Costa Rica

Nestled between Nicaragua to the North, Panama to the South, the Caribbean Sea to the East, and the Pacific to the West, Costa Rica is a country of endless coastlines, boundless natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and a booming tourism industry. A haven for outdoor adventurers and environmental enthusiasts, Costa Rica is home to a wealth of natural wonders, from lush jungles and hidden hot springs to white sandy beaches and stunning volcanoes. Throughout the country, you’ll hear a near-constant refrain of “Pura Vida,” a well-worn phrase that translates to “pure life” or “simple life,” and distills the country’s penchant for a relaxed, laid-back lifestyle and attitude into two simple, smiling words. Economy & Environment Steady economic growth and a historically stable political scene have helped Costa Rica achieve one of the lowest poverty rates in Latin America and the Caribbean. The country gained independence from Spain in 1821. To date, it is the only Latin American country without armed forces — Costa Rica dissolved theirs in 1948. Worldwide, the nation is renowned for its progressive environmental policies and ecological accomplishments, including its successful campaign to deforestation. Costa Rica’s lush landscape lends itself to a healthy agricultural economy. Although in more recent years, this isthmus country has emerged as a leader in tourism, receiving some 1.7 million tourists each year. Climate & Landscape Throughout Costa Rica, you’ll enjoy relatively homogenou…

Each country has its own unique requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Costa Rica. Education A bachelor’s degree is not required to teach in Costa Rica, but it is preferred by employers. Those who do not have a bachelor’s degree will still have options to teach in Costa Rica. Citizenship You can be a citizen of any country to teach English in Costa Rica. English Fluency You do not need to be a native English speaker to teach in Costa Rica! Costa Rica, like many countries in Latin America, is a great teaching market for teachers whose first language is not English. That being said, you’ll still need to have a high fluency in English, and you might need to be more flexible about your school and location preferences to compete with native English-speaking candidates. Nevertheless, non-native English speakers qualify for teaching positions here. Background Check A clean background check is not necessary to teach in Costa Rica, unless you are a citizen of a country which requires you to apply for your Tourist Visa in advance or you’re applying for a Work Visa. You can check with your local Costa Rica consulate or embassy page here . Medical Chec…

Costa Rica presents a booming market for English teachers. The country receives some 1.7 million tourists per year, and is home to hundreds of American business offices. As a result, the demand for English language education is abundant, and there are plenty of opportunities for English instructors to teach learners of all ages in Costa Rica, from young children to teenagers and adults! The majority of English teaching positions in Costa Rica can be found in private language schools, but some teachers also secure jobs teaching English in private schools, with volunteer organizations, via government-run programs like Fulbright and the Peace Corps , and/or as private tutors or online instructors. Each of these job types comes with its own specific set of advantages, so you’ll want to understand the basic differences between them before you begin applying. Private Language Schools At a private language school in Costa Rica, you could be working with learners of all ages, from children to adults. You’ll also likely be one of many foreign English teachers at the school, and you should expect to teach classes in the afternoon and evening, outside of the traditional public school or working day hours. Some English teachers in Costa Rica find that they need to work for at least two different private language schools, privately tutor, and/or teach English online in order to work a full time schedule, which is around 25 – 30 hours per week. ITA graduate Sarah G . describes her experien…

Now that you’ve explored the job types available to you, it’s time to begin the application process! There are several steps to take to find a job teaching English in Costa Rica, and we have them all outlined here below. Heads up! Depending on your nationality, the timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa may overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Costa Rica Timeline, as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on top of your visa documents while applying for teaching positions. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your draft to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Step 2: Determine Your Preferences A major part of the teaching abroad experience is enjoying where you’ll actually be living! Do you have a preference when it comes to your daily routines and surroundings? Do you want to live in the bustling capital city of San Jose? Or do you crave a picturesque, small town experience in a city like Montezuma? Do you value having greater access …

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Costa Rica and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you . To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Costa Rica is 430,000 to 550,000 CRC per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. Rural locations with lower costs of living than larger cities might offer lower salaries, or if a school has longer-than-average working hours, you might receive a higher salary. Either way, just make sure you’re okay with it. Working Hours Teaching English in Costa Rica can be a part-time or full-time gig. Most teachers work between 25 to 30 hours per week. However, you’ll need to consider more than just your total number of working hours per week when deciding whether to accept an offer. Will you have to work in the morning for a few hours and then come back for more in the evening? Does your school require that you arrive an hour before your first class starts but not include that in yo…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork, but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this visa process like a pro. Take it from ITA graduate Paige G ., who taught English in Jaco: “The visa process is pretty easy. When you fly into Costa Rica, you will be asked to show proof of leaving the country; at that point your passport will be stamped with a number that says how long you are able to stay in the country. Mine was stamped for 90 days, meaning every 90 days I am required to leave the country. I have done one border run since living in Costa Rica, and it was fairly simple. I crossed the Panama border and came back to Costa Rica the very next morning.” Sounds straightforward enough, right? Let’s get started! Visa Types Tourist Visa What is it? The tourist visa will allow you to travel to Costa Rica. At the port of entry, Costa Rican immigration control will decide whether or not to let you enter the country. How do you get one? Some nationalities will need to apply for this visa in advance, while others can simply travel to Costa Rica and have the visa stamped on their passport upon arrival. You can check which scenario applies to you here . For U.S. citizens, Canadians, and most citizens of Western European nations, you do not need to apply for the visa in advance. Instead, as long as you arrive in the country with a valid passport and proof of onward travel after 90 days in Costa Rica, you will be g…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. If you are working with a Costa Rican employer who has sponsored a work visa for you, public health insurance will likely be a benefit included in your contract and covered by your school. As an added benefit, you’ll also be able to utilize any on-campus doctors your school might have. Check out the Accepting the Right Offer section to learn more! If you are working in Costa Rica on a tourist visa and health insurance is not included in your contract, or, if you want to supplement your public health insurance with a more comprehensive private insurance option, you will want to do your own resea…

You have finally made it to the end of the Costa Rica section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Costa Rica. This timeline is not only for the planners and checklist lovers (although you will love this too!). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Costa Rica to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job in Advance The hiring season in Costa Rica is mainly all year round, though many Costa Rican schools ramp up hiring during the first two weeks of December and around the middle to end of June. Schools don’t typically hire during holiday seasons, which in Costa Rica primarily occurs late December to around the second week of January, as well as the first couple of weeks in July. Take your desired start date and subtract from there. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. 4 months before departure: Begin your research and complete job search documents ___ List out your preferences and priorities ___ Chat with ITA alumni , watch alumni videos , and read about alumni experiences ___ Read through ITA’s resources, and watch a Student Affairs webinar ___ Read about Costa Rican culture. ___ Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the entire time you plan to be in Costa Rica ___ Finalize your i…

If you are not an experienced traveler, or even if you are, I would tell someone thinking of going abroad to: Go into it with a clean slate, without any expectations, and don't get into the habit of comparing your new home with where you came from. Be ready to embrace a new and exciting way of living, finding joy in new and unfamiliar things. Approach challenges or setbacks as problems that can be solved and find the curiosity and tenacity within you to solve them. Try new things, learn the language, and learn from the perspectives of locals. Courtney H. Brasilito, Costa Rica I work in two different places. The first is at a private school opened Monday - Fridays. From Monday - Thursday, I work from 7:30 to 3:15 with 1-2 hour breaks in between. On Fridays, I work from 7:30 - 12:30. With this job, I make enough to survive and save a little, but because I like to travel, I also work at an institute on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Mondays and Wednesdays, I work from 6 to 8:30, Fridays from 4- 6, and Saturdays from 9 - 1:30. I work with children in both places, but I also work with adults in the institute. Crystal R. Heredia, Costa Rica I brought my resume [in person] to the [school's] director and we sat down and chatted for a while. I was hired on the spot for one school. For my other school, I was recommended by [my] TEFL instructors as a substitute and after subbing a few classes, was asked to stay on. Audrey K. San Jose, Costa Rica I do not have a work visa a…