Locations

Immerse yourself in the best of Costa Rica at Intercultura’s exceptional Spanish school campuses!

Experience the vibrant history and authentic local culture of Heredia, the charming “City of Flowers,” where colonial architecture, bustling markets, and everyday Costa Rican life create the perfect environment for language immersion. Then, continue your Spanish journey in Playa Sámara, a breathtaking tropical paradise with a beachfront campus that opens right onto the sand.

From the city to the beach, experience two sides of Costa Rica.

Studying at our two locations gives you the opportunity to discover different sides of Costa Rican culture while accelerating your Spanish skills through total immersion.

Scroll down to learn more about the advantages of combining both campuses, discover why Costa Rica is one of the world’s best destinations for learning Spanish, and explore our gallery for a glimpse of the Intercultura experience.

HEREDIA CITY

Beautiful oasis in the city of “eternal spring”

Watch one of our Heredia videos

The “City of Flowers” is celebrated for its pleasant, year-round climate
Renowned for its vibrant coffee culture and lush coffee plantations
Home to the prestigious National University of Costa Rica (UNA)
Recognized for its commitment to sustainability and green development
Small, walkable city with colonial charm & historic architecture

SAMARA BEACH

Only Spanish school in Costa Rica on the beach

Watch one of our Samara videos

Blue Flag certified for clean waters and eco-friendly practices
Calm, swimmable waters and excellent surfing conditions
Thriving marine life, perfect for kayaking & dolphin watching
Strong community, committed to sustainability & conservation
Laid-back beach town vibe, blending adventure and relaxation

Combine Both Campuses for an Authentic Costa Rican Immersion Experience

Intercultura Costa Rica is one Spanish school with two unique campuses: vibrant, historic Heredia and tranquil, tropical Playa Sámara.

Combine both locations to experience Costa Rican culture from different perspectives and enjoy a truly immersive Spanish-learning experience. Simply choose how long you would like to study at each campus.

Each campus has its own character, lifestyle, and charm. You can begin at either location and move easily to the other after a week or several weeks, without any disruption to your studies.

Questions you might have about our two campus locations

What is most surprising about each campus and area?

The lifestyle and culture of Heredia are very different from life in Playa Sámara:
In HEREDIA we are located in the middle of town. However we have a big beautiful campus with interior gardens, terraces and mountian views.
In SAMARA there is a strong Costa Rican community despite being a beach town. All love the fact that there is no road between our campus and the beach – the Pacific ocean is basically in our front yard!

Where should I start, in Historic Heredia or Samara Beach?

While you probably know best what you’re looking for, we recommend starting at our Heredia campus. Heredia is located in the Central Valley, where 80% of Costa Rica’s people live, so you get an authentic taste of “Tico” life. There are great local tours to volcanoes, waterfalls and other natural wonders, so you won’t only be in an urban setting. It is also a more economical option to start in Heredia, as we include the airport pick-up from SJO if you stay with a host family (minimum 1 week). The tuition is also slightly lower in Heredia. If you have more than one week with us, it’s definitely worth experiencing both campuses! On the other hand if you love beaches, then the Sámara campus will be a great fit. This is a perfect campus and location for the active traveler.

Can I still change the location after my Spanish program has already started?

Yes! Once your Spanish program has started, you can always change the location if you feel like getting to know a different side of Costa Rica.

For example you can start to learn Spanish online from home and afterwards come to Costa Rica or vice versa to keep practicing at home after your trip. Please remember, however, that group classes cannot be changed to privates once you have started but you can, however, always add private lessons to your group class if we have availibility.

Which location do you recommend during rainy season?

You’ll never really know how the green season will be. In Heredia it is usually sunny during the day, with the rain starting in the afternoon or evening and sometimes lasting until the next morning! However in Sámara it is drier, with shorter rains and more sunny days; the rainiest months are September and October. Therefore you should not make your decision according only to what you read online, since it generalizes the rainy season for the most part. Don’t forget, no matter where you start, you can always go back and forth between our locations. Or switch to online classes.

Divide your time between the locations to get the best possible immersion experience.

ABOUT COSTA RICA

Costa Rica is located in Central America, between Nicaragua and Panama, with coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

A peaceful nation with no standing army since 1948, Costa Rica is internationally recognized for its commitment to education, sustainability, and environmental protection.

Despite its small size, Costa Rica boasts remarkable ecological diversity, from volcanoes and cloud forests to tropical rainforests, lowland jungles, and beautiful beaches. Visitors can discover an abundance of flora and fauna while experiencing the rich culture and warm hospitality that make Costa Rica an exceptional place to study Spanish.

Questions you might have about studying Spanish in Costa Rica

Why do students choose Costa Rica to study Spanish?

Costa Rica is known as an environmentally conscious country that has actually gained forested area over the last 30 years. Considered as the safest nation in Latin America it has a reputable education system. The country is also easily accessible from most parts of the USA and Canada. It has several diverse eco-systems and is the country with the highest-density biodiversity in the world as well as it usually comes down to natural beauty and security.

Tourist or Traveler? What are the must-sees in Costa Rica - off the beaten track?

Every guide book or internet site will tell you the must-sees in Costa Rica (Manuel Antonio, Arenal, Monteverde, to name a few), but my favourites are the ones a little further from the beaten track. They may be a little harder to get to, but they are well worth the effort! After living here for 20 years, here are a few of my must-sees: READ FULL ARTICLE!

Zika virus in Costa Rica. Do I really have to worry or even cancel my trip to Costa Rica?

We can say it is save to travel to Costa Rica but it is also really important to inform oneself well about that topic. Here is one article we would like to share with everyone as it is really revealing about the worldwide Zika virus situation.

How much is the cost of traveling in Costa Rica?

We found a very useful article that can give you a pretty good idea about what you will be most likely spending during your stay in Costa Rica – from food, activities, transportation, lodging and more. Read the article here: COST OF TRAVELING IN COSTA RICA OR VIEW OUR SUMMARY!

How to get to Costa Rica and where to go, Liberia or San José?

You are in the middle of planning your trip and need some help in finding out which airlines fly to Liberia (LIR) and which to San José (SJO) or to both? Our blog post “How to get to Costa Rica” may help you in giving you a better overview about direct flights to Costa Rica.