In addition to its Heredia campus, we offer classes year-round at its brand new, beachfront campus in Sámara, Guanacaste. All students have the option to study at the beach: when you register, simply state the dates of the weeks you will be in Heredia and those you will be in Sámara.
NOTE: If you do not register for your beach program dates ahead of time, you may not be able to attend the beach campus, depending on availability. During high seasons the Sámara campus does reach capacity, both for classes and homestays/hotel.
We highly recommend the beach campus, as it offers a glimpse of rural life in Costa Rica very different from that in the cities. Due to the town's small size, students quickly come to know the local population and to feel at home in this warm and welcoming 'pueblo'. Apart from the beautiful beach itself, students may visit nearby Nicoya, the colonial capital of the region, or the indigenous areas where traditional ceramics and art still flourish. For those students who wish to stay longer, volunteer opportunities are available.
THE BEACH:
Samara is located on the northern Pacific coast in the Guanacaste region. It is 5km long, lined with palm trees, and enjoys a calm, clear water ocean in a protected coral reef bay. You can swim, dive, snorkel, kayak and surf/ boogie board. Offshore, an island with a deserted beach is accessible by kayak or boat.
Samara has also won Costa Rica's prestigious 'Blue Flag' award, given only to the beaches and communities with the cleanest waters and proven environmentally-sound practices
THE CAMPUS:
Classes are held in our custom-built campus right on the beach, close to the town center and services. It offers tropical gardens leading to the sand, ranchos, hammocks, social areas, TV lounge, kitchen, and study rooms. We also offer tour planning services (domestic flights, horse-riding, bike or car rental, ultralight gliding, deep-sea fishing, dolphin tours, waterfall visits, etc) *these involve an additional cost*
THE PROGRAM:
Classes are given in fully equipped classrooms with AC. Courses follow the Heredia program with emphasis on conversational skills and didactic activities. Every Friday, workshops are offered on political, social and cultural themes; students attend according to preference and Spanish level.
ACTIVITIES:
Extra-curricular activities offered include Latin dance and cooking classes (once a week), conversational interchanges with Tico students, optional tours, and a graduation party at the beachside cafe. In their free time students enjoy mountain-biking to nearby beaches or forests, playing pool and darts, trying out the local "bocas" (typical dishes), spending time with friends at a beachside bar or restaurant, surfing one of the area's many beaches, or enjoying the sunset while riding horses down the beach.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Homestay with local families include breakfast, dinner and laundry, for 7 nights per week, and are a wonderful introduction to rural Costa Rican customs and lifestyles. Families live within walking distance of the school and beach (bikes may also be rented for easy coming and going).
Hotel stays do not include meals, and the fees cover only shared rooms for 5 nights per week (students pay extra for Friday and Saturday nights). Hotel rooms each have a balcony or terrace, private bathroom with hot water, bedside tables, lamp, desk, and ample closet and drawer space. The hotel has a pool, a safe to store valuables, and laundry service (extra cost).
In both the homestay and the hotel, no visitors are allowed, particularly overnight!
In the hotel, only registered guests are allowed beyond the hotel lobby.
THE TOWN OF SAMARA:
Samara is a local community with a variety of activities, such as sunset football games on the beach, a disco, card games, horse-riding, and more. It has a typical Tico character, with a local art gallery on the beach, several ocean-side cafe/restaurants and bars, small supermarket, post office, medical clinic, gym, internet cafés, etc.
For more information on the town and beach, see the site: www.samarabeach.com
TO REACH SAMARA
1. Liberia International Airport arrivals:
a) Standard taxi option costs around $80 one way, and will take you directly to your homestay in Sámara (2 hours drive). Additional passengers, $10 each.
b) Car rentals are available at the airport, and are available for around $45-$70 for a one-day rental with drop off in Sámara.
2. Juan Santamaría International Airport arrivals (San José):
a) Standard taxi option costs $160 one way, and will take you directly to your homestay in Sámara (5 hours drive).
b) Car rentals are available at the airport, and are available for around $45-$70 for a one day rental with drop off in Sámara.
3. Stopover in Heredia/ San José:
a) Alternately, we can provide a pre-arranged one night homestay including airport pickup, pre-paid public bus ticket, and taxi to the bus station the next day, for $65
b) If you prefer not to take the bus, you may fly from San José to Sámara-Carrillo local airport, 7 kms from Sámara Centro, for 75 to 128$US one way.
Buses from San José:
To go: Noon or 6 PM every day.
To return: 4:15 AM or 8:15 AM every day. On sunday, 8:15 AM or 3 PM.
Pictures Playa Samara School
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Pictures Heredia School
Known as " City of the Flowers ", Heredia is the center
