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All Spanish schools in San Jose
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Academia TicaSan Jose, Costa Rica

4.7

Rating: 4.7/5.0

15 students - overall rating
Quinta Toyopán, 400 este del Súper La Finca - 11102 San Jose - see on map
Pay less than booking at the school
What we like about the school
  • Excellent rating of teaching quality
    4.7

    Rating: 4.7/5.0

  • Excellent rating of homestay accommodation
    4.9

    Rating: 4.9/5.0

  • Top rated social activities
    4.4

    Rating: 4.4/5.0

  • Apartment - shared / Residence accommodation very close to school
  • Indoor swimming pool
  • Outdoor swimming pool
  • Learning progress guarantee.
  • Optional language workshops.
What we dislike about the school
  • School is located about 30 minutes by public transport to San José city.
Age of students
  Percentage of students
1-18 years 7%
18-24 years 29%
25-34 years 31%
35-50 years 27%
>50 years 6%
The average age outside summer is 3 years higher than in summer.

Location: Academia Tica San Jose is located in the culturally rich Costa Rican capital of San José. The school is housed in Coronado, a typical Costa Rican town on the outskirts of the city, in an area beneficial to many students, as it is non-touristic and strategically located close to transport networks, the rainforest, volcanoes, urban jungles and more!

Course selection: Academia Tica in San José provides General Spanish courses to students of all levels, over various schedules and intensities. In addition to this, DELE Exam preparation, Spanish for Specific Purposes, and private tuition are also readily available.

School facilities: The school is surrounded by a garden and various on-site areas for entertainment, relaxation and socialising. These facilities include a games room, an outdoor and indoor swimming pool, soccer pitches, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and more. Academia Tica San Jose also has a library, a movie room, a cafeteria and free WIFI.

All classrooms have ample natural light to create an optimal learning environment.

Social and cultural: San José is ripe with history, nature, art and attractions. The school offers up-to-date, helpful information for all students that wish to leave the school's private gardens and seek further adventure in and around the city. Attractions and activities promoted by the school include Locos por el Bosque, San Isidro neo-Gothic Church, Braulio Carrillo National Park, San José city, Club Los Jaúles and the great expanse of hikes, walks and forests found locally.

Spanish Courses

General Language
Private
Exam PreparationWhy exam preparation courses are excellent for optimum progress

Our prices for Academia Tica include

  • INCLUDED Organized activities
  • INCLUDED Internet access and use of school computers
  • INCLUDED Free access to swimming pool
  • INCLUDED Wireless LAN zone at school
  • INCLUDED Free certificate of course attendance
  • INCLUDED Language level placement test at first day of classes
  • INCLUDED Language level placement test before arrival
  • INCLUDED For adult courses: a minimum of one free organized leisure activity per week
  • INCLUDED Learning progress guarantee
  • INCLUDED Optional language workshops

Videos & Photos

  • Academia Tica garden
    Academia Tica garden1/48
  • Academia Tica school building
    Academia Tica school building2/48
  • Stand-up paddleboarding
    Stand-up paddleboarding3/48
  • Building
    Building 4/48
  • Lessson outdoors
    Lessson outdoors 5/48
  • Academia Tica classroom
    Academia Tica classroom6/48
  • Horseback riding
    Horseback riding 7/48
  • Happy students
    Happy students 8/48
  • Class outdoors
    Class outdoors 9/48
  • San Jose city
    San Jose city 10/48
  • Birds
    Birds11/48
  • Trees
    Trees12/48
  • Exploring
    Exploring13/48
  • Excursions
    Excursions 14/48
  • La Paz Waterfall
    La Paz Waterfall15/48
  • Travelling Classroom
    Travelling Classroom16/48
  • Cooking class
    Cooking class 17/48
  • Sites
    Sites18/48
  • Academia Tica residence
    Academia Tica residence19/48
  • Seeing San Jose
    Seeing San Jose20/48
  • Hiking
    Hiking21/48
  • walking tour
    walking tour22/48
  • Students in San Jose
    Students in San Jose 23/48
  • students
    students24/48
  • Academia Tica accommodation
    Academia Tica accommodation25/48
  • Class
    Class26/48
  • Streets of San Jose
    Streets of San Jose27/48
  • Tropical fruit class
    Tropical fruit class28/48
  • Exporing nature in San Jose
    Exporing nature in San Jose 29/48
  • Academia Tica travelling classroom
    Academia Tica travelling classroom30/48
  • Certificates
    Certificates 31/48
  • Waterfall
    Waterfall32/48
  • outdoors
    outdoors33/48
  • Group
    Group34/48
  • Sightseeing in San Jose
    Sightseeing in San Jose35/48
  • lesson
    lesson36/48
  • Views of San Jose
    Views of San Jose 37/48
  • School
    School38/48
  • Picture of nature
    Picture of nature 39/48
  • Activity
    Activity40/48
  • Birds in nature
    Birds in nature 41/48
  • Academia Tica games room
    Academia Tica games room42/48
  • Volcano excursions
    Volcano excursions43/48
  • In the jungle
    In the jungle44/48
  • City tour
    City tour45/48
  • White river rafting
    White river rafting46/48
  • Bathroom
    Bathroom47/48
  • Academia Tica facilities
    Academia Tica facilities48/48

Student opinions about Academia Tica, San Jose

4.7

Rating: 4.7/5.0

Overall school rating of
Academia Tica, San Jose
15 authentic ratings from students who reserved with us
School
Location of the school
4.3 

Rating: 4.3/5.0

Facilities
4.6 

Rating: 4.6/5.0

Social activities
4.4 

Rating: 4.4/5.0

Organisation
4.8 

Rating: 4.8/5.0

Course
Quality of teaching
4.7 

Rating: 4.7/5.0

Value for money
4.8 

Rating: 4.8/5.0

Accommodation
Homestay
4.9 

Rating: 4.9/5.0

Shared Flat (apartment)
4.2 

Rating: 4.2/5.0

Overall school rating by student age group
Students < 18 years (2 ratings)
5.0 

Rating: 5.0/5.0

Students 18-30 years (3 ratings)
4.7 

Rating: 4.7/5.0

Students 31-49 years (4 ratings)
4.5 

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Students 50+ years (6 ratings)
4.8 

Rating: 4.8/5.0

Verified reviews only, uncensored. All student opinions from students who booked a course at the school with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
The school is very well organised and the teachers are very experienced. There are plenty of classrooms. The classes are actually put together according to level and the teacher changes every week. I liked that, because you always learn new teaching methods. I can't say anything about the accommodation at the school, as I stayed with a family.
Disliked
All good
Review details
Course: Intensive Course  - 2 weeks
Review date: 14. Feb. 2022 by Bärbel Bösner
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
The welcome, professionalism and friendliness of all the staff, both teachers and support staff. The quality of teaching while making learning enjoyable and entertaining. I liked the weekly assessments every Friday, which allowed us to see how our learning was progressing.
Disliked
The person in charge of the school's activities lacked experience. We had a mixture of young and not-so-young students. The activities were not sufficiently described to help us decide whether or not we could or wanted to take part. On several occasions, the activity did not meet my expectations. On one occasion, an excursion was much more physically demanding but we had not been sufficiently warned. Another activity had to be cancelled because of a mix-up with the transport booking.
Insider tip: You need to socialise with the other students. This creates a nice atmosphere at school.
Review details
Quality of teaching / language progress: I loved this program that combines learning in the class and learning through activities.
Other comments I really liked it. All the staff works hard so our experience is enjoyable and worth it.
Course: Interactive Program [Spanish] - 3 weeks
Review date: 4. Mar. 2024 by Lucie Gauthier
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
- Very good and kind teachers, - Fun activities, - Proper and clean school, - I felt really comfortable and welcomed, - If you need help or have question there is always someone you can talk to, - Great garden in front of the house, - Surrounded by a lot of nature.
Disliked
- Some things really missing in the kitchen, - A lot of ants.
Review details
Course: Intensive Course  - 1 week
Review date: 7. Dec. 2021 by Estelle Kops
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
It is a very small and cozy school. For this reason, the teachers are very close to the students and you can learn in a homey environment. There are activities on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I really enjoyed them every week!
Review details
Other comments Have a great time in Costa Rica with a group of teachers full of personality!!!
Course: Intensive Course [スペイン語] - 12 weeks
Review date: 29. Jun. 2022 by Haruki Yamaguchi
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
Very good lessons and great professors. The lessons were taught in a manner that made it fun and easy to learn. I had private lessons the first two weeks, which was great.
Review details
Course: Intensive Course  - 3 weeks
Review date: 11. Mar. 2024 by Robert Cannon
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
Academia Tica was an outstanding experience in learning Spanish as well as the Costa Rican culture. My home stay family was fantastic!
Review details
Course: Intensive Course  - 2 weeks
Review date: 19. Feb. 2024 by Margaret Hutson
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
Everything was great! People there, who were working there and organization and teachers were great!
Insider tip: Just realise that it you are in a host family, they don't speak English, and from the school it is so hard to hang out at night with friends from school but doable.
Review details
Quality of teaching / language progress: Not learn as much as I would loved to cause not everyone in the class was at the same level! But the teacher was good, I just would love to practice/speak more and different stuff more (verb tense, etc)
Other comments If you really wanna be in an good immersion/learn latino culture and Spanish, go in a host family, they are awesome!
Course: Intensive Course  - 1 week
Review date: 16. Jan. 2023 by Amélie Labelle-Bérard
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
The atmosphere, the teachers, the lessons were very adapted to the needs
Insider tip: The free gym
Review details
Course: General Spanish - 1 week
Review date: 4. Jan. 2018 by Nicole Grützmacher
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
4.0

Rating: 4/5.0

Liked
Great teachers, good location for relaxation, friendly staff.
Disliked
Admin and staff wasn't always on the same page, which caused confusion with several incidents. I also didn't care for not getting consistent communication without me having to prove each time. For example, whenever we didn't have water, students had to figure things out for ourselves by asking around instead of staff making sure to update us regularly and letting us know our options.
Insider tip: Be prepared for water shortages.
Review details
Course: Intensive Course  - 9 weeks
Review date: 8. Aug. 2022 by Elischia Fludd
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
Excellent teacher. Friendly and helpful staff.
Disliked
No complaints.
Review details
Course: Intensive Course  - 3 weeks
Review date: 5. Feb. 2024 by John Civille
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
4.0

Rating: 4/5.0

Liked
The school team was very nice and open!
Review details
Course: General Spanish - 2 weeks
Review date: 29. Aug. 2018 by Alexander Großbichler
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
The teacher and the atmosphere
Insider tip: Manuel Antonio, Isla Tortuga, Canopy
Review details
Course: Standard Course - 4 weeks
Review date: 13. Aug. 2012 by Laura Dorst
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
4.0

Rating: 4/5.0

Liked
The Organisation
Insider tip: I was there only a week.
Review details
Course: Combination Course (20 Group + 5 Individual) - 1 week
Review date: 28. Aug. 2016 by Christel Cornelis
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.

Ratings of Academia Tica compared to ratings of all schools in Costa Rica

 Academia Tica San JoseAverage of all other schools in Costa Rica
Overall school rating4.7

Rating: 4.7/5.0

4.4

Rating: 4.4/5.0

Location of the school4.3

Rating: 4.3/5.0

4.6

Rating: 4.6/5.0

Facilities4.6

Rating: 4.6/5.0

4.1

Rating: 4.1/5.0

Social activities4.4

Rating: 4.4/5.0

3.9

Rating: 3.9/5.0

Organisation4.8

Rating: 4.8/5.0

4.3

Rating: 4.3/5.0

Quality of teaching4.7

Rating: 4.7/5.0

4.6

Rating: 4.6/5.0

Value for money4.8

Rating: 4.8/5.0

4.2

Rating: 4.2/5.0

Homestay4.6

Rating: 4.6/5.0

4.2

Rating: 4.2/5.0

Shared flat4.6

Rating: 4.6/5.0

4.2

Rating: 4.2/5.0

Academia Tica

Accreditations and Quality seals
Sistema de Acreditación de Centros Instituto Cervantes (SACIC)Preferential Terms in Case of Visa RefusalNYSAFLT
Spanish teacher qualifications
100% hold a university degree
100% hold a recognised language teaching qualification
Languages spoken by school staff (cannot be guaranteed by school)
First day of course
Written and oral level test is performed. Students should arrive at 7:45
Student gender mix
40% male / 60% female
Offer for returning students
You will be refunded/waived the school's administration fee if you already attended previously a course at Academia Tica and you book here.
Payment methods accepted for payments made directly to the school
Visa - logoMastercard - logoPayPal - logoBank Transfer - logo
Year of school foundation
1986
Legal name/parent company
Dialogo-Academia Tica S.A. | Tax registration ID: 3-101-216164
The school is an official exam center
The following language examinations can be taken directly at the school:

General school facilities

  • Kitchen for student use

  • Cafeteria

  • Fridge for student use

  • Microwave for student use

  • Computer lab

  • Library

  • Daily press

  • Movie room

  • Games room

  • Lounge

  • Garden

  • Student support desk

  • Indoor swimming pool

  • Outdoor swimming pool

  • Table tennis

  • Soccer field / football pitch

  • Basketball court

  • Volleyball court

  • Gym

  • Printer for student use

  • Copy machine

  • Free coffee

  • Free water dispenser

  • Free WIFI

  • Free parking

  • Non-smoking (all indoor and all outdoor areas of school)

  • Facilities for islamic students

    • Available area to pray at the school

    • Homestay option that can prepare halal food

    • Homestay option for female islamic students where no men are living in household and that prepare halal food

  • Classroom equipment

    • TV in some classrooms

    • Ample natural light in all classrooms

    • Number of classrooms: 10
    • Number of public PC workstations: 4

    Facilities for disabled students

    • Disabled car park

    • Wheelchair access to classroom

    • Accessible Toilet

    • Wheelchair access to cafeteria

Student Age / Nationality

Average number of students
In summer: 30
Throughout the year: 20
Junior courses - In summer: 20
Minimum age of students
16 years
13 years for specific Junior courses
Average number of levels
Adult courses In summer: 6
Adult courses Throughout the year: 6
Junior courses In summer: 6
Junior courses Throughout the year: 6
Average age of students
In summer: 22 years
Throughout the year: 25 years

Top student nationalities

Student Nationality Percentage of students
USA 17%
Germany 13%
Switzerland 11%
France 9%
Sweden 7%
England 6%
Italy 5%
Netherlands 5%
Japan 4%
Brazil 3%
China 1%
Other nationalities 19%

Information for all courses offered by Academia Tica

Lesson duration
50 minutes
Course material
Generally course material has to be purchased by the student. The costs of course material will be approximately 35 US$ per course level.
Comments about courses

Volunteering Program Fees:

  • Placement fee: USD 100
  • Project donation fee: USD 50
  • Course, lodging and meals are not included. Lodging and meals: approximately USD 35 per day.

    Internship Program Fees:
  • Internship placement and supervision fee: USD 350.

    Online private lessons: USD 25 each.
Individual classes
Single individual lessons of tuition can be reserved at 28 US$. The combination of group and individual lessons is highly recommended. Individual lessons will encourage you to actively speak the foreign language and will offer you the opportunity to discuss individual problems and weaknesses.
Days without class
In 2024 (including national and regional bank holidays):
01 Jan 2024, 28 Mar 2024, 29 Mar 2024, 11 Apr 2024, 01 May 2024, 25 Jul 2024, 02 Aug 2024, 15 Aug 2024, 25 Dec 2024.
In 2025 (including national and regional bank holidays):
01 Jan 2025, 17 Apr 2025, 18 Apr 2025, 25 Jul 2025, 15 Aug 2025, 15 Sep 2025, 01 Dec 2025, 25 Dec 2025, 02 May 2025.
School policy regarding bank holidays:Private classes are recuperated or refunded. Same as for nearly all language schools, group classes falling on bank holiday are not refunded and not recuperated.
Level test
A test to assess your exact language level takes place at the school on the first day of the course.
Lessons needed per Spanish language level
Level (CEFR) LESSONS needed per level WEEKS needed
(20 lessons per week)
A1 Beginner A1 to A2 80 4
A2 Elementary A2 to B1 160 8
B1 Intermediate B1 to B2 180 9
B2 Higher Intermediate B2 to C1 200 10
C1 Advanced C1 to C2 220 11
C2 Proficiency
Data above gives some guidance. For more details consult our page How long does it take to learn a language or reach a specific level.

Airport transfer

Juan Santamaria International Airport:
55 US$ one way
110 US$ return (both ways)
Best arrival airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport.
More details about airports near San Jose and how to travel independently from the airport to the city on our San Jose page. For flight comparisons to San Jose, we recommend using skyscanner.com.

Visa Documents

Nationals from Russia do not require a visa to study short term courses up to 30 days.
Check visa requirements for nationals from other countries.
Nationals from countries that require a visa will receive documents from the school, related to booking confirmation, which is required for the visa application.
Full payment of all fees required before school dispatches documents required for visa application
No
Express shipment fee (via courier)
30 US$
Preferential cancellation terms in case of visa refusal
School agreed that students booking online on this site will benefit from preferential cancellation fees in case of visa refusal, and in this case will never exceed EUR 180.

Leisure activities

activity possibledistance from school
Baseball15 km
Basketball5 km
Cooking-
Dancing-
Diving120 km
Football (soccer)1 km
Horse riding5 km
Mountainbiking5 km
Music5 km
Rugby-
Swimming1 km
Table Tennis-
Tennis5 km
Volleyball5 km
Yoga1 km

Examples of leisure activities organized by the school

Adults - Free activities

"Crazy for the forest" - a small, local, private cloudforest reserve in the heart of the Coronado mountains, Iglesia de San Isidro, Braulio Carrillo National Park, Club Los Jaúles, hiking and/or biking.

Adults - Paid activities

Horse riding.

Accommodation

Student Testimonial Videos

Note: The video testimonials of students from Academia Tica have been provided by the school and schools do not usually publish negative testimonials. For uncensored reviews read what our students report about their stay at Academia Tica.

Map  

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Questions and answers about Academia Tica

  • Yes, we can create a payment link for you, but an extra fee will incur.
    Manuel Al-Ghassani Rodriguez, Director from Academia Tica - Nov 24, 2022
  • In general we have a big group of young adults, so there will be a chance to mingle with younger students throughout the year, but I would say that around July we would probably have more minors than during the rest of the year.
    Manuel Al-Ghassani Rodríguez, Director from Academia Tica - Feb 07, 2023
  • On the first day of school there will be a level test at school. If you would like to take a test in advance, contact us. The school can also arrange a Zoom meeting in advance.
    Sabine Krafack, LanguageCourse.Net - Apr 10, 2024
  • Yes, this is possible.
    Sabine Krafack, LanguageCourse.Net - Apr 10, 2024
  • 08:00 a.m. – Level test and placement in the classes.
    08:50 a.m. – First introductory lesson.
    09:40 a.m. – Coffee break.
    10:00 a.m. – Introduction of the new students.
    10:15 a.m – Two more lessons.
    11:40 a.m. – Lunch.
    12:20 p.m. – Welcome & Orientation Talk.
    1:30 p.m. – Welcome & Orientation Tour.
    Sabine Krafack, LanguageCourse.Net - Apr 10, 2024

FAQ about Academia Tica, San Jose

  • All of the school's teachers hold university degrees in Spanish Education, Philology, or Linguistics from either the University of Costa Rica or the National University. All teachers have at least five years of experience teaching Spanish as a second language. We are proud to say that all instructors are not only highly professional but also very friendly.
    Maksym Sterpul, Language Travel Consultant from LanguageCourse.Net - Jan 26, 2024
  • If you're wondering about the safest way to make payments in Costa Rica, I'd recommend using a credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or traveller's cheques. You'll be happy to know that credit cards are accepted at almost all stores and restaurants, while traveller's cheques can be exchanged for cash at any bank. These methods are not only safe but also cost-effective.

    If you need cash, many of our students use ATM cards to withdraw money but keep in mind that there are limited ATM machines outside the city.
    Maksym Sterpul, Language Travel Consultant from LanguageCourse.Net - Jan 26, 2024
  • For your age, perhaps accommodation with a host family might be more suitable? This is the option we recommend to our older students who want to discover the daily life of the locals and share a little of their culture. What's more, the student residence does not have a private bathroom.
    It would therefore be preferable to stay with a host family with a private bathroom (you will need to check the price with the school). Food: no problem. Families can accommodate different diets at no extra cost. In general, the meals are simple, but the host mums like to offer dishes that students like, many Costa Rican staples, but they can also cook other things.
    Manuel, Director from Academia Tica - Sep 19, 2024
  • Depending on the chosen course, the maximum number of students at Academia Tica varies from 1 students (Private 10) to 6 students (Bildungsurlaub Course )
  • 100% of teachers at Academia Tica hold a university degree. 100% hold a recognized language teaching certificate.
  • The highest Nationality percentage at Academia Tica comes from USA with a 17% representation, followed by students from Germany (13%) and Switzerland (11%).
  • Yes, there is an exclusive discount that only applies when booking online here.
  • Academia Tica offers courses from 16 years to 99. Average age is 22 during the summer and 25 for the rest of the year.

PDF brochure / price list of Academia Tica

Academia Tica Pricelist 2024
Academia Tica Pricelist 2024
Academia Tica Price list 2025
Academia Tica Price list 2025
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San Jose
San Jose city attractiveness rated by our students:
3.5 

Rating: 3.5/5.0

More information about San Jose including climate data and events on our San Jose page with a list of all 7 Spanish schools in San Jose.
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