Learning Spanish
Spanish School or Private Teacher in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica? How to Choose
A school or a private teacher? When each one suits you, how my classes work in Santa Teresa and online, prices and cancellations.
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Stories, guides, and tips from Santa Teresa — written by a local Spanish teacher and tour guide.
Costa Rican Spanish
Rojo, Teja, Harina: How Costa Ricans Talk About Money
Rojo, teja, harina, menudo: the words Costa Ricans use for money, and the phrases you need to pay at a soda or a pulpería.
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Costa Rican Spanish
Rata, Sapo, Gato: the Animal Words Costa Ricans Use for People
Rata, sapo, gato, lora: thirteen animal words and six sayings Ticos use for people, what they mean and which ones are an insult.
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Spanish grammar
Por vs Para: When to Use Each One, with Examples from Costa Rica
The ten uses of por, the seven uses of para, the sentences that change meaning with one word, a trick to choose, and an exercise with answers.
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Spanish grammar
Ser vs Estar: The Two Rules I Use in Class (DOCTOR and PLACE)
The two rules I use in class — DOCTOR for ser, PLACE for estar — the adjectives that change meaning, and a short exercise with answers.
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Spanish for work
Spanish for Work: When Your Team, Clients or Suppliers Speak Spanish
Why speaking your team's language changes the conversation, eight phrases for Monday, and a message you can send your manager to ask the company to pay.
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Costa Rican Spanish
20 Costa Rican Phrases You'll Actually Hear in Santa Teresa
Pura vida, mae, con gusto, ¿me regala…? — twenty words you will hear in your first week, what they mean and when to use them yourself.
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Getting here
How to Get to Santa Teresa from San José Airport (SJO)
Car and ferry, shuttle, small plane or public bus — the four ways in, how long each really takes, and the Paquera ferry timetable checked this month.
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Learning Spanish
8 More Reasons to Learn Spanish (Beyond Your Costa Rica Trip)
Career, memory, music, real friendships — and why Spanish is easier for English speakers than most people assume.
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Ask me on WhatsApp
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Ocean Wildlife
Whale & Dolphin Watching in Costa Rica's Nicoya Gulf
See humpback whales and playful dolphins on a small-group boat tour of the Gulf of Nicoya. Whale season July–November & December–April.
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Two in One
Isla Tortuga and Bioluminescence in One Day
The island by day, the glowing sea by night — one boat, from the Tambor dock. What you get, what you give up, and how the moon decides.
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Day Tour
Isla Tortuga: The Ultimate Day Trip from Santa Teresa
White-sand beaches, snorkeling, and a boat ride to one of Costa Rica's most beautiful islands — all guided personally by José.
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Night Tour
Bioluminescence Tour — The Ocean Glows at Night
Paddle through glowing water at night — a magical night kayak experience in the Gulf of Nicoya, from Paquera, with local guide José Cardoza.
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Local's Guide
Things to Do in Santa Teresa — The Local's Guide 2026
Surfing, hiking, waterfalls, and hidden beaches — a local's honest guide to the best activities in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.
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A present that lasts
Gift Spanish Lessons: 9 Occasions to Give Them (and How)
A birthday, Christmas, an anniversary, a retirement, or a trip already booked — nine reasons to give Spanish lessons, and exactly how it works.
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Online Lessons
Online Spanish Lessons with a Native Costa Rican Teacher
You don't have to travel to Costa Rica to learn authentic Spanish. Take private lessons via Zoom with José — from anywhere in the world.
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Spanish Tips
Learning Spanish in Santa Teresa: A Local Teacher's Guide
Tico slang, the best spots to practice, and why immersion works — an honest guide from a Spanish teacher who lives in Santa Teresa.
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