International Teaching in Costa Rica Between the Jungle and the Sea

Teach abroad at Del Mar Academy (DMA), Costa Rica, a K-12 bilingual school nestled on 11 environmentally rich acres and surrounded by a bio-diverse tropical dry forest. Located minutes from some of the most beautiful beaches in Latin America, DMA offers an experience of a school that is literally between the jungle and the sea!

DMA’s mission is to provide its community of local and international students with an excellent bilingual (Spanish and English) education that fosters a love of life and learning, caring for the environment and the community, global consciousness, and a belief in each student’s power to make positive changes.

Located on the Nicoya Peninsula, Nosara is a popular destination among surfers, yoga enthusiasts, families, and nature lovers. A place of tranquility and natural beauty, Nosara is an open, multicultural community where concern for environmental sustainability is part of daily life. The surfing in Nosara is considered some of the best in the world, with beaches suited for beginner, intermediate, or advanced surfers. Teachers who enjoy dryland pursuits are drawn to Nosara for opportunities to hike or bike along coastal and mountain trails. The Nicoya Peninsula is designated as a Blue Zone, which means it is home to more centenarians than most places in the world. Could it be a diet rich in fresh fish and fruit? Or the focus on health and wellness? If you ask most people, they will simply say it’s the Pura Vida.

Certified by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education, DMA currently enrolls 300 K-12, culturally and economically diverse students, 40% of whom are Costa Rican. The academic program spans from the primary level, grounded in Dr. Maria Montessori’s philosophy, to the International Baccalaureate Middle School and Diploma Programmes, delivered from Grades 7–12. Unifying the curriculum are three key elements: student-centered, project-based learning; an innovative Spanish/English bilingual program; and a strong environmental education program, with access to the tremendous natural resources surrounding campus and beyond. The school expounds,

You know about AI, well at DMA we believe in NI, natural intelligence. This means that students can explore, investigate, and be stewards for the rich flora and fauna right on campus. Our proximity to the beach means that students visit the tidepools, estuaries, and river deltas on class trips to carry out research and understand how we are just one part of the interconnectedness of nature. At DMA we believe that nature is our teacher!

DMA’s scholarship program allows students from the local community, who may not otherwise have the means to study at an international school, to attend DMA. Likewise, the school is enriched by these linguistically and culturally diverse students. While DMA follows a North American school calendar, it celebrates Costa Rican customs and traditions, providing a rich cultural experience to both expatriate students and overseas teaching staff.

DMA hires certified, experienced teachers of diverse profiles, including couples with a non-teaching partner. International teaching candidates need not hold an academic degree in the subject they will be teaching, and there is no age limit to obtain a work visa in Costa Rica.

For those teaching abroad, the benefits package includes allowances for moving, housing, and annual airfare. Tuition is free for up to two dependents per teacher. Other bonuses include subsidized lunch; Spanish lessons; corporate rates on national flights, rental cars, taxis; afterschool childcare; and afterschool activities for school-aged dependents. DMA offers a professional development stipend for teachers pursuing advanced degrees. All teachers are enrolled in the Costa Rican health care system.

To gain access to Del Mar Academy’s full profile on the Search Associates database, including a list of any vacancies, candidates can apply for membership by clicking here. Candidates already registered can easily access the school profile directly through their dashboards.

Please note: The information presented about this school was valid on the date published. This information may change, and the most up-to-date information can be found on the school profile.