They are able to enjoy the culture more fully, mix with the locals and make new friends in the process. However, you will be surprised how many ticos speak some English and dying for the chance to perfect their English language skills while you work on your Spanish. Perhaps you can find someone to exchange language lessons with. This is a good way to make new acquaintances and learn how Spanish is really spoken. If you take our advice and choose to study Spanish, for a modest fee you can enroll at one of Costa Rica's intensive conversational language schools.
Most language schools offer different levels of instruction to suit a student's particular needs.
In addition to language instruction, these schools offer exciting field trips and interesting activities which provide you with the chance to make new friends. Spanish is not a difficult language to learn. With a little self-discipline and motivation, anyone can acquire a basic Spanish survival vocabulary of between 200 and 3000 words in a relatively short time. The learning process never stops so studying Spanish can be a life-long project. Reading Materials in English Books, newspapers, magazines and other printed matter in English are available at most leading bookstores, in souvenir shops of larger hotels and at some newsstands.