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Guide to San Jose, Costa Rica
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San JoseA Costa Rican city full of life, spectacle, pride and history, San Jose is the center of the nation, both in idyllic and physical senses. Some find the city to be a busy commercial hub, while others see it as a laid-back comfort zone with all the best Costa Rica has to offer. Many travelers end up in San Jose whether they plan to or not - it is the hub for most travel throughout the country, and more often than not, they stick around longer than expected. But thats a given, when you count its wonderful architectural creations and busy squares and markets, the only places youll find people from all walks of life commiserating with one another. You can think of San Jose as a melting pot, and dont be surprised if it seems your trip was cut short; time flies by when youre lost in great moments!
When to go:
San Jose experience mild weather throughout the year. Its never hot to a point where youll need something with an SPF count, and its rarely chilly enough for a winter coat, so anytime is a good time to visit San Jose. However if you wish to avoid the rain soaked months of the year, avoid the period between May and November. This may seem like a great amount of time, but the climatic conditions from the east and west coasts to provide frequent afternoon and evening bombardments. Visit San Jose during spring and youll be wallowing in gorgeous sunny skies and warm valley breezes.
Getting there and around:
International flights arrive at Juan Santamaria Airport, where youll be treated with many of the services and luxuries that highly visited worldwide locations provide. Youll get access to banking services and exchange bureaus, and a number of restaurants and bars to while away your jetlag before you head out the door to your taxi or bus. We advice against renting a vehicle, as parking can be a very major issue, especially downtown. If you dont have much luggage, wait at the bus stop and ask the arriving driver if the buss destination is San Jose (some go to the nearby city of Alajuela), and be prepared for one of the cheapest bus fares youll ever obtain. If youve got more bags than you can carry, hire a taxi, preferably metered; but remember, convenience always comes at a price.
Most city locals ride the buses to get around the city. Fares are very cheap, and buses go just about everywhere taxis do. Bus stops are all over the city; more prevalent in the city center, of course. If you happen to be in an area without the convenience of bus access, hail a taxi, but youre most-likely going to have to haggle for a fare beforehand, which can become quiet a nuisance.
Attractions:
San Jose boasts a number of historic attractions, but all Costa Ricans are most-fond of the National Theater. The National Theater is somewhat of a national icon. It was built c.1890, and was constructed for the purpose of attracting international operatic sensations who consistently refused to perform at a venue nothing less than a grand auditorium. So the city of San Jose raised the funds for the National Theater and today it is an icon complete with baroque designs, marble accoutrements, and gold overlays throughout.
Another site that brings a great number of visitors each year is the Centro Nacional de Arte y Cultura. This structure, laid out over an entire city block, houses a number of extraordinary establishments, including performing-arts centers and the highlight of them all, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design. The Museum is home to a vast array of Costa Rican and international pieces; among them, some by the likes of Jose Cuevas and Oswaldo Guayasamin.
The Museo Nacional de Costa Rica is located inside San Jose as well, treasured by the nation as a whole, and is appropriately housed in former army barracks recognition for the countrys civil war. Even the bullet holes created in the buildings surface have been preserved. Pieces in the museum date back more than 2,500 years and nearly everything has a sole focus on the countrys history, worldwide influence, hardships, and so forth.
Those wishing to get further in tune with the Costa Rican landscape may want to head over to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens and the Lankester Gardens. The Waterfall Gardens are home to the largest butterfly garden in the world and boast their own hotel accommodations. In the Lankester Gardens you will find a great focus on orchids, which are cared for by the University of Costa Rica.
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