Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Family Spanish Program

Spanish Abroad was one of the first companies to intoduce the family Spanish program to meet the needs of parents who wanted to bring their children with them and learn Spanish during their studies abroad. The family Spanish Program in Tamarindo has been by far one of our most succesful family programs and has received some of the best feedback for an overall family vacation.

The Family Spanish Program provides the normal Spanish Immersion Program available to all Spanish students in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. This particular Spanish family program is geared towards families of 2 or more students that want to study as a family at the Spanish Language school in Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica throughout the year. This can include Mom and/or Dad and one or more children. Children must be at least 7 years and older to participate in children Spanish classes starting on any Monday of the year. We also receive groups of families that would like to study Spanish together with their family and friends. Starting in 2008 we will offer the Costa Rica children's summer camp, which is explained below and provided to students that are from the ages of 8-13 during the end of June through July.

The Location: Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Playa Tamarindo is a developing beach town in the increasingly popular Guanacaste province on the north west pacific coast of Costa Rica. Beach locations such as Playa Tamarindo are ideal for a family Spanish program as it incorporates many ocean based activities and the neighboring natural reserves of Guanacaste provide a great resource to experience more of what Costa Rica offers rather than just the beach.

Tamarindo Arrival Information
The Spanish Family Program in Tamarindo, Costa Rica starts in San Jose or Liberia, Costa Rica. Your family will be expected to arrive on a Saturday for a San Jose, Costa Rica arrival or Sunday for a Liberia, Costa rica arrival. We can arrange additional nights of accommodations in San Jose if needed upon arrival. It is recommended to fly into Liberia since it is the closest internation airport at only 1 hour from Tamarindo. If you arrive into Liberia, Costa Rica we can arrange an airport pickup for $30 per family member. Various transfer options are possible for San Jose and can be arranged upon request.

Family Spanish Courses

Adult Spanish Course: (Available Year Round)
Ages: 16 and up
The Spanish classes at the Spanish language school in Tamarindo in Costa Rica start every Monday of the year. We currently have 9 different levels of Spanish courses, all of which are taught in Spanish. The maximum class size is 6 people per class. Normally classes will run from 8:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. During peak times of the year, SA Tamarindo will also run class in the afternoons from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Spanish classes are held Monday through Friday. Spanish courses consist of a combination of conversational Spanish grammar and practical Spanish conversation.

Children Spanish Course: (Available Year Round)
Ages: 7-15
The Children Spanish course will also start every Monday of the year. During the child Spanish lessons the children will have the opportunity to get out of the classroom and have lessons outside. They will have different games and activities that will be arranged primarily in Spanish and will be instructed in a fun and interesting way in order to keep them interested and learning. The Spanish language school in Tamarindo, Costa Rica also has specially designed educational Spanish material and children Spanish lessons that are used to introduce Spanish grammar, vocabulary as well as the structure of the Spanish language. These Spanish classes are run at the same time and with the same schedule of the adult Spanish language program, so that families can enjoy activities outside of the school at the same time.

Children's Spanish Camp (June 29th to July 27th)
Ages: 8-13
Start Dates: June 29th, July 6th, July 13th, July 20th
Starting in 2008 we are introducing a seperate intensive Spanish camp during the day for children that will be available during the summer months. This program is for families that want to travel together to Tamarindo but take part in seperate programs. The adults can take part in the normal Adult Courses or enjoy Tamarindo without taking any classes. The program will take place from 9am to 3pm, Monday through Friday. Every morning parents will bring their children to the school and pick them up in the afternoon.

During the day there will always be two hours of fun and interactive Spanish classes. In addition to the Spanish classes and lunch there will also be at least one other activity. These activities are: art lessons with artist Richard Godfrey, surf lessons, soccer matches with local Costa Rican children, zip lining tour, beach volleyball games, swimming at the beach, visit to a Monkey Park, visit to the Marine Aquarium, boat tour of estuary and Goodbye to Costa Rica party. The program package is $600 per week including all items as listed in the itinerary Host family accommodations with 2 meals per daycan be arranged for the entire family for $130 per person, per week. You can view the full itinerary at the following link:

Family Spanish Program Accommodations in Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Families enrolled in Family Spanish program at the Spanish language school in Tamarindo, Costa Rica will have the option to choose between host family or apartment style accommodations.

Host Family:
The host family option provides the true immersion experience. The host families for the Spanish language school in Tamarindo are patient and extend themselves to help our students learn Spanish. Students staying with a host family, are totally immersed in the Costa Rican culture and have the opportunity to practice Spanish daily. The host family provides breakfast, dinner and laundry service. You will need to arrange your own lunch at any particular restaurant near the Spanish language school in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.. With advance notice the host families can meet special dietary needs, including those of vegetarians and vegans.

Students are always a welcome guest in a home stay and have a wonderful opportunity to practice the Spanish language, learn about Costa Rican culture and, in turn, share their culture with the family. Your family can choose to all stay at the same host family (depending on size of family) or in separate host families that are within walking distance from each other. The host families all live in Santa Rosa or Villareal which are residential areas only 10-15 minutes by bus from the Spanish language school’s location in Tamarindo. Round trip bus transportation will be provided at select times every day.

Bungalow Option :
For families that do not want to stay with a host family we arrange bungalows at a local hotel within walking distance to the Spanish language school and beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. The maximum capacity for one room is four students. If you have more than four students in your group, please check with us for custom pricing on your accommodations, otherwise you can view the quotes listed in the pricing below. The bungalows include a fully furnished kitchen and air conditioning. The hotel also offers a free tropical breakfast included on a daily basis. There are grocery stores close by to fill the kitchen during your stay. There is a jacuzzi and swimming pool onsite with swim up bar as well as a restaurant onsite for easy meals.

Family Spanish Program Activities and Excursions in Playa Tamarindo
The pricing for the Family Spanish Program in Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica does not include any activities or excursions in Costa Rica. The school will still offer their normal ala carte activities and excursions of which some activities are free. We cannot guarantee that any one particular group activity or excursion will be available as they are not arranged in advance. These can still always be arranged on an individual family basis. Some popular activities in Tamarindo, Costa Rica are Surfing, Snorkeling, Zip line tours, dance classes, etc…

Transportation in Tamarindo Costa Rica
Round trip shuttle transportation to/from the Spanish language school in Tamarindo, Costa Rica and host family accommodations is available and included in the cost at select times every day.

Family Spanish Program Cost 2008:
Prices are discounted from the normal program costs based on the number of members in your family.

Airfare to San Jose, Costa Rica or Liberia, Costa Rica is not included in the package as pricing may vary depending on your point of departure. Pricing for Apartment-Style Package in Tamarindo, Costa Rica is subject to change based on availability.

One Week Family Spanish Program With Host Family Accommodations
(2 Family Members): $765
Each Additional Family Member: $360

One Week Family Spanish Program With Bungalow Accommodations
(2 Family Members): $1290
Each Additional Family Member: $390

Two Week Family Spanish Program With Host Family Accommodations
(2 Family Members): $1560
Each Additional Family Member: $740

Two Week Family Spanish Program With Bungalow Accommodations
(2 Family Members): $2740
Each Additional Family Member: $830

Three Week Family Spanish Program With Host Family Accommodations
(2 Family Members): $2220
Each Additional Family Member: $1050

Three Week Family Spanish Program With Bungalow Accommodations
(2 Family Members): $4050
Each Additional Family Member: $1190

Four Week Family Spanish Program With Host Family Accommodations
(2 Family Members): $2740
Each Additional Family Member: $1300

Four Week Family Spanish Program With Bungalow Accommodations
(2 Family Members): $5220
Each Additional Family Member: $1500

Children's Spanish Adventure Program Pricing:
$600 per week, includes package as described in itinerary
Host Family (2 meals per day): $130 per week, per family member

Registration Deadline:
All registrations must be received at least 2 months prior to the start of your program or we cannot guarantee availability of the program.

See Registration, Payment & Cancellation Conditions Below

Start Dates
The Standard Family Spanish Program courses start every Monday as long as availability permits.

Registration & Payment Conditions
The registration process and payment for this program is different than our other programs.

The following payment and refund conditions apply for the Family Spanish Program in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

Payment of Balance To Spanish Abroad
Spanish Abroad must receive full payment of the balance of the program cost twelve weeks before the start date of the Family Spanish program. This must be paid by personal check. If your family is choosing the apartment-style option for accommodations, payment must be received within 48 hours of receipt of the final invoice. If not received within this time period, Spanish Abroad Inc. cannot guarantee that the apartment will be reserved for your family. Apartment-style accommodations must be reserved at least 4 months in advanced to have the best chance for availability. We cannot guarantee availability and pricing until your program is confirmed.

The final payment is due 4 weeks prior to the start date of the program or the student’s program will be cancelled.

Upon receipt of the balance of payment, Spanish Abroad will issue a finalized confirmation packet and invoice. This will include all information about the program, itinerary, any changes, and information about Costa Rica and what the student needs to bring. If after having received this confirmation packet, you have any other questions or concerns, please contact us immediately.

Registration
To register and hold a spot for this program you must:
• Call 1-888-722-7623 and speak with one of our Family Spanish Program Advisors to Register over the phone.
• You will receive confirmation within 72 hours of registration. An invoice along with other important information will be sent by email upon confirmation of the program.

Cancellation Policy
Once we receive full payment for the program, we will refund 50% of the total amount.

Once the program has begun there is NO refund of the program price, unless on account of medical emergency, certified by a doctor or hospital. In all such cases the amount refunded will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Cancellation of the program must be in writing, either by e-mail or letter. By registering for the program by phone as well as authorizing payment for the deposit to Spanish Abroad you are declaring that you have read and agree to this statement and policies as written and intended.