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Teach English in Costa Rica (Playa Sámara)

4.6(57 reviews)
Experience
Teach
Destination
Costa Rica
Duration
1 to 10 months
Ages
18 to 80
Degree
No Degree required

38 others looking at this too. Next opening is Jun 2025, with limited spots.

Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.

Trip overview

Costa Rica is for nature lovers. With roughly 28% of the country covered in national parks, you won’t have to go far to discover some of its famous wildlife – such as sloths, toucans, and red-eyed tree frogs.

And what better way to experience this magical country than completing an in-country TEFL certification? You can then go on to land an English teaching position with one of our partners around the country and start living the “Pura Vida” lifestyle. 

On this life-changing trip, not only do you get everything you need to start your English teacher life with a bang, you also get: 

  • Optional Job Interviews. Once you’ve passed your TEFL course, our team will arrange interviews to help you land your dream job. 95% of Global Travellers are placed in English teaching positions within a fortnight of passing their TEFL. 
  • TEFL Course. Your 160-hour (4 weeks), internationally recognised TEFL course is included in this trip along with accommodation for the duration of your course.
  • Local Activities & Experiences. Get the lay of the land and experience the highlights of your new home with a range of cultural activities and experiences during your first few weeks in Costa Rica. These may include a rainforest zipline, sea life experience, or beach yoga session. 
  • Permanent Accommodation Support. If your English teaching placement doesn’t include accommodation, our team will help you find a comfortable home you’re happy with close to your placement. 

If it’s beaches you’re looking for, Costa Rica has plenty! The black sand beaches of the Pacific Coast create a dramatic foreground for the volcanoes in the interior. The pearly white beaches of the Caribbean Coast look like the picture-perfect paradise of your dreams. 

It’s on these beaches that turtles from all over the world come to lay eggs – testament to how special and unique these beaches truly are. 

It’s only natural for a country with so much biodiversity to be a prime location for adventurous travellers. Whether it’s surfing, white-water rafting, or zip lining through a jungle canopy, no 2 days in Costa Rica are the same. 

There are always curious travellers passing through, so you’ll have plenty of new friends to meet and party with wherever you go in Costa Rica. And its location in Central America means you have a wide choice of intriguing destinations to explore on your doorstep. 

But this isn’t only an adventure full of fun. It’s also an opportunity for you to get a professional certification that gives you a meaningful occupation. With a local income that will help you fund your travels and live comfortably. 

We offer the complete package for teaching English overseas. When you go with Global, you get the full experience for a fraction of the hassle

Our team will help you with the essentials you need to start your new journey with a bang! Including helping you find accommodation, visa assistance, a range of exciting cultural activities, and so much more.

Inclusions

Tap to expand

Certified TEFL course
Optional job interviews
Dedicated Trip Coordinator
Pre-Departure Guide
Trip visa guidance
Personal Travel Concierge
Comfortable accommodation
Private airport transfer
Language lessons & beach yoga
Rainforest zipline
Sea life experience
Interview preparation
Walking tour
Certificate of completion
Ongoing local team support
Global Emergency Line
gWorld access
Permanent accommodation support
Social
Global Academy
Marketplace deals
$250 off your next trip

Just in case it’s not clear already, we’re not an employment or recruitment agency. Read more

Qualification

To qualify for this trip you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be between 18-80 years of age
  • Be a citizen of an eligible country
  • Have no criminal convictions in the past 5 years

Get more info!

Got questions or need to know more? Ask us here, we're online 24hrs Mo-Fr.

Trip details

Our Teach English trips are designed to get you set up in your new life overseas as smoothly as possible. Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress while eliminating the risk of returning home early. Here’s how we do it: 

We’re on your side from the moment you get started. You’ll be assigned a Dedicated Trip Coordinator to guide you through the next steps and answer all your questions. Our team is well travelled so you can learn from our experience. 

Your Personal Travel Concierge will help with flights, insurance, visas, and any add-ons you’d like for your trip. These are real humans too – no robots here. 

Once you land in Costa Rica our team will be waiting for you at Liberia Airport. You’ll be taken to your own, private, air-conditioned (essential in Costa Rica) hotel room – with breakfast included – minutes away from the beach in Playa Sàmara. 

This will be your home for the next 4 weeks while you complete your TESOL class in our partner’s classroom. 

It’s also where you can book an activity with one of our in-country partners, including river & ocean kayaking, dolphin watching & snorkelling, turtle tours, stand-up paddleboard tours, and sunset boat tours. 

Most paid English teaching positions earn between $800 – $1300 USD a month. Our team has lots of connections with language institutes, private schools and online English teaching positions, so they are your best asset to land an England teaching position in Costa Rica -  as long as you graduated from your TESOL.

But our support doesn’t end there. We’ll be in touch during your trip to make sure everything is going smoothly. If you have any questions or concerns we’re one quick message, DM, email, or carrier pigeon away. 

We’re with you every step of the way. 

Requirements 

To qualify for this trip, you must have your high school certificate or diploma. You’ll also need a laptop to help with your English teaching duties.

What extra costs will I have? 

Flights, travel insurance, food, visa, criminal background check, souvenirs & spending money.

Accommodation

During your TEFL course, you’ll stay in your own, private, air-conditioned (essential in Costa Rica) hotel room – with breakfast included – minutes away from the beach in Playa Sàmara. 

This will be your home for the next 4 weeks while you complete your TEFL class in our partner’s classroom.  

Once your course is over, we’ll help you find your new home close to your English teaching placement. 

Trip itinerary

Arrival

When you arrive at Liberia Airport, your private transport will take you to your private room in a hotel in Playa Sàmara (breakfast included). This will be your home for the next 4 weeks as you complete your TESOL qualification.  You’ll meet your classmates and trainers that’ll be with you for the duration of your course.

Week 1-4

Your first day will start with a walking tour led by a member of our in-country team. They'll show you around nearby grocery stores, restaurants, and more.  You'll then jump right into your 160-hour TESOL qualification training! This will include 10-20 hours of observed practical teaching in a local school. That way, you know you’ll be properly prepared when you land your first job. You will also head out on the follow excursions: Boat excursion to spot dolphins, whales, turtles & more Rainforest zipline to experience the unmatched beauty of Costa Rica's rainforests You can also join in on weekly yoga and Spanish lessons on the beach with an instructor (included).   

Ongoing

Our team has many connections with schools in Costa Rica, as well as online schools for those that want to try out the digital nomad lifestyle. Each teaching positionis different – so how your life will look is different for everyone. Most teachers get time off during the Christmas and Easter holidays. This is the perfect opportunity to use that salary you’ve been saving up to explore the incredible landscape of your new home.  You can hike up volcanoes to explore the mystical mist forests, lounge on your choice of beaches, take your pick of adventure activities to get your adrenaline pumping, or hop on a quick flight (or long bus ride) to any of the incredible destinations on your doorstep.  We’ll be in touch with you throughout your stay. If you ever need advice or support our team is available to answer your questions.  Don’t go alone. Go with Global.

Why choose us

Our Teach English trips are designed to get you set up in your new life overseas as smoothly as possible. Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress while eliminating the risk of returning home early. Here’s how we do it: 

We’re with you from the moment you get started. You’ll be assigned a dedicated Trip Coordinator. They’ll guide you through the next steps and answer all your questions. They’ll also help you with the pesky visa. No guesswork – only the right paperwork, approved the first time, in your hands before you leave. 

Your Personal Travel Concierge will help with flights, insurance, visas, and any add-ons you’d like for your trip. These are real humans too – no robots here. 

More often than not, people are offered a paid English teaching position before they even finish their course. In the rare cases this doesn’t happen – as long as you graduated from your TEFL –  our local partners won’t stop until you have a paid English teaching position confirmed. 

But our support doesn’t end there. We’ll be in touch during your trip to make sure everything is going smoothly. If you have any questions or concerns we’re one quick message, DM, email, or carrier pigeon away. 

Our team is well travelled so you can rely on our experience. We’re with you every step of the way. 

Join 95,000+ travellers – giving us 10,000+ 4 & 5 star reviews – by choosing Global to make your travel dreams come true. 

Most travellers book their trip 6-12 months in advance. Dates are flexible, but spaces are limited. So if you’re serious about teaching English in Costa Rica, don’t delay. 

With our Book Now, Decide Later feature, you can get started with a small deposit today, and take a full year to choose your dates. 

We’ll take over from there, helping you with visas, flights, accommodation, and setting you up with our partner in Costa Rica. 

This is the trip for you if you’re after the ultimate English teaching experience in Costa Rica, complete with everything you need and 24/5 support.

Click the red button to check dates & prices.

Why Teach

The main purpose of this trip is to get your TEFL qualification so you can teach English as a foreign language anywhere in the world

You’ll do your 4-week TEFL course in Playa Samara, Costa Rica before landing a teaching position anywhere in Costa Rica. 

As tourism grows and globalisation makes the world smaller, English continues to be the ‘global language’ for mutual communication. 

Which means that people who live in non-English speaking countries could open up a world of opportunities for themselves and their communities by learning to speak English – especially in tourist hotspots like Costa Rica.  

This is the perfect trip for someone who wants to follow a career in education, but wants to travel the world while they’re doing it. A stint as an English teacher overseas will look great on your resume and set you up for success for a future in education. 

Alternatively – if the corporate ladder isn’t your cup of tea – this is also one of those travel ‘hacks’ that’ll allow you to travel indefinitely.

Reviews

Hannah M
Lex was incredibly helpful and friendly. She very clearly explained the entire process, answered all my questions, and was so easy to talk to. Thank you for helping to organise my trip, Lex!
Lloyd F
From the beginning of my trip to now which is a month until I depart (I'm so excited), there has been one person who has helped me with everything I needed along the way and I can't thank her enough. That person is Kerrie (she has been my trip coordinator supplied by GWAT), she has been my go to person for any questions, uncertainties and reassurance that I needed. She has simply been so caring and genuine. As she is an experienced world traveller she understands and can relate to how her clients are feeling before their trip. And provide them with good advice. If she ever reads this I would just like to thank you once more and wish you the best of luck in Australia. :)
Megan G
Amazing!!!!!
Shawn H
Jess has been very informative explaining the program with a very positive and supportive approach. Any questions I have had, she has responded to immediately by either phone or email. Her enthusiasm was appreciated in the new venture. I'm looking forward to this experience.

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Frequently asked questions

Why are you the best company to choose?

As the world’s leading gap-year and "work & travel" company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, over 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 90,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and maintain a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!

Are flights & insurance included?

While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!

What if I don't have any teaching experience?

No experience? No problem! Most Teach trips include a comprehensive in-country TESOL/TEFL course and certification. Led by experienced instructors, these courses equip you with the necessary skills to succeed in the field. All in-country courses include in-person teaching practice with real students so you can gain practical experience as well as cultural immersion, to ensure success when you're out in the field.

Am I guaranteed a job after completing the TESOL/TEFL course?

One of the huge advantages of choosing Global Work & Travel for your Teach adventure is our commitment to helping you secure your first paid teaching placement. Our in-country partners have a stellar reputation for training highly competent and confident English Teachers. With their extensive network of schools and language institutes, they work diligently to set you up with a paid placement. Once you complete your TESOL/TEFL course, or sometimes even before finishing it, our in-country team will set up interviews, prepare you for success, and guide you towards securing your desired teaching position. Then it's off to enrich the lives of students with your English wisdom!

Will I be provided with accommodation during my Teach trip?

Most Teach trips include initial accommodation, and our in-country partner will provide resources to help you find a clean, comfortable, and affordable place to stay during your teaching placement. It's common for our teachers to develop great friendships and opt to live and work together. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the modern, nice, and affordable accommodation options available to you. Rest assured, we'll ensure you have a comfortable home away from home during your Teach trip!

Will I earn enough to get by when teaching?

Absolutely! While the earning potential may vary depending on the teaching destination, all our teachers on the field earn more than enough to cover their living expenses and save some funds for exciting side trips or future travels. Many teachers even take advantage of additional tutoring opportunities to further boost their income. You can rest assured that your teaching placement will provide you with sufficient financial resources to support yourself and enjoy the incredible experiences that await during your time abroad.

Can I teach in other countries afterwards?

Absolutely! Once you've successfully completed your TESOL/TEFL course and initial placement in the country you booked, you'll have developed the skills and experience necessary to excel in English teaching. Many of our teachers take advantage of this and choose to explore other fascinating destinations while leveraging their English teaching skills as a means to work and travel the world. It's an excellent opportunity to expand your horizons, immerse yourself in different cultures, and continue making a positive impact through teaching. The possibilities are endless when it comes to teaching in multiple destinations - the world is literally your oyster!

What if I already have a TESOL/TEFL?

While we acknowledge your existing TESOL/TEFL, we require all our teachers to complete our comprehensive TESOL/TEFL Course & Certification included in the trip package. This ensures that you are equipped with the necessary skillset, practical experience, and premium accreditation for success in the field. Even teachers with prior TESOL/TEFL certifications, including those with extensive professional teaching experience, have found immense value in our course. Our courses provide local language and cultural training, lesson planning, in-class observation and evaluation, and more. It serves as a refresher, helps you acclimatise to the local environment, make lifelong friends, and ensures you are fully confident when applying your teaching skills.

Why should I book now?

After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend or partner?

Yes you can! Simply tell your Trip Coordinator after booking that your friend is also going and they can link your profiles. For most of our trips we should be able to have you and your friends placed together or nearby. Meaning that you can live, work, play & travel together! But wait there's more! Not only can you travel the world with your besties at your side, you can also earn some extra cash towards your own trip just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. You can learn more about the great referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you join. And for those who decide to go-it-solo, we’ve made it easier to meet other Global Travellers in the same region as you. Just like any other social platform, you’ll be able to interact, share, chat and meet with some really cool people who are doing trips just like you!

Can I bring my pet along?

At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.

How it works

1. Choose a trip style

Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!

2. We become friends

Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.

3. Time to go!

We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!

4. Global support

Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.

Still have questions?

Why go Global

Flexible trips

The unexpected can happen sometimes. Can't travel right now? Swap your trip, gift it or save it for later with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee.

Worldwide support

Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.

We're the experts

With over 10 years in the industry and a team of over 90 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.

Partner network

We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.

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Teach English in Costa Rica (Playa Sámara)