Jungle, beach, and Afro‑Caribbean rhythm.

Puerto Viejo vibes — surf, culture, and laid-back learning.

Puerto Viejo is like nowhere else — vibrant, colorful, laid‑back.

It’s a mix of reggae beats, Caribbean food, palm‑tree roads, and deep cultural vibe.
Here, Spanish is learned in real moments: chatting at the market, after a surf session, during a beach bonfire. It’s not just a destination. It’s an experience.

Our school in Puerto Viejo

Small‑group & private classes

Friendly, experienced, certified and local teachers

Weekly cultural activities (offered but not included)

Outdoor classrooms surrounded by trees

Community vibe with international students

Relaxed, focused learning environment

What to do in your free time

Spanish at Locations

Ride a bike to tropical beaches

Spanish at Locations

Visit Cahuita National Park & Jaguar Rescue Center

Spanish at Locations

Take cooking or dance classes

Spanish at Locations

Go surfing, paddleboarding or kayaking

Spanish at Locations

Chill in a hammock or share a BBQ with classmates

Spanish at Locations

Make a weekend trip to National Park Tortuguero

Spanish at Locations

Go river kayaking and see lots of animals

Spanish at Locations

Take a snorkel trip

Spanish at Locations

Volunteer with local projects

  • Ride a bike to tropical beaches
  • Visit Cahuita National Park & Jaguar Rescue Center
  • Take cooking or dance classes
  • Go surfing or paddleboarding
  • Chill in a hammock or share a BBQ with classmates

Where to stay

Trusted local hostels

(quiet, clean, social)

Family owned bed & breakfasts

(full immersion)

Private studios or apartments

(more independence)

All within walking distance of school and beach.

Is this location right for you?

You want to live near the beach, in nature

You enjoy laid‑back, multicultural energy

You learn best through real experiences

You’re looking for balance: fun + focus

Testimonial

5 / 5

Laura, Switzerland

27 May 2024

Puerto Viejo stole my heart.

“Puerto Viejo stole my heart. I learned so much — not just Spanish, but about people, culture, and myself.”

Laura, Switzerland

27 May 2024

Puerto Viejo stole my heart.

“Puerto Viejo stole my heart. I learned so much — not just Spanish, but about people, culture, and myself.”

Ross, New Zealand:

27 May 2024

I had an amazing time in Turrialba and Puerto Viejo.

Both beautiful locations and great teachers. I really liked the interactive classes! Thank you all once again. Pura vida!
Elemento 1
PUERTO VIEJO: OUR HOSTEL

If you like to be independent, yet share with fellow students, we recommend staying in the hostel, part of our Spanish School in Puerto Viejo whilst you study Spanish in Costa Rica.

We work with two different hostels in Puerto Viejo. One is located right in front of our school and the other one is at 10 minutes walking distance. The first one is a bit more popular and frequented, the second one is a bit more quiet. Upon request we will give you more details about the various options.

Staying with local families give you the opportunity to practice the Spanish language much more than if you would only take Spanish classes. You will not only be part of the family but also of the whole neighborhood and you will be observing a complete different way to live than what you are used to!

In Puerto Viejo, the local people have Caribbean roots and are famous for their family ties, great food and welcoming lifestyle!

Maybe our hostel is full or you prefer to stay in town instead of the countryside-jungle setting of our own hostel. Maybe you want a bit or a lot more luxury.

No problem! To make sure you have some more inspiring options, we selected for you one budget hostel, one middle-priced hotel and one luxury hotel in Puerto Viejo or it’s surroundings.

Jungle, beach, and Afro‑Caribbean rhythm.

Puerto Viejo

Want to learn Spanish, make new friends, and explore incredible places?

TRANSFER OPTIONS · PANAMA

Bocas del Toro

Choose the arrival option that best fits your trip from Panama City to Bocas del Toro.

Option 1

Pick-up package + bus connection

$95
Included
  • ✓ Taxi from Panama City International Airport to the hostel
  • ✓ Single room in Panama City
  • ✓ Breakfast
  • ✓ Taxi to Albrook Bus Station the following day
Not included
  • Bus ticket to Almirante — $28
  • Water taxi to Bocas Island — $6

You continue independently: Albrook Bus Station → Almirante by bus → Bocas Island by water taxi.

Option 2 · Most complete

Total pick-up package + flight

$285
Included
  • ✓ Taxi from Panama City International Airport to the hostel
  • ✓ Single room in Panama City
  • ✓ Breakfast
  • ✓ Taxi to the airport the following day
  • ✓ Flight to Bocas Island
Not included
  • Taxi from Bocas Airport to your accommodation

In town, a taxi is about $2 and the distance may also be walkable.

Option 3

Flight only

≈ $150
Included
  • ✓ Flight from Panama City to Bocas del Toro

Variable price

Need help arranging your arrival?

Tell us your travel dates and we can help you choose the most convenient option.

TRANSFER OPTIONS · COSTA RICA

Turrialba

Choose between a pick-up package with public bus or a direct taxi from the airport.

Option 1

Pick-up package + public bus

$85*
Included
  • ✓ Airport pick-up
  • ✓ Transfer to Eco-Stay Hostel
  • ✓ Shared room
  • ✓ Breakfast
  • ✓ Taxi to bus station
Not included
  • Bus ticket to Turrialba — ≈ $15

You continue independently by public bus to Turrialba.

Option 2

Direct airport taxi

$135
Included
  • ✓ Taxi from Juan Santamaría International Airport directly to your accommodation in Turrialba

* Room upgrade: private room with shared bathroom +$32, or private room with private bathroom +$37.

Need help arranging your arrival?

Tell us your travel dates and we can help you choose the most convenient option.

TRANSFER OPTIONS · COSTA RICA

San José

A direct airport transfer from Juan Santamaría International Airport to your accommodation.

Airport transfer

Direct taxi transfer

$42
Included
  • ✓ Taxi transfer from Juan Santamaría International Airport
  • ✓ Direct drop-off at your accommodation of choice in San José

Need help arranging your arrival?

Tell us your travel dates and we can help you choose the most convenient option.

TRANSFER OPTIONS · COSTA RICA

Puerto Viejo

Choose between a public-bus connection or a complete package with Caribe Shuttle.

Option 1

Pick-up package + public bus

$85*
Included
  • ✓ Airport pick-up
  • ✓ Transfer to Eco-Stay Hostel
  • ✓ Shared room*
  • ✓ Breakfast
  • ✓ Taxi to bus station
Not included
  • Bus ticket to Puerto Viejo — ≈ $15

You continue independently by public bus to Puerto Viejo.

Option 2 · Most convenient

Total pick-up package + Caribe Shuttle

$145*
Included
  • ✓ Airport pick-up
  • ✓ Transfer to Eco-Stay Hostel
  • ✓ Shared room*
  • ✓ Breakfast
  • ✓ Caribe Shuttle pick-up
  • ✓ Direct trip to your accommodation in Puerto Viejo

* Room upgrade: private room with shared bathroom +$32, or private room with private bathroom +$37.

Need help arranging your arrival?

Tell us your travel dates and we can help you choose the most convenient option.

TRANSFER OPTIONS · PANAMA

Panama City

A direct airport transfer from Tocumen International Airport to your accommodation.

Airport transfer

Direct taxi transfer

$40
Included
  • ✓ Taxi transfer from Tocumen International Airport
  • ✓ Direct drop-off at your accommodation of choice in Panama City

Need help arranging your arrival?

Tell us your travel dates and we can help you choose the most convenient option.

TRANSFER OPTIONS · PANAMA

Boquete

Choose between bus, a complete flight package, flight only or a taxi from David.

Option 1

Pick-up package + bus connection

$95
Included
  • ✓ Taxi from Panama City International Airport to the hostel
  • ✓ Single room in Panama City
  • ✓ Internet
  • ✓ Breakfast
  • ✓ Taxi to Albrook Bus Station
Not included
  • Bus ticket to David — ≈ $20
  • Bus David → Boquete — ≈ $2

You continue independently: Albrook → David → Boquete by bus.

Option 2 · Most complete

Total pick-up package + flight + taxi

$330
Included
  • ✓ Taxi from Panama City International Airport to the hostel
  • ✓ Single room
  • ✓ Internet
  • ✓ Breakfast
  • ✓ Taxi to airport
  • ✓ Flight to David
  • ✓ Taxi David → accommodation in Boquete
Option 3

Flight only

≈ $150
Included
  • ✓ Flight from Panama City to David

Variable price

Option 4

David Airport → Boquete

$45
Included
  • ✓ Taxi from David Airport to your accommodation in Boquete

Need help arranging your arrival?

Tell us your travel dates and we can help you choose the most convenient option.