This was the first time I have taken an immersive language class and if they are all like this I'd do it again in a second! Alvaro, mi professor, was great - he was very good at explaining language rules which made it easy to remember. He is very patient and also very funny, which made the class a joy each morning. I highly recommend taking lessons at NSI. You won't regret it. Less

My daughter and I did a week long beginners Spanish class. Our teacher, Alvero, was so fun and encouraging. I look forward signing up for a longer session in the near future. I highly recommend it. Less

We are so glad we found NSI. Our kids really enjoyed the Spanish/surf camp despite being confident they wouldn't like it when I signed then up. All the instructors and employees work so hard to meet you at your level and kindly push you forward. I could imagine being very conversational after 1 or 2 months at this school, even though we learned a lot in just one week. We highly recommend NSI for all ages. Less

I don’t remember exactly how I first saw Nosara Spanish Institute (NSI) as a possibility for my next steps in Spanish, but I am profoundly grateful that this opportunity came to me. Studying at NSI was exactly what I needed for my next steps in Spanish. The staff at NSI not only helped me progress much more rapidly in my language acquisition, but they gave me a huge-hearted welcome to the people and culture of Costa Rica. From my first inquiry email through the last day of my classes, all of the staff at NSI have been wonderful. They give sincere attention and care to each of their students, creating a safe place for everyone to learn and practice together, a “no judgment” zone that reduces the fear and anxiety and increases the enjoyment of learning a new language. All of the instructors are well-educated about the structure of language and the process of language acquisition, and they encourage each student to dive deeply into the life topics that are most interesting for them. The staff also organize varied and very enjoyable activities at the school and in the Nosara area. To make the most of any period of study at NSI, however, I also highly recommend taking the opportunity through NSI to live with one of the host families. My host family was extremely supportive and helpful. I believe this enabled me to settle into a much more comfortable and enriching experience of studying Spanish and Nosara. The ultimate question for any endeavor, of course, is “Was it worth it?” I can tell you that, for me, it was worth far more. Less

This is a high quality language program. I was impressed with how seriously they take the initial assessment and placement of students. I wanted to take classes with my 16-year-old son, and they said that if our levels of Spanish weren't close enough, they would place us in different groups. This shows they value the integrity of their program, which I appreciate and respect. As our levels were similar, my son and I studied together for a week. Our teacher, Alejandro, was clear, methodical, and obviously highly qualified. The classes were a good mix of working hard to learn new material and practicing conversing. We were consistently challenged and had fun. My only regret is that we didn't have the money for the 20-hour program (instead of the 10-hour one) because we were staying in a hotel. If I were to plan this trip again, I would do a home stay and 20 hours of Spanish. We didn't do this because I was intimidated by renting a car and didn't think we could get around efficiently without a car. But we biked or walked absolutely everywhere and would have been fine staying farther from Guiones (surfing was the other purpose of the trip). Thank you Alejandro and the Spanish Institute! :) -Katarina and Remy Less

Excellent experience! Class instruction was tailored to our needs. We enjoyed getting to know the other students and the teachers inside and outside of class. Especially enjoyed the other activities offered, including cooking and dancing classes. Location is very convenient to the beach and shops. Strongly recommend! Less

NSI was fantastic! I took 2 hours of intensive lessons for a block of weeks while in Nosara, and was speaking confidently every day. Also met great people traveling through and who live in Nosara year round. A great place, highly reccomend! Less

I attended Nosara Spanish Institute for two weeks during summer 2022. The staff provided helpful information about travel and accommidations prior to my stay. During my two week stay, I worked with two different teachers, both professional and knowledgeable. The instructors made classes informative and fun, and they were adept at adapting to a mix of ages, nationalities, and Spanish levels. I also purchased a yoga package at the nearby yoga resort. Highly recommended. Less

I have had lessons one or two times weekly for the past year and half. They have a terrific methodology. Professor Ana is amazing. Her communication skills are outstanding and she is very patient. Less

I have been taking weekly online Spanish classes with NSI with an exceptional great teacher Ana for 9 months and learned so much, being able to attend a one week 20h immersion in the classroom in Nosara this past week with yet another most organized and detailed teacher, Jean, I can highly recommend this school. And as for myself I can’t wait to continue my online zoom classes next week and to return for more in person classes in November! I learned so much! I highly recommend Nosara Spanish Institute! Marie, xox Less

Highly recommended! NSI was one of my favourite parts of my Nosara trip as it allowed me the opportunity to learn and practice Spanish in a structured environment while also feeling immersed in the Costa Rican culture. I really enjoyed having lessons each day and then having the rest of the day to "go out into the world" to practice. The school is also quite immersive so all the staff will speak to you in Spanish - as slow as you need, and will explain more in English if required - to help you learn. We also had a field trip to some waterfalls which was very fun and a great opportunity to practice with other students from the other classes while getting to know one another, en Espanol! The school has AC, nice bathrooms, was very clean and comfy, and I enjoyed the coffee too. The location of the school is also ideal as a grocery store and other shops were nearby and I could walk to the beach after class. My specific teacher Alejandro was very patient, fun and informative and I hope to be back to attend more classes again soon! Less

I had the incredible privilege to spend 4 weeks learning Spanish at this school. They purposely rotated me with different teachers each week and every single one was exceptional. They were so much fun, and made us each feel like family. The people I met in each class were interesting and due to the climate created by the staff at the school, we all became close as well. This is the perfect mix of fun, work and community. They also schedule activities off-site so that we can bond even further and appreciate the Costa Rican experience. I saw the breathtaking and moving site of turtles hatching on the beach at dawn, ate at an authentic tico restaurant, conversed with local students learning english and cooked a typical Costa Rican lunch with a chef they brought in and visited the local farmer's market and conversed in Spanish with the vendors...all from our activities. This is a true Nosara gem!!!! Less

If you are interested in learning Spanish while being immersed in a Spanish speaking culture, then I highly recommend Nosara Spanish Institute’s program. I just finished a two week/40hr course on site and couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I have learned a tremendous amount while enjoying Nosara’s unique expat and local community as well as the jungle and the warm ocean physical environment. My teacher, Jean, was exceptional and we were able to move quickly, yet comfortably at my speed, and I am currently able to express basic ideas in Spanish in well formed sentences, using proper verb tenses. Given that I now live in Nosara much of the year, taking this course has introduced me to the freedom of being able to speak the local language, opening doors to new local connections, and socializing beyond the expat community. But whether you live here, or just visiting and want to learn Spanish while on vacation, Spanish Institute offers a great program, excellent, highly trained teachers and great supporting materials. Very comfortable air conditioned rooms! Less

I absolutely enjoyed my time at Nosara Spanish Institute. What a great way to spend a week immersing yourself in the language and getting to know the local culture and have fun while practicing your Spanish! All of the teachers and staff here feel like family. The classes are suited to the students in that specific class meeting us at the skill levels we are each at. What is great about this format is it really allows you to practice with people at your level, drop your ego, and embrace a beginners mindset to just start speaking Spanish while learning the foundations of grammar and new vocabulary along the way. Our instructor was Alejandro who was an excellent teacher, patient, kind, and fun with our group. We talked a lot to each other trying our best in Spanish and he would help us as we stumbled through our conjugation and offered new vocabulary for us to learn and use each day. If I had more time here I would love to take more classes here and may even consider their online classes so I can keep learning and practicing. Less

I took Spanish classes here for a week and had a wonderful experience. I took private lessons with Gian because my level was in between the classes. Everyone there was very friendly and helpful and accommodating. I learned a lot and will definitely be back, as well as check out their online classes. Less

I had a fantastic week of lessons at NSI! My instructor (Jean) was a wonderful blend of informative, entertaining and endearing! The week went by so fast and my family loved surfing and exploring Nosara while I studied. I can't recommend this place enough! I can't wait to go back (I would go for a month if I could!). Less

I could only do a one week class, but it was great! Alvaro was a very engaging instructor and I learned and was able to use a lot of the spanish I learned with my driver to the airport. I'm looking forward to taking more classes when I come back to Nosara! Less

I signed up for 20 hours of spanish language study at the Spanish Institute in Nosara, Costa Rica in December 2023. I was nervous and unsure if a person my age could participate and benefit from taking a spanish class. However, from the moment I stepped on to the porch of Nosara Spanish Institute, I felt welcomed and encouraged. I both enjoyed and benefited from the 20 hours of small group spanish class. I actually had conversations in spanish! It an amazing opportunity that I will always treasure. I truly want to learn more and believe I can. Ii have signed up for another 20 hours of class during my upcoming visit back to Nosara and I cannot wait. Denise B I completed my second week of classes in February 2024. I will be participating in a third 20 hour week of classes in April 2024. Yes, I truly enjoy NSI that much. I highly recommend the school. Less

We spiced up our family vacation with a one week language course at the Nosara Spanish Institute. Our 2 teenagers got the advanced class, our 12 year old who just started with Spanish in school got 10 individual lessons and my wife and I were placed in a beginners course. The school is very cozy and charming, and it almost feels like being with a family. The teachers - are besides being adapt professionals - also in possession of strong social skills. Our teenagers who initially opposed the idea of a language course on a holiday really enjoyed classes with JC and had a really good time, and our youngest said: “Alvaro really makes it fun to learn English.” Andrea - the teacher in the beginners class - did an excellent job in getting most out of each participant’s potential and kept a good energy level through a mix of theory, speaking, writing and laughing a lot along the way - almost entirely in Spanish. We further enjoyed the Tuesday tamales 🫔 and the Thursday empanada course after class - don’t miss out on that. Less

Nosara Spanish Institute is a fantastic place to learn and study Spanish. The school is very cozy and charming, located in a lovely area and conveniently situated. As a beginner I was initially a bit concerned I could not follow but NSI made it very easy for me to start. I enjoyed every single class and had a great time together with all my fellow students. My teacher Jean is an excellent teacher who knows how to train in an easy and fun way! I can highly recommend the Nosara Spanish Institute and looking forward to visit the school again in the near future. Less

We loved classes at Nosara. My husband and I both came for a week and had the most engaging and patient teachers. We learned a lot and wished we had more time and now will begin online classes from home. Less

NSI exceeded my expectations in every way! The staff is AMAZING - a team of fun, engaging, incredible teachers - who not only teach you spanish but also about Costa Rica and their culture. They are incredibly flexible and will move you around in classes to ensure you're at the right level. I spent two weeks here and would absolutely go back. Look no further for a spanish langauge school abroad! Less

I studied for 2 weeks with Nosara. I found the instructors personable, intelligent and organized. I have attended classes in several places and rate Nosara as one of the most individual and the best👍🏻 Less

Mi experiencia en el instituto de español de Nosara fue maravilloso. Álvaro era mi profesor principal y siempre me ayudó para aprender con paciencia, empatía y amabilidad. El tiene una naturaleza perfecta para enseñar a muchas personas diferentes. Sin embargo, todas las personas en el instituto eran muy cariñosas y siempre quisieron ayudarme, no solo con español, también con mi bienestar. Gracias especialmente a Álvaro, Jean y Cintia, ahora siento que somos familia. Y también gracias a Ale por todos los hechos muy interesante de Nosara y Costa Rica. Recomendaría la escuela para todas las personas que quieren aprender español. Less

Thank you! I really enjoyed my 20 hour spanish program. I learned so much in such a short time. I would recommend the program. The content was interesting and organized, and the delivery by our teacher Diego was great! Nosara is beautiful too! Less

I had the most wonderful 7 weeks learning Spanish at NSI under the attentive, kind, and supportive guidance of Jean-Carlo. I showed up knowing a few handfuls of vocabulary and random phrases, but I couldn’t speak to save my life. When I left, according to Jean-Carlo, I’d reached an advanced level—which surpassed my expectations for what I thought I could learn. If you’re looking for a fun, immersive, and supportive learning experience, you can’t go wrong with NSI :) Less

We had Professor John and every class was efficient, effective, and right at our learning levels. We had a private lesson with myself and two sons. Well worth the money and time. Muchas gracias John! Less

I had a great experience taking classes at NSI. The teacher was very responsive and worked to teach about more than just Spanish grammar and vocabulary. I also learned a lot about the culture of Nosara and Costa Rica. Less

Jean Carlos was a great teacher in both group and private class. There are also fun activities that you can do to learn more about the area and culture. Nosara Spanish institute is a great place to learn Spanish for any knowledge level! Less

My time in Nosara was made because of this school and the people I met through it. The teachers, who I can now call my friends were so great and the homestay option I got was an amazing way to immerse my self in the language. Yo tengo mucha gratitud a esta escuela! Less

I cannot speak highly enough about NSI - the entire staff was incredible and so dedicated to helping every student grow in their study of Spanish. And meeting and sharing classes with the other students attending made the experience even better. Such a wide range of interesting and adventurous people gathered in one special place to study Spanish! The curriculum was really impressive and certainly expanded my knowledge of Spanish in just 5 days - I wanted to stay a month! And of course Nosara is such a magical place. NSI far exceeded my high expectations - if you are thinking of attending, do it for sure!! Less

I thoroughly enjoyed Spanish classes at NSI. The instructors were professional and prepared and Nosara is a beautiful place to visit. The entire experience exceeded expectations. I will definitely return! Less

Just finished two weeks of private lessons at NSI. What a jewel of a language school. Well trained instructors. Professional always friendly staff (thank you Maricruz!). Thank you to my instructors Esteban and Alejandro who also taught me quite a lot of interesting information about Costa Rica history and culture. Flexible teaching according to your personal level of expertise in private classes. And I hear the small group classes are very effective and fun. Besides - if you like to surf Guiones is one of the best places in the world. And the food in the blue zone of Nicoya is awesome as well. Less

Very knowledgeable teachers. Fun social events are planned and available for you. Pleasant administration staff - really willing to be your guide to the area and support you with finding the best options for activities, transport, etc.. Highly recommend doing the host stay if you want to double your at-bats with Spanish and experience other cultural elements of the area. It rained after 3:30 almost every day, it rained before 3:00 almost never - plan accordingly! NSI was a great way to make travel double as a chance to learn with the leisure. Recommended! Less

Nosara Spanish Institute is an incredible Spanish School! I have used it for my groups two times and will continue to return to NSI in the future as their curriculums are very professional and well designed for learners. Their instructors are very friendly, helpful and good at teaching the Spanish material. The location of the school is great, walking distance to the shops/restaurants and the beach. This a great Spanish School for anyone considering to study Spanish abroad for even just a week! Less

My husband, friend and I spent a week studying Spanish with Alejandro. He was fabulous, designing his instruction to meet our individual needs: working on the subjunctive, the reflexive, and becoming familiar with Spanish phrases and words, specific to Costa Rica. . .since we now live there. He was a very knowledgeable and patient teacher. Therefore I would highly recommend the Nosara Spanish Institute as a wonderful place to learn or improve one's Spanish. And Nosara itself is a fun place to be to learn it! Less

My son and I attended the institute for a week! My teacher Alejandro was great! I wanted to deepen my vocabulary and conversational skills and I’m definitely feeling more confident to have conversations in Spanish!!! My son is a beginner, and his instructor Diego was amazing and my son has a good foundation now! Brock, the director, was super accommodating and attentive!!! I highly recommend the Institute if you have time and want to improve your Spanish! I shared some pictures of our experience!!! Less

I enjoyed a week of Spanish classes at the institute with an excellent instructor, Diego. He keep the lessons exciting and memorable. Broc runs a very professional and friendly school and did a great job of matching me with classmates functioning at my level. I'm definitely planning on a return visit. Less

I spent two weeks in Nosara in December and during that time took 2 weeks of intensive Spanish lessons to refresh my foundation. The teachers were excellent. I was extremely well accommodated in terms of schedule, and the pricing was very reasonable and totally worth it. I can't recommend NSI enough - for anyone just getting started, or wanting to go deeper into Spanish study. It was among the highlights of my 2 week stay in Nosara. Less

Eu tive uma semana de aula muito dinâmica. Foi divertido e interessante também aprender mais sobre a Costa Rica. Depois de uma semana tenho muito mais segurança para falar e corrigi alguns erros dos quais não tinha consciência. Nosara é super calmo, repousante para quem quer se desconectar do mundo! Less

I had a wonderful week improving my skills at the Nosara Spanish Institute. Definitely stay for the longer mornings vs the shorter. The cost is only a bit more and the benefit is worth the time. I loved our teacher Julio. I could understand everything he said and he was so much fun. I got so much out of the week and I still had afternoons free to surf and enjoy the beach. The school is a top rate experience! Less

I spent a great two weeks at NSI doing 20 hours per week class. The courses were challenging but engaging and class size was small -- 2-3 in my my class. They placed me perfectly according to my ability and both instructors I had were very skilled teachers and enthusiastic with us. I am total beginner with a mishmash of vocabulary accumulated over the years and I think I really developed a good foundation for further study even in just two weeks. Everyone was very friendly and overall a great experience. Highly recommend. Less

The classes were well organised and adapted to the different levels of the students. 6-7 people per class was perfect; we learnt from one another as well. There was a good mix of young people and not so young people. The teacher introduced us to new grammatical concepts but there was also plenty of conversation and variety in the classes. The teachers were patient and knowledgeable. I would very much recommend the institute. The location is also great .. if you study half the day you have the other half for the beach, or walking the forest paths in search of wildlife, or yoga or relaxing! There are nice small scale restaurants and places to stay. Less

Amazing experience at this place! I was enrolled in the 20-hour Spanish Immersion program for 3 weeks and learned so much!! This program does an excellent job of putting together local events each week to keep you busy if you choose to attend. I had an absolute blast living at Casa Matias getting to know other people and practice my Spanish in and out of class time with my Casa Matias family! Seriously had the time of my life and wish I could re-live my experience over and over again! HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND Less

Just completed a 20-hour intensive week at the Nosara Spanish institute. Gerardo was my teacher and he a great teacher. Very knowledgeable and patient. Lots of great different types of exercises and conversation. Also got a little bit of time with Anna another instructor and she seemed really good too. I also really appreciated that the office was monitoring emails over the weekend and I got in as a last-minute student. All in all it was a great week and I highly recommend the school. Less

I had an amazing experience at the Nosara Spanish Institute! I felt that the teaching was excellent and overall a great value proposition. My Spanish improved meaningfully during my short time there. If I can come back in the future, I certainly will! Less

I just returned from 2 weeks in Nosara with my kids ages 11 and 13. I found NSI using a Google search for 'spanish immersion' and 'kid friendly'. The website referred me to the Nosara Day Camp where I enrolled my kids for the 4 hours while I was at NSI. My instructor at NSI was Julio who gave top-notch university-level instruction. All of the instructors were very friendly and knowledgeable. Activities were offered during the week and on the weekend. The variety in age and experience of the other students was incredible! I met so many really awesome people!!! My homestay at Casa Pura Vida with my 2 kids was terrific. My host familiy was so genuine, kind and gracious. I highly recommend the home-stay experience which provides one with another dimension of Costa Rica you cannot get in any other way. It can be hit-or-miss, but still a very valuable experience overall. The Nosara Day Camp was filled with the coolest activities which changed daily: tidepooling, stand up paddle-boarding, swimming in the ocean, surfing and boogie boarding lessons, learning about recycling and planting trees. I was so jealous. Only downside was that they were so exhausted from all of these activities, they were not interested in hanging out with me in the afternoon! ; ) The people of Nosara were so chill and laid-back. I felt very safe here with my kids. It was hot and it rained a lot - but it was all part of our jungle experience. I would like to write more but you've probably arleady tuned me out! I am already planning my return to NSI in 2020! Less

I went for a week in January 2017. It was great. The instructors were helpful, the location was beautiful, and the rates were reasonable. I would absolutely go again and would recommend. Less

My wife and I spent 3 weeks studying Spanish at Nosara Spanish Institute and had the time of our lives. Everyone there was wonderfully kind and welcoming. We both learned a ton and had plenty of time to explore the surrounding area, relax on the beach, and make new friends. I would recommend this Spanish school to anyone and plan on going back! Less

Taking this one week of Spanish at the NSI was a highlight of my time in Costa Rica. Not only was Alejandro such a kind and patient instructor, but I went from zero Spanish to being able to ask and respond with the basics after just a few hours in class. Best of all, the experience allowed me some amazing connections with my classmates and homestay. I am still traveling here and the beautiful Tica I stayed with continues to help and support me everywhere I go, I know she will be family for life! Thank you NSI, you guys are amazing! Less

I took lessons at Nosara Spanish Institute for almost two weeks. My instructors were Alejandro and Julio. Both instructors were thoughtful, skilled educators. The classes were excellent. The teachers asked me what I wanted to learn and then tailored classes to address my needs. In addition to being able to explain grammatical concepts clearly, the teachers also have a lot of knowledge about how adults (vs children) learn and employed techniques that reinforce learning for adults. Each of my classes focused on grammar, conversation, and information related to the culture of Costa Rica. In addition to improving my Spanish, I also came away from the lessons with information about Costa Rican music, politics, and society. If I come back to Nosara, I will certainly take classes at NSI again. Manel Kappagoda, JD, MPH. Less

I studied Spanish intensively (20 hours per week) for five weeks at NSI. The program exceeded all of my expectations! The teachers are incredible. I had three different instructors during my time here and each took a slightly unique approach to studying language, which helps to keep you interested and engaged, especially if you are there for an extended period of time. All of them, along with the NSI administration staff are knowledgable, friendly, and professional. The instruction itself is effective in that the courses are structured, yet adaptable to the needs of the student(s). I never had more than four students in a class, usually it was just one or two though; this made all the difference in learning. In five weeks I went from knowing only a few words to being nearly conversational, which is remarkable realistically considering the difficulty of language study. The additional activities offered by the school (like salsa dance, empanada cooking classes, conversation club, etc.) are super fun and helpful in further immersing you into the language and culture. For those wishing for a little more down time, the beautiful beaches are only a 10 minute walk from the school! I stayed in the shared homestay (Casa Matias) offered through NSI for all five weeks. The accommodations are minimalistic, but entirely livable and by far the most affordable option in town. The family is very friendly and you can expect to be well fed every night. Staying here was such a valuable experience, especially having the opportunity to connect with other students at NSI outside of school. It is perfect for solo travelers! Overall, NSI helped me achieve a great deal of personal and educational growth. I would highly recommend this program to anyone willing to learn and looking to explore! Less

I attended Nosara Spanish Institute to improve my Spanish for a uni course I had to take thereafter. I stayed almost three months. Every teacher is magnificent, patient and interested; they have their individual styles but the high quality is consistent among all. The class sizes are small allowing everyone equal opportunity to engage with practical and theoretical content. The lesson plans are adapted to your needs/wants. Admin goes above and beyond to provide a holistic experience (cooking/dance classes, social outings, and if the season is right excursions to see turtles nesting at sunrise). The school is set among trees near the beach, creating a calm learning environment. My host family were beautiful, generous and genuine people and I will remain close friends with them always. I owe at least half of my Spanish to their gentle and patient guidance! And the other half to the classes themselves. Less

I enjoyed my time at NSI. The teachers were amazing. I met some great friends. Broc is a fantastic director and resource. I barely knew any Spanish when I started. In four weeks I can now have a conversation in Spanish. I highly recommend this school. Less

Easily one of the most enjoyable learning experiences I have sign up for! For beginner students or people who have a grasp of speaking Spanish and want to improve their confidence and vocabulary, this school is perfect. Classes are intensive yet fun. Each individual instructor brings their own personality and unique teaching methods to class giving their students a different learning experience. The owner, instructors and staff at NSI are awesome which makes the atmosphere at the school fun and laid back. I high recommend NSI and the town of Nosara as well! Less

I had such a great time at Nosara Spanish Insitute! The school was very well run and my teacher Julio was fantastic. My interactions ahead of time were clear and straightforward and my time there was just so great. I want to go back again next year and stay for a whole month! I did not try the homestay program but my classmates did and I would give it a try next time. Less

I HIGHLY recommend Nosara Spanish Institute. It's a small school (there was only one other person in my class), so it's very personal. All teachers, students and staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. We took affordable, well-planned excursions together. Walking distance to the beach, grocery store and yoga! Less

Our teacher was highly qualified, creative, and enthusiastic. She taught precisely to our level of ability. Classes were fun! I was always disappointed when the time was up. Extra-curricular activities were fun, with lots of variety and very relevant to the local culture. I had a wonderful time and would recommend this program to anyone. Less

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Nosara Spanish Institute. The classes were small, with fun, lively teachers that obviously love their jobs. It was in the perfect location - a short walk to a few different eating spots, and of course the most important thing- a beautiful beach. I spent most of my time hanging out with other students while learning how to surf, doing yoga and just chilling on the beach. Lastly, the host family I stayed with was so warm and welcoming. They were so helpful with anything I needed, plus the food they cooked was delicious. The one down side is that Costa Rica in general is pretty expensive, but staying with a host family cut costs down a ton. I recommend Nosara 100% and might even return myself someday! Less

I was really impressed with the skill and knowledge of my teacher at NSI. She had a deep understanding of the structure of language and could explain complex concepts in an understandable way. Classes were lively and fun and just hard enough. I came away inspired. The school also did a terrific job of organizing optional things for the students to do outside of class. I learned to surf and to make empanadas. I will go back when I can. Less

My wife and I spent two weeks at NSI. I hadn't studied Spanish since high school and Kate had never studied Spanish, so we were both beginners. We found NSI to be incredibly well run and a very welcoming place. Broc was incredibly responsive to all of our questions that we had before our trip and was very helpful with our preparation with things like accommodations. Our teacher was excellent and did a great job of challenging us the entire two weeks but also met us where we were at with our limited fluency levels. Our 9- and 7-year-old boys joined us for the trip, so we enrolled in the NSI family program. While Kate and I were in school, the boys were at Nosara Day Camp having the time of their lives in what turned out to be the best camp either of them have ever attended. Both Kate and I would highly recommend the family program at NSI for parents who would like to learn Spanish in another country while still being able to travel with their kids. Broc has done a great job of creating a very welcoming environment and attracting great staff. We also enjoyed the setting in Nosara. We couldn't have met nicer people or felt more at home. The Costa Rican culture is very inviting to families and everyone was incredibly kind to our kids. Plus, Nosara is truly one of the most beautiful places we have ever visited. Less

In Octobre/November 2016 i spent 3 weeks at Nosara Spanish Institute. After that time I feel like I'm able to communicate with locals. The school has a really beautiful building in the central part in Nosara. Every week the teacher changed and all of them were good. We studied for 2x 1:40h per day, which is definitely enough. Some days I even felt like I got too much input, but the teachers adapt to your level and your ability of learning. The school is well organized by Broc, who is present at the school every day and constantly asks his students if they're satisfied or not. He really wants you to have a nice stay. During the time I stayed in casa matias, which is a homestay for 5 students at a time. It was the best decision to go there, since I got breakfast, diner (Lisbia is a great cook!) and a private room for only 160$ per week. The only negative thing might be, that the Casa is about 15min from the school and the beach by foot, but that's still acceptable. All in all it was a nice experience at the Spanish institute. I'm glad I decided for it and Nosara! Less

I was fortunate enough to spend nearly four weeks in Nosara taking Spanish lessons at the Nosara Spanish Institute (NSI). The classes were to fulfill a core requirement for my masters degree- intermediate level fluency in a foreign language. Broc, Gerardo, Marco, and all of the wonderful people working at NSI went above and beyond to help me, from emphasizing vocabulary related to my degree to arranging phone calls with local residents to practice conversing "on the fly." My time there paid off and I passed my language exam a few days after returning to the U.S. My only regret is that I couldn't stay longer. Less

This February, I participated in the one week 10-hour program at the Nosara Spanish Institute. It was a great experience! The Institute is centrally located in Guiones, close to shops, the mini-super and cafés. My class was small - there were only two of us - and we benefited from the individual attention we were able to receive. My teacher was well-prepared, organized and patient, and gave us many opportunities each session to practice what we were learning by speaking both to him and to each other. There was a good balance between conversation and grammar, and our daily homework was not onerous, but gave us the chance to review and consolidate our learning. In every way, a positive experience! Less

I cannot say enough about my experience with the Nosara Spanish Institute! It was so wonderful to really dig into Spanish while also living in one of the coolest places in Costa Rica. If you have aspirations to learn Spanish and learn to surf, or if you just really want to be by the beach, this is the place! The school it self is a beautiful and cozy building that has been recently redecorated and feels really modern. The air-conditioning is a life saver. Most of all, the teachers are what make this experience. I worked with Gerardo most of the time I was there and he is super enthusiastic and patient. And also a very cool guy who performed classical guitar gigs in town while I was there, which made a really fun night out with other students from the school. All of the other teachers have great personalities and cool outside interests like photography and dancing which makes them fun people to hang out with and converse with. The is a school cat that lives on the roof and Jose's dogs running around. Every week there was an outing that we could go on as a group and get to know the other students in the program. There was a nice vibe around the school itself and you can hang out and study at the school and talk with other students. The classes are mostly taught in Spanish and talking around the school is mostly in Spanish so this is a great way to get your mind thinking in Spanish. The owner and director, Broc, is a very cool guy... An American from California I believe and he brings a great energy to the whole experience and was very helpful to me during my stay as I proved to be a bit high maintenance in some areas! I would definitely recommend having some Spanish experience coming into it as things do move fast. There is private tutoring available as well which is a nice option to regroup and review if the class it self is out of your comfort zone. As far as housing, the school leases a nice condo duplex a short walk from the institute and close to town, the organic market, and 10 minutes to the beach. Although the condo needs some repairs, it is a VERY GOOD DEAL for Nosara as things have gotten quite expensive in the town itself and you have your own little zone to relax in after class. Probably the best option though is to do a homestay. Very affordable and then you get to practice Spanish with your family... but I would make sure you have a reliable way to get back and forth to town, and ideally be able to walk or ride a bike. Overall, if you are looking for a Spanish program that is in a beach town, this is the way to go. Because everyone is scattered in homestays and hostels and the student housing, the community feel is really just during the day at the school itself, but if your goal is to learn Spanish and play in the ocean, the location and the quality are the best. Less

I came to the Institute with almost no prior knowledge of Spanish and stayed for 8 weeks, doing two classes each morning. That's a long time to commit to a place I had never seen before. And it turned out to be one of the best experiences I had traveling. The school is great; small class sizes and dedicated, fun teachers make for a fantastic and effective learning environment. The school gets a great mix of students from all over the world, from young students to retirees. The school also organized weekly events for the students, from turtle watching to snorkeling, etc. There's enough to discover in and around Nosara to not get bored, the surf is great, the food good but a bit expensive. If you are looking for a good place to stay, try the Jungle's Edge which is still walking distance to the school and they have quite affordable tent options (these are not ordinary tents and I found them preferable over small, sticky rooms in this climate). Less

Fantastic experience. Organized. Great teaching. Pace was adjusted to the level of the learners. I came in knowing very little (Ok, nothing) and after 1 month felt much better at conversational Spanish. Beautiful, clean, healthy environment. I HIGHLY recommend the home stay...so much fun and really helped accelerate my learning. I give the NSI my highest recommendations for someone interested in learning Spanish in a beautiful, natural, and positive environment. Less

I've taken months of courses at NSI and went from not even knowing how to say "Buenos Dias" to now speaking fluidly and confidently with the locals in town. I love the atmosphere at NSI, all of the teachers (Gerardo, Marco, Zully, even Broc and Scott) are nice, intelligent and make learning fun. I can't wait to take more classes at NSI in the months to come! Less

Great experience with amazing instructors. I was enrolled for 6 weeks of classes and my Spanish increased from a very basic "what do I remember from high school' level to a point where I can carry on conversations and understand them as well. I would highly recommend NSI!!! Less

Awesome place to learn Spanish with excellent teachers! They're very accommodating and attentive to your needs and work hard to make sure you get the best learning experience. I would definitely go back for more! Less

I have been taking classes twice a year for 3 years; excellent instruction, competent and friendly teachers and staff. I plan to continue taking classes every time I come to Nosara. Less

I spent part of my sabbatical in Playa Guionnes during the 2015-2016 academic year. I took a Spanish course at the Nosara Spanish Institute. I absolutely loved the course - the instructor, Gerardo, was excellent. It's truly amazing how much I learned during a short period of time. It has really set me off on the path to becoming fluent. All of the staff at the Institute were wonderful, and I really enjoyed all of the other students that I met as well. I highly recommend the Institute, and hope that I will be able to return for another course soon. Less

Hola! Let me start by saying I am not good at languages. And my ear is not very good. But we are now in our 3rd week at Nosara Spanish Institute. And while my brain occasionally hurts from trying to learn something new the teachers have been great. They are very patient and their process is working. While I am a long way from being fluent things are becoming clearer and my comprehension much better. Reality is you can only be in the sun and surf so much so why not flex your brain a little and take some Spanish classes. Less

A very welcoming community of students and teachers. The location is optimal- right in the middle of Guiones. I've been very satisfied with and grateful for the favorable student-to-teacher ratio. Most classes I've taken have had max 3 other students. The teaching style includes a very good blend of conversation and grammar. I highly recommend studying here! Less

What a life chaging experience and a great deal too! They have great teachers and staff that are thorough and love teaching Spanish. If I ever have a chance to attend again, I definitely will! Less

Brock was very accommodating with our short notice request to join a class. One week was a great way to integrate ourselves into temporary Costa Rican life. We did the one week package of a five day surf rental, two surf lessons and 10 hours of Spanish lessons. My husband and I hadn't spoken Spanish is years so this class was perfect for a our Spanish. Less

me encantó mis clases con gerardo. los duenos Scott y Broc son tuanis y amables! gracias! marco and gerardo are awesome people and great teachers. Nosara is a great place to take spanish classes! Less

I recently did 2 weeks of intensive Spanish lessons at NSI and it was an exceptional experience. Gerardo and Maru put together comprehensive, personalized, and well thought out lesson plans, gave me tons of 'free flow conversation time,' and allowed me to immerse myself in the language. Additionally, Broc frm NSI set me up at homestay with Kris in the town which allowed me to fully experience the beautiful Tico culture, have 24/7 Spanish immersion, and I still had enough time to enjoy the beautiful beaches and easy going vibe of the area. Broc, you've got something special here and I'll definitely be back! Less

I spend 3 weeks in sessions with Gerardo and my experience was awesome! I loved the team and i learned so much. I would definitley recommend NSI for anyone wanting to learn or continue thier Spanish! Less

Nosara Spanish Institute was really good. The whole staff were very friendly. I had one class a day for one week, and it improved my spanish more than I expected. We were 5 students in our class which was perfect, and our teacher Marco was very good. I would definitely recommend Nosara Spanish Institute to you. // Sofia 20, Sweden Less