Costa Rica is for lovers - More Than a Couples Vacation
We talk a lot about solo travel. We’re proud that we’ve created a space that welcomes individual people traveling from all over the world. Since the day we opened our door, solo travelers have come to School of the World and developed life-long friendships and connections with other like-minded adventure seekers.
With all of the love that we have for our individual students, we also want to share the stories of students that have traveled to School of the World as a pair. For over 20 years, we have welcomed couples from all over the world. Sharing a learning adventure with someone that you love is an experience unlike any other. We linked up with some of our favorite couples that we’ve spent time with in Jacó, and asked them what they enjoyed most about their time at School of the World.
School of the World Couple Testimonials
Steven and Brittany – Atlanta, Georgia, USA
What courses did you enroll in during your stay?
Steven: Brittany and I both enrolled in yoga, but I also took surf lessons. We both enjoyed the classes and the instructors. Neither of us regularly practice yoga, and this was my first time learning to surf! After yoga practice, we definitely shared some laughs when discussing which poses we could and could not get into. Brittany also set in to catch some footage of my first day of surfing! Participating in structured classes in the midst of experiencing a new culture was very exciting for us.
Why did you decide to travel to School of the World together?
Brittany: My husband and I love spending our free time together! We both work long hours, so it’s important to us that we spend our time doing things that enrich our relationship. School of the World was an amazing opportunity to learn new skills as individuals, but also explore a different country together. Everyone at School of the World, including the other students, encouraged us to engage with the local people and culture. We connected with other students from all over the world, including other couples that were staying at the school.
Did you venture off and do any of your own exploring away from Jacó?
Brittany: We were at School of the World for one week. One day, we decided to rent a car and drive around the surrounding area. The staff helped us line up a rental car and gave us some tips on the best places to visit. We explored some sites with mangroves, a coffee plantation and even went off the beaten path into some rural areas. We stopped in a small town and had lunch and walked around the local shops. We both really enjoyed this day and it was a great addition to our time at School of the World!
Marc and Melissa – Montreal, Canada
Did you and your partner enroll in the same courses during your stay?
Melissa: Marc and I stayed at SOTW for one week. We both decided to enroll in the surfing course. The lessons were particularly great! The instructors were caring and insightful teachers that could adapt to all levels. They would also assign you a surf board that fits your shape and experience, which made the process smoother. There were a few times we got to go out during the magical sunset, which was a great memory that Marc and I shared!
What was your favorite thing about your School of the World stay as a couple?
Marc: The memories we made with the other guests were what made it an amazing trip. We are grateful to have met people from all walks of life, and to have been able to develop relationships and memories that will last forever. SOTW should be a must do on any couples travel list. We will definitely come back in the future!
Chris and James – Tampa, Florida, USA
What is your favorite thing about traveling with your partner?
Chris: James and I love traveling together. We’ve been to multiple cities in Europe and all across the United States and Canada together. James is a very laid back travel buddy, which makes the entire journey enjoyable, even in stressful situations. As someone who has been to School of the World as a solo traveler, my experience with James was a fresh and exciting adventure. When traveling solo, it’s hard to fully translate your experiences to someone who wasn’t there. During our time at School of the World we created countless memories, met some really cool people and we definitely embraced the Pura Vida lifestyle!
How was your time to School of the World different from other trips you’ve been on together?
Chris: School of the World was the first time James had ever stayed in a shared space while traveling. During my solo travel I’ve stayed in hostels and schools similar to School of the World, so it wasn’t new for me. I was so happy that he embraced and loved the community aspect just as much as I do. We’ve also never been on a “learning vacation” together. We split up our courses based on our interests. Spanish is my thing and James wanted to try out surfing, but we both enrolled in yoga. The result of sharing and splitting our classes provided us with countless topics to discuss each night at dinner. We really loved being able to feed our own desires while coming together at the end of the day. It was definitely a trip that we’ll never forget, and I’m here to say that I had just as great of a trip during my stay with James as I did as a solo traveler!
Hugues and Maryse – Montreal, Canada
What are some of your favorite travels with your partner?
Hugues: Maryse and I love to travel together! We’ve been on so many amazing trips and our time in Jacó is at the top of the list! Besides Costa Rica, we’ve been to multiple cities in Central and South America including Cuba and three weeks of backpacking through Colombia. We are adventure seekers and always try to incorporate excitement and thrill into our trips. We chose School of the World because we wanted to learn how to surf together – a new sport for both of us. We also wanted to meet new people and connect with the local community. It’s easy to say that School of the World did not disappoint. It’s definitely one of our favorite adventures together.
What made your time at School of the World unique?
Maryse: Our trip to School of the World was the first trip Hugues and I have been on where we had the opportunity to easily connect with so many fellow travelers. We quickly became friends with the other students and we felt a true sense of community at the school. From the other students, the staff and even the owner, everyone was incredibly welcoming and truly made us feel like we were at home. It’s hard to find that sense of family in typical travel situations. We’re thankful we found SOTW!
What made your time at School of the World unique?
Maryse: The moment when Hugues and I caught a wave together was the feeling of a lifetime! Everything about our stay exceeded our expectations and brought us closer together. We’re both so thankful for the opportunity to experience School of the World and all that it has to offer travelers and adventurers!
Book Your International Couple’s Learning Trip
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