Upon first arrival it may appear that San Jose is just a chaotic jumble of vehicles, unimpressive buildings and humans. Downtown is congested nearly round the clock, and an air of pollution hangs over the city. Add to that the pervasive problem of street crime and you may wonder why anyone would visit the capital of Costa Rica.
But a few days of getting to know how to avoid the worst areas and where to find the hidden gems will prove that San Jose has a lot to offer. It’s just not obvious. Its markets are vibrant and colourful, and there are enough decent museums to give you a good education on the culture and heritage of the Ticos (locals) who have always lived here.
San Jose’s city parks also make a great place to see the locals at their best, and there is a wealth of dining and wining options unlike anywhere else in Central America. But the real gems lie just outside San Jose and make excellent daytrips. There are active volcanoes, whitewater rafting, rainforest canopy tours and countless other fun outdoor activities waiting.
Accommodation in San Jose ranges from extremely cheap pensions to luxury resorts. Between these two extremes lie the vast majority of rooms. There are great values to be found in the midrange category, from restored homes turned into inns to boutique hotels. Downtown has some great historic choices, with the Barrio Amón neighbourhood as the finest of the lot. The lodgings in the Escazu and Santa Ana suburbs are quiet and relaxing.
Direct flights into San Jose’s international airport originate mainly in the US and Canada. European travellers will need to make a connection somewhere in the US, but it’s easily arranged. If you’re already in Central America, there are countless coaches running from all the neighbouring countries.
Many people consider San Jose to have an ‘eternal spring’ kind of climate. With daily temperatures averaging a delightful 25oC all year long, it’s easy to see why they would say that. There are essentially to seasons in San José: dry and rainy. The dry, cool season runs from November through April, coinciding with Costa Rica’s high tourism season. This certainly is an idyllic time to visit weather-wise, but tourism crowds can be quite heavy. December is the busiest month in San Jose as several popular festivals lead into New Year.
The rainy season runs from May until the end of October bringing reliable showers, usually in the afternoons. Although there can be extended periods of heavy sodden rain, the ‘green season’ as it’s aptly nicknamed, is actually is good time to visit San Jose. The rain isn’t that bad, and serves to turn the entire city into a lush, verdant garden. Fewer crowds and lower room rates create a more intimate, local-style feel to the capital.
