Reviews of Spanish by the River, Turrialba, Costa Rica
Total number of reviews: 25
NOTE: All reviews are authentic. Only students who booked their course through us can publish evaluations here, and only after the end of their programme. These evaluations then are not manipulated in any way, neither by us nor by the school, and can be trusted as honest opinions about personal experiences with the school.
Average Rating
Based on 25 reviews of former students of Spanish by the River
| Overall rating Spanish by the River, Turrialba, Costa Rica | 4.5 |
|---|---|
| City | 3.9 |
| Organisation | 4.1 |
| Facilities | 4.3 |
| Social activities | 3.8 |
| Quality of teaching | 4.7 |
| Value for money | 4.4 |
| Accommodation | |
| Homestay | 4.8 |
| Shared Flat (apartment) | --- |
| Other | 4.6 |
Individual Reviews
Spanish by the River
11. Dec. 2023
1. Josef (34 years) Sweden
101.Course: Intensive Spanish + Rafting & Camp Pacuare Weekend - 3 weeks
101.Course: Intensive Spanish + Rafting & Camp Pacuare Weekend - 3 weeks
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Value for money
Detailed review
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Homestay
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Teachers were very good once they received specific input about what I want to focus on.
Negative aspects
I originally expected that the teachers will somehow evaluate my Spanish level and tell me what I have to focus on, what areas should I improve and I was expecting them to suggest some learning path. To my disappointment it did not happen and lessons felt a little improvised.
It took me a week to understand I have to actively ask my teacher to focus on specific topics to get the most out of the classes.
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
Do not book rafting trip through the school and contact the rafting companies directly yourself.
Quality of teaching / language progress
Original rafting trip was cancelled and school tried to find similar trip as replacement. What unfortunately happened was that instead of getting two-day rafting trip I got one-day rafting trip split into two days. It was so strange. First day I boarded raft with 1-day-rafting group and after 10 minutes they kicked me out of the raft and told me I will do the rest of the trip tomorrow. I spent one day waiting in a very nice jungle hotel and next day I joined another 1-day-rafting group to do the remaining part of the rafting.
27. Nov. 2023
2. Christie Spain
102.Course: Standard Spanish - 2 weeks
102.Course: Standard Spanish - 2 weeks
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13. Nov. 2023
3. Robert
103.Course: Standard Spanish - 2 weeks
103.Course: Standard Spanish - 2 weeks
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Homestay
24. Oct. 2023
4. Sylvia (56 years) 
104.Course: Standard Spanish [Spanish] - 1 week
104.Course: Standard Spanish [Spanish] - 1 week
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Positive aspects of school
SbtR is a very nice place with very simple rooms. Classes are held on one of the terraces facing the jungle garden or indoors. My teacher was top. We only spoke Spanish from the beginning. As I had previous knowledge, we were able to do everything with paraphrases and explanations in Spanish. Which was very good. Thank you Krisya. There are hammocks and a cosy sofa corner. Bathrooms are new and clean. Kitchen has all the basic utensils and a basic supply of oil and spices etc.
Negative aspects
Rainy season: I was there alone. Therefore, no joint activities. After someone had slept in the neighbour's bed, the room was not made up until the next person arrived after 4 days. It was a bit uncomfortable. The house is located on a main thoroughfare and you have to get used to the fact that it is very noisy when the big trucks drive through. Everything is open and not locked, even at night.
27. Mar. 2023
5. Thomas (43 years)
105.Course: Intensive Spanish - 3 weeks
105.Course: Intensive Spanish - 3 weeks
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Positive aspects of school
The teachers and the teaching methodology were perfect for me
Quality of teaching / language progress
Perfect
Accommodation
Actually everything was fine. The only thing: I found the lighting a bit too meager if you want to read/learn something in the evening.
15. Feb. 2023
6. Andrea (61 years) United States
106.Course: Standard Spanish [Spanish] - 2 weeks
106.Course: Standard Spanish [Spanish] - 2 weeks
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Value for money
Detailed review
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Homestay
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Nice laid back atmosphere. Beautiful grounds. Great teaching staff.
Negative aspects
The director was not very responsive and her interactions with students and with teachers often seemed less than friendly.
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
Definitely try and visit Turrialba Volcano and if you go, go as early in the morning as you can.
Other comments
I had a terrific experience and will definitely do a language and home stay again.
City/place
It’s perfect as a place to learn Spanish as there are so few tourists but the downside is that tourist care is limited and it’s quite hard to arrange trips. For example it would have been nice to go to the beach for the weekend but arranging transport (to and from) and accommodation involved a lot of planning and uncertainty. And a trip to the volcano was also complicated to arrange (but I did manage that!). It would have been great to have more practical information on hand in the town (or at the school?).
Quality of teaching / language progress
Josett is a terrific teacher.
Accommodation
The hostess is wonderful. Caring, friendly, welcoming, full of stories and makes amazing breakfasts! Highly recommended as accommodation for single women.
13. Feb. 2023
7. Martin (59 years)
107.Course: Standard Spanish - 1 week
107.Course: Standard Spanish - 1 week
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5. Apr. 2022
8. Gunilla (60 years) 
108.Course: Standard Spanish (20) + Yoga - 8 weeks
108.Course: Standard Spanish (20) + Yoga - 8 weeks
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Positive aspects of school
A great place. All teaching takes place outdoors, close to nature.
21. Feb. 2022
9. Corina (60 years)
109.Course: Specialized - Spanish for Seniors/ Standard/private (depending on availability) - 1 week
109.Course: Specialized - Spanish for Seniors/ Standard/private (depending on availability) - 1 week
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Positive aspects of school
Staying with my family was a pleasure and I have felt at home. Our teacher Krysia was super committed with great ideas, we had a lot of fun and many very interesting conversations!!!
21. Feb. 2022
10. Sieglinde (69 years)
110.Course: Standard Spanish - 3 weeks
110.Course: Standard Spanish - 3 weeks
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Positive aspects of school
My teacher Krissia was great. My host family was exceptionally good. I made friends.
Negative aspects
There were no afternoon activities or excursions.
16. Feb. 2022
11. Claudia (59 years)
111.Course: Standard Spanish - 2 weeks
111.Course: Standard Spanish - 2 weeks
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Homestay
Accommodation
I stayed with a really nice family. Noemy spoiled me with a wonderful breakfast every morning. Because she only spoke Spanish, I made enormous progress.
12. Feb. 2022
12. Frederike (25 years) Germany
112.Course: Standard Spanish - 2 weeks
112.Course: Standard Spanish - 2 weeks
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Value for money
Detailed review
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Positive aspects of school
The teachers, the atmosphere and the location
Negative aspects
It was a little bit confusion and afternoon activities not good communicated
City/place
Nice waterfalls and nature nearby, the city is unspectacular
31. Jan. 2022
13. Jonas (18 years)
113.Course: Intensive Spanish [Spanisch] - 2 weeks
113.Course: Intensive Spanish [Spanisch] - 2 weeks
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Positive aspects of school
The lessons were very very good and teachers very competent. Thanks to our 2-week language course, we were able to improve our level extremely (from A1 to B1) and we can now communicate much better in Spanish.
City/place
Turrialba is a beautiful town without a lot of activities in the town itself. It is worth visiting the volcanoes (Irazu and Turrialba) or walking to the waterfalls. A rafting tour on the Rio Pacuare is also highly recommended.
Quality of teaching / language progress
Our two teachers were both very competent and taught us a lot. In addition, our course was very small and therefore very enjoyable and it was possible to build up a friendly working relationship between student and teacher
Accommodation
Our room was directly at the school, we met great people and only had to walk a few steps to class in the morning. Perfect!
31. Jan. 2022
14. Eloi (19 years)
114.Course: Intensive Spanish - 2 weeks
114.Course: Intensive Spanish - 2 weeks
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Positive aspects of school
Top professionals! Very competent and educational.
20. Dec. 2020
15. Hélène (66 years) 
115.Course: Specialized - Spanish for Seniors, Standard Course [Espagnol] - 2 weeks
115.Course: Specialized - Spanish for Seniors, Standard Course [Espagnol] - 2 weeks
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Value for money
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Positive aspects of school
My stay was very beneficial. Alone and the first student during this pandemic, I have always felt safe. I appreciated the quality of the courses and the personalized aspect which allowed me to orient my learning according to my needs. And I had a really good contact with Ingrid. I can only warmly recommend it.
Negative aspects
Nothing to say about it. It was necessary to mobilize its adaptation capacities a little, pandemic obliges.
Other comments
I felt welcome from the start.
City/place
Normally, there are plenty of interesting activities to do. But I couldn't really take advantage of that aspect.
Quality of teaching / language progress
Personalized lessons, relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Very pleasant environment and inviting to relax.
27. Feb. 2020
16. Silvano (36 years) 
116.Course: Standard Spanish - 3 weeks
116.Course: Standard Spanish - 3 weeks
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Positive aspects of school
Accommodation and school in the same building.
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
If you don't pay cash they ask for more money.
Other comments
Located in the middle of nothing. The surrounding natural area is interesting but you need to meet local people to visit, and watch out for the profiteers.
City/place
For long periods it can be boring. Economically, it's quite expensive for something ordinary.
Quality of teaching / language progress
Customers rather than students.
28. Jan. 2020
17. Phil (63 years) United Kingdom
117.Course: Specialized - Spanish for Seniors, Standard Course [Spanish] - 1 week
117.Course: Specialized - Spanish for Seniors, Standard Course [Spanish] - 1 week
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20. Jan. 2020
18. Poul (56 years) United States
118.Course: Standard Spanish - 1 week
118.Course: Standard Spanish - 1 week
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Positive aspects of school
The classroom on the deck that's due to the hillside, resided mid height among the trees with may visiting birds and butterflies was outstanding. The teacher was very good in observing what we knew and did not know, and adapting the lessons accordingly. Very impressive.
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
With four hours a day it is hard to do any sightseeing beyond the school using public transportation, so if that is a desire, a rental car is a necessity.
Other comments
The evening events with the local community were great.
City/place
Nicely undisturbed by tourism.
Accommodation
It was a room at the school, so the location was great and I would stay there again. We were in a period with a lot of rain and relatively cold weather (the local host, teacher, taxi driver caught colds), which meant that it was virtually impossible to get anything dry. We are also not so used to cockroaches, but understand that it virtually impossible to avoid in that area. One easily doable improvement would be bedside lamps.
21. May. 2019
19. Levke Katrin (26 years) Germany
119.Course: Intensive Spanish - 3 weeks
119.Course: Intensive Spanish - 3 weeks
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4. Dec. 2018
20. Jonathan (64 years) United Kingdom
120.Course: Standard Spanish [Spanish] - 8 weeks
120.Course: Standard Spanish [Spanish] - 8 weeks
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Homestay
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Relaxed delivery of the lessons.
13. Aug. 2018
21. Ellen (52 years)
121.Course: Specialized - Spanish for Seniors, Standard Course [Spanish] - 5 weeks
121.Course: Specialized - Spanish for Seniors, Standard Course [Spanish] - 5 weeks
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Positive aspects of school
It was beautifully located at the side of a mountain.
4. Dec. 2017
22. Sven (49 years)
122.Course: Standard Spanish [Español] - 1 week
122.Course: Standard Spanish [Español] - 1 week
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Positive aspects of school
Teaching staff
5. Apr. 2017
23. Patricia
123.Course: Specialized - Spanish for Seniors, Standard Course - 1 week
123.Course: Specialized - Spanish for Seniors, Standard Course - 1 week
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Value for money
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Homestay
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Positive aspects of school
I appreciated that they could adjust to my personal preferences.
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
The experience is greatly enhanced by staying with local family.
6. Mar. 2017
24. Crista (75 years)
124.Course: Standard Spanish - 3 weeks
124.Course: Standard Spanish - 3 weeks
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Value for money
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Homestay
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Positive aspects of school
My teacher was terrific and I learned a great deal.
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
Use flash cards as a teaching aid for beginners especially.
Other comments
The staff was friendly and helpful.
14. Nov. 2016
25. Philipp (27 years)
125.Course: Standard Spanish - 2 weeks
125.Course: Standard Spanish - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
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Homestay
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Location and view, ambience, teachers
