Reviews of Spanish by the Sea, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica

Total number of reviews: 14

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 14 reviews of former students of Spanish by the Sea

Accommodation
Overall rating Spanish by the Sea, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica	3.8
City	4.4
Organisation	3.3
Facilities	2.9
Social activities	3.0
Quality of teaching	3.9
Value for money	3.3
Homestay	4.5
Shared Flat (apartment)	---
Other	3.0

Back to profile of Spanish by the Sea, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Individual Reviews

Spanish by the Sea

27. Feb. 2023

1. Sabine (61 years)

101.Course: Standard Spanish - 1 week

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Homestay

Additional information

Positive aspects of school

The location is very nice, the teacher was nice and made an effort

Negative aspects

There is actually no school. Two roofs at the edges of the forest and 2 teachers. I never saw the organiser. As there were only a few students, I only had 2 hours of private lessons a day. There were no activities offered by the school. There were no student meetings or anything like that. So I was completely on my own the whole time. No opportunities to get to know anyone there. This is what I had hoped for.

4. Jan. 2023

2. Jana (36 years)

102.Course: Standard Spanish [Spanisch] - 2 weeks

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Homestay

15. Nov. 2021

3. Reinhold (62 years)

103.Course: Intensive Spanish - 2 weeks

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28. Sep. 2021

4. Leo (20 years)

104.Course: Standard Spanish - 1 week

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Hostel

Additional information

Positive aspects of school

Nothing

Negative aspects

That the teacher only spoke Spanish, which meant that you couldn't learn anything, as he didn't translate from English so that you could understand what was being said.

Insider tips about what future students should not miss

Yes, don't get classes here!

Quality of teaching / language progress

Horrible. Do not recommend!

28. Jun. 2021

5. Jessica (24 years)

105.Course: Intensive Spanish - 1 week

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1. Feb. 2021

6. Katharina (44 years)

106.Course: Standard Spanish - 1 week

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Positive aspects of school

The teacher from Guatemala, who has been teaching for 30 years, had a very lively and refreshing way of teaching the language and also conveying something of the soul.

Negative aspects

The upfront organization contained some misleading or incorrect information. Among other things, the advanced payment method (international transfer in advance) meant that I paid more and arrived less. The emergency number I was given by the school ("24h/7 days") did not work. The "school" consists of two open, only roofed rooms, each with a table and two benches, which is reminiscent of picnic areas. The equipment consists of two panels. In one week of instruction I received two A4 pages with exercises. I had booked a week of group lessons with 4 hours a day. Since there was no group, this turned into 2 hours of private lessons a day. Other schools that I know make 3 hours of one-to-one lessons out of it, but there are also differences in the length of the time units ("hour"). Activities had not yet resumed due to Covid19.

City/place

Swinging Caribbean town, certainly ideal for parties, which I wasn't looking for. Very nice beaches and nature. I didn't use public transport.

13. Apr. 2020

7. Claudia (54 years)

107.Course: Standard Spanish - 1 week

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18. Feb. 2019

8. Cosima (25 years)

108.Course: Standard Spanish - 3 weeks

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Positive aspects of school

Classes take place outside in the shade between palm trees, other exotic plants and hummingbirds. The teachers are very committed and can be approached if you have any questions or problems beyond Spanish.

Other comments

The dorm is unfortunately quite small and somehow uncomfortable. The accommodations with private rooms (private bath or shared bath) are perfect (But of course also more expensive ..)! There is always the option to book a hostel in Puerto Viejo, almost everything can be reached on foot within 5-15 minutes. If you want to live far away, you can rent or buy a bike.

27. Nov. 2018

9. Rina (18 years)

109.Course: Intensive Spanish [Spanisch] - 12 weeks

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Additional information

Positive aspects of school

The flexibility of the school and the close proximity to the beach and the village.

Insider tips about what future students should not miss

Visits to the waterfalls, National Park and a day trip through the jungle.

23. Feb. 2018

10. Laura (23 years)

110.Course: Standard Spanish [Espagnol] - 2 weeks

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Positive aspects of school

Learn Spanish by the sea

Insider tips about what future students should not miss

It was my third Spanish school and I was not very satisfied. The classes often started 10 minutes late, the teacher ate during the classes or offered me his exercises found on the internet from sites I already knew. Sometimes we did the course on the terrace of one of the housing of the school on a very small table. I did not learn a lot and I was expecting more than that, I'm a little disappointed and I would not have done more than two weeks. Besides, they forgot to give me my certificate and told me that they would send it to me by email, it was never done. On Friday, they told me that they would give me my next week's schedule but they never did it, I had to go to school on Monday morning to see my schedules . It was not very professional

Other comments

I have not been very happy with the school but I do not know Spanish by the Sea more than that, I hope other schools are better!

2. Feb. 2018

11. Amanda (20 years)

111.Course: Standard Spanish [Spanska] - 2 weeks

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Positive aspects of school

Good teachers and good tours and activities outside of class hours.

Insider tips about what future students should not miss

The dormitory at the school was not the best but it works if you only stay there for a week. For longer stays I would recommend choosing your own room, host family or another hostel.

5. Jan. 2018

12. Laetitia (29 years)

112.Course: Standard Spanish - 1 week

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Value for money

Detailed review

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Positive aspects of school

Our teacher

Insider tips about what future students should not miss

Bigger rooms

Other comments

Very good !

13. Mar. 2017

13. Joep (22 years)

113.Course: Standard Spanish - 7 weeks

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Positive aspects of school

Cute teacher (Elmer) and good location. Nice that the teachers are up for weekend-/ day trips

Insider tips about what future students should not miss

Discover the surroundings.

Other comments

Sometimes a somewhat clearer structure would have been better. 2 hour lesson might mean that your teacher is 10 minutes late and you have a 10 minute break so you effectively do have shorter lessons.

7. Mar. 2017

14. Martina (20 years)

114.Course: Standard Spanish - 3 weeks