Xplore Costa Rica TEFL Program with Guaranteed Placement

My experience with Xplore has been incredible. From the entire staff being supportive in my journey to the practical experiences I learned in my TESOL course, Xplore is most definitely a program I can recommend to anyone that is interested in teaching English abroad.

When I arrived at the airport, I was feeling a little overwhelmed and uncertain. Moving to a new country and joining a program like this was a big step, and I had all kinds of questions running through my mind: Would someone be there to pick me up? Was everything really going to work out as planned? Thankfully, the shuttle arrived right on time, and the staff made the transition to our hostel feel seamless and welcoming. From that point on, the experience became the adventure of a lifetime. Our instructor, Nikki, brought incredible energy and enthusiasm to every lesson, making the coursework engaging and enjoyable. One of the most valuable aspects of the program was the opportunity to gain real classroom experience. Being able to apply what we were learning in an authentic setting helped build my confidence and better prepare me for teaching. The program also provided a great balance between learning and exploration. We participated in several excursions that felt like fun field trips, allowing us to experience more of Costa Rica while building connections with our classmates. What stood out most was how supportive and knowledgeable the staff were throughout the entire process. They even helped me navigate my journey from San Ramón to my teaching placement in Guanacaste after the program ended. Their support didn't stop there—they have continued to check in and make sure I am adjusting well to my new school, and I feel comfortable reaching out whenever I have questions or concerns. I have truly enjoyed the teaching position they helped me secure and am grateful for the opportunities this program has provided. Overall, I found the experience to be well worth the investment, and I would highly recommend it to anyone considering teaching abroad.

This was truly a beautiful experience—one I’d recommend to anyone, whether you’re an aspiring teacher, healer, artist, or any other walk of life. It may terrify you, intimidate you and possibly make you question your life choices, but I assure you, you will not regret it. To have the ability to step out of your comfort zone is in itself a blessing and what better way to learn more about yourself than by being an English Teacher. I had a 6 month contract at Colegio Victoria in Costa Rica where I covered for another teacher who was on a maternity leave. I've already had experience as a teacher but this type of role was completely new to me for 2 main reasons. I found myself teaching an older age group, despite having little experience with that level, and a subject I wasn’t very versed in: American Literature. It pushed me well beyond my comfort zone! So I decided to dig deep as I usually do. With my background in Art as a 2D animator I connected the dots and realized the similarities between literature and 2D animation. The concept of creating fiction in any medium has always been innate to me and the appreciation of a well-written story has always been present with me. When my workload felt overwhelming I used Ai tools to assist me in the Literature Analysis as well. I felt accepted by the students and staff because I was upfront about my learning curve and although I faced challenges, I decided to make the best of it. Currently, I am still in Costa Rica living with my girlfriend (a fellow teacher) and may even consider becoming a resident here.

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Doing my TEFL and placement through Xplore Asia in Costa Rica was honestly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The team was so supportive from day one — organized, friendly, and always there to help, whether it was with lesson planning or figuring out how not to get lost on my way to class. The TEFL course was way more engaging than I expected. The instructors made everything practical and fun, and by the end I actually felt confident teaching English (which still surprises me). The placement they found for me in Costa Rica was perfect. The school was welcoming, the kids were hilarious and full of energy, and the staff made me feel at home instantly. Outside of teaching, the experience was just as incredible. I met so many amazing people in the program, and we explored beaches, waterfalls, and little local spots I never would’ve found on my own. I genuinely felt supported the entire time — not just professionally, but personally. If you’re looking for an adventure, real cultural immersion, and a program that actually cares about you, I can’t recommend Xplore Asia enough. Costa Rica became a second home for me, and this program is a huge reason why. 💛🌴✨

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I really enjoyed my classes and the students I got to teach over the academic year. My house and neighbour were lovely and peaceful. I got to date, go out and explore Costa Rica in a fun and safe way. The pay was good, and everyone has been friendly to me. However, I've never been paid on time, I've been ignored, overworked, and stressed to the point of illness. The admin at my school is the worst I've ever seen. They make me feel undervalued and like they don't want me. This has been mostly over the last three months that I have lived here, which is a shame as it tarnishes a lot of the good times I had here.

When I decided to take a giant step out of my comfort zone and teach in Costa Rica, my expectations were very high. I thought this was going to be one of those life-changing experiences you see in travel blogs. And honestly, when I found out I’d be living in a beautiful beach town, I thought that this was going to be the best year ever. However, I was wrong. The location was definitely stunning, but the school? That part changed everything. The pay was super low for such an expensive tourist town, they had us working weekends with no extra pay, and they kept adding responsibilities that were never mentioned in the interview. Meetings were all in Spanish, and my Spanish is pretty limited, so I spent most of the year feeling confused, behind, and honestly pretty lost. Inside the classroom, it was even harder. I didn’t get much support or feedback, even though it was obvious I was struggling. I felt like I was just treading water all year. I was frustrated and disappointed a lot of the time, and definitely not having the fun little beach-teacher year I had imagined. But now that it’s almost over, I’m realizing something important… I survived it. I actually made it through! I truly thought at times that I wouldn’t. And for everything that didn’t go how I wanted, I still proved to myself that I’m way stronger than I thought. Even though I didn’t have much free time for a social life or traveling around, when I look back, I actually did see a lot of Costa Rica during holidays and breaks. And while I didn’t make a ton of friends, the few I did make are friends I will keep in my life forever. So no, this year wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t easy or what I pictured at all. However, it allowed me to see what I am (and am not) capable of. It showed me my strengths and weaknesses. And I’m taking all of that back to the States with me.

I am sad to say I did not have a good experience working in Costarica. The TEFL certification experience was ok but the second I arrived at my school I quickly realized it was going to be a long year. I barely made enough money to survive and therefore was unable to travel throughout the country much at all. My boss at the school did not seem to care about my well being and provided minimal support throughout my time. With this being said I am comparing my experience to the spain aux program that I completed the previous year which was very organized and accommodating. I know other teachers that did have good experiences but just do a lot of research before making a decision on this program.

Hello, my name is Nay and I am super excited to share my experience living here in Costa Rica, each day is truly an adventure! While living in Costa Rica, I have visited a number of places and different environments. I’ve been to waterfalls, beaches, National forests, and different communities. I have enjoyed all of this however my favorite part is the people! The different communities have been so kind and have spent their time and days teaching me and my colleagues the culture. It’s been a wonderful to truly experience Costa Rica for what it truly is, a mixing post full of different cultures, animals, and spaces.

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XploreAmericas was very helpful in welcoming teachers of varying experience levels from all over the world and training them to become ESL teachers in Central America. I loved my cohort, my professor, and the director. Having a community is so vital when you first move to another country. Through XploreAmericas I was able to move to Costa Rica and gain my TESOL Certification with other foreigners and live together with them. The Christmas we spent together was one of my most memorable. The XploreAmericas team is very proactive in helping teachers find a placement within the country. They also continue to check in with their alumni after being placed. I felt safe and informed while I was in the program. I had multiple opportunities to embrace the culture of Costa Rica and become integrated into the local "Pura Vida" lifestyle through both everyday interactions and fun excursions that were included in the programming. I especially enjoyed a day at a waterfall park and making tamales with a local charity. The 120-hour TESOL course was fairly easy to complete and my professor, Amy, was amazing. This program will challenge you to expand your view of the world and reward you with newfound skills, experience, and friendships.

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Moving to Costa Rica alone to teach English was one of the biggest leaps of my life—but Xplore turned that leap into a landing. They placed me in an incredible multicultural school filled with educators from every corner of the world. The blend of cultures has been both thrilling and challenging in the best way. When a significant issue came up, Xplore stepped in immediately and handled everything with professionalism and genuine care. I’m still happily teaching at the same school, growing not only in the local language and culture but also through the perspectives of colleagues from around the globe. What has meant the most to me is the safety net Xplore has provided throughout this transition. Moving to a new country is never easy, and the tough moments were very real—but Xplore showed up with resources, guidance, and steady support every step of the way. They strike the perfect balance: available when you need help, yet respectful of your independence. I’m deeply grateful for their expertise, responsiveness, and the reassurance they’ve given me on this journey. It has truly made all the difference.

Teaching abroad has not only taught me some unique skills for managing people of all kinds and ages and how to treat people and educate them, but also has provided so many interesting perspectives on life. From food to language to jokes, to polite gestures and so on. The list is endless. Through teaching and being able to travel, I’ve probably learned more life experience and knowledge in 10 months than I did in 3 years of university classes. This experience is unlike anything else.

Generally speaking, my experience with Xplore Costa Rica was excellent. It was not overbearing or overly demanding, nor did it leave you completely in the lurch. You got enough support that it was perfectly within your power to succeed and have a wonderful time or fail to adapt. I loved my first year in Costa Rica, so much so that I have stayed for two more years so far. I have also known people who could not handle more than a few months. I found Costa Rica to be a peaceful and workable country. Inconvenient to be certain and a bit less comfortable but an easy place to simply be and a beautiful place to live. Even though neither my school nor my area were what I would have preferred, I am still very happy I made the decision to come here.

Great experience completing my TESOL course with xploreasia. Staff and team are very friendly, knowledgeable and fun. San Ramon was an interesting place to study for the month and it gives you a great experience to start your Costa Rica and teaching journey. I highly recommend - they also help you secure a job once you have completed your course.

Moving to Costa Rica genuinely changed the course of my life. The journey started with earning my TEFL certification. During that time, I met people from all over the world and slowly became part of a warm, welcoming local community. Even though we didn’t always understand each other, kindness was the language everyone spoke, and that made everything easier. After training, we got placed in our jobs. I chose an online position so I could live anywhere I wanted, but I loved Costa Rica so much that I decided to stay. I ended up splitting my time for the year—half in a laid-back beach town, half in the energy of the city. The best of both worlds: ocean mornings and urban nights, quiet nature and vibrant culture. Costa Rica taught me how to slow down, appreciate life, and connect deeply with people. The sense of community, the pura vida mindset, and the everyday warmth of the people made it impossible to imagine going back to my old life in the US & I never did. Today, I'm living my third year in Spain, still building on the confidence, curiosity, and love for life that Costa Rica sparked in me. Moving there wasn’t just a chapter—it was the turning point that shaped everything that came after.

I cannot say enough about how much Xplore positively changed my life. From the TEFL program, to helping me choose the job that was right for me, to even supporting me when I had any problems in the country, including medical emergencies well after I left the course. I made some of my friends that I will have for life doing this program. I truly cannot say enough good things about this experience and I wish I could go back every single day!!

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I came to Costa Rica to teach through the Xplore program. I have had an amazing time. The orientation really gets you immersed in the location and culture. Everyone has been so helpful, and even though I haven't been placed yet, they are working hard to get me placed. Everyone in the program has been wonderful!

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Moving to Costa Rica was my second placement with Xplore. Staff was also checking on each step of the way to help me prepare. I had many schools request interviews and I received 3 offers! I was able to truly think about exactly where and what I wanted to teach. The orientation week was amazing and we really built a community. I highly recommend Xplore for teaching abroad and building relationships with other teachers.

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My experience was a bit disappointing in San José- Costa Rica. I was placed with a private highschool, I had specifically for a certain age group limit, but I didn't get it. There was no adequate on site training. They knew I didn't spean Spanish, but most work related text messages were sent me in Spanish. There was an overzealous Head teacher in charge of the English department. She was anything but helpful to say the least. The chidren were unruly and disrespectful. I kept on asking management to help me integrate and give me proper training and change my clesse to a previously agreed upon one. After three months I couldn't handle the work and left the school.

This program changed my life! The support from the Xplore team, the cultural immersion in-country is unmatched. I really enjoyed learning the skills I needed to be a teacher and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of teaching in Costa Rica. Sure, there are ups and downs with any experience of this nature, but it has been a huge opportunity for growth for me personally. I encourage everyone to say YES, take that leap!

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I’ve had such a journey here in Costa Rica. I was at a job in San Jose for 6 months and loved the experience but the work hours were a lot for me. I didn’t want to burn out because I loved teaching and the effect it has on others and myself. So I decided to move out to Jacó and work at bilingual school there. It has been a journey and challenging here but I’m enjoying all the good times. I’ve traveled so much around Costa Rica. I have seen so much and learned so much and I still have so much to learn and see which is so exciting. It’s been a challenge but in the best possible way. I wouldn’t have asked for a better year in Costa Rica. Pura vida!

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