I'm planning on studying abroad next year (January-June). What would be the best country to see around this time. I'm leaning towards Chile because the people seem more pleasant than in Costa Rica. What is recommended by those that have been to these countries? Thanks!

I haven't travelled to Chile, but have spent a bit of time in Costa Rica and I find ticos are very, VERY friendly and pleasant. Have you travelled in Costa Rica yet? Unless you have personal experience with a significant amount of people in Costa Rica not being pleasant, I wouldn't base your decision on that factor. Best of luck to you- studying abroad will be an awesome experience.

If your goal is to learn Spanish, I would suggest Chile. Many people in Costa Rica also speak English especially in touristy areas; hence I think you would learn Spanish faster in Chile since you would be forced to speak the language there.

People in Chile and Costa Rica are friendly.

Buena suerte!

Why do you think the people in Chile seem more pleasant? We have found the Costa Rican people (ticos) to be amazing, friendly, helpful, everything you would want. I haven't been to Chile, so can't really compare, but we love CR. Either one sounds like a great opportunity.

I'd say people are friendly in both countries. Chile has always seemed to me to be more "reserved" than Costa Rica. That doesn't mean it's unfriendly. I don't think it has the outward gregariousness that you find in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a tropical country; Chile is not. I love both places, but for different reasons.

I don't think any Latin American country can match Chile for efficiency. It's very modern, and it just works so well. I would never mistake it for the United States, howver. The place seems quite "foreign" to me.

Costa Rica is a lot closer (assuming you are in the United States), so airfare might not be as much.

I agree with Dariow: Many fewer people in Chile speak English, so you're forced to speak Spanish. I know so many people who come to Costa Rica to study Spanish and they spend all their time hanging out with other English-speaking students. Not that you are forced to do that or anything, but the temptation to hang out with other English speakers is a lot less in Chile. There are just fewer of them.

I would not like to say whether people are friendlier in Chile or Costa Rica, but the educational system is better in Chile and there is much more choice in where you might want to study. You will just have to resist the temptation to hang out with English speakers in both places.