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- What is a typical Costa Rican breakfast?
- What is a typical Costa Rican dinner? Is it always a hot meal?
- What drinks will my family offer me?
- How do Costa Ricans normally dress?
- If we choose the homestay option, will we be able to stay together as a couple?
- How many students will be staying with my family?
- Can I change my family if I am not happy?
- How far is the school from my family’s house?
- How do we get from our homestay to the school?
- Do we get our own key?
- At what time do we need to be home?
- Can I do my laundry at my host family’s house?
- After my courses are finished, can I stay longer with my host family?
- How does ILISA select the families?
- Can you describe the average room?
- Do the host families have hot water?
- What are the alternatives if I don’t want to stay with a family?
- What is a typical Costa Rican breakfast?
A typical Costa Rican breakfast includes fresh fruit, gallo pinto (a flavorful mix of rice, beans, and spices), and coffee or tea. If you prefer, your host family can also provide options such as cereal, toast, bacon, or eggs. - What is a typical Costa Rican dinner? Is it always a hot meal?
Instead of having a large dinner, Costa Ricans often enjoy coffee with bread, pastries, cheese, and jam—known as cafecito—around 3:00 p.m. They then have a light, hot dinner around 6:00 or 7:00 p.m., typically consisting of rice, black beans, meat, and salad. In Costa Rica, lunch is considered the main meal of the day. - What drinks will my family offer me?
Your family will usually serve you fruit juice, soda or water, and they may also offer beer or wine. - How do Costa Ricans normally dress?
Although Costa Rica is not a wealthy country, people take great care to dress well when going out in public. Clothing is typically ironed, sometimes even underwear! It’s best to leave any torn clothes at home, even if they are your favorites. Be sure to pack comfortable clothes and shoes for school and travel, along with something nice for a night out or a business meeting. - If we choose the homestay option, will we be able to stay together as a couple?
Yes, please let us know during registration that you are a couple wishing to stay together, and we will find a family that can accommodate you. If you feel it would benefit your Spanish, we can also arrange for you to stay with separate families within walking distance of each other. - How many students will be staying with my family?
It’s ILISA’s policy to put no more than one student per family unless students request otherwise. - Can I change my family if I am not happy?
We strive to match you with a family that meets your preferences. However, if for any reason you feel that your assigned family is not suitable, we will find an alternative. In most cases, changing families is not an issue, though there may be instances where it takes a few days to arrange the change. - How far is the school from my family’s house?
Some families are within walking distance of ILISA, while the majority are a short bus ride away. Students never need to cross San José or take more than one bus. Many students choose to walk to school (25-35 minutes) to enjoy the morning air and explore the surrounding areas. - How do we get from our homestay to the school?
The commute depends on where your host family is located. Most students either walk to school or take a bus or taxi. Costa Rica has a reliable and affordable bus system in San José, with bus stops usually just a few blocks away. Taxis are also inexpensive and easy to hail, except during rush hour or in the rainy season. - Do we get our own key?
You will get your own key to the house. - At what time do we need to be home?You have your own key, so you are free to stay out as late as you like. However, please be considerate and inform your host family if you plan to go out, so they ar enot expecting you for dinner or other meals.
- Can I do my laundry at my host family’s house?
Yes, laundry service is included in your homestay. Your host will change your bed sheets weekly, and your family will wash your clothing, although they may not wash underwear. - After my courses are finished, can I stay longer with my host family?
Normally, this isn’t an issue, but you will need to check with our homestay coordinator first to ensure there are no scheduling conflicts. If there are no issues, you can make the necessary arrangements through the coordinator. Please avoid making direct arrangements with the family, as this could create conflicts with the homestay planning and violate our agreement with host families. - How does ILISA select the families?
Costa Ricans are known for their strong sense of hospitality and enjoy hosting guests in their homes. At ILISA, we carefully select families with clean, well-maintained homes, well-ventilated rooms with plenty of light, and family members who are eager to make students feel like part of the family. Each home is personally inspected by our homestay coordinator, and families are interviewed before being accepted as hosts. Additionally, all students complete evaluations of their host families to help us maintain our high standards. - Can you describe the average room?
The average room contains a bed, a closet, a desk, a desk lamp and chair. Many students end up doing their homework in the living room or dining room, aided by their family members. - Do the host families have hot water?
All host families provide hot water in the shower. Typically, the water is heated by an electric heating device installed in the shower head, although a few homes have a central hot water tank. - What are the alternatives if I don’t want to stay with a family?
There are several apartotels in the San Pedro area, two of which are within walking distance. Apartotels are serviced apartments available for rent on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, and they come with a fully equipped kitchen and laundry service. Additionally, there are several hotels nearby. If you’re interested in staying at a hotel, please request our alternative accommodation information or click here.