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English Teaching Jobs in Costa
Rica
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An increasingly popular destination for TEFL teachers, how can you find teaching jobs in Costa Rica?
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.
While the bulk of teaching positions 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 (bear in mind, 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. Work visas and residency permits are hard to come by. 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 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 you 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 in Costa Rica. 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. Usually, that’s because teachers are signed on one-year contracts, and it takes time and money to get all of this paperwork sorted. Why the short contracts? Well, it’s a self-perpetuating cycle - why hire someone who might not be able to stay for very long?
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!
Quick facts about Costa Rica
- Capital: San José
- Official Language: Spanish
- Population: 5.18 million
- Currency: Colón
Key Facts
Requirements
What are the requirements to teach English abroad in Costa Rica? If you’re looking to find meaningful, salaried work teaching English in Costa Rica, then you need TEFL certification. 120 hours is the industry standard that employers look for when you’re teaching English abroad or online. What’s more, when it comes to finding work in Costa Rica, it’s well worth considering taking advanced TEFL courses, specifically in Business English and English for Academic Purposes. There are plenty of adults looking for career advancement through English lessons, and lots of students taking distance courses with English-speaking institutions, or hoping to study abroad.
A bachelor's degree isn't always required for teaching jobs in Costa Rica. However, a bachelor's degree is usually preferred and can boost your potential earnings. As a rule, the more qualified you are, the more likely you are to find teaching jobs in international schools, language schools and private schools in Costa Rica.Previous teaching experience is useful, but if you’re looking for your first job as an ESL teacher, you’ll find Costa Rica, and Latin America more generally, is a great place to start. “Soft skills” such as enthusiasm, ideas and a willingness to try new things are extremely valuable. At elite institutions, previous teaching experience will usually be required. If you’re a newbie, though, Costa Rica is a fantastic location to teach English abroad.
You don't have to be a native speaker of English to teach in Costa Rica, though some employers might be more inclined to hire a native English speaker for certain positions. If you have an IELTS or TOEFL certificate, this can help non-native speakers to find teaching jobs in Costa Rica more easily. Alternatively, a bachelor's degree from an English-speaking institution can help a non-native English speaker land an English teaching job.
Salary and benefits
So what can you earn teaching English in Costa Rica? If you have a full-time job teaching English in Costa Rica, you should expect an average salary of between CRC 315,519 - 525,866 ($600 and $1,000/ £480 - £800). 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 might offer free accommodation, benefits and incentives for English teachers in Costa Rica aren't necessarily abundant. Teaching in Costa Rica can be amazing fun, with attentive learners, incredible weather and beautiful nature to enjoy, but if you're looking for employee benefits with teaching jobs, it's not necessarily the best fit.Living and working in Costa Rica
Let’s say you’ve found a fantastic English teacher job and you’ve achieved your dream of teaching in Costa Rica. How much does it cost to live and work there?
Firstly, you’ll want to try the sumptuous Costa Rican cuisine. In Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose, a typical, inexpensive meal for one is about $10/£7.85, while a three-course meal for two in a mid-priced restaurant is about $56/£44.
Now you’ve got a full stomach, it’s time to look at rents. A one-bedroom apartment in central San Jose costs $670/£526 per month on average. This drops to $428/£335 outside of the main metropolitan area. House shares are common - it’s worth finding some other English teachers in Costa Rica before you move! If you’re looking to share accommodation, a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre usually costs close to $1,270/£996, but this drops to $1,088/£854 outside the main hub of the city. Expect to pay about $64/£50 for utilities.
Buses are the main way to get around in Costa Rica, especially in the bigger cities. Passes aren’t a thing - public transport is publicly owned, and the bus drivers are extremely amenable. It’s cheap, too - in San Jose you can expect to pay 140-360 CRC ($0.35-$0.70/£0.27-£0.55) to get where you need.
Types of English teaching jobs in Costa Rica
Public schools
The state education system in Costa Rica is a source of pride for the country. There’s a national literacy rate of 98% and English has been compulsory in secondary education since 1998. This means English proficiency rates are improving, and that 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 in Costa Rica available. You’ll need a school to sponsor your work permit. This can be a difficult, lengthy process, but if you’re able to eventually attain residence and get a long-term, full-time job, it’ll be worth it.
Jobs boards
The TEFL Org Jobs Centre is an excellent resource for finding jobs teaching English in Costa Rica and across the world!
Centro Cultural hires C1-level English speakers with a minimum of 1 year’s teaching experience. They provide ongoing training and coaching, with 12-32 hours of guaranteed 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, as well as 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 programs in Costa Rica
Proyecto San Gerardo looks for volunteers to teach conversational English in the local elementary schools and also to groups of adults. Curriculum and resources are provided. Positions are for 3 months minimum, 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.
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!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are English teachers in demand in Costa Rica?
If you’re looking 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 experience to start teaching abroad in this gorgeous country, nestled within Latin America.
Q. How much money can I make teaching English in Costa Rica?
TEFL jobs in Costa Rica pay an average salary of about CRC 315,519 - 525,866 ($600 and $1,000/ £480 - £800). Obviously, salaries in Costa Rica can depend on the school type (language institute, private school, tutoring), your hours, and your qualifications. You can also boost your income if you teach English online, an option which many private language schools in Costa Rica provide.
Q. Can a US citizen teach in Costa Rica?
Yes, you can teach English in Costa Rica if you’re a US citizen.
Q. Which country has the highest demand for English teachers?
China has the highest demand for English teachers. It’s also worth considering countries like Mexico, Spain, Japan and South Korea, where demand is also substantial.