San Jose is not only the capital of Costa Rica but it is also known to be the gateway to the rest of the country. The simple reason is that almost all the international flights to Costa Rica stop at the Juan Santamaria International Airport in the capital. So tourists and guests have to go through San Jose before continuing their journey to their final destinations. Apart from being the transportation hub it is also the administrative, political and economic center of the country.
San Jose is located in one of the most mountainous area of the country. So you could actually find rolling hills and spectacular hill-top views as you move outside of the city. In fact there are 2 other nearby towns called Atenas and Heredia which are famous for their old town charms and scenic views. So you can bet that they are quite popular among the tourists to the city. The capital city only has a population of 350K, although not on par with some of major cities of the world but that number translates to about 33% of the entire population in the country. Spanish is the official language here but English is widely spoken in many places especially the tourist spots.
The capital of Costa Rica is a lively and modern city so there are plenty of things to do and places to visit here. So it is highly recommended that you include this in your holiday itinerary because you will be surprised with what you can find here.
To understand the heart beat of the city you have to go to where everyone gathers and that is non other then the famous Plaza de la Cultura or central plaza. This is where most of the public cultural events take place, almost daily there are live performances by street musicians and performers alike. This place is also a popular shopping district where you can conveniently walk from shop to shop because all the shops are located adjacent to one another over a span of 8 blocks. If you have the budget you can also drop by the local theatre called Teatro Nacional (National Theater) for some of best musical performances in the country. Furthermore the Latin American architectural design of the building is a feast to the eyes especially for those who appreciate old building architecture.
Next you might want to try the Gold Museum which is within walking distance from the National Theater. The museum houses some of best pre-columbian gold pieces as well as money exhibits in the region. It also provides a brief but nice presentation of the history of Costa Rica. If you are traveling with young children you might also want to head out to the Children’s Museum which is called Museo de los Ninos. It is a great place for the whole family and not just for the children.
The other place that is worth visiting in the city are the Metropolitan Church (Catedral Metropolitana) where it is known for its amazing and spectacular architecture especially the interior. Another family oriented place you can visit is the Spirogyra Butterfly Garden where it houses tons of butterflies, moths and caterpillars within a beautifully designed garden. For the art lovers you should visit the Museo de Arte Costarricense for some of the best art pieces by local artists and the entrance is free.
For those adrenalin junkies you might want to try bungee jumping by a company called Tropical Bungee. This is quite a reputable company and they have a good track record on safety plus they are certified by North America Bungee Association (NABA). There are 2 trips daily to the site from the city and the transportation is free, you only have to pay for the jump. White water rafting is also a popular activity and you can do that at Orosi Valley which is about a 2 hours drive from San Jose. The other activities that you can do here with the whole family are hiking, bird watching and fresh water fishing. Also one of the popular national parks called Tapanti is located in this area.
There are plenty of hotels and places to stay in the capital of Costa Rica. Two of my personal favorites are Doubletree Cariari Hotel by Hilton and Hotel Grano de Oro. Doubletree Cariari is conveniently located along the highway between the city and the airport. The hotel’s ground is beautifully landscaped with lush greenery and offers a stunning view of the central valley. It offers many luxurious amenities such as an outdoor swimming pool with a bar, tennis courts and an 18-hole golf course. Hotel Grano on the other hand is a Victorian styled boutique hotel (about 20km away from the airport) which offers privacy in a serene environment which is great for relaxing after a long day out.