Since this is a rural area, bilingual schools and private hospitals are either limited or nonexistent. Other services beyond the basics are difficult to come by as well due to the remoteness of the area.

1. Schools

La Fortuna has one public elementary school (takes children up to the age of 11) and one high school, or colegio (takes pupils up until the age of 18). In nearby Los Angeles there is a private school called Experimental Bilingual, which is a bilingual English/Spanish school. Nuevo Arenal has an elementary and a high school, both of which are said to be bilingual, though you should probably check that for yourself.

2. Hospitals and Clinics

Arenal has a small clinic and a pharmacy, as does Tilarán, but you would need to go to Cañas, about an hour’s drive west, for a full-service public hospital. La Fortuna has a few bilingual clinics and about five pharmacies, some of which have bilingual staff.

3. Dentists

There is at least one bilingual dentist in La Fortuna, but it’s always a good idea to check out the dentists in the San José area as well, as they may be able to provide a wider variety of dental surgery.