Discover various ways to learn Spanish, from online courses to immersive experiences at Samara Beach, Costa Rica. Follow my personal journey and find the best method for you, whether it’s studying abroad, using apps, or taking classes in paradise. Maybe you will also end up Learning Spanish in Samara Beach?

Learn Spanish Fast with Fun: Why Samara is Your Ideal Destination

In this personal blog about Learning Spanish in Costa Rica, I want to share my experiences of learning a new language in a fun and engaging way. Ideally, this involves combining language learning with travel, living abroad, and putting those newly learned words to use right away.

As a personal development trainer, I know how crucial it is to enjoy the process when learning something new. When you have fun while learning, you’ll remember it more quickly and for a longer time. In this blog, I’ll walk you through some different approaches I’ve tried myself. Not all of them were as fun—or as effective—as I’d hoped, but they were all part of the journey.

Growing up in the Netherlands, I quickly realized the necessity of learning other languages, as hardly anyone outside of our country speaks Dutch. But for me, learning the basics of English, French, and German in school was anything but fun. I wasn’t good at it, and I was constantly afraid the teacher would call on me to speak out loud in front of the whole class. Maybe you’ve had a similar experience and gave up on learning new languages because of it.

But I’ve also discovered just how helpful it is to speak the local language when visiting a foreign country. For me, it’s so much easier and faster to learn a language while I’m actually in the country, surrounded by people who don’t speak Dutch. When you have no other choice, you’re really forced to use the language you’re learning, and that makes a huge difference. That is also what happens when you should decide to go for learning Spanish in Samara Beach at our Language school on the beach.

Samara Language School on the Beach

Which I highly recommend, by the way. We have the first and most professional language school in town, located right on the beach. Nowadays, there are more language schools in Costa Rica, but this one was actually the very first in the whole country. It’s still very popular, and we understand why. People from all over the world come here to learn Spanish and stay in town—many of them with local families in Samara, which is clearly a smart choice if you want to quickly learn your new language.

Meet Claudia from the Professional Language School in Samara:

Would you like more information about studying Spanish in Samara at the international language school? Let us know by filling out this form for more details. No obligations—just information upon request.

 

Perhaps you’d also like to read my personal story and the methods I’ve used to improve my Spanish day by day. It all started when I was 18 years old, and my English teacher suddenly asked: ‘Who would like to learn English and live abroad for a year?’ Before I knew it, I had raised my hand. Two months later, I was in Ramsgate…

Learn English Abroad (in the UK)

While studying tourism in Breda, the Netherlands, I discovered how fun and quick learning can go hand in hand. At 18, I attended an English language school in Ramsgate, Canterbury. I spent a school year working as a student assistant at Churchill House School, and those nine months were packed with fun. I had group lessons in the afternoon, and in the mornings, I worked at the school’s Social Club, organizing events. Honestly, I learned more English from my colleagues than in the classroom—but that’s no surprise, right?

I stayed with a host family, sharing a room with girls from different nationalities, and our firm yet kind landlady insisted on speaking only English—even though she was fluent in Spanish and German too. Living in this small English seaside village felt like a dream. I loved exploring the country’s highlights, taking long walks on the beach, and immersing myself in the local culture. The charm of English pubs, school parties, and even joining the local field hockey team made my experience unforgettable. From my personal experience, I highly recommend this approach to any young person looking for a fun way to become fluent in English.

Those months truly set the foundation for the rest of my career as an incentive organizer for group travel. Being able to speak and write in English—one of the most important business languages—has been a huge advantage for me.

Learning Spanish Fast – Online

At the age of 54, I decided to learn another important language: Spanish. Apart from Chinese, Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. Once again, I found that when something truly matters to me, I can make significant progress toward my goals. I explored different learning methods, starting with an online beginner’s course at Fuentes. This 8-week program included a small group and a professional teacher. While the teacher was great, the group was much younger than me, and the pace of the lessons was too fast. To be fair, they did warn us that it would require at least 4 hours of homework each week, and they weren’t kidding! Unfortunately, it was just too much for me to balance with the rest of my life.

So, for me, this wasn’t the best option. It just didn’t fit. But I have to admit, I saw my classmates making noticeable progress in their Spanish every time I attended. Another challenge was that I couldn’t keep up with all the lessons. Missing one or two sessions made it hard to catch up, especially while balancing my full-time job. Fuentes also offers Spanish courses in Spain, which I believe would have been a much better fit for me. And maybe for you too? Like I mentioned before, I find learning a language so much easier when I’m actually immersed in it.

Duolingo: Free Language Learning App for Everyone

I’m a big fan of Duolingo. I love their mission to provide free language education through technology. Plus, I’m all in on their vision of making learning fun to boost progress. I’ve maintained a daily streak of over 400 days, and I still enjoy the routine. Initially, I used Duolingo mainly to expand my vocabulary, knowing that mastering at least 3,000 words is essential for speaking at a basic level. These days, it’s a staple in my daily routine, and I continue to learn new Spanish words each week.

Of course, I’m aware of the jokes about Duolingo, like how cats and dogs are depicted in Spanish scenarios that don’t quite fit real life. Cats don’t brush their teeth or go shopping, of course. But I see the purpose behind these quirky examples, and despite the occasional oddity, I view it as Duolingo’s creative approach to filling vocabulary gaps. So yes, I’m a fan!

Coffee Break in Spanish: learn Spanish via Podcasts on YouTube

While strolling along the beaches of Samara, I spent countless hours tuning into the Coffee Break Espanol audio lessons on YouTube. This free online course is led by Scottish instructor Mark, who guides Kara through her first Spanish conversations. What I really appreciate about this course is how much Mark emphasizes correct pronunciation and takes the time to explain the differences between Spanish spoken in Spain and Latin America—something I find incredibly useful since I want to speak proper Spanish whether I’m in Costa Rica or Spain.

The course is practical and follows a logical sequence of real-life situations, starting with introductions, family, and numbers, gradually adding verbs and other essentials. It’s designed to help you have meaningful conversations, beginning at the very basics and progressing to more advanced levels.

I genuinely enjoy listening to these podcasts on YouTube. The value you get for free is outstanding, and it’s a perfect example of how learning can be both effective and enjoyable. Especially also because of Mark’s charming Scottish accent.

Joining the Spanish Intensive Course in Vught.

For many professionals and diplomats, this language school is renowned for its impressive results. Once known as “Learning at the Nun’s,” Regina Coeli was originally a Catholic school run by nuns. A week at Regina Coeli is both a holiday and an intense learning experience. The lessons are highly personalized, tailored to each student’s needs. Mornings focus on grammar, while afternoons are dedicated to conversation practice. One-on-one sessions are complemented by computer-based lessons, all at your own level.

Additionally, you’ll engage with other students during Spanish classes, and we had opportunities for conversational meetings, shared meals, and drinks together.

If you need to quickly master a language for work, school applications, or other reasons, I highly recommend this language school in Vught. If you’re not in the Netherlands, you might find a similar intensive program in your own country.

Private lessons for fast learning Spanish

For me, the next step in learning Spanish was taking private lessons in Costa Rica with my own personal teacher. Since last spring, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with Nicole, a Spanish teacher based in Samara Beach. The difference this made was immense. Nicole, a native Costa Rican with German parents, is fluent in English, German, Spanish, and French. Her language skills are impressive, and she even managed to incorporate Dutch translations into our lessons with her remarkable talent of languages.

Nicole is a certified teacher who truly values structure and adapts effortlessly to her students’ levels. After just a few lessons, Pieter noticed my significant improvement and decided to start lessons with her as well. Since we don’t live in Costa Rica full-time, we asked Nicole to continue our lessons online via Zoom. We both look forward to our weekly hour with her and continue to enjoy the progress we’re making.

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Watching Netflix series to learn Spanish

One great tip I picked up from an expat who speaks native French and has also learned a lot of Spanish was to watch Netflix series in Spanish. Since then, I’ve been enjoying some fantastic shows with Spanish audio. For instance, watching the British hit “Bridgerton” dubbed in South American Spanish is a real treat. The pace is slower than the Spanish-Spanish versions, making it easier to follow, and you can even use Spanish subtitles if you’re looking to advance your skills.

For me, this has been an excellent way to learn Spanish while having fun. I don’t usually watch television, especially not the news, but with Netflix, I can select my own series or movies, turning it into an enjoyable language practice session.

Interestingly, I’ve met several young people in Samara who speak fluent English, all thanks to learning from TV shows and Netflix. As long as you’re motivated to learn, you’ll find success.

Playing memory to practice in Spanish words

We both really enjoy playing games so the home-made memory cards of Spanish words in several categories is also one of our favorites. Nicol, our Spanish teacher made them for us, starting with the most useful verbs, reflective verbs, home items, food & beverages, tools, body parts, construction materials and animals. This whole package covers the most important vocabulary and is really fun to play with.

Take Spanish lessons at Professional Language School in Costa Rica

One final tip I’d like to share is to take Spanish lessons at the professional language school in Samara, Intercultura Costa Rica. Located right on the beautiful Samara Beach, it’s the perfect way to blend language learning with beachside relaxation. If you’re looking to snag the best deals, consider booking your course during the low season. One of their blogs explains why taking a Spanish course during the rainy season can be a smart move.

Although I haven’t personally taken lessons at this school, I’ve spoken with several students who were thrilled with their progress. I met a young woman from the US staying at the local Soda Yorleni’s family accommodation. She was enjoying Samara Beach and its surroundings while learning Spanish in a group setting for a few months. I also chatted with a German gentleman in his forties who participated in a two-week intensive program. He stayed in an Airbnb and took individual lessons. From what I’ve heard, students are consistently satisfied with their experiences at this picturesque location.

Honestly, choosing to learn Spanish at this beautiful beachfront destination is a really smart move as you can read at the reviews of Tripadvisor. The school arranges fantastic social activities that let you explore the top spots in Costa Rica while you study. For me, combining a beach vacation with Spanish lessons is the ultimate recipe for fun and effective learning. Just like I experienced when I was 18 and moved to the UK to learn English.

By the way it is the only language school in Costa Rica next to the ocean.

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Learning Spanish Conversation in Costa Rica by talking to the Locals

After exploring various courses and learning methods, I can confidently say that immersing yourself in Samara Beach is the quickest way to master Spanish. Especially if you combine it with one of my favorite activities—visiting local restaurants and bars. In Samara, many locals working in these establishments speak excellent English. On my first visit, they understandably preferred to use English, as their proficiency was far better than my Spanish. However, thanks to my lessons and practice, I soon realized that our conversations stayed in Spanish. Now, I’m thrilled to be able to order anything I want and ask for items in the supermarket with ease.

Of course, stressful situations still challenge me—sometimes my brain just seems to freeze! But in everyday interactions, it’s incredibly rewarding to see my progress. The same goes for Pieter, who picked up the basics while working at the airpark with the locals. They taught him the vocabulary for trees, land, tools, and more, one term at a time.

Learning by doing has proven to be the most effective way for us to improve our Spanish. I hope our experiences inspire you to try one of these methods yourself. And if you decide to come to Samara Beach for your own Spanish lessons at the language school, remember that Airport Samara is your all-in-one booking hub for your stay in this beautiful corner of Costa Rica.