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San Jose, the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, is the oldest democracy in Latin America with no military. It is highly governmentalised with universal public schooling, health care, a pension system and other aspects of what is essentially a somewhat paternalistic social democratic government.The Climate in San Jose Costa Rica can be different at all times depending of the route of the winds and yearly seasons, some times in the latter months of the year it is colder than the months at the middle. For many Costa Ricans the coolest temperatures in San Jose are equal to high (warm) temperatures for a Northern American Citizen or some one from a country with a snow season. When you view the size of Costa Rica, then you can understand why weather temperatures differ from one city to another across short distances, unless the Caribbean weather suffers a major event in the atmosphere. You can see why it makes for such a great study abroad trip. Visit www.studentuniverse.com for cheap student airfare to San Jose, Costa Rice.

San Jose Pictures

Things to do in San Jose

The Museo Oro Precolombino, under Plaza de la Cultura, is a collection that consists of 1600 pieces of Pre-Columbian gold ork dating from 500 AD to 1500 AD. Information is given on the processing and making of the pieces as well as their social, cultural, and religious meanings. At the same place you will also find The Numismatic Museum and The Temporary Exhibition Galleries. There is a nice museum shop and a tourist office at the entrance. San Jose also features tons of casinos, mostly located in hotels. There are also many different rafting trips, canopy tours, coffee farms, butterfly farms, volcano tours, and much more.

Nightlife in San Jose

El Cafetai de la Luz is known to have slow service, but very elegant, and attached to the Clarion Hotel in barrio Amon. El Pueblo is a shopping center which becomes a clubbing district at night. There are several bars and nightclubs cluttered in the tiny little alleyways. Just mention El Pueblo to your taxi and he’ll know where to go. When leaving, the taxis parked outside the gates are cheaper than the ones that are waiting for you within the compound.

Colleges and Classes in San Jose

Costa Rica in general, and San José in particular, is a great place to improve your Español. Many people can speak some English and there are many Spanish classes available, including at the Universidad de Costa Rica, as well as “immersion” classes in private homes. Intensa, with locations in San Jose, Alajuela and Escazu, offers conversational lessons as well as home stays. Wayra Instituto De Español has programs that run from 1-4 weeks, there’s an option to include a surf course, the school is in Tamarindo Beach. Natural Spanish has ecological tours, cooking and dancing lessons included. Centro Panamericano De Idiomas has locations in Heredia, Monteverde and Flamingo Beach. The Flamingo location offers a chance to obtain an Open Water Diver Certification.

Travel From San Jose

Being the capital, San José is the hub for all travel in Costa Rica. You can take the local buses or the more expensive bus services from Interbus or Gray Line Fantasy Bus. There is also a lot of smaller airports dotted around the country for minor destination hopping. There is a tourist exit tax to leave the country. You can pay for it at a bank and get a receipt or wait in the line at the airport. Pay the tax as soon as you arrive at the airport so you don’t miss your flight and arrive with cash. Tobias Bolanos Airport in Pavas serves as Nature Air’s hub for flights within the country and also has 4 flights per week to Bocas del Toro, Panama. Nature Air used to fly to Granada, Nicaragua as well, but as of April 2007, the flights have been discontinued due to the poor condition of the runway in Granada.A trip to Jaco on the Pacific Coast is a delight, although the highway that goes there is not a superhighway. Surfing is great, and since many young chefs are surfers, you can get some really great dining at amazingly low prices. A little farther down the coast, a stop at Manuel Antonio National Park is a must.

San Jose Study Abroad Tips

• Traffic is very dangerous in San Jose.
• People in San Jose are very friendly.
• Hold on to your passport as they are stolen more in Costa Rica than any other country.