Costa Rica/Panama for two weeks or Intensive Language in the summer?

I think it is a no brainer--take the month of intensive Spanish.

It will really help you a lot with your Spanish and between the excursions and the free weekends you will have you will be able to do everything that your friends will do.

The intensive language training will give you a big leg up. The neat thing about language schools in Costa Rica is that they take you at whatever level you are at and they move you along as fast as is comfortable to you. I am sure you will meet new friends and you will also experience the culture instead of being cooped up in a tour bus with your classmates for two weeks (take my word for it, it gets old real fast).

If you are honestly interested in learning the language, which I think you should be, you should go for the month stay.

You should study in San jose for a month in an Intensive language program even though it has some extra cost. The problem of learning a language with friends is that all your friends will continue to speak english and you won't get a real feel for the culture or force yourself to learn.

Go on your own. You will learn way more and enjoy it way more. Life's short. Enjoy the adventure and don't be afraid. Costa Rica is great and very safe.

I agree with the other post. Go for the one month homestay. You can learn a LOT of Spanish if you do it this way, as you will be immersed in it and your classmates will not be distracting you by speaking English. Also, often the class trips have other touristy things scheduled, which can sort of waste your time if you are solely committed to learning the language. If you have one month, perhaps you can see some of the country then!

Hi there,

this is a very very expensive program. Panama has one of the most expensive Spanish programs in Central/South America, the the Spanish spoken in Panama (not the teachers of course) is awful. Costa Rica is less expensive, however, more than other countries.

Last year I went to Nicaragua (Granada and San Juan del Sur) for 4 months to study Spanish at very good schools. Here's what the cost in Nicaragua is:

Private teacher (one-on-one), 20 hours/week: $ 125.00/week incl. excursions

Homestay incl. private room/private bathroom, 3 meals/day: $ 85.00/week

I went on a 4 week program in Guatemala (Antigua) 3 years ago, and paid similar prices then in Nicaragua.

Also, you will not really learn much in 2 weeks in any program.

Have a great time wherever you go.

For sure do the intensive experience in Costa Rica. You will learn so much in that short amount of time and be prepared for Spain. Though dialects will sound different.

If it is vacation and fun you want - you will get that in your Spain trip anyway. And you will have more fun if your spanish is good...