Prices & Dates
Summer 1: June 16 – June 30, 2012 - $3,395 + Airfare
Summer 2: June 30 – July 14, 2012 - $3,395 + Airfare
Program Details
Age Requirement: Completing grades 8-12
Language Requirement: At least 1 year of Spanish
Flight: Designated Flight Information
School Name: Centro Panamericano de Idiomas (CPI)
Course Hours: 40 Hours of Spanish Language & Culture, 6 Hours Community Service
On-Site Leadership: On-Site Directors
Teacher Travelers: Elena Trombetta (Summer 1), Stacey Bill (Summer 2)
About SPI Costa Rica
Located in the heart of the Costa Rican rainforest, Monteverde hosts the world famous Cloud Forest Preserve offering SPI participants a variety of amazing activities and adventures! Activities include nature and wildlife hikes, relaxing hot spring baths, and an incredible canopy zip-line tour. After a week in Monteverde, students will travel to Flamingo Beach located in the province of Guanacaste on the Pacific Coast. The province is renowned for its breathtakingly beautiful beaches and clear water. Flamingo Beach is a perfect locale for practicing your Spanish in the mornings and swimming, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, or just relaxing on the beach in the afternoon. Live the good life with SPI in Costa Rica - Pura Vida!
History of Costa Rica | Map of Costa Rica
What Students Say
Costa Rica is such a beautiful country! When I stepped out of my house, it felt like I was stepping into a National Geographic magazine! Everything you get to do and see on this program is really incredible.
The classes were so intimate and the Costa Rican teachers did a great job of making us all feel comfortable to speak and learn. They helped us master new Spanish grammar but made sure to make learning fun with games and music. I learned so much in such a short period of time!
My favorite part was the service project within the community. It was a wonderful way to connect with the locals and to improve my Spanish. It was an experience I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
Itinerary:
| Day 1 |  Departure Day: Depart for San Jose, Costa Rica! You will travel from your home city and connect to meet SPI staff and other group members to travel on the designated international flight. Most flights from the U.S. will leave in the afternoon and arrive to San Jose in the evening. View Flight Information
Evening:Students will be escorted by on-site directors and local staff to a wonderful hotel in one of the residential suburbs of San Jose. Directors will collect and safeguard student passports for the duration of the program. During a welcome dinner getting to know fellow travelers, your on-site director will give a brief orientation talk. After your first meal, get a good night’s rest! (Dinner Included) San Jose Hotel Information: Hotel La Condesa |
| Day 2 |  Morning: Students will visit Café Britt for a coffee plantation tour. Learn about the world of Costa Rican coffee as experts teach you the life cycle of gourmet coffee growing.
Afternoon: Once the tour wraps up, enjoy lunch at Café Britt where you’ll get a chance to sit down and talk with your new friends. (Lunch Included). Students will leave Café Britt and travel to Monteverdeabout 4 hours away by private bus. Evening: Arrive in Monteverde during the early evening to take a short placement test before meeting your Costa Rican homestay! Enjoy the first night getting to know your homestay by sharing pictures and getting your mind thinking in Spanish! It is a good idea to bring a small gift from your hometown to break the ice. Your homestay will also help familiarize you with the city on the map and help get to you to school the following morning. Monteverde is small so getting around is easy! Most homestays in Monteverde come from humble means, but provide a very comfortable accommodation and delicious food! |
| Day 3-7 |  Morning: Light breakfast at home. Elective activities will be offered daily in the mornings (weather permitting.) Elective activities in Monteverde will be selected on-site and potential activities include: Trapichi Tour, Hike in Santa Elena Reserve, Latin Cooking Classes, Volunteer Service Project (3-6 Hours) and a Zip-Line Canopy tour.
Afternoon: After lunch, you will participate in regular SPI Spanish Language Immersion courses. Watch your skills progress as you learn Spanish from native speakers! The Costa Rica Spanish Immersion program offers courses for all levels of Spanish. Evening: Spend the early evening exploring Monteverde and all that is it has to offer. Each evening you will enjoy a nice meal with your Costa Rican homestay. Day 7 will be your last day in Monteverde so make sure not to forget to buy any souvenirs before you leave! |
| Day 8 |  Morning: Say adios to your homestay and depart for an overnight excursion to Arenal Volcano and hot springs! By private bus it is a 3 hour drive.
Afternoon: Arrive in the artisan town of Sarchi where you’ll be able to shop and hike around the Arenal Volcano. This will be a great area to take pictures of the beautiful Costa Rican jungle and the marvelous Arenal Volcano. After, enjoy a nice lunch in Sarchi with the group. Evening: Stay the night at a magnificent hotel overlooking the picturesque national park. Spend the evening enjoying the natural hot springs followed by a relaxing dinner with the group. (Dinner Included) |
| Day 9 |  Morning: Depart on Sunday for Flamingo Beach where you’ll meet your new homestay! Private bus ride to Flamingo Beach is around 4-5 hours.
Afternoon: Arrive in Flamingo Beach where you’re homestay will be waiting. Remember, it’s is a good idea to bring a small gift from your hometown to break the ice with this family as well. Your homestay will also help familiarize you with the city on the map and help get you to school the following morning. Evening: Enjoy a typical “tico” style dinner with your new hosts as you get to know them and improve your Spanish. Most homestays on the Guanacaste coast come from humble means, but provide a very comfortable accommodation and delicious food! |
| Days 10-13 |  Morning: Light breakfast at home. Morning elective activities will be selected on-site and potential activities include: free time on Flamingo Beach, Snorkel Cruise ($50 charge-optional), visit to typical Costa Rican town of Santa Cruz and Guaitil pottery center, volunteer service projects and surf lessons at Tamarindo Beach.
Afternoon: Continued SPI Spanish Language Immersion courses in Flamingo Beach. Watch your skills continue to progress as you explore new concepts, grammar, and culture! Evening: Spend the early evening exploring Flamingo Beach or practice your Spanish around the pool at the language institute! After, enjoy a nice meal and relaxing evening with your homestay. |
| Day 14 |  Morning: Light breakfast at home. Day 14 will be your last day in Flamingo Beach so make sure to buy souvenirs for your friends and family before packing. Enjoy the morning by walking the town and soaking up Costa Rican sun at Flamingo Beach.
Afternoon: Final day of classes in Flamingo Beach. Evening: Enjoy a final party with your group and spend some time with your homestay. Don’t forget to pack your bags to prepare for the journey back home! |
| Day 15 | Morning: Light breakfast included. Students will be transported to the Liberia Airport to catch their flight home. Fly back with wonderful memories of Costa Rica!
Airport Departure Tax: Costa Rica charges a $30 cash departure tax when flying out of an airport. Students should arrive with $30-40 USD cash in an envelope for this expense. |