San Jose (CR) Hotels

As a result, the capital city has undergone small but considerable transformations to entice people to stick around for more than a night or two. In addition to historic architecture left over from the Spanish colonial era and a lively downtown, San Jose boasts such attractions as the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica and INBio Park, a rather unorthodox zoo just north of the city.

San Jose History

• National Theatre – A national landmark that not only offers lovely architecture but culture as well.
• Mercado Central – For a cultural experience in itself, visit the old local market.
• Teatro Variedades – San Jose’s oldest theatre and the first venue in Costa Rica to show movies.
• The Blue House – Served as home to several of the country’s presidents.
• Knohr Building – One of the only structures with the neoclassical style and architecture.

San Jose Art & Culture

• Museo Oro Precolombino – Home to a collection of 1,600 pieces of gold that date back to the Pre-Columbine days of 500 to 1500 AD.
• Museo del Jade – The biggest pre-Columbine collection of jade in the Americas.
• Museo Nacional – This San Jose museum is housed in an old fort and features a butterfly garden and many large stone spheres.
• Museo de Arte Costarricense – Local art displayed in what was the former airport.
• Insect Musuem at the Costa Rican University – Features a large variety of exotic bugs.

San Jose Shopping

• Plaza de la Democracia – Features a daily street market with long rows of stalls offering clothing, crafts and more.
• La Casona – Specializes in souvenirs and crafts.
• El Pueblo – Built in the style of a village from the colonial times.
• MallSan Pedro – One of San Jose’s modern shopping areas.
• Café Britt – One of the most well-known Costa Rican brands of coffee and a chain store.

Gay & Lesbian San Jose

• La Avispa – The oldest disco of its kind in San Jose, with Latin music, pop, and dancing.
• Club OH – Features electronic music and an open bar on Friday and Saturday.
• Bochinche – This is a hopping bar and disco and features an art-deco style.
• Liquid Lounge – The club to go to for house and pop music.
• Tutu Bar and Lounge – A great place for a night on the town.

Attractions

• Centro Nacional de Arte y Cultura
• La Paz Waterfall Gardens
• Museo Nacional de Costa Rica
• INBio Park
• Lankester Gardens

Activities

• National Orchid Show
• Festival de la Luz
• Costa Rica International Film Festival
• Costa Rica International Arts Festival
• nternational Theater Festival

Restaurants

• Bacchus
• La Luz
• Whappin'
• Donde Carlos
• Barbecue Los Anonos

Nightlife

• Castro's
• Key Largo
• El Observatorio
• Copacabana
• Salsa 54

Climate

Thanks to high elevation, San Jose's tropical rainforest climate is relatively mild. Average temperatures range between 15°C and 28°C throughout the year, with little variance from one month to the next. Rainy season, it should be noted, is from April to November.