San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.
This is a modern city with bustling commerce, brisk expressions of art and architecture, and as a result of the country's US$1.9 billion tourism industry it is a significant destination and stopover for foreign visitors.
On first sight, San José seems little more than a chaotic jumble of cars, buses, buildings, and people. The central downtown section of San José exists in a near-constant state of gridlock. Antiquated buses spewing diesel fumes , sidewalks are poorly maintained and claustrophobic, and street crime can be a problem in some areas. Many visitors quickly seek the sanctuary of their hotel room and the first chance to escape the city.
But San José is the country's only major metropolitan city, with varied and active restaurant and nightlife scenes, several museums and galleries worth visiting, and a steady stream of theater, concerts, and other cultural events that you won't find elsewhere in the country. Most people do still fly in and out of the country's capital. Sprawling smack in the middle of the fertile Valle Central, San José has a spectacular setting, ringed by the jagged silhouettes of soaring mountains – some of them volcanoes – on all sides. The city lies at a mean elevation of 1,161 m above sea level, and enjoys a stable climate throughout the year, with an average temperature of 23C. The scenery here is quite beautiful.
So what is there to do?
But San José is the country's only major metropolitan city, with varied and active restaurant and nightlife scenes, several museums and galleries worth visiting, and a steady stream of theater, concerts, and other cultural events that you won't find elsewhere in the country. Most people do still fly in and out of the country's capital. Sprawling smack in the middle of the fertile Valle Central, San José has a spectacular setting, ringed by the jagged silhouettes of soaring mountains – some of them volcanoes – on all sides. The city lies at a mean elevation of 1,161 m above sea level, and enjoys a stable climate throughout the year, with an average temperature of 23C. The scenery here is quite beautiful.
So what is there to do?
You can see Museo Oro Precolombino (The Gold Museum), under Plaza de la Cultura. The collection here consists of 1600 pieces of Pre-Columbian gold work dating from 500 AD to 1500 AD. Information is given on the processing and making of the pieces as well as their social, cultural and religious meanings.
Other famous museums are Museo del Jade (The jade museum), Museo de los Niños (The children's museum) and Museo Nacional which includes a large butterfly garden and a collection of large stone spheres from the Diquis Valley near the Pacific Ocean.
There are a range of international restaurants from Indian, to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern to local Costa Rican (yes Ticos eat more than rice and beans!)
And when you leave Costa Rica, of course you'll need a souvenier. San José was built on the profits of the coffee-export business. The best Costa Rican coffees have deserved reputations for superb quality. Super markets/grocers and small coffee growers usually have better prices than shops that cater to tourists. There's lots of choice.
And when you leave Costa Rica, of course you'll need a souvenier. San José was built on the profits of the coffee-export business. The best Costa Rican coffees have deserved reputations for superb quality. Super markets/grocers and small coffee growers usually have better prices than shops that cater to tourists. There's lots of choice.
Throughout the city, there are also lots of shops with wooden and ceramic souvenirs. The wooden pieces, such as masks, plaques, and other forms of wall art, are all beautifully hand carved and hand painted and the artisan usually signs their work with their name and where it was made. The ceramic pottery and dishware is done in this similar fashion and are available in a variety of designs and colors. These make interesting and unique gifts to bring home to family and friends for a reasonable price.
So when visiting Costa Rica, don't forget to visit and stay in San Jose
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