Heredia is the capital city of the Heredia Province, one of the most beautiful provinces of Costa Rica. Nestled in the foothills of the dormant Barva Volcano, Heredia is surrounded by lush green hills dotted with coffee plantations, tropical forests, and national parks, offering ISA students the ideal location for exploring the region's natural beauty. Only 11 kilometers (less than 7 miles) from San José, the capital city of Costa Rica, students also have easy access to all the city has to offer.

Founded in 1705, Heredia is filled with well-preserved examples of colonial architecture. The most famous and majestic is the church of La Inmaculada Concepción, one of the oldest churches in the country. The church is located in Heredia's Central Park in the heart of the city and is surrounded by lively plazas, restaurants, and stores. The charming center of Heredia is the perfect place to people-watch, meet with friends, or chat with local Heredianos.

With several notable universities, the student population of Heredia is quite significant, and both international and local students alike bring a unique personality to the town. ISA students in Heredia enjoy many of the advantages of a big city, including excellent cafés, patisseries, ice cream parlors, vegetarian and health food, and several options for nightlife, while retaining the more relaxed pace of a smaller city.

Of course, the bustling city of San José is nearby and conveniently-reached using public transportation. Day or night, an affordable and quick 40-minute bus ride brings students to the capital and cultural center of Costa Rica. Museums, theater, live music, diverse cuisine, and exciting nightlife are readily available in San José, a vibrant and entertaining Latin American capital.

Church of La Inmaculada Concepción: The most majestic of Heredia's numerous examples of colonial architecture, this church was constructed in 1796 and is one of the oldest in Costa Rica. The church bells were imported from Cuzco, Perú and can still be heard ringing throughout the nearby plazas.

Parque Central (Central Park): A popular place to gather, talk, and relax, Heredia's main park is home to lush gardens, fountains, and several monuments. The Casa de Cultura is located across from the park and is a pleasant place to enjoy visiting art exhibits.

Barva Volcano: Heredia is nestled in the foothills of the Barva Volcano, one of the few Costa Rican volcanoes that can be climbed by tourists. Located inside the nearby Braulio Carrillo National Park, students enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding lush, green hills and landscape that gives Heredia the nickname "City of Flowers".

Cafe Britt Plantation: The Cafe Britt Roastery is located in Mercedes Norte, on the way to the village of Barva in Heredia, Costa Rica. Daily, the roastery offers an educational and entertaining one-and-a-half hour tour, which is a "stage play on a coffee farm." The tour is a must-see for coffee lovers! For more information, see http://www.cafebritt.com/Coffeetour/OurTours.cfm?aff=ct

Museo de Cultura Popular: The Museo de Cultura Popular, founded in 1994, is located in Santa Lucia de Barva. The museum in partnership with different sectors of the community develops programs, projects, and activities to fostor learning and preserve cultural practices of Costa Rica's heritage.

San José: A quick and affordable bus or train ride from Heredia gives students the opportunity to enjoy the bustling capital of San José and all of its cultural offerings. To learn more about points of interest in nearby San José, please visit the ISA San José Culture Corner.

POPULAR PHRASES
pura vida - "pure life"; can mean hello, goodbye, cool (the phrase that represents the essence of Costa Rica, "everything's great")
mae - dude, man, friend (very common between good friends).
chunche - knicknack, thing
qué tuanis/que chiva - how cool
estoy limpio - I'm broke
bulto - backpack
¡Upe! - "Anyone home?" when knocking on a door
con mucho gusto - with pleasure (used instead of "de nada")
de hoy en ocho- one week from today

ENLA CALLE avenida - avenue
calle - street
carretera - highway edificio – building
¡alto! -stop!
esquina - corner
cien metros - one block
paralela - parallel
acera - sidewalk
cruzar, atravesar - to cross
semáforo - street light
tráfico - traffic
carro - car
bus - bus
camión - truck
parada - bus stop
botella - bottle
llamada por cobrar- collect call
cobrador - ticket collector
boca - appetizer
conductor/chofer - bus driver
guiar - to guide, to drive

ENLA CLASEaula - classroom
profesor - professor
escritorio, pupitre - desk
catedrático - department headdecano – dean
pizarra - blackboard
materia/asignatura - subject (class)
tiza - chalk
curso - course
borrador - eraser
apuntes/notas - notes
borrar - to erase
notas - grades
oficina - office
aprobar/pasar - to pass
horas de consulta - office hours
perder el curso - to fail
horario - schedule, timetable
programa - syllabus
examen - exam
parcial - midterm
prueba – quiz

DE TIENDAStienda por departamentos - department store
papelería - paper goods store
librería - bookstore
biblioteca - library
farmacia - pharmacy
mercado - market
panadería - bakery
supermercado - supermarket
pescadería - fish store
soda - cafeteria
billete - bill
carnicería – butchery store
colón -  national currency
verdulería - fruit and vegetable store
repostería - pastry shop
heladería - ice cream shop
pulpería - grocery store
ferretería - hardware store
verdulería – vegetable and fruit store
peluquería - hairdresser
salón de belleza - beauty parlor

ENLA CASA entrada - entrance
salida - exit
almohada - pillow
cuarto/habitación - room
sábana - sheet
ducha - shower
colchón - mattress
lavatorio/lavamanos - bathroom sink
tina - bathtub
dormitorio - bedroom
comedor - dining room
papel higiénico - toilet paper
baño - bathroom
jabón - soap
cocina - kitchen
cepillo de dientes - toothbrush
pasta de dientes - toothpaste
toalla/paño - towel
balcón - balcony
cama – bed

COMIDAdesayuno - breakfast
almuerzo - lunch
cena - supper
arroz - rice
atún - tuna
pan integral - wheat bread
café con leche - coffee w/milk
aceite - oil
chorizo - spicy red sausage
salchicha - hot dog sausage
té - tea
mantel - tablecloth
verduras/vegetales - vegetables
tostada - toast
galleta - cookie
mantequilla - butter
lechuga - lettuce
avena - oatmeal
mermelada - marmalade, jelly
tomate - tomato
cebolla - onion
ajo - garlic
sal - salt cajeta – confection made of sweetened caramelized milk.