While you may very well meet some Costa Ricans who speak English, the official language is Spanish. Spanish-speaking team members are very helpful but not essential to the effectiveness of a team. Someone who can communicate with the host community will be available to translate when necessary. We encourage team members who do not speak Spanish to embrace the opportunity to learn to communicate through gestures and “sign language” (you’ll be surprised at how well you do!). Costa Ricans are extremely patient people, and you are probably not the first “gringo” who has tried to talk to them.