San Jose Costa Rica is the capital of Costa Rica and is the largest city in Costa Rica. It is located in the Central Valley of the Grand Area Metropolitana. This is one of the youngest capitals in Latin America. As this is the heart of the government, there are many different things to see and do and places to explore and the nightlife is great! Come see San Jose in a new light!
Getting there
San Jose Costa Rica is easy to get to from most destinations. There are two different airports that serve the San Jose Area. San Jose International Airport (Juan Santamaría) is 17km from the centre of San Jose. Many different airlines land here such as Delta, Iberia, Taca, United and Air Canada. There is as USD $26 exit fee at this airport. Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport is in Liberia and is closer to the coast. American Airlines, Continental and United all fly to this destination. Bus services to San Jose include local bus lines such as the Tica Bus and there are also other buses arriving from Honduras and Guatemala. You may also reach San Jose through the Inter- Americana highway by car.
Temperature and Terrain
San Jose Costa Rica is classified as a tropical zone and is designated a tropical rain forest. The elevation of San Jose gives it a mild climate. The temperature usually runs between 59 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit and it has two seasons, rainy and dry. Dry season is from December to April and the wet season runs from April to November. With San Jose being located in the Central Mountainous region, the climate is going to be more spring like. With rainforest all around and being in a mountainous region, the temperature will vary according to altitude.
Geography
San Jose Costa Rica is located in the Central Valley Region of Costa Rica. It is located near the middle of the country and is considered to be the population centre of Costa Rica. It is 3,900 feet above sea level and surrounded by mountains with prominent volcanoes. The architecture here is a mix of Spanish and Modern. San Jose is also the cultural, commercial and transportation centre of Costa Rica. With moderate temperatures, this is an ideal place for vacationing. Coffee is San Jose’s main export crop and was founded as a trading centre back in 1737 and became the capital of Costa Rica in 1823.
Things to Do and See in San Jose
San Jose Costa Rica is full of fun things to see and do. One sight to see is the Museo Nacional located at Calle 17, Avenida 2. This museum includes a large butterfly garden and was once the site of an old for used during the 1948 Revolution. If you are into outdoor adventure then Rios Tropicales has the white water rafting to please you. There is also horseback riding and canopy tours for you to take part in. El Pueblo is a very famous tourist attraction in San Jose. Pueblo Antiguo is an amusement park located in a complex called Parque de Diversiones de Costa Rica.
Special Events
San Jose Costa Rica has many special events during a calendar year. In July for example, the Fiesta de la Virgin del Mar is an event that is held in July and is held at Playas del Coco with a regatta and boat parade. Another special event is The Festival de La Luz. Thus is a light festival that is held at night with floats and parades. Carnival is always a hit.
Places of Interest
San Jose Costa Rica is full of places of interest. One you may be interested in is the Teatro Nacional located near the centre of San Jose. This impressive building hosts many cultural events and was paid for by a tax on coffee exports. Another place of interest may be the Plaza de Cultura. This landmark is visited by thousands of citizens and tourists alike every day. La Paz Waterfall and garden located in La Paz is another sight that is a must see. Beautiful trails, beautiful butterfly gardens and the hummingbird conservatory are all located one hour from San Jose.
