San Jose - Where Most People Enter Costa Rica:

CITY MAPS AND GETTING AROUND:
There is no mail delivery and there are no street addresses in San Jose, or for that matter, in Costa Rica!  This does create problems. People here give directions by referring to landmarks.  Here is some general advice on navigating and finding your way around San Jose.  If you do ask for directions, it is best to ask several people, as Ticos are usually very polite, and they may feel they are offending you if they don't give you an answer, so they may give you "directions" when they are not even sure themselves.  Here is a San Jose city street map that you can print out, and also a road map of the greater area surrounding San Jose. These will help. To get from the San Jose International Airport to San Jose, basically, take the General Cañas highway and head towards downtown. Of course, if you have no car at that time, just use an official, orange airport taxi to take you to your hotel. You will see them when you exit customs, and will be approached by a driver. The rates are fixed, depending upon where you want to go, and you, or the driver, will pre-pay at an official booth.

MUSEUMS IN SAN JOSE:
Costa Rica has a wide variety of museums, and while they may not be as extensive as what we are accoustomed to, they are very informative.   Almost all of the museums are in San Jose.  

THEATER / MOVIES:
The National Theater, (#13 on the list), seats 1,000 and has hosted a variety of international talents.  There are many smaller theater groups in San Jose, and, of course, movie houses.

A WALKING TOUR OF SAN JOSE:
You really get to see the city, the people, and the sites when you walk instead of taking a taxi.  Go at a leisurely pace and enjoy the culture with this suggested downtown San Jose walking tour.

SHOPPING IN SAN JOSE:
Intricate Woodworks, Silver & Gold, The Farmer’s Markets, The Mercado Central, Handmade Guzman Guitars since 1833 - these are just a few of the local goods and products you'll find shopping in San Jose.  Also, San Jose now has many fine malls, although the prices here will be higher, due mostly to import taxes that have gone down, but still exist.  Many foreigners living in Costa Rica, especially the beach areas, must come to San Jose to do general shopping as selections and services are limited in outlying areas.  Go to this yellow pages / shopping section to find San Jose and Central Valley stores and services.

EMBASSIES / CONSULATES IN SAN JOSE:
There are over 30 consulates and embassies in San Jose, most located in the downtown area. 

COME FOR THE BEACHES - STAY FOR THE CLIMATE!:
Many people who come back to Costa Rica to live or retire, want to do so on the beach.  However, many change their minds for the more comfortable, "eternal spring" like weather and climate of the greater San Jose / Central Valley region.  So, what can you expect? Basically, you will always be comfortable, although it can be wet a times. Go here for more information on living in San Jose and the surrounding areas, in this great climate.

HOTELS / LODGING IN & AROUND SAN JOSE:
San Jose offers everything from hostels for back-packers, to the finest, 5 star hotel accommodations for the upscale tourist and / or business traveler.  You can read about some 3rd party recommendations for budget lodging here, and more here. Then read about middle range accommodations, or go to  luxurious / boutique lodging and international 5 star hotel chains. All San Jose hotels, resort / spas, bed and breakfasts, hostels and apartotels are located on our San Jose / Central Valley hotels page. The red star ratings are indicative of the quality and price, and they are listed by location, from downtown San Jose to the international airport, about 30 minutes away.

TOURS OF SAN JOSE CITY:
Here is a popular day tour of San Jose. From time to time, tour operators will offer night tours also where you will be taken to local restaurants and enjoy local entertainment. Or, if you've been to San Jose many times before, and you're looking for something cultural and different, we recommend the San Jose, Costa Rica Art Tour, where you actually visit the artist's home or studio! Highly recommended.

DAY TOURS LEAVING FROM SAN JOSE!
Some tourists, for instance those from Puerto Rico where they have beaches anyway, just want to enjoy the excitement of downtown San Jose, and then take day tours to places like the Irazu Volcano, Tabacon Hot Springs, the butterfly farm or even the Tortuga Island Cruise. These day tours are perfect, too, for the business traveler that is tied to San Jose.

SPANISH LANGUAGE SCHOOLS & TRANSLATION SERVICES:
Yes, there are language schools on the beach and in Monteverde, etc., but most are located in and around the San Jose area. Some of these schools are private, offering group classes or private instruction, and of course there is the University. For really intensive learning some people go into a "home stay," live with a family program. Here are some Spanish language schools located in San Jose. Go here to see more San Jose schools and beach town, intensive learning schools.   Also, now offered are TEFL Courses (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)   For More information on translation & interpretation services in San Jose.

SAN JOSE BEACHES:
And, lastly, there are NO beaches in San Jose! Yes, believe it or not, some surfers arrive at 1CostaRicaLink.com by typing in "san jose costa rica beaches"! Perhaps this is because of the movie "Jurassic Park" which opened up a beach restaurant scene subtitled with "San Jose, Costa Rica." Or, it may be that San Jose is a somewhat popular name, like people might search for California by adding "Los Angles" or "San Francisco," and then thinking there must be a beach nearby. Whatever the reason, San Jose is in the mountains at approximately 4,000 above sea level, and there are no beaches here! However, Jaco Beach is about 1 1/2 to 2 hours away, so one could stay here and visit the beach easily. This is a good alternative if the beach hotels are all filled up, or if you are vacationing for a few weeks and prefer the springtime like climate in the mountains most of the time.

VACATIONING IN SAN JOSE?!:
That's right, some people do! Residents of Florida and citizens of Puerto Rico are frankly not interested in any more beaches. Florida residents often come here in the summer to escape the oppressive Florida summer heat, instead of going north to Canada, which could also be hot. It's only a short plane ride from Florida to San Jose, and the temperature here is always mild. Puerto Ricans like to take day tours from San Jose to Arenal Volcano / Tabacon Hot Springs, and other parks and attractions, and enjoy the diversity of restaurants, night life and shopping.

COSTA RICA BUSINESS SERVICES IN SAN JOSE:
Most businesses in Costa Rica and professional services for the businessman are within the metropolitan area of San Jose. Here you will have at your disposal the largest conference centers, business center parks and professional services and hotels that cater to the business traveler.

SAN JOSE & CENTRAL VALLEY REAL ESTATE:
If you want to live in the best climate in the world, or do business in San Jose and the Central Valley, then sooner or later you will need to look at real estate - to rent, lease or buy.  Go here to look at San Jose / Central Valley real estate - houses, condos & business properties.  You can still find excellant values and good investments in land and homes here.

If you are thinking about retireing to some of the best climate in the world in the San Jose, Central Valley region, and want to take a closer, Christipher Howards's retirement tours offer a great opportunity to see this area and make an informed decision. If you have vacationed here before and have already decided to move here, or are being relocated by your company, find out more about relocating to Costa Rica.

MORE GENERAL INFORMATION: Here's what the Travel and Adventure Guide to Costa Rica by Hunter Publishing has to say about our San José city:

San José has been the capital of Costa Rica and the seat of its democratic government since 1823. Nestled high in the Central Valley (1,253 meters/3,770 feet), between green volcanic mountain ranges, the metropolitan city of about one million people is oriented east and west, surrounded by suburbs that cling to the gentle foothills. The nearby town of Escazú, southwest of the city off the autopista, is home to the largest population of North Americans living in Costa Rica, either full-time or part-time, and is consequently more upscale than San José’s downtown or other suburbs.

Unlike other Central American capitals, San José is not a very colonial city, although the heart of the historic center features several beautiful old buildings. It didn’t become a decent-sized city until relatively late in the 1800s, long past the colonial era, and had a modern building boom in the 1950s and 60s. Because of its economic success from coffee exports, San José became the second city in the Americas to install electricity (1884). At its heart are the National Theater, Plaza de la Cultura, Parque Central, the Cathedral and Gold Museum, which are centered in a fourblock area with a long pedestrian-only shopping walkway bisecting the middle of downtown.

Despite the lack of stone and plaster colonial ambiance, many of San José’s buildings boast a unique and charming architectural style known as “Caribbean Victorian.” Just beyond the modern office high-rises are wood-framed clapboard houses built at the turn of the century. Graceful porticos and wrap-around verandas distinguish these appealing homes (some converted to offices or small hotels) painted in soft pastels. Many have the original metal roofs that sound rat-tat-tat in the rain.

San José is a very cosmopolitan capital with many welcoming qualities. Near-perfect weather is a big attraction to visitors as well as expatriates who call the Central Valley home.

Some 250,000 foreigners, mostly North Americans, live in Costa Rica full time. The temperature is fairly consistent between 70 and 75°F. Occasional Northerlies, cold fronts, call for a jacket or sweater at night. The rainy season, when late afternoons and evenings bring showers, lasts from May to October, mas o menos. As the cultural heart of the nation, San José is home to several theater groups, excellent museums, parks, a national symphony, cinemas and universities. It is also host to nightclubs, casinos, discos and fine restaurants. Residents of San José are known as Josefinos.

On the down side, the city is often crowded, dirty, noisy, ugly and disagreeable. It may take some getting used to – some people hate it, but the longer you stay, the more San José grows on you. We love it!

Costa Rica Travel & Tourist Information

Information on Costa Rica Living, Relocation, Retirement

HOME to 1 Costa Rica Link for Hotels, Resorts, Tours, Travel & Vacation Planning
Costa Rica's newest magazine, just for business to business.