San Jose has long been viewed as an unavoidable entry and exit point by visitors looking for beaches, rainforests and to experience nature. The traffic can be intense, there’s no signage, and your head will spin with all the activity, but the much-maligned city has much to offer its guests in culture and authenticity so is worth adding to any travel itinerary.

Costa Rica’s capital city is named for Saint Joseph and is the county’s largest city with a population of 333,981. It is one of the newest capitals in Central America as it was established in 1738. The decision was made to base the country’s government away from the original capital, Cartago, which was shaken by earthquakes and covered in layers of volcanic ash.

The country’s prosperity in the 1970s and 1980s led to a flurry of construction in the city, but colonial-style buildings and nicely shaded parks can still be found amid the modern and less attractive parts of the capital. Like many modern cities worldwide, there has been large-scale construction of shopping malls and nightlife spots outside of its center, but the city has made a recent return into fashion with trendy hangouts and coffee bars making it the place to be for local trendsetters.

As a Josefino, I have a genuine affection for my city which is small enough to walk across but large enough to provide the visitor and local with diverse and authentic experiences of Costa Rica. Park in one of the fenced parking lots, where a nominal hourly rate will ensure that your vehicle is watched until you return, and start exploring!

For the true taste of genuine San Jose, look no further than the Central Market, in the very heart of the city.  The tiny stalls inside the bustling market offer a wealth of goods from herbs and spices to butchers and fishmongers, and clothes. In pre-internet days, when Poas maintained offices on either end of Paseo Colon, my father would stroll with me up to the market for a hearty breakfast pinto or lunch soup perched on stools at one of the tiny sodas (as local restaurants are called), which still serve some of the best typical food around. The flurry of sights, sounds and smells are as exciting today as they were as a child.

Of course, it isn’t all fun and food. My city offers its guests plenty of culture and history too so let’s begin with the Poas Museum Guide:

 

Costa Rican Art Museum

The former control tower of Costa Rica’s first International Airport of Costa Rica became the Costa Rican Art Museum in 1977. The building was constructed in neo-colonial style in 1930 but was no longer in use after the airport was relocated to its current site in Alajuela. Its protected status, history and architectural elegance made it the perfect location to house the 6,000 local and international works of art. At the top of the wooden staircase in the museum’s center, visitors can see the old VIP reception area – the Bronze Room – with Costa Rica’s history embossed around its four walls starting with the Conquistadors’ arrival to the country’s economic boom in the exportation of coffee and fruit. Larger sculptures form an attractive patioed garden outside, and if these are not enough to satisfy your art appreciation, the adjoining Sabana Park offers more.

 

Jade Museum

As the name suggests, this small museum is dedicated to displaying examples of the country’s pre-Columbian jade work. The jade tradition passed through three distinct stages between 500BC and 900AD when gold became the preferred valuable raw material for jewelry and artifacts. The jade pieces incorporate animal and human forms reflecting the beliefs of the indigenous creators of these beautiful objects. The museum has been collecting archeological pieces of jade since its beginning in 1971, and its relocation and modernization to an interactive and child-friendly spacious depiction of Costa Rica’s ancient cultures make this museum a must-see.

 

National Museum

The Bellavista or Beautiful View Fortress was built in 1917 as a military barracks, and was a strategic location in Costa Rica’s brief civil war in 1948, as the bullets still embedded in the walls testify. President Jose Figueres Ferrer declared the abolition of the army the following year, and this act is commemorated on the fortress wall. In 1950, the building was established as a museum for the country’s history and culture. Today it exhibits Pre-Columbian History, Indigenous gold, Costa Rican History, a Colonial house, and old fortress cells with original graffiti drawn by inmates in the 1940s. An unexpected treat for visitors is the Butterfly Room by which visitors enter the museum for a burst of tropical color, and kids will enjoy playing in the pretend supermarket complete with shopping carts.

 

Gold Museum

Located below the Plaza de la Cultura in the heart of the capital, the museum holds 1,600 pre-Columbian gold artifacts created between 500 AD and 1500 AD. Gold was regarded as a symbol of authority by indigenous people just as in other nations, and represent the ancient beliefs of the tribes. The gold ornamentation attracted Columbus’ eye when he arrived on Costa Rican shores and earned the country its name of Rich Coast. The Museum also has an exhibit of Costa Rican coins, banknotes, coffee tokens, paper money, documents and pictures.

 

Museo de los Ninos / Children’s Museum

Housed in the abandoned Central Penitentiary, the Children’s Museum was opened in 1994 after its transformation to an interactive and exciting learning experience for families. Suitable for children of all ages, the earthquake simulator was a big hit with the kids there; they were all laughing as the adults tried to maintain our balance on the shaking platform. The building houses the 526 seat National Auditory and fourteen room National Gallery.

San Jose’s cultural offerings will easily fill a morning pre-flight or a day between tours for an enjoyable city exploration to contrast with beach and jungle time.

 

Recommended Car Category:

A practical transport option for Costa Rica’s Central Valley and nearest beaches, such as Jaco and Manuel Antonio. Economical on fuel and rental cost, this car is a wise choice for city driving, and ideal for the business traveler or visitors remaining in the capital and surrounding area.

Reserve Yours Today!

Where to stay:

Ditch the cookie cutter large international chain hotels for an authentic Costa Rican flavor in the carefully restored and converted Victorian homes which compose San Jose’s Grano del Oro Hotel. The upscale boutique hotel is situated in the heart of the capital city, but with its charming courtyard gardens and fountains, feels removed from the busy streets to provide a relaxing stay within walking distance of many of the popular sights.

With just thirty-four rooms, from standard to the luxurious Vista del Oro suite, guests receive the personalized service and attention to detail that simply isn’t possible in a large establishment.

Price: High-end, but well worth the splurge. 

 

Soundtrack:

As they sing “dance until dawn”, Entrelineas rocks their Tico beat specifically geared for the San Jose metro area – where their video was produced and recorded – and also a fitting theme song for this post.