I am traveling to Costa Rica soon to live for at least three months, staying with a family and learning Spanish, the culture, and about the people. I am trying to decide between staying in Ciudad Colon or Santo Domingo (these are the two places where I have found teachers and a place to stay). Does anyone have any information about either place? What are each of these towns like? What are the people like? Are there a lot of foreigners who live there? What is the weather like? Thank you so much for your insights!
3
paulschmidtart
Both Colon and Santo Domingo are suburbs relatively close to San Jose but both generally pretty decent cities with kind of a small town, Tico feel. I have lived in Santo Domingo and liked it and you can be in San Jose in 20 minutes by bus or the larger city of Heredia next door. Ciudad Colon is a bit west of the city of San Jose but near Santa Ana and Escazu, the gringo favorites. In fact quite a few expats live in both cities which sometimes can be either a plus or a minus.
Tim, 37 visits and you have not been to these burgs ?
4
steve486435
i am thinking it is 38 visits but besides tim, who is counting? plus, it is hard to get out of the door at the del rey.
5
boomer1
Central Valley weather is considered amongst the best climates in the world- although I would pick Dec-May summertime with warm/hot days, 12 hours of sunshine and near zero humidity.
Most people find Ticos a pleasure to be with for their good manners and gentle helpful natures. They do tend to tell you whatever they think you want to hear as part of their "low conflict" nature and some people find this frustrating especially when trying to "get anything done".
6
solohobo
Yes I have been to those burbs, but there is a Santo Domingo small town south of SJ (actually 2 I know of).
Agree with Boomer/Paul.
7
wiremu
you can also take a look at the spanish school in samara. samara is a very nice beach area and you can find the school there and homestays also. i guess i don't understand why you are limiting yourself to these two choices when there are many more available.
if it is important to you to be near the city, that's one thing, but i would do some more checking around before making a decision.
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