Why CRLA?

Study Abroad in Costa Rica

Why the CRLA is the Best Choice

Authentic Costa Rican Experience

If you want to learn Spanish in Costa Rica, it makes sense that you immerse yourself in the culture, as this will ensure a well-rounded hands-on experience, which the CRLA is committed to providing for each student.

If you wanted to study French in France, wouldn’t you prefer that the school be owned and operated by French nationals? Or if you studied German in Germany, wouldn’t you choose a German-run school? To that end, CRLA is one of the few schools entirely owned and operated by Costa Ricans. Also, CRLA ensures that the teachers and staff are native Spanish speakers. That being said, we want you to have a completely immersive experience, as well as learn about Costa Rica’s colorful culture.

Excellent Results

We ensure that you are making the most of your stay in terms of learning Spanish quickly and easily, and at the same time immersing yourself in the culture, no matter what your age, background or Spanish skills are.

Our proven methodology, innovative text books and small class size ensures excellent results. In order for you to have a comprehensive and immersive experience, we provide free cultural classes in the afternoons, such as Latin dance, yoga, Costa Rican cooking and conversation classes.

Highly Qualified Instructors

In order to teach at the CRLA, we require all of our professors to have a university degree in teaching Spanish as a second language, philology or education and have ample training and experience.

Flexibility & Variety

You can start our programs any time, year-round. To that end, you can study for as long as you want and with as many hours of instruction per day as you wish. We offer long term courses, as well as intensive, short-term courses for students with a limited amount of time.

Our students consistently tell us how much they appreciate our flexibility as well as the diversity of our programs, since they are also able to travel and enjoy other activities throughout the country while learning Spanish.

Individualized Service

At CRLA we guarantee that personalized attention is provided to each student. From the moment you arrive in Costa Rica we consider you an integral part of our family and will go out of our way to ensure your needs are met and expectations are exceeded.

Personal Safety

Your personal safety is of utmost imporatance to us:

You will be provided with the directors’ home and mobile numbers, which you can call 24/7.
Airport pick-up is provided by reliable, and experienced staff members.
You will receive an orientation meeting on your first day of class which will help you get around Costa Rica safely.
Storage facilities and a safety deposit box are available at the school to safely store personal items.
We are affiliated with a reliable medical emergency service and have a list of recommended doctors in case of illness.
Although you are traveling on your own, you are never alone at the CRLA; we will even stay at your side at the hospital.

International & Diverse Atmosphere

Unlike most schools who cater to only one type of student, the CRLA works with universities and organizations throughout out the world, so you will find a diversified student body, in turn creating an interesting international atmosphere.

Our school welcomes students of all ages and backgrounds.

The most for your money

Only the CRLA offers students all the following services for FREE:

Latin dance classes
Weekly Costa Rican cooking classes
24-hour airport pick-up
Books and class materials
Wireless internet access
Telephone access for local calls
Postal service
Fresh coffee
Luggage storage while you travel through Costa Rica
Wholesaler tour rates for our students
Travel arrangements, bus ticket purchase and hotel reservations

At CRLA there are NO additional fees or hidden costs.

Great Facilities and Convenient Location

We offer modern and comfortable facilities in a safe and warm home-like atmosphere.
CRLA is located in San José, in a quiet and secure neighborhood. We are on the east side of the city, 20 minutes walking distance from downtown, with easy access to plenty of museums, theaters, restaurants, stores and bus/train stations.

Warm and friendly atmosphere

At the CRLA our goal is to make you feel at home when you are away from home:

“It even gets better the second time around!

Our family returned to the CRLA two years after our original coursework. Due to our strong CRLA base, we came back at an advanced level and continued to strengthen our Spanish skills even further. Heartening, most of the same friendly and talented staff was still at the CRLA and remembered us. What a pleasant and welcoming surprise!
As a former CRLA student and parent of a CRLA student, I highly recommend the CRLA because the learning, care, facilities and services are top notch!”

Joe Edmiston, USA

“I will never forget my time at the CRLA because it has been incredibly special to me. I know I’ve already said thank you and you probably get about 10 of these letters a day, but I just have to say it once more:
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR HAVING SUCH A WARM, LOVING SCHOOL, WHICH REALLY DID FEEL LIKE A HOME WHEN I WAS ACTUALLY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD! I REALLY THINK YOU ARE BRILLIANT!”

Laura Franklin, England

“Before coming to your school I was afraid to travel alone to a country so far away from Japan. But from the moment Leonel (the school´s driver) was waiting for me at the airport I felt welcome and more relaxed. My host family was wonderful and everybody at the school was so nice and friendly. My teacher was very patient and all the other teachers and staff were helpful all the time. Thank you for all you did for me and I hope to return soon.”

Mayumi Asawa, Japan