Costa Rica FAQs

Costa Rica is a tropical country in Central America, bordering Nicaragua in thenorth and Panama in the south-east. Famous for its flora and fauna, if you are anature lover and want to spend your time surrounded by lush green forests andrare animals then you should definitely come to Costa Rica.
Apart from its natural beauty, Costa Rica is also famous for its foods, culture,history and much more. You will come across many friendly faces as CostaRicans are known for their warm hospitality.
We at Teacher’s Friend genuinely care about you and that’s why we have madea detailed Q&A about Costa Rica that will help answer all of your questionsabout this magnificent country.
The Q&A is broken down into sections so you can read it cover to cover, or easilyfind the questions you want the answers to most! Enjoy!

The Requirements

What are the requirements for teaching English in Costa Rica?
  • TEFL/TESOL certification –
    This is one of the most important things that you need if you want to teach English not only in Costa Rica but anywhere in the world. Having a Government accredited TEFL/TESOL certificate will not only hone your Teaching skills but also make your CV stand out among others.
  •  Bachelor’s Degree
    – Generally, you don’t need a Bachelor’s Degree to teach English in Costa Rica. But having a degree will always work in your favor  as you’ll be more employable and able to get better paid jobs.
  • Clear and understandable accent
    – Having a clear and understandable accent will definitely help you pass your interview. Also, you will need to have advanced English or higher in order to teach it- which makes sense really!
  • Teaching experience
    – Having previous teaching experience will surely boost up your CV but it’s not mandatory for teaching English in Costa Rica.
Can non-native speakers teach English in Costa Rica?

Non-native English speakers can find teaching work in Costa Rica but they need to be very fluent in English. As they will compete with native English speakers in job searches, having fluency and an understandable accent is very important.

The Teaching

How much money can I earn while teaching English in Costa Rica?

Your monthly income is very subjective and highly dependent from school to school.
But in general, you can earn somewhere between US$ 700 – US$ 1,000 while teaching English in Costa Rica. Teachers can lead a comfortable life in Costa Rica on this amount of money but you are unlikely to save very much.

What visa do I need in order to teach English in Costa Rica?

Visa requirements can change at any time due to COVID and it also depends on your nationality. So, it’s always better to double check on your government’s website when preparing for your trip to Costa Rica.

What are the peak hiring timings in Costa Rica?

There’s no peak hiring season in Costa Rica as schools usually hire teachers at any time of the year.

What would be the interview mode for teachers?

Most schools prefer offline interviews but there are online interviews as well.

How many hours a week will I teach in Costa Rica?

Hours are usually varying from schools to school but in general you need to teach around 20-25 hours per week.

Where will I be teaching in Costa Rica?

The capital city, San Jose, is the best option for teachers to teach English as it has the biggest job market. But other cities such as Heredia, San Isidro de El General and Ciudad Quesada are good options as well.

What type of student will I teach?

You will get to teach mostly adults who are business professionals but sometimes you will also teach children as well.

Lifestyle

Will I be able to travel outside my teaching hours?

Yes, as you will only be teaching 20-25 hours a week, that means you can travel around quite comfortably and easily .Costa Rica is a very beautiful country and there are lots of places to visit.

What are the must try dishes I should eat during my time in Costa Rica?

Costa Rican dishes are quite delicious and not so spicy. If you are a food lover, then you can’t miss out on Costa Rican dishes during your time in this amazing country. Gallo Pinto, Olla de Carne and Casado are some examples of the mouth-watering dishes that you must try while you are here. There are many other sumptuous dishes as well, which you will discover as you meet the locals and genre commendations from friends. Trying all the local food and hanging out with the locals is one of the best parts of teaching English abroad!

What are some of the best places I should explore in Costa Rica?
  • San José –
    San José is the capital and the largest city in Costa Rica. Situated in the centre of the country and surrounded by tall mountains and lush green forests, San José is a stunning city that will definitely amaze you with its magnificent architecture. If you are an avid lover of art, history, culture and food then you must visit this city once in your lifetime. This amazing city also has a vibrant night life which will definitely entertain party lovers.
  • Tortuguero National Park –
    Located in the Limón province of north-eastern Costa Rica, Tortuguero National Park is a heaven for nature lovers around the world. Despite being located in a remote area; this amazing place is one of the most visited national parks in the country. Here you will get to see some rare animals that will of course make your visit a memorable one.
  •  Arenal Volcano –
    Situated in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano is one of the most visited places in Costa Rica. Surrounded by dense greenery, this astonishing volcano will surely blow your mind with its beauty.
  • Tamarindo –
    If you are a beach lover and want to experience the sunny weather by the shore, then Tamarindo is the place that you can’t afford to miss while you are in Costa Rica. Situated on the pacific coast of the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica, this amazing place attracts many tourists with its serene blue beaches.
  • Corcovado National Park –
    A natural jewel in the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica, Corcovado National Park is famous for its rich biodiversity. Because of the hiking trail around the park, explorers can explore many rare species. A must visit place for all nature and wildlife lovers.

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