San José Province, Costa Rica
San José is the capital and largest city in Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, it’s a historical but modern city filled with Costa Rican traditions.
San José is one of the youngest capital cities in Latin America and is the center of all political and economic activities. Also known to be the cradle of commerce, art and architecture of Costa Rica, San José is a definite stopover for foreign visitors.
The city’s weather is described by many as enjoyable, with a dry and a rainy season (May to November) throughout the year.
But the contrast of history and modernity, its warm hospitality and its proximity to many other touristic areas around the country, is what really makes the city such an enjoyable and popular destination.
There are numerous museums, theaters and historical buildings with agitated agendas of cultural activities. Some of the museums and theaters in the area are:
- Museo Oro Precolombino (The Gold Museum): the collection consists of 1600 pieces of Pre-Columbian gold work dating from 500 AD to 1500 AD. Information is given on the processing and making of the pieces as well as their social, cultural and religious meanings. At the same place you will also find The Numismatic Museum and The Temporary Exhibition Galleries. There is a nice museum shop and a tourist office at the entrance. Located under Plaza de la Cultura. Tel. 243-4202, museoro@racsa.co.cr. Tu-Su 10AM-4:30PM. Entrance fee $9 for foreigners (or $4.5 with a student ID card).
- Museo de Jade (The Jade Museum): Avenida 5-7, Calle 11-13, INS, now on the 1st floor. Tel 223-5800. Mo-Fr 8:30AM-3PM. Entrance fee 500 Colones.
- Museo de los Niños (The Children's Museum): antigua penetenciaría (the old prison). Tel 258-4929. M-F 9:30AM-3:30PM, Sa-Su 10AM-4PM. Entrance fee 600 Colones for adults and 300 for children.
- Museo Nacional (National Museum): The museum includes a large butterfly garden and a collection of large stone spheres from the Diquis Valley near the Pacific Ocean. The museum building is an old fort last used during the 1948 revolution. Calle 17 Avenida 2. Tel 257-1433. Tu-Su 8:30AM-4:30PM. Entrance fee 2000 Colones.
- Museo de Arte Costarricense (Costa Rican Arts Museum): This used to be San Jose's main airport terminal back when La Sabana was the airport. Located on the east end of Sabana Park. Tel 222-7155. Tu-Sa 10:00-16:00, Su 10:00-14:00. Entrance fee $5 (students $3).
- Museo de Insectos (Insect Museum at the Universidad de Costa Rica): A very elegant collection of exotic bugs. Only a few dollars, but check the times when they are open.
- Museo de arte y diseño contemporáneo (Arts and Contemporary Design Museum): Definitely the main institution in Costa Rica dedicated to the broadcasting of contemporary art. Centro Nacional de la Cultura, Antigua Fábrica Nacional de Licores. Avenida 3, calle 15/17. San José, Costa Rica. Tel: (506) 2257 7202 / 2257 9370 Fax: (506) 2257 8702. Info related to current exhibitions, schedules and admission fees can be found at their oficial website www.madc.ac.cr.
Teatro Nacional (National Theater): offers cultural activities featuring acting and dance groups as well as orchestral musical presentations throughout the year. Tel: (506) 2221-1329 ext. 217, M-S 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Teatro Melico Salazar (Melico Salazar Theater): the theater is one of the most important artistic spaces in the country. Visitors can enjoy top notch shows in different disciplines such as music, theater, ballet, modern dance, among others. Tel. 2257-83-04, 2257-83-05 fax 2221-63-25.
Teatro Eugene O’Neill (Eugene O'Neill Theater): this theater performs sponsored works by the America-Costa Rican Cultural Center. Located on Calle 37, Avenida Central. Tel: (506) 235-9433.
Aside from the historical approach this capital city offers, there are many other tourist attractions to be found in 11 districts of active lifestyle. From zoos and botanical gardens to exhilarating theme parks, some of the local attractions are:
- Parque Zoológico Simón Bolívar (Simon Bolivar Zoo): Named after a popular South American freedom fighter, the zoo officially opened its doors in July of 1921 providing Josefinos (residents of San José) with an attractive weekend alternative. The park includes a children’s discovery area, a snake and reptile house, a restaurant and a gift shop. Among the zoo’s wildlife species are a lion, jaguars, monkeys, raccoons and crocodiles, as well as an assortment of exotic tropical birds. It’s located in Barrio Amón and it’s open all year (except Easter Friday).
- Jardín Botánico Lankaster (Lankester Botanical Gardens): an interesting adrenaline-free attraction for the travelers. It’s located only minutes away from San José, in the neighboring province of Cartago. This gardens and many attractions not far from San José can be visited on the multiple day tours offered in the city.
- El Parque de Diversiones de Costa Rica (Costa Rica’s Theme Park): as Costa Rica’s major theme park, El Parque de Diversiones offers numerous attractions for kids, teenagers and adults.
Pueblo Antiguo is the historical attraction of the theme park, with lots of fun and colors; it has many museums and is modeled after 19th century San José.
The park is open Friday through Sunday during the low season and all week long during the high season (December, January and February).
- El Pueblo (The Town): shopping center during the day and clubbing district at night! El Pueblo is a mix of more than 50 bars, clubs, restaurants, art galleries and shops. It’s within walking distance of several hotels and resorts in the Calle Blancos area.
- Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica (Costa Rica National Stadium): was a multi-use stadium in La Sabana that was mostly used for football matches. The Chinese government is financing a new Stadium with a capacity of 35,000 people. It’s expected to open it’s doors to the public in 2010.
Restaurants, cafés, bars and clubs
As any major city, San José has a wide selection of restaurants, cafés, bars and clubs. Whether you’re looking for a drink and ‘bocas’ (snacks) or fine dining out in the city, San José’s bars and restaurants can satisfy the different palates and craves of its many visitors.
Restaurants and Cafés
- Ganesha Indian Restaurant, This is an Indian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant in Heredia, Costa Rica just about 15 minutes drive from the airport. Indian food lovers can get their garam masala fix here. Great Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Seekh Kebab and Chicken Tikka Masala. The lassis are great too. Located in Hotel America, 50 meters south of Central park in Heredia. Tel 8379-7951 or 8880-9238 for reservations and more information.
- Tin Jo, This is an incredible Asian restaurant featuring Japanese, Thai, Chinese and Indian food. Don't be scared by the looks on the outside, the restaurant is clean, beautifully decorated and offers the best service I experienced in Costa Rica. Paseo de los estudiantes.
- Machu Picchu Restaurant, One of the best international Peruvian Food & Sea Food restaurants, it’s located at (Paseo Colón) 1st Ave. 125 meters north from Kentucky FC restaurant and also in the San Pedro area. Phone: 506.222.3679
- Hotel Vesuvio Restaurant, Barrio Otoya, Tel 257-5411. Italian food, pastas 1900 Colones, chicken 2000-2500.
- La Palma, Avenida 9, Barrio Amón. Italian food, recommended by the nearby hotels. no longer in business
- Hotel Don Carlos, the Precolobian Lounge serves some small dishes that you probably should skip.
- La Cocina de Leña, Centro Comercial El Pueblo, Tel 255-1360. Cozy restaurant with good typical food and friendly service. 5500 Colones for a steak. Recommended by many tourist guides but very overpriced and touristy. Closed (as of 04-03-09)
- Lukas, Centro Comercial El Pueblo. One of two other restaurants at the El Pueblo.
- Hotel Grano de Oro, Calle 30 Avenida 2/4. Tel 255-3322. Beautiful but expensive restaurant. The entrees are diverse and creative, do not hesitate to try the soup of the day, even if it sounds less than exciting. Duck is on the menu, and is some of the best to be had anywhere. Numerous seafood dishes are cooked to perfection, as is the beef and pork.
- Cafetería Parisien Gran Hotel, between Teatro Nacional and Plaza de Cultura. Nice place with elegant settings.
- Manolo's Churreria, Avenida Central, Calle 0/2. Popular soda. Try the filled churros or chicken tacos.
- Mercado Central This very old and interesting food market also contains a number of small restaurants and quick-serve counters for the locals. You will find fresh cooked fish and shellfish, corn based dishes, fish soup, ceviche (small bits of raw fish "cooked" in lime juice), helado de sorbetera (artesanal local cinnamon ice-cream) and more. Perhaps not for the faint of heart.
- Pizzeria Il Pomodoro One of the best known casual restaurants in Costa Rica, Its a big beautiful building located near Parque Kennedy and Banco Nacional in San Pedro. Italian cuisine, very good pizza and pasta, good cheap wine, from second floor great view or the mountains to the west.
- News Cafe On Avenida Central and Calle 7, in the Hotel Presidente, a few blocks from the Plaza de la Cultura, the National Theatre and the National Museum. The News offers American Style "comfort" food at great quality and good prices.
- Soda Esnider Walk a few blocks to the east from Plaza de la Cultura over the Central Avenue and get into Galerías Avenida Central. You will find several stores and if you go down the stairs you will come across Soda Esnider. You can have a wonderful “casado” for lunch with a natural drink for as little as 1600 Colones ($3).
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Bars and Clubs
- Bar Poas, Avenida 7, Calle 3 y 5 (Two doors down from the Pangea Hostel, across the street from St. Thomas Hotel in Barrio Amon), (506) 2-223-8677, 1200-0230. Photos of regular customers adorn the wall of this dimly lit but friendly bar and restaurant. A decent menu of Gringo and Tico food is available from noon to 0230. Try the award-winning Chili con Carne. There´s always an interesting group of characters there including proprietor Harry Hart who is always willing to dispense useful advice about San Jose and Costa Rica.
- Chelle’s is a well known bar in the city located in downtown San José, and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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- El Cafetal de la Luz Hotel Plaza Amon, Calle 3 Avenida 11, Tel 2257-0191. Cocktails (1700-2900 Colones) served on the balcony. Slow service. This cafe is attached to the Clarion Hotel in Barrio Amon. Namesake of the coffee plantation that existed in this neighborhood when electricity was first introduced.
- El Pueblo There are little alleyways filled up with many bars and nightclubs. Every taxi driver in San José knows where El Pueblo is.
- San Pedro Is home to many bars and clubs around the University area.
- Barrio California Is the place to be if you're into the bohemian/rock crowd. Some of the bars have local bands playing a few nights a week. Great place to go bar hopping!
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- Jazz Café Located in the heart of San Pedro, it’s the perfect spot for good drinks and great live music.
- Escazú Area Bars If you want to dress up and party with style, Escazú is the place for you! Some of the most popular bars in the area are: Frankie Go, Sambuca, Oblique, Privé, TGIF, Fandango, etc. Escazú is located 9 kilometers west of the national capital city of San José.
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