Culture CornerWhat's San José Like? Pacific sunset in Costa Rica The capital city and cultural center of Costa Rica, San José offers countless possibilities for ISA participants! The attractions of the city, the surrounding natural beauty, and the close proximity to the ocean and national parks make San José an ideal location. Open-air cafés abound in the city. With Costa Rica's reputation for wonderful coffee these are great places to have a café con leche while studying or relaxing. San José also offers many interesting choices to excite the palate. Students will be able to enjoy everything from Thai, Italian, and Lebanese to the traditional Costa Rican dish of gallo pinto. Downtown San José has many good museums and manicured plazas. On weekends, these plazas become the stage for street performers, bands, and other cultural presentations. There are movie theaters throughout the city and several within 20 minutes of the ISA office. These theaters play movies from around the globe. Live performance is also very popular. Don't miss seeing a performance at the historic Teatro Nacional. San José is well-known for its vibrant nightlife. Several areas of the city are lined with restaurants and dance clubs where live music ranging from reggae to Rock en Español can be heard. Of course, being in Latin America, you'll have plenty of opportunities to practice your salsa and merengue. Naturally, the best part will be experiencing all of this and discovering Costa Rica for yourself! Points of Interest in the CityThe city of San José offers numerous attractions and things to keep you busy in your free time. The city has a great array of shops, restaurants, discotecas, theaters, and movie theaters, along with plenty of local gyms that students can take advantage of. There is even a nearby climbing gym for climbing enthusiasts! Your resident directors will provide you with a complete guide of things to do and places to go in and around the city, along with maps of the city and country. There will also be weekly postings in the ISA office of cultural activities and upcoming events. Below you can see a list of activities you should not miss while in San José! These attractions are a great way to spend a free afternoon or keep friends and family entertained when they come to visit. All are fun (and educational) in one way or another. Enjoy! MUSEUMS Museo de Arte Costarricense - This small museum at the end of Paseo Colón in Parque La Sabana was formerly an airport terminal. Today it houses a collection of works in all media by Costa Rica's most celebrated artists. On display are some exceptionally beautiful pieces in a wide range of styles, demonstrating how Costa Rican artists have interpreted and imitated the major European movements over the years. In addition to the permanent collection of sculptures, paintings, and prints, there are regular temporary exhibits. If the second floor is open during your visit, be sure to go up and have a look at the conference room's base-relief walls, which chronicle the history of Costa Rica from pre-Columbian times to the present with evocative images of its people. Museo de Los Niños (Children's Museum) - This museum houses an extensive collection of exhibits designed to entertain children of all ages. Experience a simulated earthquake, or make music by dancing across the floor. Many of the exhibits encourage hands-on play. This museum sometimes features limited shows of "serious" art and is also the home to the new National Auditorium. The Children's Museum has been a favorite of students in past programs. Museos del Banco Central de Costa Rica (Gold Museum) - Located directly beneath the Plaza de la Cultura, this unusual underground museum houses one of the largest collections of pre-Columbian gold in the Americas. On display are more than 20,000 ounces of gold in more than 2,000 objects. This museum complex also includes a gallery for temporary art exhibits, a modest gift shop, and a branch of the Costa Rican Tourist Institute's information center. Ministerio de Cultura, Juventud y Deportes (National Arts Center) - Occupying a full city block, this was once the National Liquor Factory (FANAL). Now it houses the offices of the Cultural Ministry, several performing-arts centers, and the Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporaneo. The latter has featured several impressive traveling international exhibits since its inception, including large retrospectives by Mexican painter José Cuevas and Ecuadorian painter Oswaldo Guayasamin. If you're looking for modern dance, experimental theater, or a lecture on Costa Rican film, this is the place to check out. RECREATIONAL PARKS Zoo Ave - Dozens of scarlet macaws, reclusive owls, majestic raptors, several different species of toucans, and a host of brilliantly colored birds from Costa Rica and around the world make this an exciting place to visit. Bird-watching enthusiasts will be able to get an up-close and personal glimpse of many exotic birds. There are also large iguana, deer, and monkey exhibits. Remember to look out for the 12-foot-long crocodile. Zoo Ave houses only injured, donated, or confiscated animals. PERFORMING ARTS Costa Rica has an incredible modern dance scene. Both the University of Costa Rica and the National University have modern-dance companies that perform regularly in various venues in San José. The Ministerio de Cultura, Juventud y Deportes also hosts the National Company of Modern Dance. The National Symphony Orchestra is respected worldwide for its performances. The National Symphony Orchestra season runs from March through November, with concerts roughly every other weekend at the Teatro Nacional. HOT SPOTS There are also a number of online publications with listings of things to do and places to visit. Arts studio magazine (http://www.artstudiomagazine.com) is a well known online magazine where you can find information about major arts events in the central valley. San José Volando (http://www.sanjosevolando.com/) lists restaurants in and around San José, as well as the newest hangouts and places to go during the evenings. MOVIES Helpful PhrasesPOPULAR PHRASES EN LA CALLE avenida - avenue EN LA CLASE aula - classroom TIENDAS almacén - department store EN LA CASA entrada - entrance COMIDA desayuno - breakfast |
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