I will be going to the Intercultura Spanish school in Heredia for a week in Feb. Since I need to make the best use of my free time:

1. does anyone have a suggestion about what to see/do on the Sunday before classes begin on Monday? Maybe before I go I can sign up for an exursion with the school on that Sunday.

2. Is there enough to see in Heredia in the evenings or should I venture into San Jose during the evenings?

3. Since I will be alone is there is anything to be concerend with being in Heredia or San Jose in the evenings?

4. Assume best way to get into SJO is by bus from Heredia?
Thanks for the info.

Not that you'll want to hang out in the mall, but they've just opened a new one in Heredia, and you might enjoy making comparisons!

There is a cool market in Heredia you'll want to check out. I think you could easily spend your Sunday afternoon just enjoyed Heredia town. The market, the park, etc. There is a nice little restaurant I've always like called Cafe Petit Paris. You can buy helado and cafe and just catch your breath before starting class.

Are you doing a homestay? Enjoy yourself! Language study in Costa Rica is a fun adventure!

If you have the full Sunday and want to do something more extensive of the area, I'd recommend the Highlights Of Costa Rica tour. I did this one Saturday during my homestay near Heredia.

I called the Hotel Don Carlos, talked to the tour manager, Juan Carlos, and he signed me up with Ecoscape Tours for this 10 hour day. It is FANTASTIC--takes you all over the place. I won't elaborate because you can look it up online.

I took a taxi to the Hampton Inn Suites where the tour group picked me up and dropped me off. It was about a 10 minute taxi ride and very inexpensive.

You may want to venture into San Jose with a group one evening and check out El Pueblo, a mall of artisan shops, restaurant, bars, and clubs. Fun and safe night spot.

Also, you can catch a movie at the nearby Real Cariari Mall (the school will probably offer you this option). The new mall in Heredia may have theatres as well. Have a great time!

Heredia, from what I saw of it, seemed to be a fun little University town. The market was fun to go through. Plenty of Internet cafes which I used frequently.

I am sure you will make friends quickly at the school and have people to explore with. Going on an excursion Sunday would give you a good opportunity to get to know some of them. I know I certainly did. That is just the nature of things there. Everyone is away from home and looking for a friend or two. One of my best buddies ended up being a very sweet young Dutch girl about 30 years my junior. She was going on to do some volunteer work after her classes ended.

I would be careful about venturing into SJ by yourself unless you know the areas. In general, the even numbered streets (SJ is divided in that the even numbered streets are in one area and the odd in another-not every other street like most places)are the ones to be cautious around although there can be problems anywhere. I have walked around certain areas (Amon district and the central area around the Gran Hotel) by myself with no problem during the day.

Have fun and learn lots.

thanks for the great info. I checked out the HIghlights Tour and it really looks good. It may be just what I need to see as much of the country as I can in a short time period. I think I can tour Heredia in my afternoons after class and probably wouldn't get the chance to travel out of town during the week. I have been to both Cuernavaca and Oxaca to schools and agree that it is very easy to make friends. There always seems to be a lot of other students that are in the same boat. I have made some really good friends at the other schools. I usually am very cautious when traveling to other countries when in unfamiliar territory so the advice about SJ is well heeded.

Have a wonderful time! As if that needed to be said. . .

You'll love the highlights tour--small groups, excellent guide (my experience, anyway).