Intensive Spanish Immersion Program in Heredia, Costa Rica

I did Tico Lingo for three weeks and I'm so glad I did! I learned so much Spanish and had a ton of fun exploring Costa Rica.

The homestay: My homestay mother, Roxy, was one of the kindest people I've ever met. She truly treated me as a part of her family. Heredia is a small, quiet, and safe city. At first I found it hard to adjust to the slow, even sleepy pace of life, but soon I came to appreciate how peaceful and relaxing it was. Plus, my weekends were jam-packed with adventures (visiting volcanos, the beach, national parks, etc.) so it was nice to come back to a laid-back home.

The classes: The classes were challenging, yet also relaxed and flexible. Jimena was a great teacher. The lessons were highly personalized, based on the content that students wanted to work on. Class sizes are extremely small, and students are sorted into classes based on their Spanish level. The first week I was the only person in my class, and in other weeks there were only four students in the class. (New students come in each week, so I will note that sometimes you have to repeat content you've already learned because a new student arrived, but that also works as a review.) I would say that every week at Tico Lingo teaches you as much as an entire semester of high school Spanish. There's also the option to sign up for yoga, cooking classes, or Zumba classes ($7-$10 per class), which were fun and another great way to improve vocabulary.

Coronavirus precautions: Class sizes were very small. The school was quite spacious and airy, and we normally had windows open during class, which made for good air flow. Students and teachers did not wear masks because that would have made it far too difficult for us to understand each other. Other school employees, such as the cleaning staff, did wear masks. We were not required to sit six feet apart from each other, but there was room to do so if you wished. The vast majority of students were vaccinated, but I wish that the school required *all* students to be vaccinated if they come from a country where shots are available. It's not responsible to encourage people to pursue international travel if they purposefully refuse to get a vaccine.

The whole Tico Lingo program is top notch. So glad that I spent 2 weeks studying Spanish in beautiful Costa Rica. I truly wish that I had booked 4 weeks.

The experience was incredible. The teachers and administrators were really invested in helping each student learn and progress. The town of Heredia is bustling and welcoming and the host families are super special. They clearly love opening their homes and meeting new people.

If you are considering Spanish immersion, don’t hesitate to register with Tico Lingo. Without doubt, you will fall in love with Tico Lingo, Heredia, and Costa Rica!

This was a perfect experience and exactly what I was looking for. Heredia is great town and very safe! The fully immersed program is the way to go, including staying with the homestay family. It helps so much but also naturally frustrating. If I go back to learn more Spanish it will be with tico lingo. The best part of the class was that they taught you the basics then slowly worked their way (Freddy) into teaching the material you want to learn. I was seeking business travel and ways to get around owning a travel agency and it was targeted that way. 5/5 stars

I thought that the course was excellent. The teachers and the staff take care of you from the first contact until the last day. Good Costa Rican coffee every morning! There are optional tours, classes, and weekend activities. The teachers spoke only Spanish in the class for our level and never spoke English unless there was a complete misunderstanding. It was challenging but still at a good speed that I wasn’t left behind. The classes are really what you make it. I definitely improved my language level. I’d go there again!

If you’re looking for quality education, adventure, and to see Costa Rica through the eyes and experience of a local rather than a tourist, this is the place to go. I spent 5 weeks with an amazing family in Heredia, more specifically Mercedes Norte, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my entire life. They were so kind and helpful, made me food everyday, and introduced me to the beauty of Costa Rica. For such a priceless experience, it’s incredibly affordable. My professor Freddy was the best Spanish teacher I’ve ever had. He’s a great guy, and he speaks English exceptionally well, so you never have to worry about learning at a faster pace than you’re comfortable with. The owner, Chris, runs an amazing school, and pairs you with a family that’s right for you. He’s fair and a genuinely good person, and I feel lucky to have been able to participate in this wonderful program. What are you waiting for? The time is now! But be warned, once you get there, you might not leave. Buena suerte y pura vida!

Tico Lingo was amazing from start to finish. I did eight weeks at the school and had an incredible experience and learned a lot. The staff helped me with every need both concerning school and not. The teachers at Tico Lingo were too notch. I had the pleasure of working with three of them—Erick, Kevin and Freddy—all amazing and truly cared about our progress They were very adaptive to the needs of the students and met every expectation and more. Heredia was a great city to explore and the housing was very nice with good food. All in all I do not hesitate to recommend Tico Lingo!

I was apart of the program for 1 month and it was truly an awesome time. I learned loads and met some seriously awesome people. I am stilling living in Costa Rica and I love going back to talk with the staff who are now friends of mine. This program is a great way to ease you into Spanish and the cultural differences you experience while traveling in Costa Rica. My Spanish is much improved and I credit a lot of it to TicoLingo. I am currently traveling around with friends I met there nearly two months ago! What a time it has been! I highly recommend TicoLingo!

I did the immersive Spanish program for 8 weeks with group classes in the morning and private classes in the afternoon. I would highly recommend the program! I noticed a significant improvement in my Spanish level. The instructors were very helpful and supportive with teaching the language and customized the lessons based on our levels and interests. The administrators and staff were also very helpful and easy to work with. I also did the home stay with a local family which I would also recommend. The family was very accommodating and my stay there forced me to improve my Spanish. Overall a great experience!