Costa Rican Language Academy CRLA
Costa Rican Language Academy CRLA
Costa Rican Language Academy CRLA
4.9
About
If you want to learn Spanish in Costa Rica, make sure that you will have an authentic cultural experience.If you wanted to study French in France, wouldn't you prefer that the school be owned by French people? Or if you studied German in Germany, wouldn't you choose a German-run school? The CRLA is one of the few schools completely owned and operated by Costa Ricans and all of our teachers and staff are native Spanish speakers. We will share our culture with you while you learn our language.Excellent resultsWe make sure that you are making the most of your stay and learning Spanish quickly and easily, no matter what your age, background or Spanish skills are. Our practical methodology , innovative books & intimate class size ensures excellent results. We will even offer you extra classes at no cost, if necessary, to ensure that you will achieve your language goals.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingWhat is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
843 within 3 miles
Attractions
104 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.9
70 reviews
Excellent
64
Very good
5
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
wandertraveller
London, UK2 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
I have never written a review before but I had such a brilliant time at this school and my homestay that I felt compelled to create an account on here just to tell everyone how fantastic the school is - and more importantly how great the people who run it are!
I came to this school in early June because I had some time off and was keen to improve my spanish and do some solo travelling. I did lots of research on different schools and found CRLA through reviews on trip adviser which were raving about it but I was still a bit nervous as it was my first time travelling abroad alone to a country where I couldn't confidently speak the language and I wasn't sure what to expect. I wrote CRLA a long list of questions and the very next day they responded answering all my questions with so much help and advice, that I felt reassured. I signed up for two weeks and I had such a great time and learnt so much that I extended my stay for another week and would have stayed longer if I had more time! If you can do a month at this school, then go for it. I did the Monday - Thursday classes which was perfect as it meant I had a three day weekend to travel around and practise my Spanish! Doing the Monday-Friday option is harder as you limit yourself to day trips on the Saturday and Sunday which works fine for some people but I felt it was more fun to travel somewhere on the Thursday evening and spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning there before travelling back to San Jose.
First of all let me tell you all the great things the school does - some of which was completely unexpected - I really feel they go above and beyond what is expected of them.
On the teaching side:
The lessons were fantastic and were one of the main reasons I extended my stay. I had taken lessons at the Instituto de Cervantes in London but these far surpassed anything I had ever done before. Laura was my teacher and I can honestly say I was never bored in her classes. She was so much fun and so warm - we played games, read and discussed topics in the newspaper and learnt a great mix of vocab, tenses and practised speaking all the time. In addition, the school put on dance, cooking, yoga and spanish conversation classes for free in the afternoons which you can opt to do. There was so much to do I didn't get a chance to do the extra conversation classes and cooking - but maybe next time! What I was also really impressed by were the fact that they have their OWN textbooks which they give you for FREE to use and learn from and you then take them away with you home. These were fantastic. Also I was unsure how with new people starting every Monday, they could accurately assess students and put them into new classes but they do it and it works really well - it's not disruptive and it's a great way to meet new people.
On the pastoral side:
Homestay: I stayed with Jenny and her lovely family for my homestay. Every day I was given gourmet meals for breakfast and dinner that I can honestly say I ate better at her house than when I am at home. Every day she would pack me a snack of fruit and biscuits which she didn't have to do and would give me a hug when she saw me. It was fantastic because they didn't speak very much English but were very patient with me and it was a great way to pick up speaking Spanish if you just throw yourself into it. I don't think we were advised to do this - but I brought some small presents (biscuits, tea towels) for my homestay with me when I arrived to say thank you and I think it's a nice way to break the ice when staying with people.
School: Every Monday, Lorenzo gives the new students an introduction in the afternoon to Costa Rica. This was fantastic and told you all the important things you need to know - like how to use the transport system, keep safe, a little bit about the country, places to visit etc - and lots of useful tips. What he emphasises - and which the school really stands by - is that even after you have left CRLA and are travelling around Costa Rica, they are still there for you if you run into any trouble or need any help or advice. They provide you with their emergency numbers and honestly this is a place where the people working there really care about their work. Whether you are a nervous or a confident traveller, it's always good to know that there are people who have your back in a new country and I was really impressed by this. In addition, they go out of their way to help you plan your trip around the country if you need help and they also allow you to leave any excess baggage with them after your homestay whilst you are travelling which is fantastic and a real help.
One other thing:
When I first arrived in San Jose, Delta airlines had lost all my luggage. I was given the runaround by them for three days but Leda and Lorenzo stepped in and would call them when I was in classes to check on my luggage and eventually it was returned. I'm so grateful because after three days I was ready to tear my hair out. And my host family were so helpful, allowing me to borrow clothes and generally being lovely!
After three weeks here, I cannot think of a single negative thing to say about the school, the homestay they put me in or my experience here. This school provides fantastic teaching - my Spanish improved in leaps and bounds whilst I was here - and just the right amount of advice and help. It can be as hands on as you need/want it to be. I am genuinely sad to be leaving but I will definitely be returning!
I came to this school in early June because I had some time off and was keen to improve my spanish and do some solo travelling. I did lots of research on different schools and found CRLA through reviews on trip adviser which were raving about it but I was still a bit nervous as it was my first time travelling abroad alone to a country where I couldn't confidently speak the language and I wasn't sure what to expect. I wrote CRLA a long list of questions and the very next day they responded answering all my questions with so much help and advice, that I felt reassured. I signed up for two weeks and I had such a great time and learnt so much that I extended my stay for another week and would have stayed longer if I had more time! If you can do a month at this school, then go for it. I did the Monday - Thursday classes which was perfect as it meant I had a three day weekend to travel around and practise my Spanish! Doing the Monday-Friday option is harder as you limit yourself to day trips on the Saturday and Sunday which works fine for some people but I felt it was more fun to travel somewhere on the Thursday evening and spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning there before travelling back to San Jose.
First of all let me tell you all the great things the school does - some of which was completely unexpected - I really feel they go above and beyond what is expected of them.
On the teaching side:
The lessons were fantastic and were one of the main reasons I extended my stay. I had taken lessons at the Instituto de Cervantes in London but these far surpassed anything I had ever done before. Laura was my teacher and I can honestly say I was never bored in her classes. She was so much fun and so warm - we played games, read and discussed topics in the newspaper and learnt a great mix of vocab, tenses and practised speaking all the time. In addition, the school put on dance, cooking, yoga and spanish conversation classes for free in the afternoons which you can opt to do. There was so much to do I didn't get a chance to do the extra conversation classes and cooking - but maybe next time! What I was also really impressed by were the fact that they have their OWN textbooks which they give you for FREE to use and learn from and you then take them away with you home. These were fantastic. Also I was unsure how with new people starting every Monday, they could accurately assess students and put them into new classes but they do it and it works really well - it's not disruptive and it's a great way to meet new people.
On the pastoral side:
Homestay: I stayed with Jenny and her lovely family for my homestay. Every day I was given gourmet meals for breakfast and dinner that I can honestly say I ate better at her house than when I am at home. Every day she would pack me a snack of fruit and biscuits which she didn't have to do and would give me a hug when she saw me. It was fantastic because they didn't speak very much English but were very patient with me and it was a great way to pick up speaking Spanish if you just throw yourself into it. I don't think we were advised to do this - but I brought some small presents (biscuits, tea towels) for my homestay with me when I arrived to say thank you and I think it's a nice way to break the ice when staying with people.
School: Every Monday, Lorenzo gives the new students an introduction in the afternoon to Costa Rica. This was fantastic and told you all the important things you need to know - like how to use the transport system, keep safe, a little bit about the country, places to visit etc - and lots of useful tips. What he emphasises - and which the school really stands by - is that even after you have left CRLA and are travelling around Costa Rica, they are still there for you if you run into any trouble or need any help or advice. They provide you with their emergency numbers and honestly this is a place where the people working there really care about their work. Whether you are a nervous or a confident traveller, it's always good to know that there are people who have your back in a new country and I was really impressed by this. In addition, they go out of their way to help you plan your trip around the country if you need help and they also allow you to leave any excess baggage with them after your homestay whilst you are travelling which is fantastic and a real help.
One other thing:
When I first arrived in San Jose, Delta airlines had lost all my luggage. I was given the runaround by them for three days but Leda and Lorenzo stepped in and would call them when I was in classes to check on my luggage and eventually it was returned. I'm so grateful because after three days I was ready to tear my hair out. And my host family were so helpful, allowing me to borrow clothes and generally being lovely!
After three weeks here, I cannot think of a single negative thing to say about the school, the homestay they put me in or my experience here. This school provides fantastic teaching - my Spanish improved in leaps and bounds whilst I was here - and just the right amount of advice and help. It can be as hands on as you need/want it to be. I am genuinely sad to be leaving but I will definitely be returning!
Written June 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Wandertraveller:
We greatly appreciate that you took your time to write such a wonderful review about the school, the homestay, the teachers and the administrative staff. Letters like yours make all of our efforts worthwile. You have place a smile in our faces :) . We love what we do, and our greatest reward is looking at all the happy faces and all the wonderful comments, like yours, about our school.
You are part of the CRLA family now, and we look forward to seeing you again in the near future.
Un fuerte abrazo,
Laura
Written July 23, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
5up3r_80r3d
31 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
I joined CLRA out of a whim when my plans to travel from Costa Rica to Panama and then Colombia fell by the wayside. And, without a doubt, it is the best decision I've ever made. I've enjoyed the experience tremendously that I can't wait to return.
Positives:
- Very comfy and friendly atmosphere. The staff are approachable, plenty of seating within the building and the beautiful garden. Free refreshments are offered.
- Close to San Pedro Mall, Universidad de Costa Rica (Hooters???) and a short bus ride to Downtown San Jose
- Small class sizes and engaging instructors. Abraham is a hoot.
- Plethora of after-class activities such as conversation class, salsa, cooking, volunteer opportunities
- The front desk will assist you with arranging your travel plans or tours within Costa Rica. Heck, they'll even let you leave your baggage in their complex free of charge so that you can travel light even after finishing their program.
- You get to meet people from all over the world almost everyday...well, mostly Europeans
Negatives
- Since there is no minimum number of class days to enroll in, people you've just met and connected with will be gone before you know it. So, don't get too attached.
- I found that many students formed their own cliques according to their continent of origin. I know this is not the school's fault but it was def noticeable. North America roxurz!
- Earthquakes; again not the school's fault but I am trying to balance this review.
If anyone from CLRA reads this, I just want to thank you guys for making my time in Costa Rica so much more meaningful than the usual touristy-go-get-drunk-shop-til-you-drop affair. I hope to be back.
Positives:
- Very comfy and friendly atmosphere. The staff are approachable, plenty of seating within the building and the beautiful garden. Free refreshments are offered.
- Close to San Pedro Mall, Universidad de Costa Rica (Hooters???) and a short bus ride to Downtown San Jose
- Small class sizes and engaging instructors. Abraham is a hoot.
- Plethora of after-class activities such as conversation class, salsa, cooking, volunteer opportunities
- The front desk will assist you with arranging your travel plans or tours within Costa Rica. Heck, they'll even let you leave your baggage in their complex free of charge so that you can travel light even after finishing their program.
- You get to meet people from all over the world almost everyday...well, mostly Europeans
Negatives
- Since there is no minimum number of class days to enroll in, people you've just met and connected with will be gone before you know it. So, don't get too attached.
- I found that many students formed their own cliques according to their continent of origin. I know this is not the school's fault but it was def noticeable. North America roxurz!
- Earthquakes; again not the school's fault but I am trying to balance this review.
If anyone from CLRA reads this, I just want to thank you guys for making my time in Costa Rica so much more meaningful than the usual touristy-go-get-drunk-shop-til-you-drop affair. I hope to be back.
Written January 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Hunggy Hobo,
We are very happy to hear that you decided to join CRLA and had a relaxed and rewarding cultural immersion, which is exactly what we hope to give all our students. We wanted to thank you for taking the time to write all this beautiful comments about CRLA and for covering so many aspects of our school! People like you give us the motivation we need every day to keep improving and providing our students a better experience!
Hope we could control the “negatives” you mentioned : ). With our afternoon activities we try to provide opportunities for students from various countries to mingle and make friends with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Fortunately now it is easy to keep in touch with new friends from CRLA and earthquakes are always short and not very strong.
Thanks again for your feedback. We hope we can have you back here in the near future!
Best regards,
Written March 12, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Renanzel
Oregon150 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
With all the positive reviews, I had high expectations for CRLA and I'm happy to report that the school exceeded my expectations.
It's hard to say what was the best part of the program. The instructors were top notch, the staff kind and helpful and the facility was clean, safe and comfortable. The location was convenient, an easy walk to buses, supermarket and a shopping mall.
Being an older adult student, I was concerned about doing the homestay and also wondered if there would be other students my age at the school. The homestay turned out to be the highlight of my trip to Costa Rica and there were students of all ages and abilities at CRLA. Just being around this diverse group of interesting people was inspiring.
For the homestay, the school did a great job of finding me a home and family to meet my specific needs. I loved my Tica family! They were fun, welcoming and made sure I found my way around the city. They included me in family activities and were able to accommodate my food allergies. Being there also gave me additional practice conversing in Spanish. Definitely recommend!
One thing to be aware of is that the school is in the city, with crowds and traffic like any other city. On the weekends, you can travel to the lovely places you see in the travel videos. But during the week, be prepared to deal with crowded buses, slow commute times and noisy streets at night when you're trying to sleep. Bring ear plugs.
Overall, the Spanish immersion program at CRLA was wonderful. I'm already thinking about when I can go back again.
It's hard to say what was the best part of the program. The instructors were top notch, the staff kind and helpful and the facility was clean, safe and comfortable. The location was convenient, an easy walk to buses, supermarket and a shopping mall.
Being an older adult student, I was concerned about doing the homestay and also wondered if there would be other students my age at the school. The homestay turned out to be the highlight of my trip to Costa Rica and there were students of all ages and abilities at CRLA. Just being around this diverse group of interesting people was inspiring.
For the homestay, the school did a great job of finding me a home and family to meet my specific needs. I loved my Tica family! They were fun, welcoming and made sure I found my way around the city. They included me in family activities and were able to accommodate my food allergies. Being there also gave me additional practice conversing in Spanish. Definitely recommend!
One thing to be aware of is that the school is in the city, with crowds and traffic like any other city. On the weekends, you can travel to the lovely places you see in the travel videos. But during the week, be prepared to deal with crowded buses, slow commute times and noisy streets at night when you're trying to sleep. Bring ear plugs.
Overall, the Spanish immersion program at CRLA was wonderful. I'm already thinking about when I can go back again.
Written March 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Renanzel!
Thank you very much for taking the time to write this beautiful and complete review. It means the world to us, not only that you had such a great experience, but that you decided to share it with the public. I am sure it will be very helpful to a lot of people.
We are looking forward to having you back here very soon!
All the best!
Written March 3, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DKRobertson
Lloydminster, Canada8 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
My wife and I have talked about learning Spanish as a second language for years. We researched many schools throughout Costa Rica and finally determined that CRLA was going to be our school. We are so happy with our decision. We spent an incredible 4 weeks of July 2015 at the CRLA learning Spanish. We began our learning curve starting with no previous Spanish experience. We were not sure what we were getting ourselves into; but it didn’t take us but a few days before we got on a roll. As a couple we were not sure if we could learn or if the teacher could adapt to our … well … age of 55!
As teachers ourselves, we were so impressed with the professionalism of the school, the teachers, the support staff, and the facility. People make the difference in all experiences. The CRLA staff consistently demonstrated a sincere desire to do everything possible for us so we could have an awesome learning experience. Elizabeth, our teacher, had our learning styles figured out right away. She had an incredible sense for pacing. She knew how quickly or slowly she needed to proceed. If we still did not understand a concept, she simply backed up and chose a different instructional angle until we “got it.” We thoroughly enjoyed our 5 hours of instruction per day. The hours flew by which is a testament to her lesson planning and delivery.
The CRLA front-of-office staff went well above and beyond in their assistance with questions about the school. But, it was their personal help and assistance with planning our weekend adventures to wonderful places around Costa Rica that was simply amazing. They were so patient, so informative and organized, so understanding. Experiencing three long-weekends in three different coastal resort towns was a significant part of “going to language school.” We realized that we could not fully turn-off the student in us and that was a huge part of our learning experience.
The CRLA school facilities are terrific. They are modern, clean, welcoming. It felt a bit odd … but our classroom really started to feel like ‘home!’
While a bit nervous about our “home stay” family. Well … this is also a major part of our amazing experience. They were so warm and welcoming. It only took a few days before we felt part of their family.
It was such a pleasure to meet and share this experience with people from around the world. CRLA certainly is a “cosmo school!” We already miss all our German, Irish and American friends!
Accomplishment: So … from a standing start … we were able to complete Beginner Level 1 & 2 in 16 days. Not bad for a couple of old farts. We began to plan for our return during our flight home. This experience only increased our desire from MORE! We highly recommend CRLA and can’t wait to return.
As teachers ourselves, we were so impressed with the professionalism of the school, the teachers, the support staff, and the facility. People make the difference in all experiences. The CRLA staff consistently demonstrated a sincere desire to do everything possible for us so we could have an awesome learning experience. Elizabeth, our teacher, had our learning styles figured out right away. She had an incredible sense for pacing. She knew how quickly or slowly she needed to proceed. If we still did not understand a concept, she simply backed up and chose a different instructional angle until we “got it.” We thoroughly enjoyed our 5 hours of instruction per day. The hours flew by which is a testament to her lesson planning and delivery.
The CRLA front-of-office staff went well above and beyond in their assistance with questions about the school. But, it was their personal help and assistance with planning our weekend adventures to wonderful places around Costa Rica that was simply amazing. They were so patient, so informative and organized, so understanding. Experiencing three long-weekends in three different coastal resort towns was a significant part of “going to language school.” We realized that we could not fully turn-off the student in us and that was a huge part of our learning experience.
The CRLA school facilities are terrific. They are modern, clean, welcoming. It felt a bit odd … but our classroom really started to feel like ‘home!’
While a bit nervous about our “home stay” family. Well … this is also a major part of our amazing experience. They were so warm and welcoming. It only took a few days before we felt part of their family.
It was such a pleasure to meet and share this experience with people from around the world. CRLA certainly is a “cosmo school!” We already miss all our German, Irish and American friends!
Accomplishment: So … from a standing start … we were able to complete Beginner Level 1 & 2 in 16 days. Not bad for a couple of old farts. We began to plan for our return during our flight home. This experience only increased our desire from MORE! We highly recommend CRLA and can’t wait to return.
Written August 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Mr. DK Robertson,
Wow!!!! What a wonderful and amazing summary of your experience here at CRLA in Costa Rica. Thank you very much.
It makes us feel really happy and proud when we see comments like this. We will make sure we share this information with Elizabeth, our front office personnel and the rest of our staff. We also believe 100% that “People make the difference in all experiences”, just like you said.
It is also very important to us that your Spanish improved so much, that you were able to enjoy living with a true Costa Rican family and that you had the wonderful experience of meeting people from around the world.
We are looking forward to have you back here very soon and if we can be of any assistance please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time!
Written August 13, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Greg S
Plano, TX46 contributions
Jun 2017
My daughter recently spent a week at CRLA working with Boris on her Spanish language skills. He was FANTASTIC as was the entire staff at CRLA!! She had previously taken 4 years of Spanish in the US, and in one week, she dramatically expanded her skills - so much so that she was able to converse almost fluently with the locals in San Jose. She is already talking about going back and staying longer! We HIGHLY RECOMMEND CRLA - a very first class organization run by a very kind and caring staff!!
Written July 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Greg
We are so glad that your daughter had such a great experience at CRLA! We are looking forward to having her back here very soon and we’ll make sure we pass this message to Boris and the rest of our staff.
Thank you very much for taking the time to write this review, it means a lot to us.
Take care.
Written July 5, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Emily-Siân
Congleton, UK145 contributions
Sep 2016 • Solo
Studied Spanish here for a week before being placed on a volunteering project. CRLA arranged pick up from the airport and although the transfer arrived late the lady was friendly and the vehicle was clean and comfy. The host family selected by CRLA were friendly and welcoming and my room was comfy, clean, tidy and had all the necessary facilities - also very close to a bus route to the school. The CRLA building school itself is large, clean and tidy and offers a large outdoor area, a café as well as extra classes such as dance classes, cooking classes and yoga. I had a course of 5 hour Spanish classes per day from Monday to Thursday. The classes included good content, a text book and were well organised by the teacher who was also very friendly and worked at a pace the class could keep at. The reception staff in the school were also very helpful and welcoming and helped us on several occasions with booking trips/excursions, directions and general queries. The volunteer staff here were very helpful and explained to us about the projects and how to get there. Staff member Anita couldn't have been more helpful when I was placed on a project I didn't really want to do (Buena Vista Turtle Project) due to others being full and after my first week I found myself very unhappy. Anita helped me to organise my way home, staying with my host family in San José and also how to take the bus to elsewhere in Costa Rica in my extra time. Definitely recommend if you are looking for a school to do a Spanish course at whilst in San José and looking to volunteer, lots of opportunities to meet people here. However just be sure you find out everything about the volunteer projects before you depart to them.
Written September 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Emily
We really appreciate your complete and informative review. It not only helps us improve, but it also provides valuable information for future students and volunteers
Thank you for taking the time to summarize and compliment all the different services and extracurricular activities that we offer here at CRLA, it means a lot to us.
We’ll share this review with Anita; she will be very happy to know that she was able to help you and make your visit to Costa Rica better
We look forward to having you back here in the near future and please let us know if we can be of assistance with anything else.
Written September 21, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jacob Fontenot
Lake Charles, LA18 contributions
Jun 2016 • Solo
I loved it. The host family not only created a comfortable and safe environment but were HILARIOUS and I truly enjoyed spending time with them. The meals were "rico," the clothes were washed timely and regularly, and the family was always there to speak with me and listen patiently.
I took 5 hours a day 4 days a week for 9 weeks in the school. I loved the classes. Each day is differently planned always with conversation/grammar, depending on the professor. However, they aren't afraid to mix it up and have fun (field trips, games, etc.).
In addition to Spanish classes, the school offers dancing, yoga, cooking, and conversation classes - don't miss out on these. Also the reception will HOOK YOU UP for weekend trips. They have numbers, address, bus schedules - don't stress about trip planning.. its so easy with them.
I came initially with a group of 12 from college (U.S.), but I decided to stay alone for 5 more weeks and I couldn't be happier. I learned during the week, and had a blast in paradise on the weekends. You won't go wrong coming here. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help; just email me: tharealjboogy@gmail.com. Pura Vida!
I took 5 hours a day 4 days a week for 9 weeks in the school. I loved the classes. Each day is differently planned always with conversation/grammar, depending on the professor. However, they aren't afraid to mix it up and have fun (field trips, games, etc.).
In addition to Spanish classes, the school offers dancing, yoga, cooking, and conversation classes - don't miss out on these. Also the reception will HOOK YOU UP for weekend trips. They have numbers, address, bus schedules - don't stress about trip planning.. its so easy with them.
I came initially with a group of 12 from college (U.S.), but I decided to stay alone for 5 more weeks and I couldn't be happier. I learned during the week, and had a blast in paradise on the weekends. You won't go wrong coming here. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help; just email me: tharealjboogy@gmail.com. Pura Vida!
Written August 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Tharealjbougy
Loved your review!! Thank you very much. Beautiful summary of all the different services that we offer here at CRLA; Spanish classes, host families, extracurricular activities, weekend trips etc. So glad to know that you were able to experience them all and enjoyed them so much.
We really appreciate that you included your personal email address on this review to answer future students' questions and concerns. It means the world to us.
We would love to have you back here again in the near future.
Please let us know if we can be of assistance with anything at anytime
Thanks again and Pura Vida!!
Written September 7, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TYW
Chester, AR45 contributions
Nov 2014
Tutors act like real teachers - have real knowledge of grammar. They also have friendly cultural experiences so you learn about food, dance and multiple aspects of Costa Rican culture along with language.
Written October 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear TYW!
Thank you very much for your review! We are glad to know you had a good experience here at CRLA. We pride ourselves with the professionalism and experience of our teachers.
If we can be of any assistance with anything else please let us know!
Written November 17, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jean G
Los Angeles, CA1 contribution
Aug 2015 • Solo
I spent 3.5 weeks at CRLA, and thoroughly enjoyed my experience. Before coming to Costa Rica, I barely could speak a few words of Spanish, and left being able to converse comfortably. Teachers were excellent and really knew their material, and class sizes were small so that we got opportunities to speak up and ask lots of questions. Outside of the classes, there were lots of activities (dance, conversation and cooking classes) where I met and made new friends with other students. The staff was also very helpful in coordinating travel on the weekends, as they knew a lot of local places to go and stay. I also feel very grateful when I had lost some money on a volunteer trip coordinated through the school and they had reimbursed me for it. For the location, quality of education, and other services, I couldn't have asked for a better school!
Written September 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Jean G.
We really appreciate all the positive feedback. It means the world to us that you had such a great time here at CRLA!
We’ll make sure we pass these wonderful comments to our staff and we look forward to having you back here with us in the near future.
Written September 9, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Monica H
Mill Valley, California, United States10 contributions
Jul 2015
I was trained as a Latin American literary scholar and have visited a number of language schools in various countries. CRLA is one of the best. I took private lessons. Very well educated, sweet and professional teacher. They offer many afternoon activities and will help advise on travel arrangements. In a great building with lots of classrooms and a lovely courtyard. Great supermarket nearby.
Written August 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Monica,
We are really happy to know that you had such a great time here at CRLA. We appreciate all the wonderful comments regarding our school. It means a lot to us. Please feel free to contact us at anytime if you need anything else and we look forward to have you back here soon.
Written August 3, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I am considering attending CRLA in San Jose in February 2020. I am an intermediate Spanish speaker. I am old and cranky about my hotel accomodations.
Question: What are the 4 and 5 star hotels nearest the academy?
Written September 29, 2019
StaffCRLA
San Jose, Costa Rica
Hi Traveler1
I hope you are well!
There is a 4 star hotel very close by, about 1 block away. Hotel Boutique Jade in Barrio Dent. TripAdvisor doesn't let me put the website here, but you can check it out online.
Hope this helps.
Have a great week!
Written September 30, 2019
Do you offer dancing class for family (2 adults, 5 year old and 2 year old) ?
Written March 4, 2019
StaffCRLA
San Jose, Costa Rica
Thank you very much for your email.
Our Latin dance classes are part of our Spanish program, there are not open to the public. If your family is taking classes at CRLA, you can participate in all our extracurricular activities, (dance, yoga cooking) free of charge.
There will be other students taking the class as well. Since most of our students are adults, the children would need to be supervised at all times. I am not sure the class will be appropriate for a 2-year-old.
Hope this information helps and we would be happy to answer any other questions you might have.
Thanks and have a great week!
Written March 5, 2019
Can I send a 16 year old by himself? It sounds like most students are college or adult? I wouldn't want him traveling alone on the weekend so.
Written March 28, 2017
StaffCRLA
San Jose, Costa Rica
Hi AHTrip201
Thank you very much for your email.
We will be very happy to have your 16 year old at our school to take Spanish lessons. For him/her to come on their own, you only need to fill out a parents' consent in advance and send it to us.
However, during the weekends our students are on their own and we don’t necessarily know who they are travelling with.
We've had some 16 year olds in the past, but most of them have been here with a group from either their school, church or other organization.
I hope this information helps.
Please let me know if you have more specific questions and we'll be glad to answer them.
We look forward to having your son/daughter here at CRLA in the near future!
Thanks and have a great week!
Written March 28, 2017
Showing results 1-3 of 3
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing