The province of San Jose is the most populated of Costa Rica's seven provinces. It is the capital of Costa Rica. The major part of San Jose is blessed by a moderate climate where nothing more than a sweater or light weight jacket and an umbrella are all the protection from the elements you'll ever need.
San Jose lies between 2,296 and 4,265 feet (700 and 1,300 meters) above sea level and is under the influence of a dry season from mid-November through mid-May and a wet season during the remaining half of the year.
San Jose is a noisy place, traffic jams and congestion being the norm. Despite the crowded streets, it still has a surprising "small town" feeling and it offers a colorful insight into the life of the average urban Costa Rican. San Jose is a place with a sprinkling of excellent museums, some elegant buildings and landscaped parks. Good cafes and art galleries are located throughout the city. It is where most people find themselves spending some time. The city is the country's major transportation corridor and many journeys across the country involve passing through the capital. Few travelers come to San Jose for the sights, but it surely has many places to eat, dance, and spend time socializing with people.
In San Jose, you can find the Parisian influenced National Theatre, which was built in 1890. It is a national treasure and a most impressive architectural showpiece. The theatre is beautifully decorated with elegant balconies, luxurious furniture, and marble columns. It is definitely a place to enjoy while passing through San Jose.
Other points of interest are the city's museums. The best museums in San Jose are the Gold Museum with its beautiful pre-Columbian exhibits, the National Museum with a collection of colonial furniture, archaeology, religious art and costumes; and the Jade Museum, with the largest collection of American jade pieces in the world. The outside walls of the National Museum still show bullet scars from the revolution of 1948. Other museums are the Museum of Costa Rican Art, the Museum of Entomology, the Natural Science Museum and the Children's Museum.
Pueblo Antiguo (The Old Town) is also located in San Jose. This attraction was designed with the architectural style of Costa Rica's major towns (Heredia, San Jose and Cartago) as they were in the 19th Century. Here you will find a replica of the National Liquor Factory, church, market, fire station, bookstore and the Bank of Costa Rica.
San Jose is the heart of the country and it is a place with department stores, fast-food restaurants and shopping malls. There are many places and cities to visit near San Jose such as Moravia, one of the cities well known for its art and craft stores. The Simon Bolivar Zoo is located in Barrio Amon, which is one of the historical suburbs of the city. Here you will also find Sabana Park, San Pedro Mall and many more points of interest.
San Jose is the most cosmopolitan city in Central America. There is a large diplomatic and international business presence here. You can find elegant hotels in renovated historic buildings, as well as innovative restaurants serving a wide range of international cuisines such as Italian, Chinese, Bistro, Vegetarian, American, seafood and more. It is a good hub from which to take a couple of day tours, and if you are looking for nightlife, the city offers plenty of it. You can find a good selection of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. There are a number of attractions in the surrounding areas as well, some of them with spectacular views of the central valley.
Come visit San Jose! You may use this vibrant city as your starting point or as a travel hub while in the country.
