Hey Hombre’s

Here is my dilemma, Im all set to go to San Jose CR for a semester abroad through my university and Im having second thoughts. Im thinking that Buenos Aires might be the better place to go. I havent visited either place.
My top concerns are, #1 crime, Im not worried about strongarm robberies I just don’t want to get kidnapped or shot.
#2 The cost of living. My tuition is about the same for both places, looks like the chicas are a little more in BA, but they look well worth it. I will monger hard core the week before classes begin, but then will have to hold it to one or two a week to maintain my budget, so im looking more at rent, food and non chica entertainment costs…..If im going to change plans and to to argentina instead, I have to get the paperwork started pretty soon, I don’t know what the hell to do……ALL ADVICE IS VERY VERY WELCOME

Travis - if you are in Costa Rica full time you will easily find a pretty Tica who will want to be by your side all of the time. There are plenty of cheap mongering places $10 - $15 for 1/2 hour. For me that would be a no-brainer. Costa Rica is a beautiful country with very friendly people and extremely passionate girls. I don't know where you would be going to school but I assume it would be in San Pedro which is close to heaven. There are 1,000's of fine ladies there who want to make something of themselves. If you want whores go to Gringo Gulch if you want to find a regular girl you will have so many you won't be able to decide. After you hvae been there a while you will have a harem of girls for Sex if you don't fall in love 1st. Go to Costa Rica and stay away from the gringo populated areas. You will never want to leave. I have been to Costa Rica 19 times and never stayed less than 10 days on any trip. Trust me you will love it there.

[Note: This question, and my reply, were posted on the chat board as well.]

Travis,

I doubt you can really go wrong with either choice. Study abroad is a great way to broaden your horizons and get exposure to other cultures.

Other than street crime, which you say doesn't concern you too much, both countries are relatively safe for foreign students and visitors.

Because of the current economic crisis, BA has had, and will most likely continue to have, some political instability, including public demonstrations and street riots but I wouldn't worry about my safety there.

Costa Rica is very stable and likely to continue that way. Street crime is a problem here but with common sense and good judgment you can go anywhere you want without undue concern for safety.

Perhaps the determining factor should be the program itself. I don't know anything about the universities and forgeign study programs offered in BA. However, I know a great deal about the opportunities in Costa Rica.

I live in San Pedro, the heart of the university district of Costa Rica and have two stepdaughters attending private universities here. I've also been on faculty at universities here, and several members of my wife's family provide homestays for foreign students.

Costa Rica is one of the most popular foreign study locations in Latin America - for good reason. Most of the foreign study programs here are well organized and well run. The recreational opportunities are numerous and most of the programs have excursions and activities planned every weekend.

There are always a few students who don't adjust well to living abroad, become homesick, etc., and don't enjoy their stay here. However, almost all of the students have a great time and give very positive recommendations of their programs.

As far as costs go, Costa Rica isn't cheap but doesn't have to be expensive either. I'm sure you already have the cost of homestays through your program. Most students opt for a homestay because it includes meals and provides the cultural experience of living with a Costa Rican family. If you prefer to live independently, you can find one bedroom apartments in the university district starting at about $150/month but I'd budget $200 to $250. Most food and entertainment costs will run about the same as you would spend in university areas in the States. Some things are much cheaper (such as movies), but other things are more expensive.

I can't really give you a comparision with BA, but I can tell you that I'm fairly certain you wouldn't have any regrets about spending your term abroad in Costa Rica.

Good luck and best wishes,
TG

Hey Travis if you go to CR be sure not to hit on TG's stepdaughters, lol.

We need picture's of TG's stepdaughters so that we know who to avoid.

CP

Travis,

You should listen to the above advice. Each country has its virtues for everything you could want from a study abroad program, relatively safe, decent accomodations, easy to travel within the country etc..The decision should be based on the quality of the program or your interest in city life vs. outdoor activities. San Jose can't compare to BA as a city. The countryside in Costa Rica is much more readily available. Mongering or non-pro chicas will be available in both places. Good luck and have fun.

No one has anything bad to say about either place, I cant place it all on the program, Im a little burned out in school (this is my sixth yr), i just wanted to take a trip and learn some spanish, so thats all im taking. Both programs offer about 20 contact hours per week, for about the same money. I figure spanish is spanish, they both approach teaching with the same techniques. So for me its all boiling down to, cost of living in the area, crime, and the non-pro honey scene at the clubs...Im 29, but i look 24-25, i usually do pretty well at the nightclubs, college bars at home, but i speak the local language here, thinking i might not seem as charming in SJ or BA as i do here!!
The school in BA is close to downtown, the school in SJ is actually in Zapote, wherever that is....i was told that its only 10 min away from downtown, but my director doesnt know crap from crisco...So as long as i stay away from the gulch, its safe???

Here's my comparison list having been to both places, San Jose once and Buenos Aires twice:

Crime: About the same which is relatively low. I personally believe BA is safer as I have heard of a number of muggings in San Jose, haven't heard of any in BA but I did hear of an armed robbery of a restaurant once.

Cost: About the same I believe with the current exchange rate. This could change and end up costing you more money if you choose BA, but I doubt it would be significant. I would still give the edge to BA since I think you should take advantage of the exchange rate while it's so great.

Girls: If you are aiming non-pro, I would give Costa Rica a slight edge for greater variety of girls such as Colombians, Domincans, Nicaraguans, plus your local Ticas. BA will be almost all Argentine girls, but you might find a few Brazilians, Colombians, and Dominicans scattered about. For quantity, however, the pendulum swings way towards BA. The pro scene is also larger and a clear winner in my opinion.

City: Easily BA with more city stuff to do and things to see. Restaurants are spectacular and inexpensive(and much faster service IMHO). San Jose has the beaches, fishing, and other outdoor activities, though.

You can probably tell I lean BA, but I do enjoy both places and will probably return to San Jose again before Buenos Aires. Costa Rica was the place that really got me interested in seeing the rest of the world and I would like to visit it again with the knowledge and experience I have now.

Well, I suppose I should say at the outset I am biased. I set out two years ago to visit BA, followed by Costa Rica and, perhaps, Cuba. Sigh. I have been back to BA 7 times and have never made it to Costa Rica. BA is paradise if you enjoy quality of life in a big city. Great restaurants, theater, pedestrian malls, outdoor cafes, lush green parks, etc. And there are the chicas.......ah, the chicas. Latinas to be sure, but the look is more European....Beautiful women.....lots of beautiful, sensual women.

If you want beaches, jungle, etc.......go to Costa Rica. If the idea of a livable big city appeals to you, go to BA

Travis,

Zapote is the next suburb south of San Pedro - both are 10-15 minutes from downtown San Jose. Public transportation here is great. There are buses every 2 or 3 minutes and they're dirt cheap.

As far as safety goes, "Gringo Gulch" is actually one of the safest areas in San Jose. I really wouldn't worry too much about safety issues.

You won't have any trouble meeting non-pro girls in clubs, etc. Gringos are very popular, especially if they are fairly young, decent looking, and can dance a little - or are at least willing to get out on the dance floor and make fools of themselves.

In my humble opinion, you are spending too much time worrying about it. Just make a decision and do it! You really can't go wrong in either place and should have a great experience, whichever you choose.

TG

Travis,

I've never been to BA, but I've been to San Jose many times.

You can monger easily in both cities and bargains can be found in both. If you are spending months there, I'd say it comes down to if you want to live in a big city or smaller one. BA has 13 million people, San Jose maybe 500,000. I've heard the beaches and sightseeing stuff is not located very close to BA. If you are an outdoors type, there is a ton of stuff to do within a few hours of San Jose.

Kiddnappings, armed robberies, etc.. are probably not a problem in either country, but you obviously have to watch where you go at night.

Had a meeting with the international studies director today, i had my mind about 99% of the way made up but he finalized it for me. I can go to BA, just not this semester so its off to San Jose for me. I'll be in around the 25th of Feb, hope to meet some of the san jose experts. Thanks to all who posted & emailed, im sure SJ will be a blast!!
travis