TEACH ENGLISH IN COSTA RICA

About Teaching English in Costa Rica

Known for its stunning tropical beauty, world-class beaches & the warm hospitality of its people (affectionately known as "ticos"), Costa Rica represents one of the hottest job markets for teaching English in Latin America.

A solid hourly wage enables teachers the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle while in Costa Rica and traveling the region. With a low cost of living, start-up costs for transitioning into the country are extremely affordable, especially for Americans because the cost of the flight is relatively low.  

English language schools in Costa Rica offer approximately 20 to 25 hours of work per week, allowing for plenty of time to travel and explore. While a Bachelor's degree is not required to secure a job in Costa Rica, it still can be strongly preferred by employers. If you do not have a degree, you should be prepared for a more competitive job search.

San Jose, Costa Rica's largest city, concentrates the bulk of teaching positions, though opportunities can be found scattered throughout the country.

To teach English in Costa Rica, you will need a TEFL certificate. A 4-year college degree is not required but is strongly preferred. Native English proficiency is also expected to find a TEFL job. The average salary for an English teacher in Costa Rica is about $700- $900 USD per month.

How to Become an English Teacher in Costa Rica: Requirements

TEFL Certification

A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Costa Rica. You do not need professional teaching experience but earning your TEFL certification will provide you with the training and qualification you do need to get hired. 

English teachers in Costa Rica typically interview in person. Therefore, it is most common for students to take one of our TEFL course options listed below.

Read more: What are the requirements to teach English in Costa Rica?

Native English-Speaking Proficiency

You do not need to be a native English speaker to teach English in Costa Rica. However, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs.

Degree Requirements for Teaching English in Costa Rica

While a Bachelor's degree is not required to secure a job in Costa Rica, it still can be strongly preferred by employers. If you do not have a degree, you should be prepared for a more competitive job search.

Go Further: Why Costa Rica is the Best Country for Teaching Abroad Over 40

How to Find Teaching Jobs in Costa Rica

Teaching Jobs in Costa Rica

The most common TEFL jobs in Costa Rica consist of:

• Teaching adults or children in private language schools.
• Private tutoring both children and adults.
• Teaching Business English to adults.
• Teaching English Online.

Although teaching children is an option, the market for teaching adults is particularly outstanding.

Read more: A 6-Step Plan to Get a Job Teaching English in Costa Rica

Finding English teaching jobs in Costa Rica: Hiring & Visa

English teachers in Costa Rica can expect to find jobs year-round. Interviews are conducted on the ground, in-person for most schools with some schools interviewing in advance over the phone

You enter Costa Rica on a tourist visa - this is the most common type of visa for English teachers working in Costa Rica. Your tourist visa will need to be renewed every 90 days - to do this, you will need to leave the country before your tourist visa expires by visiting a neighboring country (this is known as "border-hopping"). Upon entry back into Costa Rica, your passport will be stamped with a new tourist visa. Working on a tourist visa in Costa Rica is different from most countries as it is legal to do so because teachers are allowed to “sell their professional services” without getting a work visa.

Teaching in Costa Rica: Hours

English language schools in Costa Rica offer approximately 20 to 25 hours of work per week, allowing for plenty of time to travel and explore. 

Teaching Costa Rican Students

It is most common that your students will be adults/business professionals, but depending on your job, you may find yourself teaching children.

TEFL Costa Rica Salary & Cost of Living

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs will range from $1,200 - $1,800 USD. These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Costa Rica until you receive your first paycheck and may include things like rent, apartment supplies, transport, groceries, getting your new local cell phone number set up, etc. 

Teaching in Costa Rica Salary

A solid hourly wage enables teachers the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle while in Costa Rica and traveling the region. Teachers can expect to make $700 - $900 USD per month. It is common for teachers in Costa Rica to also teach English online to supplement their income.

There are no flight or housing benefits/stipends provided so you will need to remember to account for accommodation or temporary housing for your first few weeks in your start-up costs until you find an apartment to rent. 

Cost of Living & Savings

The cost of living typically ranges between $700-$900 USD per month.

English teachers in Costa Rica can expect to break-even month over month. This means you can cover your rent and bills, support yourself, live comfortably, and enjoy your life abroad to the fullest, but you shouldn't expect to save money at the end of the month. If you are hustling and taking on private tutoring lessons and/or teaching English online in addition to your regular teaching schedule, you may increase your ability to save.