Homestay Accommodations
Room
You may live in a Costa Rican home where you will have your own private
bedroom.
If you are traveling with others, we can also accommodate couples, friends
and family in the same homestay (either in shared or separate rooms).
Meals
Your Costa Rican homestay family will provide you with two daily meals (breakfast
and dinner).
Special Diet
If you would like vegetarian dishes, or if you have any food allergies or
other special diet requirements, please let us know and we will be glad to
accommodate you. Just indicate your dietary preferences (what specific foods
you can eat or not) when you fill out your registration form. We will take
this information into consideration when we assign your homestay and we will
explain your dietary needs to your Costa Rican family.
Host families are aware that many types of food are new to you and that you will
like some dishes more than others. So please remind your family what things
you eat and do not eat, and feel free to let them know what new dishes you
have liked (or not). Remember, you may ask your family to serve you plenty
of the wide variety of Costa Rica's readily available fruits and vegetables.
Laundry
Your family provides laundry service and a weekly change of bedclothes. You
need to bring your own towels for the homestay. (If you do not have a towel
the School can lend you one).
Coming & Going
Your host family will give you a front door key to your home and are free to
come and go as you wish. (However, please make sure to inform your host
mother if you will be coming home late at night or if you are going away for
the weekend so she will not worry).
Airport Transportation
Free Airport transportation is included with our homestay program. When you
arrive in Costa Rica our driver will meet you at the airport (he will have a
sign with your name on it). He will take you to your homestay and introduce
you to your host family. He will also take you back to the airport when you
leave the country. There is no need for you to contact your host family
before you arrive. We will inform them of your arrival time so that they
will be expecting you.
Your New Home
San José Language
School is located in a quiet, residential/ commercial neighborhood area very
close to downtown San José and our homestays are located in nearby
residential neighborhoods. Most of the host families live a short 15-20
minute bus ride from the School.
Our host families have clean, secure, comfortable homes. While you may not
find all the luxury of a hotel room, a homestay will give you warmth and
love that you will not find anywhere else. It will also provide you with the
opportunity to practice your Spanish as much as you want!
Duration of Homestay
The Homestay extends until the end of the week (7 days).
You can stay with a family for a minimum of one week or as long as you would
like. Many students begin their homestay on the Sunday before they start
classes and leave on a Saturday. But you may arrive in Costa Rica and start
or end the homestay on any day of the week.
Spanish classes can be taken 4 or 5 days a week but the homestay is always
for 7 days, 6 nights per week.
Also, like most students, if you wish to extend your homestay and stay with
your family for a few days before or after your classes, you may book those
extra days and we'll arrange it. The cost for extra homestay is $17 per day.
Homestay Changes
Living with a Costa Rican family is a wonderful experience. Sometimes it may
take a little getting used to Costa Rican culture and customs but, if for
any reason you feel uncomfortable with your homestay family please do not
hesitate to let us know and we will be glad to help.
Classes Without Homestay
If you are not interested in a Homestay program, we offer you the
flexibility of paying for your classes by the hour. You may take any number
of private classes or participate in our group sessions. Students enrolled
in our Spanish classes (without homestay) also have our Latin Dance classes,
Costa Rican Cooking Classes and Conversation "hour" included in their
program.
Other Kind Accommodations
If you prefer accommodations other than our Homestay, we can help you make
arrangements to stay at a hotel or an apartment. Prices and more information
about alternative accommodations are available upon request.