Bienvenido

Study the Language Explore the Land!

On Costa Rica’s amazingly beautiful Central Pacific coastline starting from Manuel Antonio National Park, south to the border of Panama sits a small ocean throw back of a Costa Rican fishing village community known as Playa Dominical. Now this community has turned into a surfer’s paradise with the most consistent waves in all Central America. This is the real Costa Rica with no high-rise apartments or big-name hotels. Instead, you will find long sections of stunning, private coastline in a lush tropical paradise with an abundance of wildlife and sensuous green mountain escape.

Add to this, a language experience where the teacher is there just for you in a one on one setting along the quiet serene shore of the Baru river just a 12 minute walk from town. This is what awaits you when you join the AEC family in Playa Dominical.

“AEC is like a family! All the AEC people truly cared about each member of our family, and we made lifelong friends.”

Mary Shaughnessy

AEC Client, 2021

Dominical Programs

Getting to Dominical

Fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport, (SJO). Classes start on Mondays.

Airport Pickup

Contact Monkey Ride, a private shuttle company, to arrange transportation from the airport (SJO) or nearby hotels to Villas Rio Mar in Dominical. Cost is around $55.00.

Take the Bus

If you have been to Costa Rica before, and are familiar with Costa Rica’s public bus system, taking the bus is also an option.

Things to know about taking the bus to Dominical:

  • From the TRACOPA bus terminal, look for the bus line is called Delio Morales.

  • You need to buy a ticket (directo) to Uvita, but you can get off anywhere.

  • There are two buses each day.

  • The buses leave at 6am and 3pm

  • It takes about 5 hours to get to Dominical from the Tracopa Bus Terminal

  • Each bus stops briefly at Orotina and Quepos before arriving at Dominical.

Lodging in Dominical

Homestay

  • Stay with local Costa Rican families
  • Pricing is $210.00 per week and includes breakfast, dinners and laundry service once a week.

DUE TO COVID NOT AVIALABLE AT THIS TIME

Suggested Lodging Options

2022 Domincal Pricing

Spanish Program Options Desciption 1 Week 2 Weeks 3 Weeks 4 Weeks Extra Week
Private Lessons | 2 Hours 1 $280 $560 $840 $1120 $250
Private Lessons | 3 Hours 1 $390 $780 $1,170 $1,560 $350
Private Lessons | 4 Hours 1 $500 $1,000 $1,500 $2,000 $450
Semi Private Lessons | 2 Hours 2 $380 $760 $1,140 $1,520 $350
Semi Private Lessons | 3 Hours 2 $510 $1,020 $1,530 $2,040 $460
Semi Private Lessons | 4 Hours 2 $600 $1,200 $1,800 $2,400 $550
Private Group Lessons | 4 Hours (per student) 3-6 $250 $500 $750 $1,000 $250

Additional Program Options

Children’s Program: Same Prices as above but specially designed for children 6 to 9 and 10 to 13

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 Dominical

    On the central pacific coast of Costa Rica is one of the country’s most beautiful uncut gems, Dominical. From its turquoise green water to its fiery red and gold sunsets, the natural beauty of the area is second to none. The town sits on the Pacific Ocean bordered to the north by the Rio Baru, on the east by three thousand-foot high mountains and to the south by dark, coffee brown, beaches and coves. One of the most striking features of Dominical can be found while swimming in the water, the town simply disappears. All you see are the tall beach palms and mangroves surrounded by verdant green hills reaching up into the mountains.

    Dominical has been known for many years to the international surfing community because of its consistently good waves. Only recently has it been discovered by those people attracted to its natural beauty. Not more than twenty years ago the only buildings to be found were a few dilapidated fishing huts built by local fishermen. Since then the town has grown to over 400 permanent residents with a number of small beach front restaurants, bars and cabinas. Even with the emergence and growth of the town, it is possible to walk from one end of Dominical to the other in less than ten minutes.

    Domincal Facts

    Country: Costa Rica

    Province: Puntarenas

    Altitude: Sea level

    Climate: Tropical Coastline

    Average Yearly Rainfall:28 inches

    Temperature:Average Temperature: 75°F

    Things to See

    Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge, Ballena National Marine Park, Nauyaca Waterfalls, and abundant wildlife.

    Things to Do

    Learn Spanish, adventure tours, whale watching, and a plethora of water sports.