Spanish + Cultural Immersion - Beautiful Beach & City Campus

The school was in a great location! My friends and I felt safe the entire time. The teachers were great but some were more strict then others. I was placed in a lower level than my friend although I knew more Spanish than her. It worked out and was still a great experience! Although my class was pretty easy, I still learned a lot and enjoyed my time. My living situation was another story! So many cockroaches everywhere! It was hard for me to sleep at night! I expected bugs but this was unreal! My friends never saw any the whole time they were there so I know my situation wasn't normal.

My daughter and I had the unique opportunity to experience both Intercultura's Teen Camp and Adult Spanish Program at the same time, and it ended up being one of the most memorable trips we've ever taken together. We started at the Heredia campus, and I can't recommend the immersion experience enough. Being surrounded by Spanish every day accelerated my learning far more than I expected, and the mild spring-like weather was absolutely perfect. The teachers were engaging, patient, and skilled at making students feel comfortable speaking, regardless of their level. While I attended adult group classes, my daughter participated in the teen camp. It was wonderful knowing we were both having our own enriching experiences during the day and then sharing stories in the evenings. She made friends from around the world and came home with increased confidence, improved Spanish, and unforgettable memories. We also spent time at the beachfront campus in Sámara, which was equally fantastic but in a completely different way. Studying Spanish just steps from the ocean felt like the perfect balance of learning and vacation. The location is stunning, and the classes kept me engaged and motivated while still allowing plenty of time to enjoy the beach and local community. What impressed me most was how Intercultura successfully serves learners of all ages. Whether you're a parent looking to improve your Spanish, a teenager seeking an international summer experience, or a family hoping to combine both, the programs are exceptionally well run. I would highly recommend both the adult program and the teen camp. Experiencing the city and beach campuses gave us the best of both worlds, and it was a trip we'll be talking about for years.

I can't say enough how good an experience I had. It is a simple operation but with the best teachers. I learned a lot. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

When we arrived in Costa Rica we had very little spanish. Having moved here, we knew we needed much more facility with the language. The school has been helpful, patient, and they've managed to make the process fun. We have 2 classes a week, for 3 hours each, plus homework. Learning has of course been invaluable, but there's a separate, hidden benefit to the school for ex-pats- when you need help dealing with people and situations here, they volunteer to suggest and explain things. They know the area well and can help you integrate; this has been as valuable as the language skill. Highly recommended.

I first heard about Intercultura through the agency Prolinguis in Switzerland. They pointed me toward Sámara as one of the best spots in Costa Rica, so I took their word for it and booked a three-week stay. I‘ll admit, I was pretty overwhelmed at first. It was my first time studying abroad and my first time in a country I didn‘t know at all. But looking back, I had a great time. I met so many amazing people from various countries that I still keep in touch with even now. My host family was great - I still find myself craving Costa Rican Food. Solo quiero dar las gracias de nuevo a Alice y a Estefanía por ser unas anfitrionas tan maravillosas y por dejarme vivir en su preciosa casa durante tres semanas :) Also, a huge shout-out to Iris. My final week ended up being my favorite, mostly thanks to her. I learned so much and walked away feeling like I could actually use my Spanish. I‘ve never had a teacher who could make a language feel so simple (especially grammar, which is usually a nightmare for me). She has this amazing skill for making lessons fun while still pushing you to get better. I would definitely not mind doing more lessons with her :-)

As a Costa Rican teen, participating in 'Amigos Sin Fronteras' with the foreign students at Intercultura was an amazing experience. We had a great time hanging out and grabbing dinner at the local mall, and I even joined them for a ropes course adventure in the coffee plantations up in the mountains. Both activities were a fantastic way to meet teenagers from the USA, Canada, and Germany. I hope Intercultura invites me to the next event; I love making friends from all over the world, and this program has given me the perfect opportunity to do just that.

I took 2 weeks Spanish class at the school last winter. Everyone from the office and teachers where very professional and friendly. The location of the school just beside the beach and the ambience of the school it couldn’t be better.

I was a student at Intercultura whilst teaching English. The teachers were fantastic and I picked up more Spanish in a short time than I did in four years of studying at high school! It’s such a great place to learn and make connections. The teachers taught at my pace and outside of class there were lots of opportunities to practice. The extra curricular activities are great too

Intercultural was my gateway to a bilingual life abroad. I started there with no Spanish speaking skills and after 6 months of studying and living in Heredia, I developed solid Spanish communication skills and a strong understanding of the local culture and way of life. Due to all of the cultural activities and sense of community within the school, I was immersed in the local culture and quickly felt at home. I learned to dance Salsa and make gallo pinto(my favorite breakfast food), enjoyed their planned excursions and made tons of friends along the way - this was one of the best experiences of my life! The staff at Intercultura is very kind and welcoming and truly support you in your immersion journey. Sign up now!

I loved my time at Intercultura! I found it on Global Scholarships, where it was named one of the best seven Spanish schools in the world, and the only one in Costa Rica, which I really wanted to visit. I also liked that the school listed their teachers’ qualifications on their website, along with student reviews of the teachers, I think this is really important because you know they’re actual teachers. Anyway, the teachers I had were excellent - they really cared about how much I was learning and what our class was getting out of each lesson. They made the lessons fun and relevant and I got to practice speaking a lot. I also liked that they had a really clear structure - first we’d do pre-conversation vocabulary and grammar point review, and then a topic was chosen that included those points, then you progress from easier to harder activities related to it. We also had freedom to expand upon the topic and go with other subjects that would come up in the class related to our interests. After class we had tons of fun activities (which were free) that exposed us to Costa Rican culture, and I got to continue to practice speaking Spanish. My Spanish improved so much, and my cooking Costa Rica style too! I loved spending time at the beach and also being at the city campus - they were two different, but both great, experiences. The school was very well run and organized and felt personal but not too small at the same time. It was fun to meet people from other countries and local Costa Ricans as well, it really opened my eyes and made me realize how easy it is to get past the differences just by having contact with people from so many different backgrounds, including different religions and sexual orientations, it was a really open and diverse atmosphere, which I loved. It’s part of the school’s philosophy and you can see they really mean it, it’s not just a blurb on a website.

I’ve had the opportunity to both work at and participate in several activities with Intercultura, and I can honestly say it’s a truly enriching experience. I really love both locations. The campus in Sámara offers an incredible connection to the natural beauty of Costa Rica, especially its stunning beaches. It has a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere where learning feels fun and alive. There are always engaging activities that make it easy to connect with others, creating a strong sense of community. The Heredia campus, on the other hand, gives you a taste of life in the Central Valley. It’s close to the city, but without the intensity of San José, which makes it feel more relaxed and authentic. There, you also experience a more traditional side of Costa Rican culture—family values, warmth, humor, and a genuine sense of joy in everyday life. What makes Intercultura truly special is the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. Through these interactions, you not only learn about other cultures, but also about yourself. It’s much more than a language school—it’s a space for personal growth, connection, and meaningful experiences.

My experience with the teaching staff of Intercultura has left me impressed, time and again, with their dedication, passion, creativity, and knowledge. Intercultura hires not only native speakers, but vetted and experienced teachers who are committed to connecting with their students and helping them to advance individually.

Learning Spanish Intercultura was amazing! Everything Intercultura has to offer is exceptional- from the academics with extraordinary teachers who were invested my success to speak Spanish well to the community that the school creates to support learning and making you feel at home in Costa Rica through nursing home stays and incredible extracurricular activities.

I worked at Intercultura as an English teacher and had a great experience! Their staff is organized and extremely supportive. The curriculum is engaging for the students, and they complement the academics with fun, cultural events. If you are looking for a true immersion program in a safe and supportive environment, Intercultura is for you!

I took a leap from the usual laying-around vacation and signed up for the Spanish Immersion class at Samara Beach. What a wonderful experience and still plenty of time to enjoy the slower, more relaxed pace of life in Samara. The facility was clean and laid back, right on the beach and the staff and teachers were great. We were broken into groups dependent on our level of understanding and alternated morning or afternoon start times. Although I did not have a home stay, which would have given me a deeper level of understand and immersion, I really enjoyed the week of learning and enjoying my vacation to the fullest.

Intercultura is an amazing school that offers a very good opportunity for their students to learn a language from a different perspective. They offer an amazing classroom experience as well as very friendly staff who are willing to help in any way that they can. They also offer two very amazing locations, one being near San Jose while the other is a beach town.The program focuses more on speaking as well as listening, comprehension, and reading. The other amazing aspect of this entire process was the experience of living with a host family. It truly helped make the experience more memorable and helped with learning the language. Overall this was an incredible experience and I would happily go back and visit some time in the future.

I have never studied abroad before in my life, so getting the opportunity to go to Intercultura as my first experience was the greatest treat. The program was set up very wonderfully ! The teachers made the classes as much fun as possible with activities in the park, group improvisation, and games to improve our vocabulary and speaking skills. The weekend excursions were also amazing! I did so many new things that I will always remember. Getting to go zip-lining, rafting, and seeing monkeys all in one month? Can't beat that! Overall, I would do to this program every year if I had the time!

I had the good fortune of traveling in Costa Rica during the green season and was able to spend one week with a host family while studying at Intercultura in Heredia and two weeks with a host family while studying at Intercultura in Samara. I had very little Spanish prior to starting the immersion program and felt comfortable, by the end of the first week, having a simple conversation with my host family (with the help of a Spanish dictionary and their endless patience). By the end of the three weeks, I felt more at ease attempting conversations with the locals while out and about. Both Heredia and Samara are great locations...Heredia offers the feel of a bigger city while still being small enough to explore mostly on foot, while Samara offers the quintessential beach and surf experience. If you have the opportunity to do an immersion program, I would highly recommend Intercultura!

I spent two weeks in the Spanish immersion program this summer. I brought my mother-in-law, my 10-year-old daughter, and a 16-year-old friend of the family. We all stayed together in a house with a lovely, welcoming hostess. The classes were very informative on both language and cultural aspects, and the teachers sharp, well prepared, and helpful. The administration was exceptionally helpful and friendly. The price for the schooling and the home-stay were very reasonable. The town is small but with good restaurants and enough fun things to do. The school offers weekend excursions which are outstanding - our group of 12 people from 6 countries, ranging in age from 10 to 70, went on unforgettable adventures one weekend to hot springs, a waterfall, a cloud forest night walk, zip-lining through the canopy, and more! I have previously done a Spanish immersion program in Guatemala, which was also excellent, but this was more social and better organized. One of the students did have a backpack stolen at a beach while I was there, so do follow the common sense guidelines for protecting yourself, which of course you must do everywhere in the world. I did not feel unsafe, even with my daughter. I didn't visit the Heredia campus at all, so I can't comment. I highly recommend Intercultura for learning Spanish and a bit of Tican culture. If you go, book an excursion early in your trip to make friends with other students quickly, and definitely do the homestay to have a more complete experience.

Before going to Intercultura, I hadn't spoken a word of Spanish. At the end of the week I was talking to my host family and although my Spanish wasn't perfect (obviously) it was MUCH easier to communicate. The lessons were extremely helpful, and the teacher was fantastic. I thought the lessons were the right balance of fun and hard work, and I was put in a class which perfectly suited my level and challenged me. I loved the excursions, which included nights out in San Jose, and staying with my lovely host family was amazing and we are still in contact. I couldn't recommend Intercultura more.