Tou-CAN (and Should) Teach English in Costa Rica—Here’s Why

Yes, you *need* to sign up for English teaching jobs in Costa Rica. This little country in Central America has a big reputation. It's a place where you can surf a wild wave on the Pacific or canyon down a waterfall through the rainforest.

It’s a country with no shortage of hummingbirds, butterfly sanctuaries, and colorful orchids. Put simply, this is pura vida, or pure life. Los Ticos, short for Costa Ricans, use “pura vida” for hello, goodbye, or just a declaration. Either way, it’s definitely a fact.

Costa Rica is the most biodiverse nation on our planet. Ticos really are living the pure life, and they are quite proud of their country’s green, lush forests and crystal blue oceans. So if you have your TESOL cert in hand, or even if you’re “cert-less” and searching, you should look into teaching English abroad in Costa Rica,  

No matter what city, town, or beach outpost you choose for settling in Costa Rica, you’re not far from an escape into the wild. You may be a teacher, but most of all you’re an adventure-seeker. Make some time for beach-hopping on two different oceans, swim through a misty waterfall, or hike up an active volcano (but don’t get too close!). 

Now, it’s time for you to really take action. Go get your teach on! And if you’re not convinced yet, read below for the top five reasons you should teach English abroad in Costa Rica.

Why teach English abroad in Costa Rica?

1. Costa Rica cares. 

Thirty years ago, Costa Ricans pioneered the Eco-tourism movement. The concept to attract visitors through low-impact, locally-supported, and responsible travel has grown tremendously. Thanks to eco-tourism, many residents are employed and tourists all over the world can enjoy Costa Rica. Rich coast, indeed!

What does this mean for you, teacher? Costa Rica has a thriving economy with many opportunities for you to teach. Plus, with a focus on clean and green energy, you’ll want to take deep breaths everywhere you go. You can forest bathe (it’s a thing), kayak through mangroves, or sleep in a canopy in the cloud forest. You’ll learn all about how to both enjoy and help conserve green spaces when you’re teaching English in Costa Rica.

Consider teaching in Monteverde. Translated as Green Mountain, this spot is one of Costa Rica’s seven natural wonders, and a popular ecotourism retreat. Even through the misty Cloud Forest Reserve of Monteverde you could spot the exotic quetzal bird or a golden toad!

Monteverde has been a long-time Quaker settlement, so there are several bilingual schools that may need a teacher just like you. Teach English during the week with your feet on the ground, and on weekends spend your time up in the air ziplining through the trees!

Manuel Antonio may be a small park, but it’s home to hundreds of species. Teaching in Costa Rica means making new friends—the furry, feathery kind! Do an eco-tour in Manuel Antonio conservation area and greet new amigos like toucans, howler monkeys, or sloths.

You’ll see or hear them (those howlers are quite vocal) as you hike through the park’s tropical forests. When you see a clearing in the trees, plant your feet on the white sand or snorkel in the tidal pools of Manuel Antonio’s playas. Your best bet for a teaching job is in the city of Quepos, a 10-minute drive from the park’s entrance. 

2. Teach near the beach!

Beach life in Costa Rica is real life. There are hundreds of playas lining the Pacific and Caribbean coastline, so finding a job in Costa Rica near the beach (or at least within a short drive) is definitely possible. You’re never far from white sand, pink sand, volcanic sand, and even beaches made of shells! 

[Browse ALL Teaching Jobs Abroad in Costa Rica Hiring Now]

The province of Guanacaste, known as the Gold Coast of Costa Rica, has some of the best beaches in the world and plenty of teaching opportunities too! Snatch up a job in Liberia, the province’s capital city. Guanacaste's interior feels a little like the wild west. You’re sure to spot cowboys herding cattle through the dry, rugged landscape in the blazing hot sun, but you’re never far from a cool down at the beach.

When you’re not standing in front of the classroom, you’ll be standing in the water at Playa Conchal—a beach made of seashells! Or grab your flippers for scuba diving at Playa Flamingo. Teach on the shores of Playa Tamarindo if you dig that surfer party vibe.

They call it Tamagringo for a reason, as this beach has a huge expat community. Find a teaching job in town so you’re never far from your big break! Hang with your students in the morning and hang 10 with your surf buddies in the afternoon. That sounds pretty chill, or muy tranquilo as the Ticos would say. You’ll surely be a teacher Monday through Friday and a beacher Saturday and Sunday. 

For more secluded Costa Rica teaching jobs, head South to the Osa Peninsula. On the weekends, check out the coral reefs of Playa Manzanillo (which means chamomile in Spanish). Ahh, don’t you already feel relaxed?  When you’re all set with the tourists on the Pacific, go do something different.

Head to the “right” side of the country, and find a teaching job in Playa Tortuguero. This beach is great for snorkeling, but famous for the pilgrimage of baby turtles that hatch on the sand and find their way to the sea. 

3. Costa Rica ranks high. In everything.

Costa Rica is a little country, but it boasts some impressive world rankings. There’s a reason expats, tourists, and teachers everywhere are flocking to this place. The world loves Costa Rica because...well...it’s awesome at so many things. People here are happy, feliz, contento, muy alegre! And we’re confident you will be too.

Why? Costa Rica tops the charts on the Happy Planet Index (HPI) scale for factors like low carbon footprints and high life expectancies. Essentially, residents here experience a greater sense of wellbeing—if you spent most of your life in paradise, you’d be happy too! And if you teach English in Costa Rica, you’ll start to really internalize that pura vida feeling as well. 

If you’re looking for a place to teach, why not go to a country where they value education? The Costa Rican government spends more on education than most countries, which is probably why they also have the highest literacy rate in Latin America. Costa Rica is also a peaceful nation. They still do not have an official army. In 1949 when the army was abolished, Costa Ricans exclaimed the "army would be replaced with an army of teachers."

Teaching in Costa Rica is pretty stress-free, probably because Ticos are generally a friendly bunch. It could be all the forest-bathing and Pacific sunsets (and don’t forget that Happy Planet Index scale!). Imagine yourself walking to class in the morning.

You’ll say buenos días to your neighbors as you walk past cows and chickens grazing in the field, and you’ll whistle along to the sound of tropical birds. The scenes here are so idyllic, you’ll have to pinch yourself to be sure you aren’t dreaming.

Let’s tally the score—happy, healthy, friendly, beautiful, and a high quality life. Why NOT teach English in Costa Rica? 

4. People need English!

Life may be all tranquilo and pura vida, but Costa Ricans need to hustle for work too. Ecotourism is a billion dollar industry and residents rightfully want a piece of the pie, which means having English skills are in high demand. English is the default language for tourists and employees. (Let’s face it, English is the default language everywhere.) For Costa Ricans, their livelihood often depends on their English skills. Because of this, Costa Rica teaching jobs are becoming more plentiful. This is good news for you! 

[10 of the Best Programs for Teaching English in Costa Rica This Year]

You can find a job in Costa Rica with private institutes, language schools, private high schools, universities, preschools, and more, but your placement will depend on your qualifications. You may get a job your first day with merely a bachelor’s degree, but the most attractive positions will be competitive.

Many places will require a TEFL certificate and some will want you to have prior teaching experience. Best to do your research first! And remember, you can always start by getting your TEFL certificate at one of the providers on our page. After that, you can network in your program to find paid work teaching in Costa Rica. 

If you're really new to teaching, try volunteering. Though you won’t earn money, you’ll get the teaching experience you need now for a paid job later. Remember that not all Costa Ricans can afford English classes. Volunteer work helps those who really need to get ahead.

5. You’re not just teaching—you’re learning too.

Ok, this next part may seem like a contradiction, but we want to give you a dose of reality too. Life in the rich coast is not as stressful as the places where you come from, but teaching can be hard work. First, finding a job in Costa Rica takes focus, and in some cases a grueling interview.

Once you land that dream job, the work doesn’t stop. In your first year or two of teaching, you’re experimenting with new methods and you may be spending HOURS on lesson planning. It’s a game of trial and error, but your small victories will feel so good. Seeing your student smile and really “get it” will be the highlight of your experience teaching English abroad in Costa Rica.

You may not realize this, but Costa Rica is still a developing country. Buses may not arrive on time, and no, not all neighborhoods are safe. You’re learning how to navigate a new culture, and not every day will feel beachy and sunny. Some schools won’t have books or a curriculum, so you’re on your own, kid. But Costa Rica teaching jobs teach you something too.You’ll learn how to be resourceful and creative. You’ll grow more than you ever expected. 

Generally, you won’t bring home a huge paycheck while teaching English in Costa Rica, but hey, the cost of living is low. You don’t need much money for a bowl of gallo pinto, the country’s national dish of rice and beans. Plus, you’ll have firsthand views of sunsets over the Pacific Ocean and hummingbirds zipping through the rainforest, and that is quite literally priceless.

Next steps to teaching in Costa Rica

Don't pack your sunscreen and bug spray juuuust yet. There are a few items on your teach abroad to do list you should check off first.

• Decide where to go. Figuring out where to teach in Costa Rica isn’t easy. The gorgeous highlands? Somewhere in San Jose? Don't let the toucan hold you back—choose a place that's right for you.
• Get TEFL certified. Even if it is not required, this is a wise investment for future ESL teachers. It will give you absolutely everything you need to prepare for the classroom (well, except for an ability to think on your feet!).
• Adults, kids, private schools, public schools? Spend time considering the type of teaching environment you'd most like to be involved in. You can choose from a range of ages, goals (for example, Business English versus Conversational English), and institutions, from one-on-one tutoring to university employment.
• Choose from the best teach abroad programs in Costa Rica. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, your school and organization reputation, location, and your ease of getting started as a paid worker. Some schools or providers may even provide contact info for ambassadors or past participants if you want the REAL dirt.  Here are more considerations to make as you figure out how to choose the right teaching job for you. Pro tip: You can use MyGoAbroad to compare programs side-by-side.
• Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge in travel (in addition to program costs and airfare). Do your research to have an idea of how to pay for teaching abroad.
• Get prepared! You've done your research, chosen your program, saved up the money, and are entering your last weeks of life "at home" before you move abroad to find ESL teaching jobs. Well done! Here's our teaching planning timeline/preparation guide to help make this stage more fun and less stressful.

Time to take off and teach English abroad in Costa Rica!

So there you have it—the top five reasons why you should be teaching English in Costa Rica, right now! Seriously, why are you not there already? 

A word of advice, reader: Your students need English, but mae (this means dude in Costa Rica), you definitely need Spanish. Take a class in your spare time or just soak up the español when you can. Practice with the guys selling sliced mangos and chili on the street corners. Go play soccer with the kids in the field. Remember the word “goal” is the same in Spanish, so this is a good place to start. Get to know your community, and start speaking their language!

Time now to start achieving your teaching goals by helping your students create theirs. Get to work! Many of your students will be serious about getting ahead, and they need you to get them there—fast. No more “hello, how are you?” Your students will want idioms, expressions, and specific terminology to be able to teach tourists all about their rainforests and bio-reserves. Give them something more, so they can pay it forward.

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