Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a multi-lingual country in Central America, bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The culture and cuisine are a blend of African and Spanish influences, and a reflection of Costa Rica’s history under Spanish rule.

Costa Rica is frequently associated with the export of coffee and the ‘Pura Vida’ relaxed way of life, which is also a phrase often heard as a response to ‘how are you?’

February is during the dry season and is a great time of year to visit Costa Rica, when the queen of all carnivals explodes onto the streets in a myriad of Pachanga and Latino music, parading dancers, painted mascaredas and spectacular fireworks! The Pacific Pearl Festival in the coastal town of Puntarenas is an unapologetic showcase of Costa Rican culture, culminating in the crowning of the Carnival Queen.

For those of you looking for something different, why not try a fantastic all-expenses paid volunteer scheme in Costa Rica?

A bit about the placement:

Volunteers are required to teach business-centred classes. The corporate classes are designed to give employees of various companies in Costa Rica the opportunity to acquire a good grasp of English related to their industry, such as accounting, human resources etc.

This placement is a brilliant opportunity to test out your TEFL skills in an enviable location. You will gain substantial experience in teaching lessons, tutoring, lesson planning, overseeing exams, setting homework and monitoring your students’ progress. Your working hours will generally be Monday to Thursday, giving you a three-day weekend to explore your new surroundings! You will also be living with a host family, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the culture and maybe even acquire some conversational Spanish too!