GoAbroad

Affordable Spanish Program on the Beach in Costa Rica

by: Manuel Antonio Spanish School

5 (7)Since 2016

This language program includes everything you need to learn, practice, and improve your Spanish in a truly idyllic location. The Standard Spanish Program accepts students aged 18 and above, from complete beginners to advanced speakers. Whether you need to improve your Spanish for professional purposes, prepare for an exam, or are just learning for fun, our team will create the environment you need to succeed. Receive four hours of group Spanish classes per day, Monday to Friday, from 9 am-1 pm. Group classes, with a maximum of six students, are led by professional teachers. In the afternoons, explore the nearby national park and numerous beaches. All of our programs include a complimentary program of activities, access to a swimming pool, snorkels, surfboards, and a tour office to assist you in booking other activities. Throughout the program, you have the option to stay with a local host family for maximum Spanish immersion. The alternative option is an 'on-campus' accommodation at the popular Hostel Plinio.

Program Highlights

Learn Spanish at the most affordable language school in the popular destination of Manuel Antonio.

Have access to facilities and amenities—a mini library, refreshments between classes, wifi, pool, free snorkel, and surfboard use.

Receive guidance from experienced teachers, focusing on communication and real-life language use.

Enjoy a free program of culture and nature activities—movies, hiking, dancing, and beach trips—after class, helping to practice your new Spanish skills.

Guarantee personalized attention from our staff to reach your goals and make the most of your time in Costa Rica.

Quick Details

Locations:
  • Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Availability
Year(s) Offered: Year RoundTerms Available:
  • Fall
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Winter
  • Trimester
  • Academic Year
  • Throughout the Year
  • May Term
  • Spring Break
Age Requirement: 18+
Types & Subjects
Adventure Types:
  • Backpacking
  • Birdwatching
  • Deep-Sea Fishing
  • Eco Tours
  • Ecology
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Homestay
  • Horseback Riding
  • Nature Tours
  • Photography
  • Rafting
  • Rainforest Tours
  • River Kayaking
  • Scuba
  • Sea Kayaking
  • Skydiving
  • Snorkeling
  • Student Tours
  • Surfing
  • Tours
  • Vacation Packages
  • Yoga
Subjects & Courses:
  • Spanish
Languages:
  • Spanish
Types:
  • Language Immersion
Guidelines:
  • All Nationalities
See all program details
Last Updated: Jan 02, 2026

Awards

Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award 2024Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award 2023TripAdvisor Best of the Best Award 2022Travelers' Choice - TripAdvisor

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about the programs

Overall Rating

5

Total Reviews

7

Highly reccomend!

January 04, 2025by: Monica Pendergast - United States
5

My experience at Manuel Antonio Spanish School was exceptional! The individualized lessons were thoughtfully designed, with a clear purpose for each session, and included plenty of speaking practice. My teacher, Daniel, was outstanding, and the entire staff made me feel like part of their family. Rebecca, our main point of contact, was incredibly helpful in organizing activities. We purchased the Nature Package, and it was absolutely worth it. Every tour guide was knowledgeable, and each activity exceeded my expectations. The school also offered fantastic after-school activities, adding an extra layer of enjoyment and immersion. I highly recommend this school to anyone looking to learn Spanish in a welcoming, well-organized environment with an unbeatable combination of education and adventure.

Speak Spanish the Smart Costa Rican Way!

December 27, 2024by: John DeCristofaro - United States
5

Amazing experience with the schools on-site weekly lessons. Smart and thoughtful owners. My teacher Daniel was smart, direct, and kind. I advanced with my Spanish speaking abilities. Atmosphere clean and relaxed. Easy to find. Parking. Excursions designed to immerse oneself into the local sites and culture. Grateful for the experience. I stayed in a nearby walking distance Airbnb. There are also the school's on-site accommodations with a nice pool. Very close to the secluded La Mancha Beach, others beaches, Manuel Antonio Park, and other nature activities.

My School CertificateReceiving my School Certificate with teacher/school owner DanielTeacher Daniel and his wife and school administrator Rebecca at the nearby Quepos Farmers/Crafts market. Super fun.

Manuel Antonio Spanish School = So Much Fun!

December 27, 2024by: Wendy Blackburn - United States
5

I attended Manuel Antonio Spanish School in August 2024 for two weeks. It was intense, but also lots of fun, and I walked away feeling like I had vastly improved my Spanish. The immersion model, curriculum (including fun games), and a patient teacher were a good combination to help me advance my skills quickly. The school also offers "field trips" each evening in the area for further immersion, exploration, and cultural experiences. The owners and teachers were wonderful, and I enjoyed meeting other students from all over the world. I highly recommend Manuel Antonio Spanish School!

Our teacher and students, August 2024

Excellent Spanish Language School!

May 06, 2024by: Lisa Cappelli - United States
5

I cannot say enough about this excellent school, I give it my highest recommendation. Rebecca and Daniel have created an environment that is supportive and fun. The teachers are patient and kind, providing helpful context to the language instruction. I was at the school for four weeks and enjoyed an instructor ratio of 1:1 or 1:2. In addition, they provided information about and access to great activities in the area and connected me with a local homestay that I also highly recommend. Truly an incredible experience and a place where you feel at home.

This Language School was the BEST

December 30, 2023by: Nicole Danbom - United Kingdom
5

This place was amazing! We had the best time ever studying there. They gave us such thorough local information, even before we came via email, and arranged the best local tours and experiences. Karen was the best! We thought her instruction style made learning fun and easy. The instruction style and the environment made four hours a day of learning easy. Rebecca was like our language school mom, acting as the operations manager of everything from organizing amazing tours, to helping us when we thought we needed to go to a hospital, to taking us on a super fun walk to a hidden local beach. Daniel was super fun and knowledgeable. The on-site accommodation gave us everything we needed. 100% highly recommend. The only downsides were that the school is in an area that isn't easily walkable to loads of stuff (the road is kind of... scary to walk on although you can walk within 10-20 minutes to food, shops, etc.), but the local busses are super easy to use and run often to get to other areas with restaurants, beaches, town and we ended up getting a rental car for part of our stay, and also you just might want to consider if you're going to Manuel Antonio Language School there is a natural cycle of how the school operates which includes time during the super-off-peak season when they are mostly shut down and may take some time to reply to emails etc. We loved going in the rainy season (we were there in October), there weren't SOOOO many people around, and I love thunder and lightning and intense rain - I find it exciting. However, if you really want to do a lot of things and don't like rain, I would strongly suggest you consider this, as it literally rained like every single day and lightning storms were common!

Excellent Spanish School in Manuel Antonio

December 14, 2023by: Debbie Ezersky - United States
5

Manuel Antonio Spanish School was the third Spanish school I attended this year and by far the best. The other two were in Spain and were part of large international programs. My classes in Spain had 8-10 students and were often lectures on grammar combined with worksheets and writing assignments. With so many students I had little opportunity to practice what I was learning. At Manuel Antonio I was the only student at my level and recieved 20 hours/week of private instruction that was engaging, fun and effective. My teachers Karen and Daniel had innovative activities that gave me the opportunity to practice my new skills. Plus the afternoon and evening activities were awesome. I attended the intercultural center for a game night, joined a baby turtle release at the beach, and went on the Friday afternoon market tour with Daniel. We tried at least ten different new foods and learned about the region and culture. I also would recommend the homestay as it was very comfortable, the food was delicious and I got to practice my Spanish. My advice is to choose a locally owned school that participates in the community and really cares about each student. I also appreciated all the tips on best beaches and visiting the park. All in all a great experience.

Best of four schools I have attended

March 03, 2020by: Nancy Murphy - United States
5

See all the reviews on TripAdvisor--all five star rave reviews! This is the school you should choose: great teaching, warm collegial atmosphere, caring, helpful directors. This is the best of the four two-week Spanish schools I have attended in Costa Rica and Mexico.

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Types and Subjects

  • Adventure Types
  • Backpacking
  • Birdwatching
  • Deep-Sea Fishing
  • Eco Tours
  • Ecology
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Homestay
  • Horseback Riding
  • Nature Tours
  • Photography
  • Rafting
  • Rainforest Tours
  • River Kayaking
  • Scuba
  • Sea Kayaking
  • Skydiving
  • Snorkeling
  • Student Tours
  • Surfing
  • Tours
  • Vacation Packages
  • Yoga
  • Subjects & Courses
  • Spanish
  • Languages
  • Spanish
  • Types
  • Language Immersion

Availability

Years Offered: Year Round

Terms Available:
  • Fall
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Winter
  • Trimester
  • Academic Year
  • Throughout the Year
  • May Term
  • Spring Break
Gap Year Timing:
  • After College
  • Career Break / Mid-Career
  • During College
  • During High School
  • Post High School

Age Requirement

18+

Guidelines

All Nationalities

Program Cost Includes

  • Tuition & Fees
  • All Program Activity Costs
  • Wifi Costs
  • Required Equipment
  • Assistance Booking Travel
  • Language Lessons
  • Course Materials
  • Certificate of Completion

Accommodation Options

  • Dormitory
  • Home-stays
  • Other

Qualifications & Experience

    Language Skills Required

  • English

    Accepted Education Levels

  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Application Procedures

  • Online Application
  • Written Application
  • Phone/Video Interview
  • Other

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