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COSTA RICA
SPANISH SCHOOL

LEARN SPANISH IN COSTA RICA

Remember studying a language in school only to forget everything as soon as class was over? Not here in Costa Rica! The Maximo Nivel Spanish immersion program in Costa Rica pushes you to apply your studies both inside and outside of the classroom. Your program is an authentic immersion experience with a certified instructor that you never forget. Come join us in the land of “Pura Vida” for a fun and intensive Spanish language program.

Whether you choose to study in the capital city of San Jose or at the beach in Manuel Antonio, you can rest assured that Maximo Nivel provides the same high quality Spanish instruction. All courses are led by certified native Spanish-speaking teachers. In the classroom, learners and teachers utilize Spanish conversation, context, and visuals to ensure understanding of vocabulary and grammar. Through a structured curriculum that emphasizes speaking, you naturally acquire the language as you are pushed to learn through practice.

For students from Germany, Maximo Nivel is Bilidungsurlaub approved. Very few Spanish schools can claim this prestigious German government recognition.

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Both the San Jose and Manuel Antonio campuses offer large common areas and free coffee and tea to get you through your day; there are also salsa classes to prepare you for your nights! We offer a unique tandem conversation program where you’re paired with a local, Costa Rican student to practice your Spanish while they practice their English. You can also participate in cooking classes where one of our “Mama Ticas” shows you how to prepare traditional recipes using local ingredients. These extracurricular activities are conducted entirely in Spanish, which helps you acquire more language skills in less formal settings. At Maximo, you have lots of opportunities to make friends from all over the world and practice your new skills–be it Spanish, cooking, or your new salsa moves!

Great Ideas Outside of Class

– Visit the the majestic Arenal Volcano
– Explore the white sand beaches and National Park at Manuel Antonio
– Go whitewater rafting on class III and IV rapids
– Fly over the forest on an amazing zipline
– Learn to ride the waves at surf school
– Discover the underwater world with Scuba certification
…and much more with the Adventure & Culture programs

Maximo Nivel’s Tandem Conversation program is a free, optional language and cultural exchange. As an international Spanish student you are matched up with a local student who is studying English at Maximo Nivel. Conversations are open, informal, and natural—taking the pressure off and allowing you and your tandem partner to bond and help one another move forward in your Spanish and English acquisition. This is a great way to meet new friends, develop your conversation skills, and increase your cultural understanding. The Tandem Program gives all participants unequaled access to the most important resource for learning a language—native speakers!

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Small Group Classes (2 hours/day)
San Jose,
Costa Rica		 Manuel Antonio,
Costa Rica
1 Week $215 $235
2 Weeks $430 $470
3 Weeks $645 $705
4 Weeks $835 $915
Extra Week $195 $215
Small Group Classes (4 hours/day)
San Jose,
Costa Rica		 Manuel Antonio,
Costa Rica
1 Week $430 $470
2 Weeks $860 $940
3 Weeks $1,290 $1,410
4 Weeks $1,670 $1,830
Extra Week $390 $430
Private Classes (1 hour/day)
San Jose,
Costa Rica		 Manuel Antonio,
Costa Rica
1 Week $215 $235
2 Weeks $430 $470
3 Weeks $645 $705
4 Weeks $835 $915
Extra Week $195 $215
Private Classes (2 hours/day)
San Jose,
Costa Rica		 Manuel Antonio,
Costa Rica
1 Week $430 $470
2 Weeks $860 $940
3 Weeks $1,290 $1,410
4 Weeks $1,670 $1,830
Extra Week $390 $430
Private Classes (4 hours/day)
San Jose,
Costa Rica		 Manuel Antonio,
Costa Rica
1 Week $725 $795
2 Weeks $1,450 $1,590
3 Weeks $2,175 $2,385
4 Weeks $2,595 $2,995
Extra Week $595 $695
Super Intensive (4 hours group + 2 hours private)
San Jose,
Costa Rica		 Manuel Antonio,
Costa Rica
1 Week $725 $795
2 Weeks $1,450 $1,590
3 Weeks $2,175 $2,385
4 Weeks $2,595 $2,995
Extra Week $595 $695

For accommodation options during your Spanish immersion program click here

Why I Maximo Nivel

I visited Costa Rica a year ago for three weeks and studied Spanish at COSI Maximo Nivel in Manuel Anotonio. I loved it so much that I returned this year to continue my studies and enjoy this beautiful country. My experience with the administrative staff and teachers has been fabulous and I plan to visit twice a year in the future. Thanks for everything!

Jennifer C.

SAN JOSE SPANISH SCHOOL

IN THE UNIVERSITY DISTRICT OF THE CAPITAL CITY

The Maximo Nivel institute is located in San Pedro–the university district of San Jose. The neighborhood offers a great student vibe and is surrounded by restaurants, gyms, and malls, as well as great nightlife with live music and dancing. The institute is only a short 10-minute bus ride from downtown San Jose, which offers all the amenities of a large capital city, including museums, parks, markets, plazas, and theaters, as well as plenty of shopping.

The school and campus have very nice indoor and outdoor study areas and serve as a great meeting place for our international students studying Spanish, as well as our local students studying English. It is a great home base to get to know other people, plan activities and practice your language skills. The school has 15 classrooms, a computer lab, an open air snack bar, and large common areas. The institute is available for you to use 7 days/week, including holidays.

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Maximo Nivel San Jose Costa Rica Spanish School
Maximo Nivel Manuel Antonio Quepos Costa Rica Spanish School

MANUEL ANTONIO SPANISH SCHOOL

BEAUTIFUL OPEN AIR SCHOOL AT THE BEACH

The Maximo Nivel school and campus in Manuel Antonio – Quepos lets you study amidst the natural beauty of the rainforest and white sand beaches that only Costa Rica can offer. After class, you can escape to the beach which is just minutes away via bus or on foot. The quaint towns of Quepos and Manuel Antonio have lots of shops, great local restaurants, a large marina, an open air market on the weekends, and great nightlife!

The Manuel Antonio Spanish school includes 10 classrooms, 3 studio apartments, swimming pool, snack bar, and on-site travel office. There is also free WiFi throughout the institute. In true Costa Rican pura vida lifestyle, the Maximo campus is a great home base and social center where participants can relax, socialize, and even sunbathe. The common areas, with a beachy-breezy feel, include indoor and outdoor spaces and selected air-conditioned areas. Maximo Nivel’s Rainforest-Beach Institute is open 7 days a week, including holidays.
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THE SPANISH OF COSTA RICA

PURA VIDA!

Costa Rican Spanish has a unique style, accent, and vocabulary. Studying Spanish in Costa Rica means you become familiar with the common terms, and formalities of “Tico talk.” You quickly learn that “mae” replaces “dude” or “bro,” “vos” replaces “tu” and “pura vida” can replace just about anything! The more formal “usted” is commonly used across all ages in Costa Rica, whereas in most other Latin American countries, “usted” is only used when speaking to an elder or in a formal setting. Those who have taken Spanish courses in the past may not be familiar with the common use of “usted” and “vos,” but no worries–Maximo Nivel’s immersion program has you speaking like a Tico in no time.

The Costa Rican people are accustomed to international visitors and are always happy to welcome you into their country. Typically speaking, Ticos are respectable, fashion-forward people more interested in spending time with family and friends than wild nights out on the town. However, there is no problem finding young people and students mingling together at the local bars and clubs. Ticos are friendly and open, and love giving directions to just about anywhere. Come get lost in the culture, but not in translation, as you learn Spanish in Costa Rica!

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Costa Rica Spanish
Maximo Nivel Manuel Antonio Costa Rica Spanish School

PROGRAMS OFFERED

SPANISH IMMERSION COURSES FOR EVERY LEVEL

From small group classes ranging from 2-8 people to private classes tailored to your specific needs, Maximo Nivel provides quality immersion programs lead by certified, native Spanish instructors. If you are looking for a university Spanish course or super intensive program, all levels and various subject areas are available, from basic to advanced topics. Pair your Spanish program along with accommodations in a host family, and you can be sure to quickly move up the learning ladder.

Small Group Classes
– Small group classes are designed to facilitate interaction among all learners in the group
– Groups help provide a “safety net” and take the pressure off—everyone’s in it together
– Other learners may ask questions that you have not thought of—bringing more clarity to each lesson
– There is a great social aspect in group classes—easy to make friends and find study partners

Private Classes
– Move through material at your own pace
– Focus on material that is especially relevant to YOU
– 100% personalized feedback and uninterrupted attention from your teacher
– Your personal learning style forms the basis for every lesson
– Private classes are very flexible in terms of organizing your time in-country

Super Intensive Program
– Combine daily small-group and private Spanish classes (6 hours/day)
– Get the added bonus of one-on-one attention to focus on areas specific to you
– Maintain structured group classes while remaining flexible with your private classes
– Advance your Spanish level more quickly

University Courses
Maximo Nivel offers a wide variety of university Spanish courses ranging from 100 to 400 level courses. These programs may be grouped or 1-on-1 private lessons. University courses are 60-80 hours and require 3-4 weeks to complete in order to earn academic credit.

Spanish for Special Purposes
Spanish for Special Purposes (SSP) includes courses in Medical Spanish and Spanish for Business. SSP teachers are some of our most experienced instructors and have additional expertise in Business and Healthcare. SSP programs are intended for medical students, traveling doctors and nurses, and business people who need specialized Spanish for their careers. SSP Classes are best taught in a 2-hour per day format.

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WHY LEARN SPANISH WITH
MAXIMO NIVEL?

Maximo Nivel is very unique compared to any regular Spanish school. Our institutes include international travelers who are taking part in Spanish, Volunteer, Internship, TEFL, and University programs. As well, there are lots of local Costa Rican, Guatemalan, and Peruvian students who study in the Native English Program. This means there is always an awesome international-meets-local vibe—making Maximo Nivel come alive with language, culture, and adventure!

  • Spanish classes from only $215 per week
  • Choose from small group, private classes, or a combination of both
  • Professionally-certified, native Spanish-speaking teachers
  • Spanish programs available from 1-52 weeks
  • New Spanish courses begin every Monday
  • Friendly and open facilities
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • Tandem Exchange Program
  • Academic credit available
  • 10-Year Payment Guarantee
Spanish Immersion Video

Maximo Nivel’s Spanish Immersion programs provide an authentic immersion experience that takes you beyond the classroom—it is the most intensive and professional Spanish program available in Latin America. Schedule a call with a program advisor today!

COSI Costa Rica Spanish Institute

COSI – Costa Rica Spanish Institute

SINCE 1994

Since 1994, the Costa Rica Spanish Institute (COSI) has provided the leading Spanish language immersion programs in Costa Rica. For more than 20 years, the COSI Spanish programs have offered the unique opportunity to study Spanish abroad in the bustling university district of San Jose and in the tranquil seaside town of Manuel Antonio overlooking the Pacific coast.

In 2013, COSI merged with Maximo Nivel and since then the two organizations have coordinated their Spanish abroad programs and their 2 separate websites are now unified under the Maximo Nivel name. The joint COSI-Maximo Nivel organization has aligned its goals to provide better client service and improved academic tracking. It has been an excellent partnership over the years, with Maximo Nivel bringing its very successful volunteer abroad and international internship programs to COSI students. This has significantly extended the Spanish abroad program to include community service and international work experience—directly contributing to the personal, academic, and professional goals of our international students.

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EARN ACADEMIC CREDIT

FOR SPANISH COURSES IN LATIN AMERICA

Maximo Nivel is one of the few Spanish schools in the world to offer academic credit for its programs. Most credit-bearing courses can be completed in 3-4 weeks. Our School of Record issues official transcripts and academic credit for your program. Get the credit you earn!

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Spanish Courses Abroad with Academic Credit

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