The 5 Best Places to Teach English in Costa Rica

Learn the “where’s where” of teaching English in Costa Rica

Don’t just teach anywhere; teach in one of the best places for teaching English in Costa Rica! When it comes to teaching abroad, you might immediately think about big cities in China, South Korea or Japan. But if you’re looking for more of a relaxed, tropical vibe, then Costa Rica could be an incredible alternative. This beautiful Central American country has long been popular with backpackers and expats, and is now making a name for itself as a prime destination in Latin America for teaching abroad.

Whether you’re into low-key beach towns, lush rainforest, or cool mountain towns, Costa Rica has something to offer every taste. 

Plus, Costa Rica doesn’t require English teachers to have a college degree or prior teaching experience. As long as you are a native speaker and have a TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) certificate, you’ll be able to apply for teaching jobs around the country.

Why should you consider teaching English in Costa Rica?

Latin American countries are regularly overlooked for working abroad, as they can have bad reputations when it comes to crime and safety. Luckily, Costa Rica is one of the safest countries in Central and South America. It’s so safe in fact that it got rid of its army in 1949. Many expats and retirees choose Costa Rica for its safety and high standards of health care.

Costa Rica is also extremely affordable. It’s very possible to live well for under $1,000 per month, and even less if you’re frugal or sharing accommodation.

But by far the biggest draw of Costa Rica is its stunning natural beauty, with over 25% of the country made up of protected areas. If you’re a lover of the great outdoors, you won’t get bored here. The Pacific Coast boasts dozens of great beaches and surf spots, while the Caribbean side is a little more laid back and relaxed. Active volcanoes, mystical cloud forests and tropical rainforests are all accessible within less than a day of travel.

Costa Rica’s wildlife is incredibly diverse and animal lovers can visit sloth or turtle sanctuaries, go bird watching or on a nighttime river safari. If you’re more of an adrenaline junkie, then river rafting, zip lining and surfing will have you covered.

And to top it all off, Costa Ricans are incredibly friendly, welcoming and laid back. Pura Vida (pure life) isn’t just a slogan here, it’s a way of life.

The best places for teaching abroad in Costa Rica

Have your sights set on these popular destinations for teaching jobs in Costa Rica.

To help you get started in your search, we’ve put together some of the best towns and cities to teach English abroad in Costa Rica:

1. San Jose

San Jose is Costa Rica’s capital city, located in the heart of the country. It’s the biggest city and the majority of TEFL teachers decide to work here, as opportunities are plentiful. San Jose has lots to offer, including a bustling art and museum scene, and multiple beautiful parks to spend your lunch breaks, soak in some sunshine and practise your Spanish. Speaking of Spanish, if you’re planning to take lessons, you’ll be spoilt for choice in San Jose.

San Jose is a great place to use as a base to explore the rest of the country. As the main transportation hub, you’ll be able to catch buses to all provinces.

• Pros: Cultural capital, plenty of jobs, possibly higher salaries
• Cons: Larger city, no beach, possibly higher prices
• Recommended Program: Maximo Nivel

2. Monteverde

Life for TEFL teachers in Costa Rica isn’t all about surfing… but it *is* a little bit about that!

Known best for its stunning cloud forest, canopy walks and exotic wildlife, Monteverde is an incredibly beautiful mountain town located in the north west of the country. At an altitude of over 4,000 feet, the climate is much milder than in the coastal regions. The cloud forest is home to a staggering number of plants, insects and animals, and you’ll have plenty of ways to explore the region, whether by foot, zipline or canopy walk.

Basing yourself in Monteverde to teach English is the perfect option if you love being active, exploring nature, and wildlife. There are plenty of hiking trails for all levels, beautiful waterfalls to explore and breathtaking viewpoints to discover. A small but active expat community also means most of your western needs will be met, whether it’s delicious brunch or some of the best coffee in the country.

• Pros: Beautiful nature, great for exploration
• Cons: Can be a bit touristy depending on the season
• Recommended Program: International TEFL Academy

3. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Nowhere is Pura Vida more present than in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. This sleepy little surfer town on the Caribbean Coast, close to the border with Panama has long made a name for itself as one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica.

Located in the Limon province, Puerto Viejo is a former fishing village with a stunning coastline, beautiful beaches and surrounded by tropical rainforest. A host of cafes, bars and seafood eateries make it the perfect base to slow down and enjoy the Caribbean vibe while teaching English.

• Pros: Stunning beaches, laid-back vibe
• Cons: Quite a small town, small expat scene
• Recommended Program: International TEFL Academy

4. Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio is a small town located on the Pacific Coast within Manuel Antonio National Park. Despite being one of the smallest national parks in the country, it is among the most popular, mainly due to its biodiversity and wildlife. Sloths, squirrel monkeys and iguanas are just a few of the 109 species of mammals and over 180 bird species that can be found here. On a good day, you can even spot some whales or dolphins.

English language students in Costa Rica will delight and surprise you!

The white sandy beach is one of the most spectacular in Costa Rica and despite the small size of the town, you can find many great restaurants, sodas (local eateries) and bars.

• Pros: Located in a beautiful national park, good beach vibe
• Cons: Fewer teaching opportunities than in the big cities, higher cost of living
• Recommended Program: TravelBud

5. Guanacaste

Guanacaste is one of the most popular provinces of Costa Rica, located on the Pacific Coast and bordering Nicaragua. Home to some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, such as Tamarindo and Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste draws in the surfer crowd.

Liberia is the capital of the province and also the economic and urban center, making it a great place to live and teach. On your weekends and vacation days, you’ll be able to explore volcanoes, deserted beaches and jungle. If you want to go a bit further afield, neighbouring Nicaragua provides further opportunities for exploration.

• Pros: Diverse scenery, beautiful beaches
• Cons: Remote location
• Recommended Program: Costa Rica TEFL

[None Quite Right? View ALL Destinations for Teaching in Costa Rica]

Questions to ask yourself before teaching English in Costa Rica

Are you prepared for the inevitable culture shock?

While Costa Ricans are generally laid-back and very friendly, you’ll inevitably face some degree of culture shock when moving abroad, especially to a country where English isn’t the first language.

Get a tan, get your TEFL certificate… we love living in Costa Rica!

Don’t worry, this is completely normal and almost everyone goes through this. Sometimes it takes a little while for the initial excitement to wear off before you feel a little homesick. Make sure you give yourself a lot of time to adjust and settle into your new home—it will pass eventually.

Learning Spanish will definitely help you overcome culture shock and feel more involved in the local culture and community. Spanish classes can be found in all towns and can be very affordable.

Will you be able to stick it out for a full school year?

If you’ve never taught English abroad before, then signing up for a full year in advance is a big commitment. It’s a good idea to test out teaching English in Costa Rica for a few months before you commit to staying for a full school year. Many schools offer shorter programs of only a few months, which can be a great way to test the water and see if this lifestyle and work suits you, or whether you like your chosen destination.

Is the program you have chosen reputable?

Whichever country you choose for teaching abroad, it’s crucial to do your due diligence and properly research the schools and programs you’re applying to. Look for reviews online, read all the fine print on their website and don’t hesitate to ask any questions you might have about the school, salaries, visas, etc. If you want to go the extra mile in your research, you could ask the school to connect you with alumni of their program to find out about their experience.

Is teaching right for you?

Teaching English is one of the easiest ways to work abroad, but that means it can attract people who only want to be paid to travel and aren’t really interested in teaching. Teaching can be hard work and involves large amounts of lesson preparation and marking, in addition to the actual teaching time. You also have to learn how to manage a classroom and handle students of various ages. However, if you’re willing to go all in, teaching English can be great fun and very rewarding experience.

The best places to teach English in Costa Rica are calling!

Get ready to make the difference in the lives of others while teaching English in Costa Rica!

Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and definitely worth a visit. The low entry barrier to teaching English makes Costa Rica the perfect destination to get started teaching English abroad. Plus, by taking some surfing lessons, climbing an active volcano or volunteering with sloths—whatever your interests, you won’t get bored in Costa Rica.

Get Matched with 5 Teaching Jobs in Costa Rica for FREE