Need to brush up on my Spanish but don't want to totally sacrifice my Spring Break (teacher) and am wondering about the language schools in either Manuel Antonio or Tamarindo. Shillmac, others--opinions? Is it better to fly into San Jose or Liberia? Will have three days to spare on other excursions.

Can't help with those but let me know if you're interested in some excellent schools in Honduras or Guatemala.

Where you fly into will depend on your choice of schools. I highly recommend CPI with its 3 campuses: Monteverde (cloud forest); Heredia (Central Valley, town of San Joaquin de Flores); and Flamingo (north Pacific beach area).

There are other good schools as well. Check into Intercultura in Heredia town.

I was a little disappointed this past summer because there were SO m any high school aged kids--and their behavior leaves a lot to be desired. It can really detract from the overall experience. THAT SAID, if you could go during the school year when students are busy, I think you'll have a better experience. September is a GREAT month for this.

As far as Spring Break, I'll bet it is a good time as well. Most of the "kids" will not be in language school, but out enjoying their break.

Oops-didn't mean to imply all of the kids act badly--of course that isn't the case. But it only takes one in a group to hamper the entire learning experience. And when that one gets together with "the one" in another group, and "the one" in another group, etc., well. . you can imagine.

By the way, I'd definitely stay away from Tamarindo and Manuel Antonio during Spring Break. It will be pretty crowded.

Shillmac--thanks for the excellent advice. Our "Spring Break" actually begins the week after Easter (March 29). What about Samara?

Hi TrvlMaven,

I am a teacher also and our Spring Break is the week ot 4/7. I am going to the CPI school, that Shillmac mentioned, in the Flamingo Beach area. I am taking the 4hr a day intensive course, so I will be in school 8 to 12, Mon-Fri. My husband is going with me, but not taking classes.

I am very excited about this opportunity, but also a little disappointed that with my school schedule I won't be able to show my husband the Arenal area or other places that can't be reached in an afternoon. Oh well you can't do it all.

Good luck in your planning.

PS
We are flying in and out of Liberia and renting a car from Tri-Color to make the most of the free time that we do have.

cgenstar,
Are you doing homestay while at CPI? I'm not sure my husband wants to do the language school and wondered how they handled housing.

No we are not doing the homestay. Had it just been me I would have opted for that, however I know my husband would not have been comfortable.

We are staying in studio apartments arranged by the agnecy I booked my classes with. (I used the first one on the Internet and ended up booking through an agency in the U.K.) Their prices are the same but in the future I would just deal directly with CPI.

Our lodging is in the town of Potrero and they have a bus that would transport me to and from the school daily, however with time being so valuable I will just have my husband take me and pick me up so I won't be spending an extra hour travel each way.

It was very reasonable I thought to add my husband on to the package for lodging only.