📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The Green Lion
💼 What the programme involves
Our introductory Spanish language course is taught in Spanish and is very intensive. It is modelled on a proven method which we have adapted to local conditions. There are 3 hours of lessons a day (plus coffee break), Monday to Friday, and classes are either morning or afternoon, depending on availability.
The course has a duration of either two or four weeks. In down time we would recommend another 3 (or more!) hours of study per day to gain the most from the course, coupled with local immersion (either trying out your new language skills or watching local TV/listening to the radio/reading books or newspapers).
You are of course able to take part in the same entertainment as participants on other programmes. Your teachers during lessons, and the local staff after lessons, are available to answer any questions and to try to assist you with your language needs. Classes are kept small, in order to improve the learning experience.
You will be amazed by what you can achieve in just two weeks, by which time you will have familiarity with basic and appropriate vocabulary, numerous useful and applicable verbs and phrases, and several tenses. The four week course takes you further, up to the beginning of intermediate.
🏠 Accommodation on site
About the Accommodation
Your new home will be one of two newly built eco houses in our centre in Esparza: Jaguar House and Toucan House.
The two houses sleep up to 22 people. Most rooms have bunk beds and are shared on a single gender. One room in each house has a bunk bed with a double bed below, single above, suitable for couples or small families, if needed. (Private rooms can be obtained at additional cost; this must be arranged before arriving for your program).
All doors are lockable and we advise you, for added security, to make use of this when you leave your room.
There is also a large dining hall/games room/communal area shared by both houses, with free WiFi, TV and table tennis, and a large garden of tropical plants, including coconut palm, papaya, banana, and citrus
Food Arrangements
Three meals a day on weekdays (two on weekends) are included during your stay. The meals will mainly be a mix of traditional and modern Costa Rican food, so you may experience the Costa Rican take on foods you will be familiar with. Most meals will include either fish, chicken, pork or beef, but vegetarians can be catered for.
📍 About the location
Esparza is a medium-sized agricultural town nestled amongst the mountains above Rio Barranca, in the Central Pacific Coast area of Costa Rica. The area was first settled by the Chorotega and Huetar peoples. The Chorotega people fled from Mexico 1,500 years ago and brought their traditions with them. This is a possible reason why there are Mexican words which jump several countries and turn up again in Costa Rica.
The Spanish town was founded in 1577, making it the second oldest in the country. It has a rich history which includes legends of hidden pirate gold. Esparza is the second largest canton in the province of Puntarenas, covering an area of 216.80 km², and with a population of approximately 35,000.
The pace of life is relaxed. It is not unusual to see horses being ridden in the street. The town itself is off the tourist trail. However, the nearest beach for surf and relaxation is only 20 mins (14kms) away. Within a distance of 25 kilometers, you can also find canopy tours as well as the world-famous attractions of Puntarenas, including a marine park and a newly renovated marina. Likewise, the nearest national park, Carara, is only an hour's drive away.
ℹ️ Additional information
The two or four week classes start every two weeks, the first Monday and third Monday of the month. Participation fee 420€ per week.