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?
Tico Lingo is the best reviewed Spanish program in Costa Rica. With over 350 unique reviews, we’ve been recognized by National Geographic, Tripadvisor, FluentU, and Trustpilot for exceptional service in the education sector.
We’ve been recognized by the Organization for Travel and Hospitality and awarded the “Learning Experience of the Year” three straight years. We’ve also have been recognized by GoOverseas and were awarded their “Community Choice Awards” in 2018, 2020, and 2021 for exceptional student support, housing, and overall value.
With our background in education, comprehensive resources, and phenomenal staff, we are able to ensure that students receive the best learning experience possible while with us in Heredia, Costa Rica.
Regardless of your age, your culture, or your background in Spanish, we can promise you an enriching experience that will not only teach you how to speak a new language, but will also open your eyes to Costa Rica’s beautiful culture, cuisine, and people.
With experience both in Costa Rica and around the world, our professional Spanish instructors are the best at what they do. Instructors work with groups of six students or less to create an environment focused on Spanish conversation and speaking skills. We encourage our students to speak solely in Spanish during class, as speaking is one of the most essential aspects of language learning.
Our Spanish Professors
Since 2015 we’ve known the importance of developing a team of Spanish educators 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 grow together and adapt to the ever changing needs and goals of our Spanish learners.
With experience both in Costa Rica and around the world, 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.
Born and raised in Costa Rica’s capital San José, Jimena holds a degree from the University of Costa Rica in Spanish Philology and is currently finishing her masters in education at The Distance State University in San José. She’s been teaching Spanish to students of all levels and ages for more than five years and particularly enjoys seeing students advance their speaking abilities.
Favorite Cuisine: Indian Food!
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
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
Freddy is a native to Costa Rica. 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.
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.
All 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!