Universidad National (UNA)

San Pedro(a great street with loads of bars)Fofoes (near UNA, SPELLING MAY BE INCORRECT)Azzura cafe (near central park) El Bulevar bar.

I was very lucky and got a house to myself with the help of the program staff.

I had expected CR to be very cheap to live but with food I found it cheaper to eat in small resturants than to go to the supermarket. Also to travel, I found in some areas it to be very expensive.

I found it quite difficult to meet Ticos (costa ricans) They especially at the Uni were very uninterested in talking to a gringo. Even the students studing English!!!!!They seem to be worried about being emmbarrased.....I have made a few good friends but it has taken a long time and has not been easy.... I have travelled to more than 20 countries and have never had to try so hard. My spanish has suffered because Ticos tend not to ask more than is nessasary. I was living in a small town and I found that the people who talked to me were Ticos who had recently moved there....They were outsiders too. Nicaraguans were almost always ready to chat (They are outsiders too) I like the Ticos but they were not very interested in me, or many of the other students.

Curu is a cool place. Uvita. Cauita. Females should be prepared for the latin males. Crime aganist tourists is rife in CR. DO NOT walk at night in SAN JOSE. And always try to take you bags inside the bus.