Welcome to Our Dominical Campus

AEC Spanish Institute's Dominical campus is located in the beach town of Playa Dominical, which is on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast. Upon entering Dominical from the pacific coast highway, the school is situated on the right side, just across from the town’s soccer field, between the road and the river Baru. It is about 50 meters up the road from Dominical's main bus stop and the San Clemente restaurant.

Closer to the river is the main schoolhouse, a two-story building with wood borders and a great deal of character. The inside is all tropical woods and very well appointed, as well as unique. There are tables and chairs beside the river to do homework or rest and relax in the shade. Classes are held on the second floor or in outdoor "ranchitos", overlooking the river which runs along the property. An open-aired, netted classroom provides a perfect environment for your Spanish classes. The first floor of the school is ideal for conversation, study or just relaxing.

Up on the road is the main office for the school. The building is white and green with wood paneling, which is used as the computer room for the students’ use as well as for the school's staff. There is also a cabina in the front building that are for couples or families.

The setting of the campus is very tropical, with tall shady trees that keep the area cool. It is only a few minutes walk down to three internet cafes, four mini-supermarkets, 10 bar/restaurants, a bakery, and the beach!

Lodging Options

The Playa Dominical campus has both school lodging as well as homestays. Lodging at the school is in shared cabanas on the campus grounds and each cabana has room for two or three students with a private bath and every student receives breakfast in the main building at 8:30am.

The host families are located in nearby beach communities south to the town of Dominicalito . Walking to the campus takes between 10 and 35 minutes depending on the host family location. Free van service is provided for those outside of a 15 minute walk each weekday morning. Free van transportation is provided back to your host families in the afternoons and evenings after any AEC Spanish Institute sponsored after school activity including medical visitations. Inexpensive local bus and taxi service is also available, although no taxi service is available late in the evenings.

AEC Spanish Institute also has a quiet attractively landscaped near beach cabinas known as Montanas de Aqua, on the outskirts of Dominical that is available upon request. These cabinas are a 5 minute walk from the school and two minute walk from the main surfing beach. Special larger furnished apartments are available for family use. The apartments give students a quieter study environment, than our on campus cabinas, which are closer to all the activities of this beach community.

A limited number of air conditioned cabinas are available at Montanas de Agua. At an additional cost of $25 per week. Those students wishing air conditioned cabinas should include a request for A.C. in the "special requests" section of your registration form. Every effort will be made to
secure one for you dependent upon availability.