Are you looking at teaching in Costa Rica in international schools but want to get paid more than just a stipend? Umm...who doesn’t?? Then you’ve come to the right spot for the inside scoop on the best paid teaching jobs in Costa Rica. While traveling can be expensive, finding the right opportunities that pay you for your time and effort is key. It is possible...you just need to find the right resources and program for YOU.
There’s a good chance that teaching jobs in Costa Rica won’t actually feel like work. Score!
Our advice—don’t let finances stop your passion for teaching and travel. When teaching abroad in Costa Rica, salary can be a big consideration. While experience can help get you there, it’s just one of multiple teaching English in Costa Rica requirements. Best of all, Costa Ricans are continuing to look to improve their English speaking skills to a higher level, which can mean more money for you.
Perhaps you’re curious about how much you can make as an English teacher abroad in Costa Rica? Read on for GoAbroad’s list of top paying programs calling your name!
5 highest paid teaching jobs in Costa Rica
1. Get Paid to Teach English Abroad with the International TEFL Academy
Is this about to become your first teaching adventure? If so, the International TEFL Academy is a great option for getting certified and starting with a paid job. You’ll start by getting TEFL or TESOL certified in Heredia or San Jose! In addition, you’ll get hands on support and a LIFETIME of job placement assistance. Obviously the more experience you obtain, the higher your salary will become. Most teachers in this program earn enough to live on, plus some travel money. And we all want some travel money, ain’t that for sure!
2. Teach English in Costa Rica with Greenheart Travel
You can expedite your teaching certification by getting TEFL certified with a Greenheart Travel program. Course availability typically ranges from March to February. Once you’re there, your experience will be incomparable. From the get-go you have 24/7 support from program staff, three meals per day, private room accommodation with a local Costa Rican family, and teaching materials that are all provided for you. All that and you get to explore the beautiful culture, people, and landscapes of Costa Rica. Better yet, the only prior requirement you need for the course is to be a native English speaker!
3. Paid Teaching Program in Costa Rica with TravelBud
Want a program that pretty much guarantees job placement following program completion? TravelBud is with you from the start with pre-departure support and a one week orientation to get you acclimated to the Costa Rican culture. After you’re all orientated, you begin your TEFL certification and in-person experience with teaching in local Costa Rican schools. Following program completion, participants can expect to earn $700-$1,000 a month! TravelBud also offers free lifetime access to teaching positions at their other locations in Asia.
4. TEFL Costa Rica with Job Placement Guarantee with Maximo Nivel
Located in beautiful San Pedro, Maximo Nivel offers a top TEFL course that will open the door to a guaranteed job placement. Class sizes are between 2-14 people, meaning you'll get the attention and instruction you need to become a great teacher. Other program highlights include 12 hours of practical teaching experience and observation with real ESL students. This course's 12 modules total 150 hours over 4 weeks of instruction. With an accredited TEFL certificate in hand, you'll be ready to take on your first paid teaching job!
5. Teach English in Costa Rica - Full Certification & Paid Job with TEFL Connect
TEFL Connect includes programs that offer 160 hours of TEFL certification, where you can train and teach in the beautiful coastal towns of Costa Rica, such as Playa Samara. Participants do not have to be a native speaker of English, but must have a level of C1 or greater to be able to teach. For those who already have a Bachelor’s degree, job placement is guaranteed. However, there are also plenty of career opportunities for those who do not have a degree. Other program perks include surfing lessons, snorkeling, beach yoga, and more!
[Check out even MORE teaching jobs in Costa Rica]
Still looking for more dough? Here’s some tips to boost your teacher salary in Costa Rica
While money isn’t everything, it’s still important to have your financial bases covered. After all, we all need to survive! So, to prevent you from backing out of the whole thing and throwing your hands up in frustration, here are some tips and tricks to achieve financial success while abroad.
- Get your TEFL certification! Having your TEFL certification is a surefire way to increase your salary. Besides that, a certification can help you get teaching jobs all over the world (if you become sick of Costa Rica, of course)! Course lengths vary from as little as 20 hours to up to 250 hours. Obviously, a short format course will be the cheapest option, but many countries require a 120-hour minimum course. So, if you’re hoping to earn a decent teaching salary, a TEFL certification is a must.
- Get a side teaching job as a tutor! Lots of parents jump at the chance to hire a native English teacher to teach their kid on the side. This is a great way to earn some extra cash and work one-on-one with a student.
- Heard of crowdfunding? Sites such as FundMyTravel can be a great way to raise money to offset costs while you’re abroad. Share your travel plans with your family and friends in hopes that they will donate to your cause!
- Teach English online! We are in the advent of the Internet, so why not make some extra cash online? Find some internet-side gigs teaching English or freelance writing. There are lots of sites providing this service. Simply make sure you have adequate internet service and a decent laptop, and you’re set to go.
- Find jobs at international schools. International schools in Costa Rica are a great place to teach if you’re looking for higher pay. These schools are often private and have more learning opportunities for students.
- Negotiate your salary! Don’t just take the first salary offered to you. Always try to negotiate! You might just be surprised at what they will offer you.
- Ask for benefits from your employer. Do they offer housing? How about the plane ride to and from Costa Rica? Will meals be included? Lots of small costs can add up over time! Benefits will become a big deal.
- Apply for scholarships! You might be surprised at the different scholarships offered for teaching abroad. Do some research and start your applications. The more you apply to, the better your chance!
P.S. Check out exchange rates! There are great apps out there to help with this. A good exchange rate can make a BIG difference in how much daily living expenses will cost you.
Live life pura vida in Costa Rica
The best paid teaching jobs in Costa Rica will be full of all kinds of new friends.
Lastly, don’t let money get you discouraged! While money is important, it’s not worth panicking about. There are definitely logical, realistic ways to teach while living abroad AND paying your bills. Traveling can be expensive; we all know that. But if you have the passion and determination, your financial goals will fall into place.
The more you get to experience with teaching and start creating some connections (networking, ya’ll) your salary will increase. The best-paid teaching jobs in Costa Rica are out there, you just need to do your research. Give yourself the time and patience to find a job that is right for you (and for your wallet!).
If it all keeps coming down to this one question—how much can you make as an English teacher abroad in Costa Rica...then you’re in luck. We are here to tell you that it’s doable and CAN be done! Not only that, but you will have the time of your life exploring Costa Rica’s oceans, wildlife, biodiversity, and volcanoes—it’s a nature lover’s dream come true! So say adiós to your hometown, and hasta mañana to your new adventure!
Use MyGoAbroad to Find & Compare Teaching Programs in Costa Rica
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