Costa Rica

Playa Tamarindo

Study in Playa Tamarindo

Study in Playa Tamarindo with EF and immerse yourself in Costa Rica’s pristine beaches, lush rainforest jungles, and endless array of wildlife.

Spend a year in Playa Tamarindo and gain access to one of the most ecologically diverse spots on earth. Exotic wildlife is everywhere, as colorful birds chirp away melodies and howler monkeys swing from the trees around town, including those over EF’s pool. Sustainable tourism is a major economic engine and the government has pledged to make Costa Rica the world’s first carbon neutral nation. Our internship offerings in Nature Preservation and Eco-tourism can kick-start an international career. EF’s study programs familiarize students with Costa Rican culture, and the special interest classes in Costa Rican Cooking and Costa Rican National Parks are especially popular.

Study in Playa Tamarindo, where our language center sits between the edge of a lush Costa Rican jungle and the sandy beaches of the Pacific Coast. EF is housed in a fully-renovated, colonial-style villa. The building was once a resort hotel and it still feels like one. EF Playa Tamarindo wraps around a crystal-clear pool, classrooms open to tropical gardens, and the cafeteria serves traditional Costa Rican dishes.

Learn more about our study programs in Playa Tamarindo

School Highlights

Five-minute walk from the beach

10-minute walk from shops, markets, gym and nightlife

Swimming pool and sun deck

Friendly and relaxed atmosphere

Onsite accommodation

Volunteer opportunities

Naturally beautiful

The steady swells of Playa Tamarindo have drawn surfers for decades. Today’s Tamarindo blends a dose of surf culture with authentic Costa Rican living. Eating a breakfast of gallo pinto before hitting the waves is not uncommon. Much more than just a lazy surf town, Playa Tamarindo matches a beautiful coastline with a jungle interior. The waterfalls, mangrove swamps and nesting leatherback sea turtles of Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas are all within walking distance of EF.

Study in Playa Tamarindo and experience Costa Rica’s unique blend of rich culture and spectacular settings. Attend a rodeo alongside cowboy hat-wearing locals, a favorite Costa Rican pastime. Venture into the rainforest and go on an unforgettable zip-line tour between the thick trees. Surf Playa Tamarindo’s incessant swells or share a cup of stiff coffee with a friendly ‘Tico’, as Costa Ricans are fondly known.

Explore the student life in Playa Tamarindo