Terms and Conditions

Tico Lingo’s Terms and Conditions

Transparency is a huge priority for us a Tico Lingo and we enjoy providing that transparency to our students wherever possible. Below you will find all of our Terms & Conditions regarding program cancellations, refunds, holidays, as well as other important items.

Please read Tico Lingo’s Terms & Conditions below prior to submitting your online registration.

Fun Spanish class graduation at Tico Lingo in Heredia, Costa Rica

Personal Travel

All students, volunteers, and participants are responsible for arranging and paying for his/her travel to Costa Rica. This primarily includes the cost of airfare to Costa Rica, but also includes transportation to the airport upon completion of the program. Note airport pickup and transfer from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) is included in almost all Tico Lingo programs. Students must wait for their pickup at the airport exit point. If you cannot find your pickup contact, please use the emergency contact numbers you have to call the family and/or the school. Do not take a taxi or leave the airport until you have spoken to a school representative or the family. The school will not reimburse students who leave the airport without waiting for their airport pickup contact or contacting us first.

It is the responsibility of the student/volunteer/participant to carry all necessary travel documents when traveling internationally such as valid passports or travel visas. Some programs require different documentation, of which your Program Advisor will make you aware, but it is not the responsibility of Tico Lingo to ensure the traveler’s documents are in proper condition and order. That is the full responsiblity of the student/volunteer/participant.

Insurance

Tico Lingo does not provide students, volunteers, or participants with insurance of any kind. Program Advisors may provide assistance with the purchase of insurance, but Tico Lingo does not do any selling itself nor is it affiliated with any insurance agency. Travel insurance is recommended, but the participant is responsible for evaluating and determining the kind of insurance coverage he/she should have.

Refund Policy

If Tico Lingo cancels your program for any reason, you are entitled to a full refund.

All deposits are fully refundable up to 4-weeks prior to the beginning of the program. A full refund of the 35% deposit will be granted to students less a $25 administration fee.

Cancellations or requests for program postponement with less than four weeks notice will not receive a refund of the deposit and will not be postponed.

Upon commencement of studies with Tico Lingo, students are committed to the program as outlined in their invoice. As such, class postponements, alterations, and cancellations are non-refundable except in the case of an emergency.

In the case of an emergency, students are asked to provide medical documents from a Costa Rican clinic, hospital, or physician. Requests for refunds are assessed by the Program Director on a case-by-case basis and may include: sickness or injury, death and sickness of immediate family members, or other serious matters forcing the student to leave their program.

If the student feels the level of their group classes is too advanced or too basic, students can discuss a possible reassessment of class placement after attempting their current class for a period of time. Our goal at Tico Lingo is to help each and every student succeed in their Spanish journey! This may well mean being placed in a class that is going to push them beyond their comfort zone so that they advance their Spanish level.

If the student feels their homestay pairing is an unsuitable match, students can discuss with Tico Lingo to find an appropriate alternative resolution. This may include addressing any specific issues with your current homestay, or matching with an alternative homestay family. If the student decides that the homestay program is entirely unsuitable for them, they are solely responsible for finding themselves alternative accommodation and meals.

Emergency Costs

In the unlikely event of an emergency, all students, volunteers, and participants are responsible for any accrued costs for treatment in Costa Rica. If an emergency occurs on the premises of Tico Lingo, Tico Lingo will assist with immediate transportation, phone calls, and emergency response, but all costs are of the responsibility of the student.

Most international travel insurance plans ask that costs be paid upfront, of which will be refunded upon return to students’ home country. Tico Lingo cannot assist financially with students’ medical, travel, or logistical expenses due to accident, emergency, or extraordinary circumstances that occur while in Costa Rica.

Personal Medical Conditions

Tico Lingo asks that all students communicate with the school about any mental or physical illness or other challenges/limitations that students have before arrival and start of a Tico Lingo program.

Students are responsible for bringing any necessary medication with them to Costa Rica and must commit to taking said medication during their stay or involvement with Tico Lingo. If for whatever reason the student interrupts or ceases treatment, Tico Lingo is not responsible for resulting sickness or injury and may ask the student to leave the program if they disrupt a program or cause threat to other Tico Lingo students. A pertaining refund will be given on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director.

Photography Permits

All students/volunteers/participants accept that they may be pictured/photographed and that such material may be used by Tico Lingo and/or Tico Lingo’s business partners for promotion or marketing of Tico Lingo Spanish and/or volunteer programs. However, all participants reserve the right to request a picture be removed from advertising at any point, and this request will be honored by Tico Lingo.

National And School Holidays

We observe the following holiday dates, and no class will be held on these days. Students will receive a discounted rate if their desired program dates includes one of the following holidays.

December 24th, 2024 | Christmas Eve
December 25th, 2024 | Christmas Day
December 31st, 2024 | New Years Eve 

January 1st, 2025 | New Years Day 
April 17th, 2025 | Holy Thursday
April 18th, 2025 | Holy Friday
August 15th, 2025 | Mother’s Day
December 24th, 2025 | Christmas Eve
December 25th, 2025 | Christmas Day
December 31st, 2025 | New Years Eve 

January 1st, 2026 | New Years Day 

Homestays are not affected by any national holidays.

Indemnification, Rules, and Safety

The participant agrees to indemnify Tico Lingo against any and all liability arising directly or indirectly from traveling, living, and/or volunteering in Costa Rica. Furthermore, the participant agrees NOT to hold Tico Lingo liable for any actions or omissions of any of its partner organizations.

Notwithstanding this or any other agreement, Tico Lingo’s liability shall not in aggregate exceed the amount of the program fee paid by the participant.

The participant agrees to abide by all rules and regulations as stipulated by Tico Lingo, its employees, school, and housing partners. The participant agrees to abide by all local Costa Rican laws, as well as all rules stipulated by Tico Lingo and its employees and partners, with respect to alcohol consumption. Tico Lingo may provide basic information about local laws, but Tico Lingo is NOT a legal expert and it is the participant’s sole responsibility to ensure he/she is in compliance with the law.

Use of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate dismissal from the program without refund.

Still have some questions?

Don’t hesitate to contact us and talk directly to someone in Costa Rica
today about the Teen Spanish Summer Camp.