San Jose, Costa Rica

1. San Jose, Costa Rica By: Brittany Guthridge, Olivia Brancati, Erin Allred, and Reed Austin

2. Why We Want To Visit Costa Rica • Costa Rica is a Spanish speaking country, and we would appreciate the opportunity to practice the language we have been studying for two years. • Costa Ricans are very friendly, and accepting of tourists. • Costa Rica is rich in culture, and has spectacular scenic views. • This trip would have educational value because the best way to get a better understanding of the Spanish language is to visit a Spanish speaking country.

3. Travel/Accommodations • Staying 8 days. • Leaving June 15, and coming back June 23. • We plan on staying at the Clarion Hotel Amon Plaza • Cost is $145 a night, per room. • Buffet breakfast is included • We will be exploring the city in city buses or taxis.

4. Weather in Costa Rica! • The average high temperature in Costa Rica in June is around 78˚ F. • The average rainfall for the month is around 11 inches. • It tends to be quite humid.

5. Dining Café del Teatro Nacional • Is a classic theater from the 1890’s. • We can experience the architecture, and the unique music that wafts in through the windows. • The café is open later when there is a show being performed. • Cheap prices that are in our budget. Sabores De Jerusalem • Some of the best Mediterranean food in Costa Rica • We could eat authentic food that we would never get to taste in the United States • A gathering place for tourists, and is an information center, so we can learn more about the country.

6. Beaches in Costa Rica • Tortequero – This beach is one of the best beaches in Costa Rica to experience wildlife first hand. • Starting at 6 p.m. baby turtles are out and about, and available to be viewed by the public. • While we’re staying at the beach, there is a national park nearby, and it is full of natural attractions, and places to learn about Costa Rica’s wildlife. • Wildlife includes bats, iguanas, monkeys, and much more. • There are many unique species of birds that fly by the beach, and it would be a great opportunity to go bird watching.

7. Braulio Carrillo – a Costa Rican National Park • There are 1,235 different species of Costa Rican plants and animals • We can go on hikes through the mountains, in order to get plenty of exercise.

8. Dining • Café Mundo • The food is international. • It is open virtually all day, so we could eat either lunch or dinner there. • The food is priced well for our budget. La Cocina de Lena • Food is classic Costa Rican. • It is located in downtown San Jose, so we can explore what the natives do on their nights off. • Main courses are affordably priced.

9. Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica • This theater has high quality performances, that would broaden our cultural understanding of the arts. • It is considered the oldest historical building in the capital • It’s exquisite interior would give us a new feel for architecture.

10. Vocabulary! • There are many words that we learned in our Spanish 2 class this year, that we can use on our trip to Costa Rica! Airport Words! Hotel Words! • El boleto - ticket • El equipaje - Luggage • El itinerario - Itinerary • El pasaporte - Passport • Pasar por la aduana – Pass through customs • Facturar el equipaje – to check one’s luggage • Casa de cambio – currency exchange office • El ascensor - elevator • La habitación – hotel room • La llave - key • La recepción – Reception desk

11. More Vocabulary! • Food Words • el agua – water • Comer – to eat • el pan - bread • costar – to cost • la cuenta – bill • pedir – to order • el sabor – flavor • El supermercado – super market • Cenar – to have dinner • Desayunar – to have breakfast Getting Around Town • A pie – by foot • La calle – street • En autobus – by bus • Encontrar – to find • Llegar – to arrive • Verlasatracciones- to go sightseeing • Visitar un museo – to visit a museum

12. The Many Rainforests of Costa Rica! • The rainforest is a beautiful place to experience nature in a different way. • In order to communicate with the natives, we will put our Spanish speaking skills to the test, and challenge ourselves.

13. Park Cafe Barbecue Los Anonos • Well prepared Costa Rican cuisine • Rustic wooden tables, so we can get a feel for historic Costa Rica • A restaurant that focuses on international cuisine. • The food is always changing, so if we ate there twice, we could experience something different each time. • The restaurant is rated 3 stars, and is reasonably priced.

14. More Vocabulary! • Montar a caballo – ride a horse • Agente de viajes – travel agent • Tomarfotos – to take photos • Acampar – to go camping • Dar unacaminata –to take a walk

15. Bibliography National Parks of Costa Rica http://centralamerica.com/cr/parks/mobraulio.htm We used this to find out about the national parks we want to visit. Disfruta http://gocentralamerica.about.com/od/costaricaguide/tp/CRBeaches.htm We found information about the beaches in Costa Rica. Go Visit Costa Rica http://www.govisitcostarica.com/category/entertainment/restaurants.asp?rID=3 We used this to find restaurants to eat at. Yahoo Travel http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2770692-pizzeria_il_pomodoro_san_jose-i;_ylt=A9j8e6_JpulLbSMBlA2JFWoL We used this to find more restaurants.  Frommer’s http://www.frommers.com/destinations/sanjosecostarica/D55915.html We used this to find information and reviews on places to go. Destinations 360 http:www.destination360.com/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-rainforest// We used this to find information about the many rain forests of Costa Rica