Bienvenido!

Develop your Spanish with private instruction in Costa Rica.

Arenal, a rich community for language immersion. Come and visit one of Costa Rica’s most popular areas while immersing yourself with small group class sizes in our classic language setting. Our medical and nursing students will love this opportunity to be part of a very unique experience. The head of the AEC medical program, Dr Arias has his clinic available for all who are interested.

“AEC offers a great combination of learning experiences, mixed with fun options for seeing Costa Rica!”

The staff, the administrators, the teachers and the host families are all welcoming and wonderful. I have recommended the experience to many fellow students.

Lori Lawson

AEC Client, 2016

Arenal Programs

Additional Program Options

Two Students & One Teacher:

  • $35 an hour per person.
  • $15 an hour for a second person.
  • Minimum 10 of hours per week.
  • Both students must have same level of ability.
  • If the teacher comes to your hotel, then add an additional $3 per hour.

Private Lessons:

  • $25 an hour per person
  • $15 an hour for a second person
  • Minimum 10 of hours per week

Getting to Arenal

Fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport, (SJO). You will need to arrive by Sunday afternoon to your lodging.
Use AEC’s airport pickup or direct pickup by a driver for ease of arrival to your campus.

Airport Pickup

AEC Spanish students traveling to Arenal can take advantage of the airport pickup package.

The AEC Airport Pickup Includes the following:

  • A pickup at the airport by a member of our staff.

  • Overnight stay at our near the airport guest house.

  • Continental breakfast in the morning.

  • Routing to the proper bus terminal and paid bus fare.

Price: $140 per person

Lodging in Arenal

Home stays are with local Costa Rican families in the town of Fortuna.

Arenal Homestay

  • Each student will have a private room with a shared bathroom.
  • Couples can stay with the same family.
  • Weekly laundry service is provided.
  • Includes two meals a day, breakfast and dinner.
  • All home-stays are within a 10-minute walk from the center of town.

  • All families can accommodate students with special dietary needs, such as vegetarians.

Price: $165.00 per person per week

2023 Arenal Pricing

Program Options Lodging 1 Week 2 Weeks 3 Weeks 4 Weeks
16 Hour private No lodging $416 $832 $1,248 $1,664
20 Hour private No lodging $500 $1000 $1500 $2000
16 hr + Medical or Nursing No lodging $566 $1132 $1698 $2264
20 hr + Medical or Nursing No lodging $650 $1300 $1950 $2600
10 & 10 Spanish & Rotation No lodging $580 $1160 $1740 $2320
20 hour medical rotation No lodging $640 $1280 $1920 $2560

How to Register

Contact our registration coordinator, Jeff Garrison, for more information and assistance with booking your course sessions. To contact Jeff please use the numbers below or submit a message via the contact form.

Call Us

For calls placed from within the U.S. and all international calls, please call:

Inquiry Form

Please fill out our inquiry form one of our knowledgeable representatives will get back to you within one business day.



    Explore Arenal

    Arenal, a rich community for language immersion. Come and visit one of Costa Rica’s most popular areas while immersing yourself with private one on one Spanish instruction. The area is noted for world renowned flora and fauna where people from all of over the world come to visit. Soak in the relaxing hot springs, jump into the area’s wondrous waterfalls, cascade down a white water adventure, or hike up the famous Arenal Volcano. All of these activities are within sight of your stay with AEC.

    For young and old this area can fit the interests of many. From studying the language in a private one on one setting this gives the student the uniqueness to really lock in with their language skills. With our other campus locations you can start your program in Turrialba or Playa Dominical and then move onto Arenal to experience the beauty, uniqueness of each location adding to the overall experience of Costa Rica.

    About La Fortuna

    La Fortuna is a small town in Costa Rica, northwest of the capital, San José. It’s known as a gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park, comprising 2 volcanoes. Active Arenal Volcano is still laced with lava flows. Hot springs dot the foot of the volcano, on the thermal Tabacón River. Dormant Chato Volcano has a crater lake and rainforest trails leading to La Fortuna Waterfall, with its natural pool.

    Arenal Facts

    Country: Costa Rica

    Province: Alajuela

    Altitude: 5,480 feet

    Climate: Tropical Rainforest

    Average Yearly Rainfall: 2 to 11 inches

    Average Temperature: 75°F

    Things to See

    Rain Forest, Volcano, National Parks and abundant wildlife.

    Things to Do

    Learn Spanish, adventure tours, river rafting, hiking, zip lining and mountain biking.