San Jose

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!

The country is divided by a backbone of volcanoes and mountains, an extension of the Andes-Sierra Madre chain which runs along the western side of the Americas. Costa Rica has four distinct cordilleras or mountain ranges -- Guanacaste and Tilaran in the north, Central and Talamanca in the south. Costa Rica is part of the Pacific "Rim of Fire" and has seven of the isthmus’s 42 active volcanoes plus dozens of dormant or extinct cones. Earth tremors and small quakes shake the country from time to time.

The last major quake hit on April 22, 1991. Centered on the Caribbean side southeast of San Jose, it measured 7.4 on the Richter scale. The country’s highest point is Mt. Chirripo (3,797 meters). The capital, San Jose, and the neighboring major cities of Alajuela and Heredie lies in the middle of the Meseta Central (Central Valley). Almost two-thirds of the nation’s population live in this small, fertile valley. The Pacific coastal plain is much narrower than its Caribbean counterpart. Both coasts are lined with white and black sand beaches.

Costa Rica is a tropical country which contains several distinct climatic zones. There is no winter or summer as such and most regions have a rainy season from May to November and a dry season from December to April. Annual rainfall averages 100 inches nationwide with some mountainous regions getting as much as 25 feet on exposed eastern slopes. Temperature is more a matter of elevation than location with a mean of around 72 degrees in the Central Valley, 82 degrees on the Atlantic coast and 89 degrees on the Pacific coast.

Human habitation can be traced back more than 10,000 years but it appears Costa Rica was sparsely populated and a relative backwater in the pre-Columbian era. There is little sign of major communities and none of the impressive stone architecture that characterized the more advanced civilizations of Mesoamerica to the north and the Andes to the south. When Columbus arrived near Lim?n on September 18, 1502 on his third and last voyage to the Americas, there were probably no more than 20,000 indigenous inhabitants They lived in several autonomous tribes, all with distinct cultures and customs. Costa Rica’s only major archaeological site 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.