Welcome to Our Turrialba Campus

AEC Spanish Institute's Turrialba campus is located on the grounds of the world famous agricultural research center, CATIE. The grounds cover over 2000 acres and offer a wonderful learning environment The school building itself is a light gray turn of the century, plantation style single story house with a green tin roof. Located right next to the school are the botanical gardens through which students can walk around and enjoy the exotic flora of the tropics.

The school has a reception area with general information about CATIE and the surrounding countryside, Internet access, sitting room, kitchen, bathroom and three indoor classrooms. There are also three outdoor classrooms or ranchitos and a porch. In the back of the school the ranchitos are shaded by two very large and very old trees, which create a wonderful backdrop in which to have classes.

CATIE is currently in the midst of a major project to upgrade its facilities, which includes a visitor’s center, an improvement of the botanical gardens and a new museum. There is also a satellite campus of the University of Costa Rica near the school, which adds to the academic environment. The Reventazon River is a short 15-minute walk from the school through the grounds and is one of the most beautiful and important rivers in Costa Rica.

AEC Spanish Institute students are able to utilize the different services available at CATIE such as the bank, post office, office, library and cafeteria. They can also pay an extra fee to utilize the fully equipped gym, which has a sauna, aerobics and dance studio. There is also a club that students can join for $10 a month which entitles them to use the Olympic size swimming pool, ping pong and pool tables as well as an international restaurant. As members of the club students will be able to attend all special events and parties such as their Mother and Father's Day celebrations.

Since AEC Spanish Institute Turrialba is located on the grounds of CATIE its campus is truly the most extensive and impressive of any Spanish language school in Costa Rica.