Locations
Turrialba
Host-families - When taking classes in Turrialba,
many students stay with host families. This is
called Homestay. All the host families are within
walking distance to the school. This ranges from
a 15 minute to 40 minute walk.
Turrialba has a vibrant middle class and a high literacy rate. Host families have been screened and tested by the school to make sure they meet the requirements to care for students. Oftentimes, all the head families meet with the school to discuss new trends and new requirements to ensure that customer satisfaction is met. Sometimes host families will have children or elderly members in the house. The school will try to find you a family that best suits your needs.
If, by chance, you're unsatisfied with the family, simply notify the school and they will make every effort to provide you another. Please try to give them adequate notice to make changes.
Meals are provided for you depending on your program. Breakfast and dinner is included with the standard or deluxe option within families. Lunch may be provided depending on which option you have chosen. If it is not included under your option, you may request that this be added for an additional fee.
If you decide to use the families' phone, please ask beforehand as they do get charged incoming and outgoing calls. Try and limit your calls as much as possible. When going out for night-life, give the families a courtesy notification so they can know if you will have dinner or coming in late.
Hotels
There are various hotel options
in Turrialba which depend on what you're
looking for in the way of pricing and comfort.
These range from $15 to $40. There are also 5
star hotels that can range from $100-$130. (If
you are interested in a hotel, please email info@spanishformedical.com)
Dominical
Host families - This location is quite different
from Turrialba and La Fortuna. All beach programs
differ from city or mid-size towns. Almost all
the host families live a longer distance from
the school. Unfortunately, because new property
developments pop up every year, the locals are
being forced to move away further from the beach
towns.
The commute from the families to the school ranges from 30 minutes to 1 hour by bus. There are other ways of getting to school, either by taxi, bicycle, or jogging. Host-families have less income than Turrialba or La Fortuna and they may not have some of the amenities you're accustomed to like a fancy TV or nice furniture.
However, for many students the surfing-beach experience is worth it and a welcome change/alternative to urbanity. This, coupled with an insight into more rural lifestyles, dialects and modes of living can make this a truly memorable choice.
We recommend staying with host families if you are willing to make the commute.
School Stay - Because the School Stay is on campus housing, this makes going to school a lot easier. The Cabinas, as they call them, are equipped with a shared bathroom in the rooms. All rooms have from two to three beds.
You will probably have a room mate unless you rent the room as a Private.
The rooms are also equipped with electric fans but no air-conditioners. This is an ideal way of living in a small beach town. Because the country is tropical, you have the chance to encounter various animals and critters. The rooms also have screen windows to keep insects out.
Hotel - There are also various Hotel options in Dominical. They range from $15 to $100.
La Fortuna
Host families in La Fortuna are in or nearby the city center. The school has screened all the families to make sure that they have met the requirements to provide a quality environment for hosting students.
One of the key qualifications in the host family selection process is that no one in the family is a fluent English speaker. The benefit of this policy is to provide the student with an environment that allows them to more completely immerse themselves in the language.
Please note that the majority of families have children, so be sure to specify with the school or during registration that you prefer not to be placed in that type of situation.
However, we suggest that it is sometimes better to have more family members present so that the student is given the opportunity to absorb various types of annunciation.
Families are
fairly well educated and many of them run a business
on the side that caters to the resident tourist
industry. Households will be equipped with the
normal amenities and furnishings ranging from
clean bathrooms, comfortable living rooms and
dining rooms. Bedrooms are always maintained for
cleanliness.
Hotel - La Fortuna has the most hotel options.
They range from $10- $150 , depending on level
of comfort provided and individual budget. There
are plenty of options.
San Jose Guest House
The Guest house is located in San Jose. Surrounded
by the main street Paseo Colon, it has plenty
of nearby banks, eateries, buses, taxis, and tourist
spots. This is an ideal place to begin your journey
in Costa Rica.
The guest house has five rooms with shared beds.
Private rooms can be arranged for a slightly higher price.
It also has internet access, washer and dryer, kitchen, cable T.V., radio, patio, guide books, book exchange program, a storage place, and many more amenities. The house has plenty of students that come through, from new students to current students to traveling around students.
It's a great place to meet new friends and learn new things. Best of all, it has a friendly and knowledgeable staff who are aware of a wealth of activities and programs going on in Costa Rica and elsewhere. They're more than willing to help you find the perfect match to suit your needs.
Photos
Language Programs Locations
| Turrialba |  |
| Dominical |  |
| Fortuna |
Activities
| Medical Instruction |  |
| Vounteer Opportunities |  |
| Canyoneering |  |
| Surfing |  |
General
| River rafting |  |
| Beaches of Costa Rica |  |
| Flora and Fuana of Costa Rica |  |
Movies
| Red Cross |  |
| Beach |  |
| Canopy |  |
More photos can be provided by request (email: info@spanishformedical.com )