“My experience at The School of the World was priceless. It was full of laughter, sun, and great people. It was magical. Straight-up better than anything Disney has to offer 6 year olds. You should go there and make some of the best memories of your life.”
This is School of the World
Founded in 1997, the School of the World combines elements of Costa Rica surf camp, language school, yoga retreat, photography workshop and boutique hotel under one roof. Like-minded travelers from all over the world come here to pursue a passion, learn some new skills, and make lifelong friendships.
Learning Vacations for AdventurersThis isn’t your typical vacation. This is a chance to vacation with a passion. Learn to surf, speak Spanish, practice yoga, or master digital photography, all in the beautiful tropical setting of Playa Jaco, Costa Rica.
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."- Gandhi
ProgramsExercise your mind, body, and spirit. Our expert instructors cater to all skill levels from beginners to advanced, and we have a lot of different combinations to choose from. Our surprisingly affordable programs are offered in 1,2,3, and 4+ week durations.
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SurfingWarm water year round, consistent surf conditions, and local breaks for all levels of surfers, the Playa Jaco area is an amazing place to surf! The School of the World has been widely respected as one of the top surf schools in Costa Rica for over 16 years. More about Surfing
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Learn conversational Spanish you can immediately put to use with local native speakers. Class sizes are small and our experienced instructors keep learning fun and relaxed.
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PhotographyBeginners become acquainted with the fundamentals of photography, digital workflow, and basic digital editing. Intermediate and advanced photographers learn new shooting techniques and advanced editing, and students of all skill levels benefit from having a local guide take them to shoot at amazing locales they otherwise would never see.More about Photography
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YogaOur certified instructors blend their training in Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Anusara yoga into the practice. Whether you are a beginner or have years of experience, our intention is for you to leave with the tools necessary to enrich and deepen your practice.More about Yoga
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Lodging
Our beautiful facility has free Wi-Fi for our guests, a shared kitchen and dining area, 12 guestrooms, outdoor lounge, pool, garden, and lots of great spots to hang out and relax. It is located in a quiet neighborhood close to the center of town and is just a few minutes walk from the beach, dozens of great restaurants, bars, grocery stores, and everything else you could need.
the experience
How it Works
Never been on a learning vacation? Learning something new is the ultimate souvenir; it outlasts the usual vacation sunburns, bug bites, and hangovers, and makes the experience stay with you forever. Here is how it works:
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get here
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- 1. Select the programs, lodging, and dates that work for you.
- 2. Make a reservation and pay your deposit.
- 3. Book your ticket and pack your bags. (Celebration dance optional!) We can also help arrange your transportation from the airport to our facility.
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get schooled
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- 1. Arrive and settle in. Ahhhh, tropical paradise.
- 2. Take classes in a relaxed and friendly environment.
- 3. Benefit from the local knowledge of our staff that treats you like family.
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get friendly
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- 1. Socialize and make new friends with like-minded travelers from around the world.
- 2. Settle in to the "Pura Vida" lifestyle, with local restaurants, markets, bars, and beach all just walking distance from your doorstep.
- 3. Plan to extend your stay, because you won't want to say goodbye!
Kind Words
Having hosted guests of all walks of life from over 40 countries over the last 16 years, we have a great reputation and history. We are recommended by the top travel experts and publications- but who better to tell you about us than your fellow travelers? Take a look at what people have to say about their experiences at School of the World:
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“I was heading off on my first solo travel adventure, armed with a whole load of enthusiasm and next to zero Spanish… Laura, my Spanish instructor, was fantastic and managed to get the girl who couldn’t do languages to a point where travelling and chatting was easy and fun! The school gave me the confidence and the necessary tools to have the adventure of a lifetime.”
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“The founders and staff of SOTW have created such an incredible and unique opportunity for travelers. The vibe cultivated between students was perhaps the most memorable thing. The 18 of us, from ten different countries and spanning a couple of decades in age, felt like one big chilled-out, respectful family the entire time. So cool.”
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“School of the World is a wonderfully unique concept. A beautifully designed place of learning where surfing, Spanish, photography and yoga all coexist. Every day is packed with as much or as little activity as you want and your fellow students are friendly and adventurous spirits from all over the world.”
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“The whole concept of this school is one of a kind. This was truly a wonderful experience. The staff was very helpful and very nice. I have taken surfing and yoga, since I am very active person. If you want to meet wonderful people, learn something new and have fun than this is the place to be. Highly recommend to everyone.”
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“I booked SOTW because I was traveling alone and through the reviews I felt it would be a safe place to stay at especially since I’m a girl. At the last minute my girlfriend came with and all I have to say is WE HAD A BLAST!! I went for the surfing classes, it being one of those bucket list type of things for me. The staff is friendly, the instructors were awesome, and the school itself is simply breathtakingly beautiful.”
