Maximo Nivel > Spanish Immersion Programs > Summer Spanish Camp
Summer Spanish Camp in Costa Rica
At Maximo Nivel, our Spanish Camp program helps young learners experience a world of travel and intercultural exchange. You are never too young to start exploring this amazing world and our Spanish Camp helps young people begin their exploration abroad in a safe and guided environment.
Spanish Camp Includes:
− Chaperones 24/7; 8:1 student-chaperone ratio
− Airport pick-up and drop-off
− Program and safety orientation
− Host family accommodations
− Breakfast, lunch, dinner, 7 days/week
− All tours and social activities
− Private transportation to/from all activities
− Official certificates for Spanish and volunteering
− Souvenir Spanish Camp T-shirt
− Small group Spanish classes, 15 hours/week
− Free Spanish books and materials
− Free WiFi and computer lounge
Spanish Camp is a full-immersion experience that integrates the Spanish language into all aspects of the program, including community service, sports, and cultural activities. Our unique combination of daily Spanish classes and optional program Tracks means students can build-in personalized program options to complement their Spanish studies.
Summer Spanish Camp
Maximo Nivel’s Spanish Camp offers learners a great cultural and educational experience. Students receive 3 hours of Spanish classes per day before heading out to different cultural and tour activities in the afternoon. Activities include museum visits, national park tours, creative workshops, recreational games, and more.
Program Highlights
COFFEE FARM
Campers experience the original Costa Rican coffee tour to learn how coffee plays an integral part in the local culture and economy. Students learn how coffee is grown, roasted, and processed from bean to cup!
COOKING CLASS
Campers learn how to prepare typical Costa Rican food, such as tamales and empanadas in a participatory cooking class taught by one of our Costa Rican host mothers.
JUNGLE ZIPLINE
This tour explores the jungle canopy through a series of suspension platforms located above the rainforest. Campers zipline from platform to platform taking in the surrounding jungle. The zipline tour is an exhilarating and safe adventure through lush, green canopy and across majestic rivers.
MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK
An experienced nature guide leads campers on an informative hike through Costa Rica’s most famous national park. Campers enjoy small beaches, ocean inlets, and see a variety of wildlife.
SALSA CLASS
A fun and relaxed dance class taught by our local professional Salsa instructor. Beyond just Salsa, campers learn other popular Latin American dances, such as Merengue and Bachata.
SCUBA DISCOVERY COURSE
Campers take part in an optional 2-day introductory course to scuba diving. This course is led by a previous U.S. Coast Guard diver and includes one day in the swimming pool to learn about equipment and safety and then one ocean dive with the instructor. Note, students may choose to do an extra day of surf school and service learning if they prefer not to do scuba.
SERVICE LEARNING
Campers learn more about giving back and being global citizens by getting involved at local schools, and communities. Work includes organizing activities with the children, teaching English, and light construction. This is an excellent day to learn more about community service and volunteering abroad.
SURF SCHOOL
Campers spend the day on one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. Our professional surf instructor teaches everyone how to ride the waves! Students also get to spend time body surfing, boogy boarding, and paddle boarding. Less adventurous teens can choose to just relax on the beach and watch their friends.
RAINFOREST NIGHT TOUR
Campers experience the fascinating rainforest in Manuel Antonio at night! This the best time to observe and photograph beautiful tree frogs, colorful insects, and other elusive rainforest creatures.
RAM LUNA
The Ram Luna center is perched high above the mountains overlooking San Jose. From this unique vantage point, campers enjoy panoramic views of the Central Valley and explore ‘Tico’ folklore through traditional dances and marimba music. There’s also a delicious dinner buffet with a menu of traditional Costa Rican dishes.
VOLCANO & HOT SPRINGS
This excursion takes campers to the Irazu Volcano National Park, Orosi Basilica, and the Hacienda Orosi Hot Springs. Students tour the impressive volcano site, visit other sites of interest around the Orosi Valley. The tour is capped off by relaxing in amazing natural hot springs and enjoying a traditonal lunch.
And lots more!
Daily Routine
Monday through Friday, you eat breakfast with your host family before being picked up in private transportation and taken to Spanish classes. Spanish classes run from 9:00AM to 12:00PM daily. After class, a buffet lunch is catered in at the Maximo institute. In the afternoon, from 1:00PM to 4:00PM, you break up and go into your chosen program “tracks.” After that, you return to your host family for dinner and showers, and get ready for the camp’s evening activities.
During weeknights, there are a number of planned activities including salsa lessons, roller skating, karaoke, Costa Rican BBQs, game nights, movie nights, as well as quality time with host families.
On weekends, you take part in exciting cultural, adventure, and nature tours. Led by our professional guides and chaperones, you get the chance to tour cloud forests, hike volcanoes, swim, surf, and learn to cook traditional Costa Rican dishes! Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful and biologically diverse travel destinations on the planet and Spanish Camp never disappoints!
Accommodations
In San Jose, Spanish Camp participants stay with pre-approved, middle class family-stays in San Jose. Accommodations at the homes include shared rooms with 1-2 other campers of the same gender and similar age. In the family-stay, breakfast and dinner is included every day and lunches are catered in at the Maximo institute every day. On weekend overnight tours, students stay at hotels in shared rooms with 1-2 other students of the same gender and similar age. Chaperones also stay at the hotel.
In Manuel Antonio, Spanish Camp participants stay with pre-approved, middle class family-stays in Quepos/Manuel Antonio. Accommodations at the homes include shared rooms with 1-2 other campers of the same gender and similar age. Note that in Manuel Antonio, rooms are simple and “beachy.” Breakfast and dinner are provided at the family-stay every day and lunches are catered in at the Maximo institute following Spanish classes. On weekend overnight tours, students stay at hotels in shared rooms with 1-2 other students of the same gender and similar age. Chaperones also stay at the hotel.
Facilities @ the Maximo Nivel Institute
In San Jose, Spanish classes take place at the Maximo Nivel institute. We are located in San Pedro—the university district of San Jose. Spanish Camp participants study in a separate area of our institute and are not mixed with our adult program participants, as well there is 24/7 supervision of all Spanish Camp students. Maximo Nivel provides free WiFi, computer lounge, onsite snack bar, and a great common area for Spanish Camp only. Spanish classes take place from 9:00am to 12:00pm daily. Lunch is catered in at the Maximo Nivel institute every day.
In Manuel Antonio, Spanish classes take place at the Maximo Nivel institute which is just a 5 minute bus ride from the beautiful Manuel Antonio Beach and National Park. Our Manuel Antonio institute has 15 teaching areas, free WiFi, computer lounge, onsite snack bar, and a world-class view of the Pacific Ocean.
Pre-Departure Support
The Maximo Nivel team is here to provide all pre-departure support, including:
− Where and how to book a flight
− How to arrange airline assistance for unaccompanied minors
− Understanding passports and visas
In-Country Support
During Spanish Camp, we are your direct link to your son or daughter 24/7, including:
− 24-hour Emergency phone number
− We require all students to call home upon arrival in Costa Rica.
− Weekly updates on students and how they are doing
− We make you aware of any emergencies, changes, or updates.
− We immediately relay parent messages to students and student messages to parents.
− We notify you when your son or daughter has boarded their flight and safely departed from Costa Rica.
What to Bring
Before packing up and heading out to Maximo’s Spanish Camp, please make sure that you and your family discuss what it means to be far from home and the importance of being a great ambassador for your home country while visiting Costa Rica.
We strongly encourage parents to be sure your son or daughter leave their home country with everything on the list below. Note that sending packages to Costa Rica via postal services is not recommended as packages can take 2-6 weeks arrive. Once in Costa Rica, packages must then clear customs, which can be an additional 2 weeks or more. Custom taxes are also very expensive.
| Documents | Travel Gear | Clothing | Toiletries | Academic Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport valid for at least 6 months | Camera | Shorts | Shampoo | Notebook |
| Credit card | Waterbottle | Pants | Conditioner | Pens/pencils |
| International medical insurance policy card | Umbrella | T-shirts | Soap | Bilingual pocket dictionary |
| Emergency contact information | Backpack | Light sweater | Toothpaste | |
| Maximo Nivel’s contact information | Extra bag for souvenirs | Bathing suit | Toothbrush | |
| Raincoat | Deodorant | |||
| Hiking shoes | Sunscreen | |||
| Sneakers | Mosquito repellent | |||
| Sandals | Prescriptions |
Important Note to Parents
Maximo Nivel’s Spanish Camp program is carefully programmed to maximize Spanish language learning and intercultural experience. We work very hard to ensure our Spanish Camp is a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment. Our Spanish Camp program is fully chaperoned 24/7.
Costa Rica Spanish Camp 2019
| START DATE | END DATE | WEEKS | PROGRAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01-July | 07–July | 1 Weeks | Manuel Antonio |
| 08–July | 14–July | 1 Week | San Jose |
| 15–July | 21–July | 1 Week | Manuel Antonio |
| 22–July | 28–July | 1 Week | San Jose |
| 29–July | 04–August | 1 Week | Manuel Antonio |
Spanish Camp Includes:
− Chaperones 24/7; 8:1 student-chaperone ratio
− Airport pick-up and drop-off
− Program and safety orientation
− Host family accommodations
− Breakfast, lunch, dinner, 7 days/week
− All tours and social activities
− Private transportation to/from all activities
− Official certificates for Spanish and volunteering
− Souvenir Spanish Camp T-shirt
− Small group Spanish classes, 15 hours/week
− Free Spanish books and materials
− Free WiFi and computer lounge
Summer Spanish Camp
| Program | Weeks | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish Camp in San Jose (City) | 1 Week | $1195 |
| Spanish Camp in Manuel Antonio (Beach) | 1 Week | $1345 |