San Jose Cultural Activities

Take advantage of the unique flavor San José has to offer. CEA offers a variety of local cultural activities to match your interests. Whether you enjoy music concerts, clubs, sports, cooking classes, language exchanges, or something entirely different, our resident staff can help you get involved in the local culture. Here are just some examples.

Cooking

There is no better way to learn about the culture of a country than by experiencing its culinary art. Students will discover that this is a wonderful component of their experiences abroad to share with loved ones at home. While in San José students can join a cooking class and learn how to make delicious dishes, including gallo- pinto, empanadas, pati, casado, sopa negra, arroz con pollo, among others — all dishes from different regions of Costa Rica. Students will be surprised by the many different types of fruits and vegetables incorporated into Costa Rican cuisine. Classes meet once a week and require a $15 contribution for ingredients.

Volunteer Opportunities

Students can work on language skills and build friendships with locals by lending a helping hand. Interacting with children at an orphanage is a chance to play, read children's stories and teach English. Students can see their faces smile and light up when they arrive and spend two to four hours a week sharing much needed love and attention. This is a very popular activity among CEA students and requires budgeting approximately $8 per month for transportation. Many students bring children games, books or other fun activities from home to help make the experience a fruitful and enjoyable one. If students are too busy on weekdays, they can also join groups specially organized by CEA staff to help paint and repair an underprivileged school or institution. This is a one-day activity, and students are joined by locals, who will not only express their gratitude, but also spend a fun, colorful day with them.

Dancing

Latin Americans are well known for being great dancers, and Costa Ricans are no exception. One of the most popular activities for both young and old is to go dancing on weekends. Students can join the Veritas dance class, where they will experience the excitement of Latin American dances and learn how to salsa, merengue, cumbia, and swing dance like a true tico. Local Veritas students who listen to the music might even drop by to help the dance teacher. Classes are free and they meet twice a week in the evenings. After a few classes, students will get together with the dance group and CEA and Veritas staff to practice their new skill at a popular dance club in town.

Soccer & Other Sports

This is Costa Rica's national sport, and one of the things that makes ticos and ticas vibrate. Soccer is a great way to get to know the heart of the people and stay in shape. Veritas University organizes a soccer team with international students who play against local students or other guest teams. Soccer practice takes place at a nearby park two or three times a week, depending on students' schedules. Students will make many new friends and learn why this sport has such a strong global following. Among the many social activities organized by the CEA staff, students will also have the chance to attend a soccer game between national or international rivals, a great experience for sports lovers. Ask CEA staff about other sports opportunities

Spanish Conversation Club

Students can meet with other local students to practice Spanish and make new friends!