san-jose.cr
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Overview
Nestled in the heart of the gorgeous and fertile Central Valley or Meseta Central, San José is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the Central America. This typical Latin American metropolis with overcrowded conditions, traffic, “smog” and congestion, still manages to rise above all this, to offer a charming side. After looking past the urban, commercial and unatractive exterior of San José, you will find a vibrant city emerging with a lot to offer, including culture and spirit.
San José is the capital of Costa Rica. It is located in Costa Rica's Central valley and very much the center of things, politically, economically and physically speaking. The capital is a busy place, but still quite laid back. It is a fine city for walking tours. San José is small and cozy. Although its style and architecture are contemporary, some buildings of strong European influence, mainly British and French, can still be found as a heritage of the economic coffee prosperity from the Turn of the Century. There are few high-rises.
Towards the north and west of the city, there can be appreciated some old adobe structures with tile roofs that have been preserved with care. These evoke past remembrances of the large coffee plantations and farms. Although district areas do exist, these are small quadrants for property census and electoral organizations.
The administrative division of the country was defined by regions or cantons which have their own municipalities, and can be considered as small urban zones and towns, with their own unique personality and characteristics.
Thanks to the topography, there is a great diversity of micro-climates that determine in many cases the type of production on the region. Distances are easily covered by car or public transportation.
Among the most important spots in San José, places to visit are the National Theater, the giant cathedral, the Gold Museum, the Jade Museum, the Children's Museum and National Museum. The Simon Bolivar Zoo is a great place to visit to get a taste of the animals you may see on your adventures into rainforests outside of the capital.
Among the things to do around San José are the one day tours such as the Rain Forest Aerial Tram, volcanoes, river rafting and the town of Sarchí, where visitors will find handicrafts and souvenirs.
San José is also a good place for food and shopping. But nowhere is the spirit and feel of San José and its people more evident than in the public parks, squares and markets. This is where the common people of the city congregate to trade stories and opinions about everything from the weather to the failings of the current president. It is a great place to mingle with the Tico culture.
A great place to use as a base camp while exploring San José today, has its fair share of attractions with entertaining places to go, such as world class gourmet restaurants, museums, theaters, cinemas and a lively nightlife. As one drives into the city from the Juan Santamaría International Airport, the first thing that one is stuck by are rows or working coffee plantations that have helped develop San José into the city that it is today. From 1737 until now, little remains of San José’s colonial heritage. However, time and a rapidly rising population have transformed this city into what it is now: a central pulsating heart of a stunningly beautiful country.
San José is the capital of Costa Rica. It is located in Costa Rica's Central valley and very much the center of things, politically, economically and physically speaking. The capital is a busy place, but still quite laid back. It is a fine city for walking tours. San José is small and cozy. Although its style and architecture are contemporary, some buildings of strong European influence, mainly British and French, can still be found as a heritage of the economic coffee prosperity from the Turn of the Century. There are few high-rises.
Towards the north and west of the city, there can be appreciated some old adobe structures with tile roofs that have been preserved with care. These evoke past remembrances of the large coffee plantations and farms. Although district areas do exist, these are small quadrants for property census and electoral organizations.
The administrative division of the country was defined by regions or cantons which have their own municipalities, and can be considered as small urban zones and towns, with their own unique personality and characteristics.
Thanks to the topography, there is a great diversity of micro-climates that determine in many cases the type of production on the region. Distances are easily covered by car or public transportation.
Among the most important spots in San José, places to visit are the National Theater, the giant cathedral, the Gold Museum, the Jade Museum, the Children's Museum and National Museum. The Simon Bolivar Zoo is a great place to visit to get a taste of the animals you may see on your adventures into rainforests outside of the capital.
Among the things to do around San José are the one day tours such as the Rain Forest Aerial Tram, volcanoes, river rafting and the town of Sarchí, where visitors will find handicrafts and souvenirs.
San José is also a good place for food and shopping. But nowhere is the spirit and feel of San José and its people more evident than in the public parks, squares and markets. This is where the common people of the city congregate to trade stories and opinions about everything from the weather to the failings of the current president. It is a great place to mingle with the Tico culture.
A great place to use as a base camp while exploring San José today, has its fair share of attractions with entertaining places to go, such as world class gourmet restaurants, museums, theaters, cinemas and a lively nightlife. As one drives into the city from the Juan Santamaría International Airport, the first thing that one is stuck by are rows or working coffee plantations that have helped develop San José into the city that it is today. From 1737 until now, little remains of San José’s colonial heritage. However, time and a rapidly rising population have transformed this city into what it is now: a central pulsating heart of a stunningly beautiful country.