I'm going to CR (flying into San Jose) for one week in late January. I want to take Spanish lessons.

The details: I have taken 1 week of 4-h private lessons in Copán Ruinas, Honduras and 2 weeks of 6-h private lessons in Antigua, Guatemala. I am currently in two 200-level college Spanish classes. I guess I'm at an intermediate/advanced intermediate level. I'm a 34-year old female.

Most important: Price. I don't have a specific destination in mind. Comparing the CR school prices to the Honduras/Guatemala prices is an eye-opener.

Second-most important: The quaintness of the town. I'm not likely to venture off on various tours, etc. For example, I loved the atmosphere in Copán.

I'd be up for a less-traditional "school", i.e., learning in the marketplace, etc., if it were cheaper I would really like private lessons, but that's not mandatory.

I'd appreciate any insight, especially from Hopefullist, Shilmac (hope I'm not spelling your names wrong), or anyone who's been to a great place in CR and wants to talk about it!

Hi, Quartney -
I haven't studied in Costa Rica but here are links to the 2 schools my research has come up with that sound like they'd fit the bill:

http://www.montanalinda.com/

I've really enjoyed your previous travelogues and will look forward to your next one. Happy trails!

Oops! Forgot to post the 2nd link:

www.orosivalleyschool.net

Hopefulist, those are AWESOME options! Great prices and the little town of Orosi sounds perfect.

Thanks so much!!!

Quartney,
I've done CPI in Heredia (also with campuses in Monteverde and Flamingo) and think it is a very good school. It has gotten larger and my experience there this past summer was a little less than I would have hoped for, but still good. I know that if you do it in September-May there are a LOT less people (high school and college students) and would probably be an overall better experience. Teachers are excellent.

I think you'd enjoy all 3 of these areas.

Stephen (to whom you sent e-mails when you were doing Copan--he forwarded them on to me) has done Intercultura in the town of Heredia. He thinks it is good and I am thinking to try it next time. I can continue to stay with the same family I've always stayed with (we are good friends) and catch the bus in front of their house daily over to Heredia (10 min).

I enjoy that area of Costa Rica immensely (central valley).

I'd also be very happy to study in Orosi or just about anywhere else as long as I knew I'd be getting some good instruction.

Do check out CPI, though. There are some 100 schools in Costa Rica, and I've no doubt it ranks near the top. You'll find CR much more developed than the locations you've previously been, but still I think you'll enjoy the beauty of the country and the warmth of the people.

¡De nada!

I was going to suggest the Orosi Valley School or Montana Linda in the village of Orosi. I didn't study there myself, but I did spend two nights in the hostel at Montana Linda. The surrounding countryside is stunning. Make sure you go to Tapanti National park if you stay in Orosi.

Personally, I find the cities of Costa Rica, Heredia included, to be ugly, charmless, dirty places. I couldn't wait to get away from them.

As far as Orosi is concerned, I wouldn't say it's one of the quainter Latin American towns I've ever seen. There's a historic church and the surrounding mountains which are all very nice. But the homes and businesses are made of cinder block with no architectural flair whatsoever. If you're looking for Antigua or San Miguel de Allende, you won't find it in Costa Rica.

Personally, in Costa Rica, I'd probably opt for a language school in a totally rural or beach location. That's what CR does best.

I've studied at Montana Linda in Orosi twice and highly recommend the town and the school.

Heather - What time(s) of year were you there? Did you have private instruction or small group? Did you stay with a host family? Did you enjoy any excursions in the area? Can you tell I'd like to hear more details? Thanks in advance...

I was there in January the first time and March the second time. We enrolled in normal classes but both time I had private instruction as did my children. My husband had to share a class with one other student both times.

We stayed in their bed and breakfast the first time and a homestay the second time. Both were wonderful.

We went up to Volcan Irazu, toured the coffee plant, enjoyed the hot springs,and hiked around the area but mostly liked hanging out in town. The locals get into the spirit of Spanish lessons and help at every chance.

I liked the small town atmosphere - it's very similar to my hometown.

I'd highly recommend the school and town. (I hear the other school in town is great as well but haven't been there)

Great information, Heather - thanks. I've never been tempted to visit Costa Rica because I'm an indigenous culture and ruins junkyand keep returning to Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize. Might have to branch out one day...

The Orosi area is one I love--this school definitely appeals to me. It's beautiful there, and very peaceful. The church at Ujarras is one of my favorite places to visit in Costa Rica.

I'm just so attached to "mi familia Tica" that it would be hard for me to NOT stay with them. I enjoy the larger towns (such as Heredia) as well (can't say I really dislike ANYTHING about Costa Rica!), but getting into the country and off the beaten path is always a very special experience--and something more like you're probably used to, Quartney.

There is another school that has 2 campuses, Turrialba and Dominical, both nice areas, can't remember the name of it. Turrialba is not far from the Orosi Valley. If interested in more than one location, it would be worth checking into. If I find it, I'll post the name.

Hope some of this is helping!

There's a school with 2 bases in Panamá (Bocas and Boquete) and 1 in Turrialba:

www.spanishbythesea.com

Don't know much about it except what's on the website.

That isn't the one I'm thinking of, but sounds very interesting.

I'll try to research that later today.

http://www.adventurespanishschool.com/

This is the one I was thinking of. . .

Thanks, everyone! I like the sound of Montana Linda school and its location/town atmosphere. I'll let you know what happens ...

Travelogue, please?!