Teens have fun learning Spanish and surfing in Costa Rica

The world as we know it has certainly shrunk a great deal due to the interconnectivity of the internet, and especially social media like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc. When the number one music video rocketing around the world is from South Korea (“Gangnam Style”), and kids in places like Costa Rica have memorized the dance steps, you know the world is smaller. International travel is relatively commonplace for families, and it’s not unusual for kids and teens to already have several stamps in their passports. Still, sending your teen off to another country on their own is a big deal for most parents.

“It’s important to expand a teen’s world view with travel,” remarks Nancy Black, writer and mother of two teen boys from Santa Barbara, California. “This broader perspective provides a huge amount of empathy, and the understanding that not all people live the same way, and that there are many ways. Experiencing cultural differences opens new possibilities. It also fosters a kind of gratitude for things taken for granted in the U.S., where hot showers are standard, if you travel somewhere without them for example.”

Costa Rica’s Del Mar Surfing Academy offers teens (ages 13-19) the life-changing opportunity to travel to another country, be immersed in Spanish language and Central American culture, and learn the fun sport of surfing on one and two-week camps. Run by two mothers, Bettina del Rio and Maria del Mar, they both well know the big decisions involved for parents and teens to choose an international learning program.“Surrounded by culture, traditions and language in an experiential camp with others will be sure to change their lives forever,” explains Del Mar Surfing Academy Director Bettina del Rio. “We are aware of the big responsibility and have the passion to share all of the activities that our kids are able to experience in Costa Rica with your kids. We are really lucky to live in a place like Costa Rica, and think that it is very important that teens have these types of experiences at a young age. This trip will mark their lives in a positive way. We can’t wait to have the chance to show you how wonderful the experience is.”

Del Mar Surfing Academy offers 7-night and 14-night surf camps perfect for beginners up to advanced surfers. On Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast, Del Mar Surfing Academy holds programs based at the small and lovely beachfront Monterey del Mar Hotel in Playa Esterillos Este. The quiet, mostly residential beach is perfect for surf programs with its moderate waves, yet only 10 minutes away from more challenging surf at Playa Hermosa.  Not to be excluded at all, del Rio said parents are more than welcome to join their teens and enjoy the tropical beauty and delightful warm seas of Costa Rica. Parallel surf vacation programs for adults are offered via Del Mar Surf Camp, or parents can just take down time on a beach holiday and see their teens in the evenings.


For more information, contact Del Mar Surfing Academy and Del Mar Surf Camp.