Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a passport?
A: Check with your airline. It is always best to have a passport, but some travelers can obtain a tourist visa for Costa Rica with a certified copy of their birth certificate and a driver's license.

Q: Do I need shots?
A: For the most up to date medical information for travelers check with the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Ga. U.S.A. Malaria medication and other tropical disease preventatives are usually only recommended if you plan to travel to the remote regions of the rainforest.

Q: How can I get money while in Costa Rica?
A: Bring traveler's checks, cash. These can be exchanged at one of our three banks in town. Also, ATM cards with the PLUS system ( look at the back of your card). Cards on the CIRRUS system cannot be used with the ATM machines in Jaco, but work in San Jose. Visa is accepted in most places. Mastercard and American Express are only accepted in a few places. We also have a Western Union office for wire transfers.

Q: How can my family reach me while I am at the school?
A: The school phone number will be available upon registration. There are also several internet cafes in Jaco where the students can send and receive e-mail.

Q: Are surfboards provided for the surf sessions?
A: Yes, boards are provided while students are surfing with the instructor.

Q: How far is the school from the beach?
A: School of the World is approximately 5 minutes (walking) to the beach.

Q: What day should we arrive and what day should we plan to leave?
A: Check in is at noon on Sunday one day prior to the beginning date and check out is at noon on Saturday the day after the last day of class for the one week, two week, and four week sessions.

Q: How long do we surf?
A: We generally have a 2-3 hour window around the high tide which is when the surf is the best here in Jaco. For more experienced surfers there are breaks that are good at low and mid tides. Also, it depends on individual endurance. Two hours of surfing is a good workout. Advanced surfers can go to the other spots in the area that break better on different tides.

Q: Do we get to surf as much if we take Spanish?
A: We generally try to schedule classes around the high tide for students taking combination sessions. There might be a day when you have to surf a little earlier than normal or a little later, but in general it is not a problem.

Q: Can I get college credit?
A: Yes.

Q: Can I drink the water?
A: The water is generally good in the Jaco area, but it is better to stick to bottled water as there can sometimes be bacteria and impurities that your stomach might not be used to.

Q: How many students are there in a class?
A: Spanish classes generally contain 5 or less students per instructor.

Q: What are the ages of most of the students?
A: The majority of our students are between the ages of 18 - 35.

Q: Will I have time during the session to travel on my own?
A: Yes, the weekends are free for independent travel. We also provide students with a travel planning class and a long weekend during the four week program

Back to the Top