The capital of Costa Rica, San Jose is the geographical center of the country and its cultural heart. The Teen Summer Spanish and Surf camp begins each session here for the first two nights. We also finish up our program with one final night in the city before students fly home.

Although the city was founded in 1737, its importance to the people and the culture didn't start until the beginning of the nineteenth century. It was made the permanent capital of the country in the late 1820s taking over from the colonial capital of Cartago. During the latter part of last century, Costa Rica experienced a boom in coffee as this crop became its main economic factor. Many wealthy joséfinos (people who live in San Jose) decided to build luxurious mansions as well as public buildings. One of the city's most famous landmarks, the National Theater was built at this time. The building was based on the design of the Paris opera house. In fact, much of the architecture of the city at this time was borrowed from American and European influences.

Early in the 1970s one of these historic Victorian mansions was renovated and turned into the Hotel Rosa del Paseo. This elegant small hotel has a great deal of character and is very centrally located. During the Teen camps stay in San Jose, this is where the students reside. All the rooms and the main reception area were completely updated in 2000. It still has the old turn of the century charm but now with modern conveniences.

It is from San Jose that we do our rafting trip. Students are picked up early in the morning and driven one and half hours to breakfast in the town of Turrialba. From there it is another 30 minutes to the Pacuare River. This is the most famous rafting destination in Central America. Students spend over 6 hours on the river and at the end are driven back to San Jose and the hotel.

Near to the hotel are the restaurants that will be visited while in San Jose. Machu Picchu is a Peruvian restaurant and is one of the most popular and best in the city. Maria Bonitas is a family run place with great Costa Rican and Central American cuisine. Tin Ho specializes in dishes from India, China and the Far East. Each restaurant is recognized for its quality and distinctiveness.

San Jose is a city with a great deal to offer. There are more theaters in San Jose than anywhere else in Latin America. Its museums are many and varied, with something to offer just about any interest. From the Gold Museum's excellent display of Pre-Columbian artifacts to the funky and sometimes disturbing exhibits at the Criminal Justice Museum, no two are alike.

San Jose, the city that stretches across Costa Rica's pastoral past and connects it to its technological and economic future.