Situated in the broad, fertile Valle Central, 1,160 meters (3.800 ft) above sea level, San José developed slowly as a tobacco center in the Spanish colonial era. The city became Costa Rica’s capital in 1823 and it is the country’s center — economically, culturally, and geographically. Nowadays it is a great city to spend a few days and a gateway to excellent day trips. Check out our Top 6 Things To Do In And Around San José.
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National Theatre
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The National Theatre of Costa Rica is in operation since 1897, this opulent theatre was allegedly modeled on the Paris Opera House. Those who don’t wish to view the performances can still see the lavish interior of the theatre on an hour long tour.
Calle La Amargura
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Calle La Amargura has the highest concentration of bars and clubs in San Jose. It’s so famous throughout the city that most residents simply know it as La Calle.
Mercado Central
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Founded in 180, this massive indoor marketplace sells everything from tourist souvenirs near the entrances to fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, fish, flowers, clothes, accessories, spices, toys, and toiletries towards the center–basically everything you could ever want, and then some. Source: crosscontinentcruising
Orosi River Valley
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Just about 35 km (22 miles) away from San Jose, Orosi is a tranquil and serene community in the province of Cartago. While somewhat undiscovered by travelers, Orosi features an incredibly peaceful setting among the lush forest and towering pine trees. Orosi is situated on the Reventazón River in the Orosi Valley a deep valley and humid climate, surrounded by hills and lush vegetation, . The cultivation of coffee is the leading industry in the area. Orosi has a population of approximately 4,600 and has the oldest Catholic church still in use in Costa Rica. The church, Iglesia de San Jose de Orosi, was built in 1743 during the Colony. With its rain forests, volcanoes, hills and valleys lined with rows upon rows of coffee plants and sugar cane, the Orosi region offers some of the richest scenery to be found in Costa Rica. But the region is also rich in history and contains a number of monuments to the past, including a colonial capital founded in 1563 and archeological excavations that date back to 1000 B.C. Although this area was one of the first in the country to be settled, it has been one of the last to be developed for tourism. Source: projectexpedition
Volcán Irazú
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Just an hour ride from San Jose, Volcán Irazú is the tallest active volcano in Costa Rica Reaching upward of 3,432 meter (11,260 ft). The last noticeable activity came in 1996, and since then Irazu has been a quiet giant.
Poas National Park
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Located about 1½ hours from San Jose, Poas is a very popular day trip. Visitors often make the 108 km (68 mile) round-trip journey, which cruises along never-ending fields of coffee and flower farms that line the area around the park. Poas is said to be the second widest-rimmed volcano in the world, the unassuming Poas Volcano in Costa Rica has erupted a number of times since seismic activity was first recorded there in 1828. The Poas National Park is also home to a beautiful lakr called Sulfuric.
Just So You Know…
- Costa Rica has no standing army. It was constitutionally abolished in 1949.
- Costa Rica hosts more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity even though its landmass only takes up .03% of the planets surface.
- There are more than 121 volcanic formations in Costa Rica, and seven of them are active. Poas Volcano has the second widest crater in the world and Arenal is one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world.
- San Jose is only a 2 hour flight from Miami and 3 ½ from New York.
- Barrio Bird Walking Tour will give you an informative, personal, fun, and designed to show you a San Jose that you won’t get from a guide book.
- Try POPS – it is a Costa Rican chain of ice cream shops with over 40 locations in San José alone.
- This city welcomes LGBT people. You can find top gay friendly hotels in San Jose as an option.
Get Some Culture:
- Museo de los Niños – Contains interactive displays educating children in various topics from Astronomy and the natural planet and ecology to science.
- Pre-Columbian Gold Museum – Featuring an extensive collection of local art comprised from gold, stone, and copper.
- Museo Nacional de Costa Rica – is the national museum of Costa Rica, located at Calle 17, between Central and Second Avenue.
- Museo de Jade – An archaeological museum located in front of Plaza de la Democracia.
Grab A Bite:
- Restaurant Whapin – Great intimate restaurant with delicious sea food.
- Restaurant la Terrasse – An awesome French bistro.
- La Esquina de Buenos Aires – With tasty Argentinian steaks.
