Why CRLA Is The Best Choice

Authentic Costa Rican experience

If you want to learn Spanish in Costa Rica, make sure that you will have an authentic cultural experience. If you wanted to study French in France, wouldn't you prefer that the school be owned by French people? Or if you studied German in Germany, wouldn't you choose a German-run school? The CRLA is one of the few schools completely owned and operated by Costa Ricans and all of our teachers and staff are native Spanish speakers. We will share our culture with you while you learn our language.

Excellent results
We make sure that you are making the most of your stay and learning Spanish quickly and easily, no matter what your age, background or Spanish skills are.

Our practical methodology , innovative books & intimate class size ensures excellent results. We will even offer you extra classes at no cost, if necessary, to ensure that you will achieve your language goals.

Highly qualified instructors
In order to teach at CRLA, we require our professors to hold a university degree and have ample training and experience.

Flexibility & Variety
You can start our programs any time year-round, study for as long as you want and with as many hours of instruction per day as you wish. We offer long term courses as well as intensive programs for students with a limited amount of time.

Our students say they greatly appreciate our flexibility and the diversity of our programs because they are able to travel and enjoy other activities while learning Spanish.

Individualized Service
At CRLA we guarantee personal attention to each student. From the moment you arrive in Costa Rica we consider you part of our family. We will go out of our way to meet your needs and exceed your expectations.


Personal Safety
Your personal safety is one of our biggest priorities:

- You will have the director's home and mobile numbers, which
you can call 24/7.
- Airport pick up provided by reliable staff.
- Orientation and safety tips are given on your first day of classes
- Storage facilities and safety deposit box are available at the school.
- We are affiliated to Medical Emergency service and have a list of recommended doctors in case of illness.
- Although you are traveling on your own, you are never alone at CRLA: we will even stay at your side at the hospital.

International & Diverse Atmosphere Unlike most schools who cater to only one type of student, CRLA works with universities and organizations through out the world, so you will find a diversified student body creating an interesting international atmosphere. Our school welcomes students of all ages and backgrounds.

Great facilities and Convenient location We offer modern and comfortable facilities in a warm, homelike atmosphere. The CRLA is located in San José, in a quiet and secure neigborhood. We are on the East side of the city, 20 minutes walking distance from downtown and within easy access to museums, theaters, restaurants, stores and bus stations.

Warm and friendly atmosphere
At the CRLA our goal is to make you feel at home when you are away from home:

" Wow! What a wonderful place! Learning in a supportive and flexible setting, dancing, cooking. Quality people and a beautiful country! A powerful combination, not only for me but for my children as well. This has been a learning and fun vacation in a foreign country that can´t be beat. We're already thinking of our return trip. Keep up the fine work! "

Joe Edmiston, USA

Returning to CRLA
It even gets better the second time around!

Our family returned to CRLA two years after our original coursework. Due to our strong CRLA base, we came back at an advanced level and continued to strengthen our Spanish skills even further.

Heartening, most of the same friendly and talented staff was still at CRLA and remembered us. What a pleasant and welcoming surprise!

As a former CRLA student and parent of a CRLA student, I highly recommend CRLA because the learning, care, facilities and services are top notch!

All the best,
Joe Edmiston, USA

"I will never forget my time at the CRLA because it has been incredibly special to me. I know I've already said thank you and you probably get about 10 of these letters a day, but I just have to say it once more:
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR HAVING SUCH A WARM, LOVING SCHOOL, WHICH REALLY DID FEEL LIKE A HOME WHEN I WAS ACTUALLY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD! I REALLY THINK YOU ARE BRILLIANT! "

Laura Franklin, England

"I want to thank you for being so flexible. I also wanted to thank you for the wonderful experiences I had in Costa Rica thanks to everyone there. The personnel at your school was extremely friendly which made me feel very much at home. My only regret was having to return to California."

Carol Bradley, U.S.A.

"DANKE, GRACIAS, THANK YOU, CRLA! At your Academy I not only learned more Spanish than I thought possible in such a short time, I made many new friends and now I have a true familia in Costa Rica. Thank you also for helping me with all my weekend travels, with the bank, with e-mails, with EVERYTHING!"

Jürgen Ziegler, Germany

" Before coming to your school I was afraid to travel alone to a country so far away from Japan. But from the moment Leonel (the school´s driver) was waiting for me at the airport I felt welcome and more relaxed. My host family was wonderful and everybody at the school was so nice and friendly. My teacher was very patient and all the other teachers and staff were helpful all the time. Thank you for all you did for me and I hope to return soon."

Mayumi Asawa, Japan

"I felt very supported. Everyone goes out of their way to make you feel at home. I could turn to the school for everything and I never felt alone here. Leonel was wonderful and started my trip on a high note making me feel very welcome. My homestay was wonderful. Beyond comfortable, they made me feel like family. I had intended to stay three days and now, five weeks later, I am devastated over leaving. The school far exceeded my expectations."

Jonathan van Nuys, USA