What is the difference between San Jose, and San Isidro de El General, Costa Rica and how will it affect my Spanish Abroad experience?
How is San Jose different from San Isidro de El General?
San Jose and San Isidro de El General are both in Costa Rica. The similarities end there!
TEMPERATURE:
People who live within or near San Isidro love this perfectly sized mountain valley town. Located at 22,000 feet, you don’t experience the uncomfortably cold temperatures and windy climate of San José which settles high in the mountains at 3,500 feet. On the other hand, you also avoid the soaring heat and humidity of the beach areas. San Isidro is your ideal location to live and learn Spanish in Costa Rica.
CLIMATE:
Being only 3 hours in distance from each other, one would think that San José and San Isidro would have a relatively similar climate. But here in Costa Rica it’s all about ALTITUDE. If you want a cooler, cloudier climate go UP. If you want a warmer, sunnier climate go DOWN. The daily highs and lows of San Isidro vary as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit, as opposed to the 15 degree difference in San José.
One thing the two cities DO agree on is that they each have a dry season and a rainy season. The dry season runs from December to April. However, San Isidro’s temperatures are milder than San José temperatures, ranging from 60 – 87 degrees Fahrenheit (16 – 31 Celcius). There is only a slight difference in temperature during the dry or rainy season. For more information, you can check out this site: http://www.world-climates.com/city-climate-san-isidro-costa-rica-north-america/
In contrast, San José’s temperatures have a wider fluctuation (due to altitude) ranging from 57 – 81 degrees Fahrenheit (14 – 27 Celcius), but it also has a chill factor due to the exceedingly windy aspect of the city. Just as Chicago is the ‘windy city’ of the United States, San José can be called the ‘windy city’ of Costa Rica. You can check this site for more information on San Jose’s daily temperatures http://www.san-jose.climatemps.com/temperatures.php
Of the two cities, San Isidro has a much more pleasant temperature in which experience your Spanish Abroad program and is far closer to Costa Rica’s beautiful Pacific beaches (only a half hour away).
SAFETY FACTOR:
San Isidro, with its old-country flavor and stable population boasts an excellent safety rate for its inhabitants. Foreigner are welcomed. On the other hand, as half of the population of Costa Rica lives in San José, and as it is the home to many international businesses, San José is plagued with the same crime problems as any large metropolis around the world. At times, the American Embassy posts warnings regarding unsafe areas for foreigners in and around San José.
If you are considering learning Spanish in Costa Rica, and you are concerned about safety, San Isidro is the safer choice, whether you are thinking about San Jose and its outlying areas or even popular tourist beach destinations.
CULTURE:
As a bustling farming town, San Isidro reflects the rich culture of old Costa Rica, as compared to the internationally flavored metropolis of San José. In San Isidro, you are surrounded by people who mostly speak Spanish, making it the perfect place to experience the ‘real’ Costa Rica and her truly friendly people. People who have chosen SEPA Spanish School in San Isidro as their Spanish Abroad program have been especially excited about their immersion into the Costa Rica culture through homestay.
RESOURCES:
As far as resources are concerned, San José and San Isidro concur. Wi-Fi, internet, cell phone range, television reception, office support – all of these are available both in San Isidro and in San José.
