Welcome to Our School

Staff photo at Tico Lingo in Heredia
Yami and Yenifer at Tico Lingo in Heredia
Photo of Spanish Teachers at Tico Lingo
Professor Freddy at Tico Lingo Spanish School
Professor Zulma and Spanish student at Tico Lingo Spanish School
Dance Class at Tico Lingo Spanish School in Costa Rica
Yoga class at Tico Lingo Spanish School in Costa Rica

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.

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Why Choose Tico Lingo?

Elaine Olson
in the last week
I absolutely loved my experience at Tico Lingo. I wish I could have stayed longer, but the two weeks I was there were amazing. When I arrived, I was at a conversational level. But I wanted to improve my ability to understand native speakers who were speaking to each other, as well as become more fluent in complex grammar structures like the subjunctive and conditional. The homestay was incredible. My hosts made me feel right at home, including me in all their family activities (I was there over the New Year holiday). Spending time with their family, who spoke to me only in Spanish, was so helpful. I just can't say enough good things about my family. I arrived a stranger and left with new friends. I had two different instructors. There was no one else at my level of Spanish during these two weeks, so my group class was just me. Each day, my "group" instructor Kevin and I spoke for three hours straight. From those conversations, he would find specific topics to focus on the next day and came prepared with exercises to improve in that area. Kevin was great and I really enjoyed our conversations. He gave me many useful ways to think about my Spanish and better understand the complex structures. I also took private sessions in the afternoons. My instructor Freddy was great. On day one he asked what I wanted to work on and from then on, he had specific lessons geared to exactly that topic (in this case subjunctive/conditional with haber). Freddy writes his own "lessons and worksheets" which I found very useful. I have studied Spanish for about 4 years. And as I have become more advanced, I have not been able to find anyone that can provide me with specific lessons that include multiple examples and exercises. Most tutors focus on simply having conversations at this point, which doesn't always help with the lesser used structures and the repetition required to master them. But Freddy's method of developing a curriculum tailored to my specific goal was exactly what I was looking for. Both of my instructors were top notch. I hope to return someday soon and stay for even longer. The city of Heredia feels extremely safe and is very easy to navigate. Uber is easy to use if you need to go further, but the school and home stay is very centrally located so super walkable. The school is beautiful, comfortable and everyone is very friendly. I participated in the dance lessons, which were fun. And the lunches with Yami, which was nice to meet many other students. If you're thinking about a Spanish school. This one is really really well done and I would highly recommend.
Barbara Ross
in the last week
Loved my time at Tico Lingo! The classes were small, the instructors were skilled and innovative, the tours and cultural classes were very interesting and the homestay was warm and welcoming. Most places were within walking range of the school and those that were not close by could be accessed by Uber, taxi or public transportation. I would love to go back!
William Feeman
a week ago
It has been a dream of mine for many years to become more conversational in Spanish and I could not have found a better place to help me realize that goal. Between the classes and the homestay experience I have been immersed not only in the language but also in the Tico culture. I have been very fortunate to have an incredible teacher in Freddy Fariñas. His passion for the language is both amazing and contagious. His teaching style is informative, entertaining and truly facilitates the learning process All of the staff at Tico Lingo are so very supportive, kind and professional. I highly recommend this experience. It is the definition of Pura Vida.
Cindy and John J-W
a week ago
I am writing this in English because I want to convey the passion I feel. My husband and I had a goal of learning Spanish as a family when we married 42 years ago. Due to the busyness of two careers and three children it is only since I have been retired that I have had time to focus on Spanish with apps, books, movies, and textbooks. Tico Lingo was a dream come true for me. I could not have had a better home stay. Freddy is the most amazing teacher. He has such a command of the Spanish language that he pieced together words and concepts I had learned into a comprehensive whole with didactics and exercises. I could not have had a better experience. I am sure that I will come back to Tico Lingo in the future. Cynthia Johnson
Craig
a week ago
I researched going to an immersion school for years and am I glad I chose this one! My goal is to become a Medical Interpreter and this school was a great choice. It's an amazing school for so many reasons. It is located in Heredia, Costa Rica, which is 8 miles north of the capital San Jose. It is a safe area with many shops, cafes, restaurants, everything you'll need to make your stay the best. The school itself is actually priced quite low for all you get. Some schools charge far more and I doubt they give each student the individual care this one does. So what makes this stand out from the others is how well each student is taken care. From the onset they make the process smooth by being attentive to each student's needs and goals, answering emails or calls quickly. This made me feel welcomed and taken care of. After applying you'll get a call from Robert and get started with the process. During your conversation with him he'll get an understanding of why you want to learn Spanish and how much you want to do each day. Each class is four hours long from 8 to noon but you can take a one-on-one in the afternoon to really push yourself if you want. Then Yenifer will reach out to you who works at the school and will help you anytime you're there. She is the Administrator of the school and is one fantastic individual. She will call you before you come and further access your goals, talk with you in Spanish and see which of the four or five levels of classes works best for you. She doesn't rush your interview and tries to place you not only in a class level that works but also which type of homestay would fit you best. She, as many teachers there are also fluent in English. The homestays are absolutely amazing! You get to stay with a family that will suit your needs and will really make this journey work for you. It's the best way to continue learning, hanging out and chatting with the families who seem to have unlimited patience and are very hospitable and willing to help you learn. I got to stay with Gabby and her kids and her extended family who live a few houses down. There's never a day that goes by where I think to myself "I didn't get to practice my Spanish much today." But that is exactly what I wanted and your idea of a homestay might be different. No matter what your type of homestay looks like they will find one that fits your wants and needs, they have like 50 families to stay with. There are tours you can take like the one I did to the Toucan Rescue Ranch and saw many rescued animals like Sloths, up close! They offer many types of tours including cooking classes, dancing lessons, opportunities to chat with the locals and so on. I cannot recommend this place enough! If you are willing to be a little adventurous and push yourself to learn you will never regret Tico Lingo Immersion School in Costa Rica!

Who's Talking About Tico Lingo

Our Spanish Professors

Since 2015 we’ve known the importance of developing a team of Spanish professors that can adapt to the many levels, ages, backgrounds, and learning styles of Tico Lingo students. Over the years that team now feels like family as we continue to grow together and meet students from all around the world.

With experience both in Costa Rica and other parts of Central America, our professional Spanish instructors are the best at what they do. They’re all native Spanish speakers and each have at least five years experience teaching Spanish as a foreign language. Click the names below to learn more about each Tico Lingo Spanish Professor. 

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 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

A proud “Joséfino”, Professor Erick was born and raised in the heart of San Jose, Costa Rica. He studied anthropology and philology at the University of Costa Rica and is currently in a Master’s program studying anthropology. He started teaching Spanish as a foriegn language in 2018 after really falling in love with the language’s grammar and realizing he enjoyed sharing that love with others. Since starting with Tico Lingo 2020, Erick has taught the language to well over a hundred students who appreciate his ability to really break down the language into a way that English speakers undestand.

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 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 

Spanish Professor Interviews

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Our Saftey Promise

Learning Spanish in Costa Rica is important, but safety in Costa Rica is our number one priority. Tico Lingo staff go above and beyond to keep you as safe as possible while here in our beautiful country.

Contact Details Provided

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?

Set up a call today to begin planning your Spanish immersion program at Tico Lingo in Costa Rica!