Most Popular Destinations in Costa Rica-San Jose
San José, which was predominantly an agricultural city for much of the 20th century, transformed the capital in a few decades. Today it is a modern city with bustling commerce, brisk expressions of art and architecture, and spurred by the country’s improved tourism industry, it is a significant destination and stopover for foreign visitors. San José is the capital of Costa Rica, head of the province of San José, and the nation’s largest city.
Because of its relatively late start in terms of development, San José is mostly devoid of antique colonial architecture and the typical stand-out monuments found in other Latin American cities. As the cultural, economic and political center of Costa Rica, San José is where the majority of Costa Ricans live, work, study and play. The province of San Jose includes areas representative of practically every climatic regime possible in Costa Rica since its territory extends from almost sea level at several points near the central Pacific coast up to the country’s highest peak, Mt. Chirripó, at an elevation of 3,820 m.
Hotels in San Jose
Hotel Grano de Oro
Situated in San Jose, Hotel Grano de Oro, a luxurious 3-star property, is close to Museum of Costa Rican Art, Spirogyra Butterfly Garden, and Gold Museum. Also nearby are National Theater and Jade Museum. Converted from a Tropical Victorian mansion, the 40-room hotel maintains the warmth and comfort of a private home with all the amenities of a fine hotel.
There are thirty-two rooms in three categories as well as three signature suites. This romantic hotel offers a restaurant. The restaurant at the Grano de Oro is one of San Jose’s finest, serving continental cuisine in a warm and intimate atmosphere. Open from morning until late evening, the gourmet restaurant serves a fusion of Costa Rican and European cuisine.
Adventure Inn Hotel
First of all, the Adventure Inn in San Jose, Costa Rica has a convenient location if coming in and out of the San Jose Airport. The hotel isn’t actually in the city of San Jose which, as most travel books will explain, is not the nicest of cities to visit. Its about a 10 (US) dollar cab ride to the inn. Additional area points of interest include Spirogyra Butterfly Garden and Museum of Costa Rican Art.
Rooms have city, mountain, or pool views. The 34 guestrooms at Adventure Inn include safes and coffee/tea makers. Beds have Tempur-Pedic mattresses. All of the 34 large rooms at the Adventure Inn Hotel San Jose feature air conditioning and a host of other amenities. Some of the other amenities that guests will find in the rooms at the hotel include bathrooms and views of the mountains. Also, free admission to the nearby private water theme park, WaterLand, with pools, and slides, and so much more, bring the whole family for a day in the sun. We are within walking distance of casinos, fine dining restaurants, and the large new Caraiari Mall.
Mansion del Parque Bolivar Hotel
Located in central San Jose, Mansion del Parque Bolivar Hotel is a business-friendly bed & breakfast within walking distance of Jade Museum, Parque National, Plaza de la Democracia, National Center of Art and Culture, and Gold Museum. This Central hotel offers San Jose accommodation combining attractive rates and quality. Business minded guests travelling to San Jose will be pleased with the hotel’s Secretarial services and Business services. This 3-star property offers small meeting rooms, secretarial services, and business services. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas.
Nearby Attractions
Poas Volcano National Park
One of the attractive features about Poás is that you can get all the way to the edge of the crater. The volcano is located in the Central Volcanic Conservation Area located in the Alajuela Province near the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, which encompasses the area around the Poás Volcano. Although its activity is considerably different than Arenal Volcano, Poás is another of Costa Rica’s most active volcanoes. Poás volcano is a powerful symbol of the geothermal forces that formed Costa Rica. From the crater lookout, visitors can observe a lagoon of aquamarine water. At a depth of nearly 1000 feet, it is the largest volcanic lagoon on Earth.
The Braulio Carrillo National Park
The Braulio Carrillo National Park is one of the most extensive national parks in Costa Rica. The Braulio Carrillo National Park is named after the third Costa Rican president: Braulio Carrillo Colina. He governed between 1837 and 1842. Braulio Carrillo National Park has several dormant volcanoes: Cerro Chompipe, Cerro Cacho Negro, Cerros las Tres Marias. Barva Volcano presents several crater lakes: Barva, Danta and Copey. The park includes a range of five altitudinal life zones and holds a tremendous variety of fauna and flora.
Irazu Volcano National Park
The summit of Volcán Irazú is near tree-line, and the wind and volcanic activity conspire to give the effect of a moonscape. Irazu Volcano is an active strato-volcano which is constantly monitored by OVISCORI-UNA. It is also one of the most active, with a history of frequent eruptions recorded from 1723. Irazu is also Costa Rica’s largest volcano. The volcanic ash from Irazu has made the soil in the surrounding areas very fertile, but there is not much wildlife found here due to volcanic activity.
Things to Do in San Jose
Bungee Jumping
Located in the Old Colorado River Bridge, Tropical Bungee offers bungee jumping since 1991. Old Colorado River Bridge, which is 265 feet high, is one of the highest bungee bridges in America. Bungee jumping is an activity that involves jumping from a tall structure, fixed or a movable object, while connected to a large elastic cord.
National Theatre
The National Theatre of Costa Rica is the national theatre of Costa Rica. It is located in the central section of San José, Costa Rica. Constructed in 1897, it features a columned neoclassical facade that is flanked by statues of Beethoven and Calderón de la Barca, a 17th-century Spanish dramatist. The concerts and drama’s performed are an inexpensive and a good alternative to a ‘cinema-evening’. Note that the’re no performances in a great part of february and march.
Gold Museum (Museo del Oro)
Everybody comeing to Costa Rica and spending some time in San Jose should visit this Museum. The you will find all the gold pieces made by the indians in Costa Rica, A little bit of Costa Ricas history. The Gold Museum is situated 12 metres underneath the Plaza de la Cultura in downtown San Jose that houses mainly Pre-Columbian gold artifacts. More than 1600 gold objects from pre-Columbian times.
The capital is home to numerous restaurants, museums, parks, and many other forms of diversion that are typical of large population centers. Culturally, the city is considered almost entirely European influenced. You will find so many quality Yoga studios, Meditation institutions and Spa centers here in San Jose. San José is one of the safest and least violent cities in the region.
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