| Country | Avg. monthly salary | Degree required | Start of term | Teaching experience | Housing & flights included | Suitable for non-native English speakers | Age restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teach in Costa Rica | £500 - £800 GBP ($600 - $1,000 USD) | January to July | None |
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Though work visas can be difficult to obtain, teaching English in Costa Rica is a unique experience, and teachers keep returning.
Beautiful Costa Rica might not be every TEFL teacher’s first port of call, but it’s becoming increasingly popular. Replete with gorgeous beaches, friendly locals and surrounded by other fascinating Latin American countries, adventurous ESL teachers could do far worse than making the Rich Coast their first destination to find teaching jobs abroad.
While most English teaching jobs in Costa Rica are located in San José - a couple of hours inland - beach lovers should rest assured that plenty of Costa Ricans commute to work from coastal towns. Or, you can work in the city during the week and explore all the coasts have to offer in your downtime. When you are working (remember, we’re talking about finding you a teaching job!), you’ll find enthusiastic students, eager learners across all age groups, and plenty of different working opportunities.
There are, however, a couple of difficulties. Getting a work visa and a residency permit can be tricky for those who teach English in Costa Rica. Additionally, teaching English in Costa Rica isn’t going to make you a millionaire, with a comparatively low average salary (albeit set against a low cost of living). The lifestyle, though, and the experience people have teaching abroad in Costa Rica make it extremely worthwhile, and there’s a reason plenty of TEFL teachers go there and keep coming back.
Where are the English teaching jobs in Costa Rica? What do you need to start teaching English in Costa Rica, and in what kinds of institutions can interested candidates find a job in this jewel of Latin America? Let’s take a look.
English teaching jobs in Costa Rica: an overview
Beautiful though it is, and as much fun as people have teaching English in Costa Rica, it’s very difficult to get either a work visa or a residency permit. For immigration, you’ll need your birth certificate and background check to be notarised and then authenticated in Costa Rica. You’ll also need to be fingerprinted.
Schools typically aren’t willing to help teachers sort all this out. That’s usually because teachers are signed on one-year contracts, and it takes time and money to sort all of this paperwork. Why the short contracts? Well, it’s a self-perpetuating cycle. Why hire someone who might not be able to stay in Costa Rica for very long? Why advertise teaching positions that won't last longer than six months? When renewing a short-term visa, most teachers will go to other Latin American countries for a short time and then return to Costa Rica.
Some schools will encourage teachers to renew their travel visas every 90 days and make themselves scarce if the immigration officer turns up. Obviously, this isn’t behaviour that’s to be encouraged. Deportation of English teachers can and does happen. Make sure your school has clear policies!
That said, teachers interested in teaching jobs in Costa Rica, don't be discouraged. You can find more substantial job opportunities down the line, but it can take a lot of patience and determination. Networking is important. Teaching positions in Costa Rica can often be found through word of mouth and good references.
Types of English teaching jobs in Costa Rica
Public schools
One thing you'll learn quickly if you teach English in Costa Rica is that the state education system is a source of pride for the country. The national literacy rate is 98%. What’s more, English has been compulsory in secondary education since 1998. This means English proficiency rates are improving, and there are surely English teaching jobs.
Well, yes and no. The majority of English teachers in Costa Rica are local. That said, if you have teaching experience, a bachelor’s degree, and a TEFL certificate, there are public school teaching jobs available in Costa Rica. You’ll need a school to sponsor your work permit. This can be a difficult, lengthy process, but it'll be worth it if you can eventually attain residence and get a long-term, full-time job.
Requirements for teaching English in Costa Rica
What are the requirements to teach English abroad in Costa Rica? What do ESL teachers need on their CV to succeed?
- To teach English in Costa Rica, you need TEFL certification. 120 hours is the industry standard that employers look for when you’re teaching English abroad or online. You may also want to consider advanced TEFL courses, specifically in Business English and English for Academic Purposes. This is due to the demand from Costa Ricans for English skills they can use in the workplace or for further education.
- You don’t necessarily need a degree to teach English in Costa Rica. However, a bachelor's degree is usually preferred and can boost potential earnings.
- Previous teaching experience is useful but far from essential for entry-level jobs. If you’re looking for your first job as an ESL teacher, you’ll find Costa Rica and Latin America are great places to start.
You don't have to be a native English speaker to teach in Costa Rica, though some employers might be more inclined to hire a native English speaker for certain positions. Having an IELTS or TOEFL certificate or a bachelor’s degree from an English-speaking institution can help non-native speakers find teaching jobs in Costa Rica more easily.
Salary and benefits
So, what can you earn teaching English in Costa Rica? If you have a full-time job, you should expect an average salary between CRC 576,474 and 662,431 (£851-£978/$1,096-$1,259).
Obviously, your salary as an English teacher in Costa Rica can depend on the school type (language institute, private school, tutoring), your hours, and your qualifications. Workweeks are typically 20-25 hours, with contracts lasting 6-12 months. If you’re a tutor, you can usually charge a minimum of $10-$20/£7-£15 per hour, though this can be location-dependent - it’s typical to charge more in Santa Ana and San José than in rural Costa Rica.
As for benefits? While some schools might help you with a work visa, and some teaching positions offer free accommodation, benefits and incentives for English teachers in Costa Rica aren't necessarily abundant. Teaching in Costa Rica can be fantastic fun, with attentive learners, incredible weather and beautiful nature. Still, it's not necessarily the best fit if you're looking for employee benefits with teaching jobs.
How to find English teaching jobs in Costa Rica
If you want to teach English in Costa Rica, the best way is to source teaching jobs online before moving over. While in much of Central America (and Latin America more broadly), you can get your TEFL certificate and simply turn up in different countries and try your luck handing out CVs, this is less advisable for teaching jobs in Costa Rica due to the tenuous nature of contracts.
Jobs boards
The TEFL Org Jobs Centre is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to teach English abroad. If you gain a TEFL certification through The TEFL Org, you'll have lifetime access to The TEFL Org Jobs Centre and can find teaching jobs anywhere in the world, or you can find opportunities to teach English online!
Centro Cultural has TEFL jobs for C1-level English speakers with a minimum of 1 year’s teaching experience. They provide ongoing training and coaching and guarantee 12-32 hours of teaching time in San Pedro, Sabana, or Cartago.
Costa Rica International Academy requires teachers with a related degree, a criminal background check and two references.
Pro-Language hires native speakers with a TEFL certificate or equivalent and at least 6 months’ experience. Contracts are for a minimum of 4 months, with part-time opportunities too. You get free Spanish lessons and assistance with both finding accommodation and getting a work permit.
Tico Times is an English-language online magazine that publishes classified jobs in Costa Rica.
Teaching programmes in Costa Rica
Proyecto San Gerardo is looking for volunteers to teach conversational English in the local elementary schools and groups of adults. Curriculum and resources are provided. Positions are for a minimum of three months. You must have teaching experience, and having a TEFL certificate is preferred. Knowledge of Spanish is also beneficial. Applicants must be 21 or over. The homestay fee is $300 per month.
Challenges and tips for success
Sadly, the challenge of teaching in Costa Rica is the average salary. Given the precarious nature of the work visa system and the temporary nature of most teaching jobs, making ends meet in Costa Rica can be hard. Those who teach in Costa Rica might work two or more jobs across different schools or businesses, from language schools to corporate opportunities. The best answer is flexibility and being ready for any opportunity that comes your way.
Infrastructure and facilities are another challenge for anyone who opts for a life of teaching abroad in Costa Rica. While cities and large towns will have schools with relatively decent English teaching facilities, this won’t always be the case, and rural Costa Rica is certainly behind in school funding. Regarding teacher jobs, Costa Rica often involves designing your own teaching materials and being creative.
As is the case across Central America and the entire TEFL teaching world, networking and immersing yourself in the culture are really important while teaching English in Costa Rica. Cultural sensitivity and Spanish knowledge will ingratiate you with your students, and they’ll help you build relationships with teachers and businesses who may be handy for finding work around the country.Related articles for teaching English in Costa Rica
Teach English in Costa Rica
With some of the happiest residents on earth, breathtaking views, dense jungles and unbelievable coastline, any TEFL teacher who loves the outdoors will want to sample Costa Rica!
English teaching jobs available in Costa Rica
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does Costa Rica need teachers?
If you want to teach English in Costa Rica, you’re in luck! There are plenty of TEFL jobs, and if you’re new to teaching, you don’t need extensive experience in teaching English. Completing a TEFL course will give you the start you need.
Q. How much are teachers paid in Costa Rica?
If you have a full-time job teaching English in Costa Rica, you should expect a salary of between CRC 576,474 and 662,431 (£851-£978/$1,096-$1,259).
Q. Can a US citizen get a job in Costa Rica?
Yes, if you're a US citizen, that's no barrier to teaching English in Costa Rica. Completing a TEFL course and, in some cases, a degree is necessary to land a job in Costa Rica.
Q. Is there a demand for English teachers in Costa Rica?
If you've completed a TEFL course and have a real ambition to teach English in Costa Rica, you're likely to be able to find work.