The Costa Rica capital of San Jos? is likely to be your first exposure when you land in Costa Rica. (Unless you're flying in to Liberia in Guanacaste.)
It's by far the largest city in Costa Rica, with half of the country's population clustered within and around it.
It really is the hub of the country. Politically, the government is based in San Jos?. Transportation-wise, the main international Costa Rica airport is also based in San Jos?.
If you will be making domestic connections once you arrive, you will be flying in and out of San Jose Airport. If you fly right out to Golfito, and later plan to fly up to Guanacaste via Liberia, you will first fly from Golfito to San Jose and then San Jose to Liberia.
There are many options for navigating the city once you arrive.
To navigate downtown, remember that the roads are set out in a grid pattern. Avenidas (Spanish for avenues) run east and west. Alternatively, calles (Spanish for streets) run north and south. Plaza de la Cultura, the central plaza, is located at the intersection of Avenidas Central and Calle Central.
City buses will connect you with the suburbs or different sections of the Costa Rica capital. Or, you can go with a private bus company for service to other parts of the country.
Keep in mind that a central bus terminal does not exist in San Jose.
If you're not up for the adventure of navigating San Jose's streets, take a taxi. Even if you have a rental car at your disposal, a taxi cab is convenient and cheap.
You can use a taxi cab driver as your personal navigator. They'll be able to get you to where you're going by using just a name.
It's easy to spot a taxi in Costa Rica. Outside of the airport, they're red with a yellow triangle on the door. Airport taxis are orange and charge a premium rate over the red taxis.
As I mentioned, finding your way in the Costa Rica capital can be tricky due to the lack of addresses and street signs.
San Jose is home to Costa Rica's most culturally significant museums. And there are many.
If you like to shop, browse, or people-watch, make your way to the Central Market (Mercado Central). For locals and tourists alike, you can find all kinds of fresh fruits and veggies, meats, spices, and fresh coffee. You can also pick up local souvenirs, crafts, and t-shirts. Cool off with a sweet ice cream treat while you're there.
Definitely head to the market if you're looking for an authentic Costa Rica shopping experience. You'll find it stocked for tourists and locals alike.
The National Arts and Crafts Street Market is a great place to find that unique piece of native-made jewelry. You'll also find all kinds of handcrafts. It's located in San Jose at the Plaza del Democracia.
There's a pedestrian mall along Avenidas Central between Calle Central and Calle 7. You'll find all manners of restaurants (even American fast food) and shops, street merchants, and sidewalk entertainers. There's a strong police presence here, so you'll find it among the safest destinations in San Jos?.
Central Park (Parque Central) is a city block in downtown San Jos? along Avenidas Central. It's more like a plaza than a park, per se. In and of itself, it's not as notable as say, the Metropolitan Cathedral across the street. It's a nice space to have a seat and do a bit of people watching, for sure.
For more people-watching, there's the National Park (Parque Nacional). This park is between Calles 15 and 19 between Avenidas 1 and 3.
As far as parks go, the largest in the capital is La Sabana Metropolitan Park (Parque Metropolitano La Sabana). There's the typical park activities -- basketball, volleyball, and a fun playground for the youngsters. There's also fishing in the man-made lake. It's a great park for a stroll and a picnic.
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Remember, there are far more vacation spots in Costa Rica to explore. Just before you decide to go, be sure you have an understanding of what Costa Rica's weather is like all year round.
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