Location

Costa Rica has long been renowned for the friendliness of its people, high standard of education, enlightened environmental policies, and for its peaceful, democratic government. Most of all, Costa Rica is famous for its stunning natural beauty and the density and diversity of its exotic flora and fauna.

The town of Manuel Antonio occupies a unique place on Costa Rica's central pacific coast where the rainforest sweeps down from the mountains to greet a series of warm palm-fringed beaches.

Bordered by one of the nation's most stunning national parks to the south, Manuel Antonio is a living paradise and a nature lover's dream. The trees are alive with tropical birds of all description and home to three species of monkey, including the rare mono titi (1200-1300 left in existence). Wild orchids and butterflies abound as well as sloths and the inquisitive coati.

Manuel Antonio boasts a series of magnificent beaches that are the perfect place for studying alone or for just spending a day with new friends. Manuel Antonio's sister city Quepos provides a glimpse into traditional Costa Rican life and hospitality.

Located just a few minutes from our campus, this small town can be easily explored on foot, and yet for its size, Quepos offers an astonishing assortment of international restaurants, as well as shops, Internet cafes, beaches, a farmer's market and a colorful nightlife.

From the bohemian feel on the beach and the sunset bars and restaurants clinging to the hillside to the authenticity and charm of Quepos, a visitor is certain to find a niche (or two) to call one's own.

You can experience all this while studying for your TESOL certificate. A TESOL certification is your passport to job opportunity in exotic and culturally fascinating locales the world over. However, after getting a certification in Costa Rica , you may never want to leave this earthly paradise again.

Manuel Antonio Climate

The seasons in Costa Rica are divided between summer and winter or the dry season and the wet season, respectively. On the Pacific slope the rainy season begins in May and runs its course until November.

The days often begin sunny and pleasant, with rains coming later in the day. The dry season begins at the end of November and runs through mid-May. The skies are often cloudless with rain occurring on a weekly, rather than a daily basis. Temperatures vary between 74 and 95º F (23 to 35ºC) with the average being around 85 ° F (29 ° C)

Sample Costs-USD

• Casado (mixed plate of meat, salad, beans and rice $2.25
• Soda/ coffee/ bottled water $0.65
• Taxi from downtown Quepos to TEFL International $1.30
• Local bus fare $0.40

Information Links

Lonely Planet
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations
/central_america/costa_rica/

A short overview of Quepos -
1 http://costarica.tourism.co.cr
/central-pac.html

A short overview of Quepos - 2 www.puertoquepos.com

Local English Language Paper - 1 www.amcostarica.com
Local English Language Paper - 2 www.ticotimes.net

About The School

The TEFL International School in Manuel Antonio is located close to a variety of restaurants, banks, and Internet cafés. The school offers access to a variety of resources such as telephone use for placing local calls, computers to be used for lesson planning and resume building, limited internet access, a photocopier, and a resource library to name a few.

Optional extra: Spanish Language Course

Should you want to learn some Spanish during your time in Costa Rica, you could attend a Spanish language program either before or after your TEFL course. This TEFL course/language program offers you the opportunity to become TEFL qualified with an internationally recognized TEFL certificate and immerse yourself in the local culture, improving your language skills.

Language courses start most Mondays, and are available for two, four and eight weeks. Please click here for details.

Accommodation

We have a number of accommodation options available for students taking our TEFL course in Costa Rica, including homestay, private apartments, and hostels. The TEFL training centre in Costa Rica can arrange homestays with Costa Rican families for those students wishing to practice their Spanish while enrolled in the course. Our homestay options are located in both Quepos and Manuel Antonio. The families have been pre-screened with breakfast, dinner, and laundry service provided. Please note that homestay accommodation should be secured at least one month prior to the course start date.

Alternatively, we have a list of recommended accommodations at local hotels, hostels and guesthouses. Once your place has been confirmed on the TEFL course, we will send you an accommodation preference form to help you choose your accommodation.

Please provide us with details of your preferred accommodation option as soon as possible so that we can make the necessary arrangements. Availability is on a first come, first served basis.

"Your job information sheets, advice and support were really helpful. I’ve had a number of interesting job offers and now have to make a tough decision where to go first." Marie Alano

Please be assured that any special requests or requirements regarding accommodation will be taken into account, and TEFL International will make every effort to honor such requests.

Please let us know which accommodation option you prefer as soon as possible so that we can make the necessary arrangements. Availability is on a first come, first served basis.

Course Dates

• 11 February - 7 March 2008
• 10 March - 4 April 2008
• 14 April - 9 May 2008
• 12 May - 6 June 2008
• 9 June - 4 July 2008
• 14 July - 8 August 2008
• 18 August - 12 September 2008
• 22 September - 17 October 2008
• 20 October - 14 November 2008
• 24 November - 19 December 2008


• 5 January - 30 January 2009
• 2 February - 27 February 2009
• 2 March - 27 March 2009
• 6 April - 1 May 2009
• 4 May - 29 May 2009
• 1 June - 26 June 2009
• 6 July - 31 July 2009
• 10 August - 4 September 2009
• 14 September - 9 October 2009
  
• 19 October - 13 November 2009
• 23 November - 18 December 2009

Course Fees

• US$ 1690 (£840) (excluding accommodation)
• Accommodation:US$ 300 (£200) and up
• $200 discount for May and June 2008 courses

TESOL + Spanish Language

Become TESOL certified and language aware. Experience teaching English in Spain, Costa Rica or Argentina and immerse your self in the local culture and language. Combine our Barcelona, Seville, Madrid, Manuel Antonio or Buenos Aires TESOL courses with Spanish language courses in any of the following cities:

• Barcelona
• Seville
• Madrid
• Manuel Antonio
• Buenos Aires

Click here to request further information.

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica - Map: Click here for the map