner of the world, each bringing their own language, traditions, and perspective. Our community celebrates these differences and grows stronger with every story shared together.
Our Safety Promise
Learning Spanish in Costa Rica is important, but your safety always comes first. At Tico Lingo, our team goes above and beyond to ensure every student feels secure, supported, and cared for throughout their stay in our beautiful country.
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 transportation staff.
City Map and Orientation
A local city map and orientation guide with important locations is provided to each student before their arrival
Teaching Methodology
At Tico Lingo, we believe the best way to learn Spanish is to live it. Our approach follows Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), which focuses on real-world communication rather than memorization.
Classes are dynamic, student-centered, and designed to help learners use Spanish naturally and confidently in everyday situations. Lessons build the four core skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing while integrating culture, practical vocabulary, and conversation.
Outside the classroom, students live with local homestay families, join cultural activities, and explore Costa Rica. This blend of learning and real-life experience helps students gain fluency and a deeper connection to the language and culture.
Where Your Tuition Money Goes
Tico Lingo proudly supports community outreach and local development in Costa Rica. Each month, we open our doors to community programs that need a space to gather and organize. We also provide financial support to public schools, community associations, high schools, and local clean-up projects.
Your tuition directly helps strengthen our local community.
Are you ready?
Book a call today to begin planning your personalized Spanish immersion program at Tico Lingo!