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Spanish Language Immersion in Costa Rica

Program essentials

Spanish in Costa Rica at a glance

$4,595
at checkout

$4,495 tuition + $100 enrollment fee

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Ask Scott about this program
Program Eligibility
Ages 14–18 · Max 16 students
Duration & Location
16 days · 14 nights
Costa Rica
Travel Dates – Summer 2027
June 15 – 30
July 13 – 28
Supervision
Program Leaders stay on site overnight · Nightly room checks · Median 4.37:1 student-to-staff ratio, maximum 7:1
Included
Accommodation · Meals · Airport transfers & transportation · All activities · Gratuities · Supervision · 24/7 emergency support line
Not Included
Flights to and from the program · Travel insurance · Medical insurance with coverage in Costa Rica · Personal spending money
Students in Costa Rica smile at a market, holding fresh coconuts with straws
Spanish class at an outdoor table, the teacher writing on a chalkboard
Student travelers paddle through whitewater in a raft on the Pacuare River
Red-eyed tree frog resting on a leaf
Students zipline through the rainforest canopy wearing helmets
Teens talk across a table during a classroom discussion
Students swimming in the pool beneath a rainforest waterfall
Student cycling with arms outstretched on a rural road, mountains behind
Student leaning in to smell white blossoms on a branch
Rappelling down the face of a waterfall in the rainforest
Vendor at a roadside fruit stand hung with bananas and pineapples
A long red-roofed building standing in an open green field
Teen travelers chat and smile at a table in a wood-paneled classroom
Students in helmets and harnesses walking single file through tall grass
A host family and students gather outside a yellow stilted house
Student travelers in Argentina write in notebooks at an outdoor table
Students and a host family laughing around the dinner table
Orange butterfly feeding on a zinnia flower
Students standing at the base of a tall waterfall
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Spanish Language Immersion in Costa Rica is a 16-day travel program designed for high school students ages 14 to 18. The program combines 40 hours of Spanish instruction with a two-week homestay in Turrialba. Rustic Pathways runs 3 other Costa Rica student travel programs, and Spanish Language Immersion is the only one built around living with a Costa Rican family and studying the language every morning.

What Will Students Experience?

Students on Spanish Language Immersion experience daily life in a Spanish-speaking household: morning classes grouped by ability, afternoons in and around Turrialba, two weekends with their host family, whitewater on the Pacuare River, and a conversation at the dinner table they could not have held on day one.

Spanish Language Immersion in Costa Rica

Costa Rica · 16 days · Ages 14–18

★ 4.9 (218 Trustpilot reviews)

Program details last verified August 31, 2026

Scott Ingram

Scott Ingram

Director of Admissions

At Rustic Pathways since 2018

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

Schedule a call

View program itinerary

What Does a 16-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Depart for Costa Rica

Fly to San José (SJO). Students on a chaperoned group flight meet their Rustic Pathways Flight Leader at the gateway airport; everyone else arrives within the published window. Program Leaders meet the group at San José for orientation and the first night's hotel.
2

Meet Your Host Family

Travel to Turrialba, sit the Spanish placement test, and tour the town. Then meet the host family you will live with for the next two weeks.
3-5

Classes and Activities

Breakfast at home, then 3 to 4 hours of Spanish class grouped by level. Activities can include canyoning, a waterfall hike, a coffee plantation tour, football with locals, salsa or indoor climbing.
6

Relax with Your Host Family

A full day with your host family. Into town, the local pool, or a neighbourhood football match.
7-11

Continue Classes

A second week of morning classes, afternoon activities with your group, and evenings at home over dinner.
12

Raft the Pacuare River

Trade the classroom for a day of whitewater on the Pacuare, through canyon and rainforest, with lunch and stories afterwards.
13

Spend Time in Turrialba

Your last Sunday with your host family. A relative's house, their favourite restaurant, or a walk through town.
14

Continue Lessons

Morning class and an afternoon excursion, then a final evening with the group looking back on two weeks in Turrialba.
15

Back to San José

One last morning of class, goodbyes to your family and teachers, then back to San José for dinner and the Rustic Ties closing ceremony.
16

Adiós, Costa Rica

Your Program Leaders take you to the airport for the flight home.

Total: 16 calendar days, 14 nights in Turrialba with your host family. International flights are not included.

Costa Rica

Safety

How Does Rustic Pathways Ensure Safety on Spanish Language Immersion?

Rustic Pathways uses established safety, supervision, and risk management practices throughout the Spanish Language Immersion program.

Staff Supervision

Rustic Pathways maintains a median student-to-staff ratio of 4.37:1, with no program exceeding 7:1.

24/7 Emergency Support

Families receive access to a 24/7 emergency number. Rustic Pathways staff responds immediately to emergencies and provides ongoing updates during active situations.

Medical Oversight

Rustic Pathways’ dedicated Medical Director, Dr. William R. Smith, is a board-certified emergency physician and U.S. Army Colonel with more than 20 years of wilderness medicine experience.

Dr. Smith is available to support Program Leaders and families with medical questions, treatment decisions, and incident escalation.

Transparent Incident Data

Rustic Pathways logs incident reports for all medical and behavioral issues during its programs.

In 2025, Rustic Pathways recorded 162 incidents across 2,238 travelers. Of these incidents, 142 (87.7%) were classified as GREEN (lowest severity).

Trained Leaders

Program Leaders pass background checks through Sterling, a First Advantage company, complete 40+ hours of in-person training (80+ hours total), and hold CPR and First Aid certifications.

Rustic Pathways’ core safety team members have completed Viristar’s 40-hour online Risk Management for Outdoor Programs course.

Local Response Planning

Rustic Pathways teams maintain lists of medical facilities for every major program location.

Rustic Pathways uses vetted, licensed, and insured ground transportation operators and prohibits night driving outside approved urban routes.

What Do Parents Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

Everyone meets in San José (SJO), where Program Leaders meet the group and coordinate pickup and departure.

Students travelling from outside the United States, or from a US city without a group flight, book independently and are met at San José within the published arrival window. Students taking a chaperoned group flight from a U.S. gateway airport meet a Rustic Pathways Flight Leader there and travel down together. Gateways are confirmed for each departure.

International airfare is not included in program tuition. After enrollment, our Personal Travel Advisors can help with booking whichever route you are on.

What's included in the price?

Included: All lodging including the homestay, all meals, Spanish tuition and materials, in-country transport and airport transfers, all activities and excursions, 24/7 staff support.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending money ($150 to $200 per week).

Do you offer financial aid or scholarships?

Yes. Monthly payment plans are open to every family, and Rustic Pathways offers both need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Explore scholarships and financial aid.

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program tuition and is not required, but Rustic Pathways recommends it. Medical insurance with overseas cover is required. Those are two different products and families often buy only the second.

What is the enrollment fee?

A one-time enrollment fee is charged when you enroll, separate from the program tuition. It covers enrollment processing, pre-departure advising and trip planning.

The fee is non-refundable after the first 24 hours.

What if my family has an emergency and we have to cancel?

March 31 is the date that matters. Cancel up to then and the program tuition is refunded, less the non-refundable enrollment fee and any airfare already booked. The enrollment terms carry the full schedule.

We know some things are outside anyone’s control. If your family faces a serious documented emergency, contact us; we review these situations individually and will do what we reasonably can to help.

Supervision & Safety

Who's supervising my child?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a median of one staff member per 4.37 students (4.37:1), with no program exceeding 7 students per staff member (7:1). All Program Leaders hold current CPR and First Aid certification, and every program includes at least one leader with 3 or more years of field experience. Program Leaders range in age from 22 to 45.

On this program students sleep at their host family’s house rather than with the group. Program Leaders are based in Turrialba for the full two weeks, see every student at the school each weekday, and are reachable at any hour. Host families are vetted and have worked with Rustic Pathways for years.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Students live with a Costa Rican host family, two Rustic Pathways students to a household, in a room of their own or shared with the other student. Host families are vetted and have worked with Rustic Pathways for years. Program Leaders live locally in Turrialba, visit daily, and are reachable at any hour. On the first and last nights, when the group is together in a San José hotel, students room with same-gender peers and staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

Turrialba has a regional hospital and Cartago is about an hour away, so definitive care is close. All Program Leaders hold current CPR and First Aid certification, and the nearest clinic and hospital are mapped for every location on the itinerary. Our health and safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and plans medications, allergies and dietary needs with families.

Communication

What is Rustic Pathways' phone and smart device policy?

Rustic Pathways programs follow the Trip Before Scroll policy. Program Leaders place phones and smart devices in locked storage before daytime programming and return them after the final scheduled activity. Students keep their devices overnight, subject to quiet-hours and lights-out rules.

Students keep their devices on travel days, and medical and accessibility exceptions apply. Read the device policy and contact arrangements.

Devices like laptops or tablets may be allowed during language classes. Specific rules will be communicated to enrolled families.

How can I reach my child?

Students receive their phones after the final scheduled activity and keep them overnight, subject to quiet-hours, lights-out rules, and connectivity. Families receive expected timing, time-zone guidance, and contact details before departure.

For non-emergency program concerns, contact the Country Director using the WhatsApp details provided before departure. For routine help, call the Rustic Pathways office at +1 440-975-9691 during published office hours. For an urgent matter at any time, use the 24/7 emergency number in the pre-departure materials.

If a student needs to contact home during programming for an urgent matter, medical need, significant personal concern, or family situation, a Program Leader will help arrange communication as soon as circumstances reasonably allow.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group and how old are the participants?

This program is capped at 20 students, ages 14 to 18. Rustic Pathways publishes a median of one staff member per 4.37 students (4.37:1) and no program exceeds 7 students per staff member (7:1).

Students are placed two to a host family, so the group is together at the Spanish school each weekday and split across Turrialba households in the evenings.

Can international (non-U.S.) students join this program?

Yes. Rustic Pathways programs are open to students worldwide, with participants from 53 countries. Students travelling from outside the United States book their own flights to San José (SJO), arrive within the published window, and are met there by Program Leaders. Visa requirements vary by passport, so contact a travel advisor for guidance.

What is the accommodation like?

Two weeks with a host family in Turrialba, on full board. This is the programme, not a budget choice: living in a Spanish-speaking household is what moves a student’s Spanish. The first and last nights are in a hotel near the San José airport.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Students are placed two per host family and roommate requests are taken at enrollment. Students who ask can be placed three to a family instead.

How much Spanish does my child need?

Enough to get through a meal badly. Classes are grouped by ability, so a first-year student and a near-fluent one are not in the same room, and complete beginners are workable. 40 hours of instruction across two weeks.

What matters more than the starting level is willingness to be the person in the house who does not follow the joke yet. Host families are chosen for patience, not for English.

Do students come with friends, or on their own?

Most students come alone and do not know anyone. On this program students are placed two to a host family, so nobody spends the first evening on their own, and the whole group is together at the Spanish school every weekday. Friends are welcome to enroll together and can request the same family.

Program Details

Can the program itinerary change?

This itinerary is what we intend to deliver and we work hard to deliver it. Programs run in real conditions, so activities can move for weather, health and safety, transport, site availability or local circumstances.

If plans change, the team adjusts the schedule around student safety and the purpose of the program. We will tell you what changed and why.

Will my child have unsupervised time?

Yes, and deliberately. Afternoons in Turrialba include free blocks in a small town with Program Leaders nearby, and both Sundays and one Saturday belong to the host family with no Rustic Pathways programming at all. There is no unsupervised time in unfamiliar public places, and students are never alone with a single adult.

Can you accommodate dietary needs & food allergies?

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and common allergies are accommodated with advance notice, and needs are collected at enrollment and passed to the host family and the school.

Be honest with us early. A host family cooks for a household, not a menu. Common restrictions are straightforward in Turrialba; a highly restrictive or unusual diet is harder in a family kitchen than in a hotel, and we would rather place a student well than discover the problem at the first dinner.

How much spending money?

$150 to $200 per week is recommended for souvenirs and incidentals. Tipping is included in the program tuition. US dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica, and the Costa Rican colón is used locally.

Do we need a visa?

US citizens do not need a visa for Costa Rica. Travellers on other passports may, so contact a Rustic Pathways travel advisor for guidance specific to your student’s nationality.

Support

What if my child gets homesick?

Homesickness usually lands in the first few days, and a homestay can sharpen it: a student is in someone else’s house, in another language, without the group around them at night. Program Leaders know this and check in daily. It generally turns somewhere in the first week, and often it is the host family that turns it. Read how we handle homesickness.

Do you support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students and works with families ahead of departure to plan the support a student needs. Tell us early rather than at the airport, so Program Leaders arrive already knowing. Read about our approach to inclusion.

About This Program

Is Spanish Language Immersion Right for My Child?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students at any level of Spanish, including none at all. Classes are grouped by ability, so a first-year student and a near-fluent one are not in the same room. What matters more than your Spanish is whether you are willing to be the person in the house who does not follow the joke yet. You will live with a Costa Rican family for most of two weeks.
What will students do each day?
Mornings are class. Afternoons are Turrialba, your host family, and the activities that get you using what you learned that morning. Two weeks in you will not be fluent. You will be able to hold a conversation you could not hold on day one.

Why Does Rustic Pathways Go to Costa Rica?

Rustic Pathways has taken more students to Costa Rica than to any other country. It is close to the United States, so flights are short and cheap, which makes it a sensible first international program for a lot of families.

More to the point for this program: we have long relationships with host families in Turrialba. A homestay program only works where you already know the families, and that trust took years to build. Costa Rica is also stable, safe and set up for student travel, so the logistics stay out of the way of the learning.

What Other Program Types Are Available?

Costa Rica Americas Language Immersion