Playa Dominical

Program Outline

The Standard 4-hour Language Program is four complete hours of language a day. In Dominical classes start at 9:00 am and end at 1:30 pm with a half hour break and the maximum class size is six students. During the high season the hours may shift and we may also do afternoon classes. All materials are included. Each week all students will also have the option of participating in three different afternoon activities: Latin Dance Class, Cooking Classes and an excursion. The Intensive 4-hour + 8 hrs Private has the same group schedule in the morning, followed by 2 hours of private lessons every afternoon except Tuesday, for a total of 28 class hours a week.

The Medical Spanish Program is combined with any of our Spanish language programs. In the Medical Spanish program doctors and medical students are instructed two afternoons a week by our in house physician in medical terminology, patient interviews and clinical procedures. Two other afternoons each week, they go to local clinics and shadow local physicians. The Children’s Spanish Program for 8 to 13 year olds is a four hour/day program that combines in class lessons with out of class field trips and games. This program follows the same class hours as the adult program, but is designed with children in mind. Private Lessons are available with a minimum of 10 hours required each week. We also have a great deal of Volunteer Options available. A full description of all options is available at your request.

For added value, there is our Adventure Points Program which is done in conjunction with our in house adventure agency, Explornatura. It can be added to any of the above Spanish programs to enhance your visit to this amazing country. The program allows students to plan and budget their adventure activities before they arrive in Costa Rica and receive a discount. As a student at our school you will receive 50 points/week free to put towards different half day, full day and weekend tours. A full list of the tours available in Playa Dominical through this program is available here. By purchasing additional points in advance you will have the flexibility to choose when and which tours you want to do. Points can only be purchased in 75 point increments for $50. For more information on this program, please contact us.

Lodging

The Playa Dominical campus has a School Lodging option, as well as Homestay. Lodging at the school is in shared cabinas on the campus grounds as well as a number nearer to the beach. Standard cabinas have room for two students with a private bath, fans and every student receives breakfast at the school. We also have larger cabinas that accommodate three students as well as two Apartments. Some of the cabinas are equipped with air-conditioning that can be requested in advance for an additional weekly fee of $50/room. There is also a kitchen at the school available for students in the school stay lodging. Playa Dominical’s host families are within a 15-40 minute walk from the school depending on their location. The houses are rustic, but clean and the families are very welcoming. Most of the families are located in the small community of Dominicalito, which is 2 miles south of Dominical on the coast. Breakfast and dinner as well as weekly laundry service is included.

Cultural

Each week all students can participate in the afternoon activities, Dance and Cooking classes, as well as an excursions to the surrounding area. There are also many different volunteer options that help students become better acquainted with the local community and culture.

Locations

Dominical is a small beach community on Costa Rica’s central pacific coast with about 400 permanent residents. The area around the town and up and down the coast is not very developed, which means that its location is truly in the rain forest. The school’s campus is right on the river in the middle of town and about a 5-minute walk from the ocean. The beach is famous for its world-class surfing as well as the abundant wildlife in the area. There are five national parks within 25 miles from Dominical. Hacienda Baru, is a private nature preserve right across the river from the school.

Local Color

In Dominical every weekend there are dances that attract the locals from all over the surrounding area. It is not unusual to have over 800 people come for the disco on a Saturday night, twice the resident population of the town. The real attraction of Dominical though lies in the surrounding natural wonders of the beach and rain forest.

Hot Tip

Punto Dominical is the best place to catch a bite to eat and see the sunset. The restaurant La Parsela has some of the best food in the area with spectacular views up and down the coast. Behind the restaurant is a trail the goes up and over the point down to a secluded rocky beach where the sunsets are unbelievable.

Start Dates

Every Monday of the year except on Costa Rican National Holidays. In the case of Monday holidays, classes will begin on the following Tuesday. The following Costa Rica Holidays are observed by the school; January 1, April 11, May 1, July 25, August 15, September 15 and December 25. The school is not open on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. There are no refunds for missed days because of holidays.

Main points about the Playa Dominical campus:

• The Dominical campus is right off the beach with lots of wildlife in the surrounding countryside and in the town itself.
• Dominical is one of the best surfing beaches in Central America.
• Afternoon Surf Program.
• Great afternoon and weekend activities such as Dance and cooking classes, rafting, kayaking and mountain biking.
• Nearby Cano Island and Corcovado National Parks are two of the most untouched rainforests in the country.
• A great Adventure Points Program with mountain biking trips, waterfalls, kayaking and overnights in the jungle.
• Undergraduate College units and graduate level credit available
• The Intensive group 4 + Private is a great combination of groups classes and individual tutoring.
• A very comprehensive Medical Spanish program, combining in class curriculum with afternoon hospital and clinical visits.
• Children’s Spanish Immersion Program for 8 to 13 year olds.
• A very safe beach location, perfect for families and those traveling on their own.
• Small school so it is very flexible and willing to set up special programs or group packages.