Job Discussion Forums

lennon146 · Joined: 03 Nov 2004 Posts: 55 Location: Latin America

I've browsed the forum but I'm just looking for a few general opinions on my chances of teaching English in San Jos�.

I'm not a newbie to Latin America, having just spent 2 years living and teaching in Mexico City. But I'm considering a move, and Costa Rica seems like the most reliable option elsewhere in Central America - or am I mistaken?

I'm wondering if San Jos� really is the only place to find solid work in CR, what I could expect to be paid per hour, and how much I should expect to pay for rent. Also, is there a particular time of year that is best to arrive looking for work, or like Mexico is it wide open?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Paul
Smile

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zeddiez · Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 34

San Jose seems to be the place where most teachers go to get solid jobs. There are places around the beaches, but you have to really look for them. The average wage is between $5.00 to $8.00 per hour. Rent varies quite a bit here. Depends on what you want. You can room with a family for around $125 - $150 a month. Rent an apartment furnished for around $300.00 or live in shared housing for $250.00 or so.

Hours are around 12 - 20 per week, but can be more or less. Worst time to come is October - December. Other than that you can get work. I watch the Tico Times a lot and see lots of schools looking for teachers.

Hope that helps.

OleLarssen · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 337

It seems that sharing a 2-bedroom apt is way cheaper than renting one solo. I'm paying under 200 bucks a month for a very nice two-bedroom apt in Guadalupe. Kitchen, washroom, bathroom, huge living room.

You can definitively get ESL jobs all over Central America, and in places less gringofied than Costa Rica if that's your penchant.

lennon146 · Joined: 03 Nov 2004 Posts: 55 Location: Latin America

When you say Costa Rica is gringofied, how do you mean? I wasn't aware of that side of the place.

I was thinking that the pay would be better in CR, more on a par with Mexico (which isn't badly paid) compared to other Central American countries. Obviously teaching English doesn't pay well period, but some places are better than others.

OleLarssen · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 337

Beach-Costa Rica is generally overrun with Americans (and Canadians) living there or on holiday. San Jose is okay because there's not much to do here for tourists, and moat of the gringos who live here have a couple of neighborhoods they stick to.

You can expect between five and seven hundred bucks a month, seven hundred being on the high side, for approx 20-25 hours of teaching a week.