No. 24 Latin America
Teaching English in Costa Rica
Volcanoes, sloths and pura vida from Monday to Friday
Costa Rica at a glance
Typical pay
CRC 450,000–650,000 / month
≈ US$900–1,300
Teaching load
20–30 teaching hrs
per week
Contract
6–12 months
Hiring season
Jan–Feb & Jun– Jul
You'll need
TEFL; degree helps
Housing
Rarely
included or helped with
- Where the work is
- San José and the Central Valley
- Language
- Spanish
- Money
- Colón (CRC)
Part 1
The place
Costa Rica is a nature lover's dream. In a country smaller than West Virginia, you'll find smoking volcanoes, misty cloud forests, rainforest teeming with monkeys and toucans, and beaches on both the Pacific and the Caribbean. About a quarter of the land is protected, so wildlife is everywhere, including sloths dangling from trees beside the road.
Most English teaching jobs are in and around San José, the capital, in the Central Valley, where the climate is a gentle spring all year. It's a practical, friendly base, with markets, theatres and bus connections to everywhere. From there, a weekend could mean hot springs at Arenal, surfing in Santa Teresa or turtle-watching in Tortuguero. Costa Ricans call themselves ticos and live by the motto pura vida, and you'll soon be saying it too.
Order this
Gallo pinto for breakfast, a casado at a soda for lunch and fresh pineapple whenever you can.
Don't miss
Arenal Volcano
Hot springs, hanging bridges and a perfect cone.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Ziplines and quetzals in the misty canopy.
Manuel Antonio
Beaches where the monkeys steal your snacks.
San José's Mercado Central
A maze of sodas, spices and fresh juice.
Part 2
The job
Who's hiring
Language institutes teach adults and business clients, and bilingual private schools hire for the school year, which runs from February to November. Many teachers combine institute work with private students.
Your week
Institutes often teach early mornings, lunchtimes and evenings, especially for business clients. School jobs keep daytime hours, with weekends free for exploring.
Visas & paperwork
Legal work in Costa Rica requires residency with permission to work, which takes time and is usually sponsored by established private schools. Talk to employers about which status they support before you go, and keep your degree and police check apostilled and ready.
“I always make sure my classes are student-centered and that I do not talk too much.”
Teaching in Costa Rica: quick answers
How much do English teachers earn in Costa Rica?
Typical pay is CRC 450,000–650,000 / month (≈ US$900–1,300) for entry-level and early-career roles in 2026, usually before tax, for about 20–30 teaching hrs per week. Experienced and licensed teachers can earn more.
What do I need to teach English in Costa Rica?
TEFL; degree helps. A degree is helpful for the usual visa route. Legal work in Costa Rica requires residency with permission to work, which takes time and is usually sponsored by established private schools. Talk to employers about which status they support before you go, and keep your degree and police check apostilled and ready.
When do schools in Costa Rica hire?
Jan–Feb & Jun– Jul. Contracts usually run 6–12 months.
Is housing included for teachers in Costa Rica?
Rarely. In Costa Rica you'll normally find and pay for your own place, so budget for rent (see living costs).
How much does it cost to live in Costa Rica?
Approximate costs in US dollars in the main hub: rent (studio or room) $400–600; local lunch $6–9; coffee $2.50–3.50; transport / month $40–60.
Pay, visa and calendar details were checked in October 2026 against official and employer sources. Rules change, so confirm with your employer and the official sources before you apply. Sources & credits