If you plan to reside in the country, it’s wise to take a short visit just to check its climate and weather particularly in areas where you and your family are planning to live in. You can also see if the area around your neighborhood is safe if ever typhoons occur.
The best time to go here is of course during the dry season. Most budget travelers actually prefer going to the country during the rainy season because during this time hotel rates are much lower or at a discounted price. You might also get to see lesser crowds, and inexpensive lodging especially from August to October as there’ll usually be less tourists around this time.
Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica. You can actually learn to speak in Spanish quite easily here because their dialect is easier to understand especially if you’re just starting to get a grasp of the language. The good news for foreign expats is that there are many schools and language centers that can help you learn the language. Usually, they offer group classes that last around 4 hours per day from Mondays to Fridays. Most schools also offer classes for families, and you may also choose other alternatives like student residence so that you can avail discounts.
When choosing a school where you can learn the Spanish language – Costa Rican way is to decide the best location where you can practice it. You don’t want to go to schools located near the beaches as it may not give you a chance to practice the language since most tourists don’t speak Spanish. However, some expats like to study near the beaches because they also go to other classes like surfing class or photography class. Obviously, if you really want to become fluent in the language, it’s best if you live among the locals or try to reach out to them as much as you can and learn how to socialize.
Most expats reside in the capital in San Jose. There are not a lot of tourists in the city, but there are also lots of Spanish schools you and your family can attend in, the best part is that you can get immersed in the language since the setting and the people are mostly locals. This will prevent you from switching to your native language, and make you more comfortable in speaking like a true Costa Rican.
Good-humored, practical,and insightful, Downey’s travel books offer useful information in an easily accessible format. 