Spanish School in Costa Rica, Playa Tamarindo School: ECELA

Coastal Spanish Institute is located in the North Pacific beach town of Playa tamarindo in the Guanacaste Province. It is just one hour from the major Liberia International Airport and is the largest town on the North Coast of Costa Rica. The Town of Tamarindo lies just one hour from three major national reserves and is three hours from one of Costa Rica’s most popular recreation areas around Arenal Volcano. You will also be just 2 hours south of the Nicaraguan Border which plays host to great excursions for our student year round.

The school is located near protected green zones where the land is reserved from development. The facilities consist of a large open aired thatched roof building along with similar ranchitos on campus, which combined with the natural surroundings allow for you to truly enjoy the beautiful environment and animals that Costa Rica is best known, while learning Spanish. There is a troop of monkies that regularly make their way through the school grounds, which inevitably brings a surprise and delight to all student.

The campus is just 5 minutes walking distance from the beach and features an in-house surf program, which is Tamarindo’s best known sport. Regular competitions take place at the nearby beaches and people from all over the world travel to Playa Tamarindo and Playa Grande for the great surf.

 

The teachers and student service team
Friendly and Professional

Our two directors bring years of expertise to the Spanish school and have developed an amazing grouping of the best instructors from the area and throughout Costa Rica. The instructors range in age from 30-40 on average and teach completely in Spanish. They all have a minimum of a University Degree and continual training in the school’s methodology, which is continually improved to best meet the needs of the students and latest developments. The head directors speak fluent English and can help with any questions if at first you have a limited Spanish proficiency.

The directors also arrange 1-2 cultural activities each week at no additional cost, which can vary from a welcome drink/orientation, city tour, dance or cooking instruction, visits by shuttle to beaches that are not within walking distance, fiestas, among other fun activities they arrange on the fly. Weekend excursions are arranged by the Student Affairs director based on student interest, which are at an additional cost based on the activities, any lodging, and transportation included.

Service Evaluation System:

Every week your progress is evaluated by your instructor. Continual feedback is requested from students to assess their needs. The evaluations are made orally and in writing. Any problems are addressed immediately and students have consistently provided positive feedback for their overall experience. All students are asked to give final feedback about the program and all aspects are considered for continual improvement.

Accommodation:

Homestay - Homestay–Stay wit han Argentine family!.

In your host family you will be provided with breakfast and dinner, a single or double room, depending on your preference. Bed linen is provided and will be changed weekly. The school chooses your host families carefully, keeping an eye on hospitality, hygiene, and other arrangements, e.g. allergies, preferences etc you will be placed in a perfect home from home.

Host families are located in the residential towns of Villareal and Santa Rosa which are 20 minutes inland from the school. The school provides free shuttle service to and from the school each day. The family will also provide laundry service once per week.

Student Residence

Our onsite student residence features four 2-Bedroom apartments with occupancy for 3 students in each room. There is a communal kitchen and living room in each apartment that are fully furnished.  There is also one bathroom with shower in each apartment for students to share. All bedding is provided but you will need to bring your own towel.

The residence is right on campus across from the main building and 5 minutes from the beach. The amenities are basic, but great for those that want a dormitory style experience with other students around along within close convenience of the school and everything Tamarindo has to offer. The living room has a tv equipped with cable service and the entire building is equipped for free WIFI service for quick and easy internet access.

Hours: 
The school is open Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 5:00pm

Holidays
Because of public holidays the school will be closed on the following dates. The classes are not made up or pro-rated for holiday closure.

1st January, 11 April, 8-9 April, 1 May, 25 July, 2 August, 15 August, 15 September, 12 October, 25 December