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Exciting cultural attractions in Costa Rica's capital city
Have it all in San José! In Costa Rica's fertile Central Valley, San José offers a myriad of museums, theaters, gourmet restaurants and vibrant nightlife. The city's ideal location means exciting day trips to national parks with volcanoes, white water rafting and tropical forests are within easy reach.
With Occidental Hotels & Resorts, you can plan your next vacation down to the fine detail of selecting activities to experience throughout your stay. From choosing an exhilarating canopy tour to viewing an active volcano or a visit to the open-air Central Market, your dream vacation is complete with Occidental Hotels & Resorts. Guests may compare best available rates at time of booking to airline routes & nonstop, direct and indirect schedules for major carriers serving the destination.
Airport
Named after a courageous drummer boy in an 1856 battle, the Juan Santamaria International Airport sits just outside the San José's downtown and is serviced by most major U.S. airlines. A short 20-minute drive delivers guests to hotels and sights throughout the city. Weather
With the Poás volcano to the north and Irazú volcano to the east, Central Valley enjoys mineral-rich soil, verdant fields and a mild, dry climate year round. Surrounded by rolling farmland, coffee plantations and cloud forests, the city of San José enjoys an annual average temperature of 72? F, often with a Pacific coastal breeze. Convenience to shopping
From open-air markets to shops in quaint plazas, most downtown shopping is easily accessible on foot. Public transportation is plentiful and easy to navigate as well. The pedestrian-only section of the main thoroughfare, Avenida Central, ends at the Central Market, a large, bustling market full of local produce and artisan's handicrafts. Attractions
This capital city is full of cultural and historical sights, shopping, parks and exciting nightlife. The city's largest park, the Parque Metropolitano de la Sabana, offers something for everyone. Within the park's expansive borders, visitors find an art museum, the Museo de Arte Costarricense, a sparkling lake, outdoor art installations, venues, fields and arenas for everything from soccer to volleyball to baseball and many picturesque spots, perfect for photo opportunities. The Central Market, a typical Latin American market, is fascinating and often crowded. Here the locals shop daily for fresh fish, meats, exotic produce, baked goods, leather goods, hand-woven baskets and other crafts. Souvenir stands are plentiful, too. Merchants are quick to smile and offer a food sample to entice customers in. Many food stands here offer seating at their counter and are a great, inexpensive way to experience authentic regional dishes. Exploring further into the capital city's downtown will yield riches beyond belief. The Jade Museum, Costa Rica's most famous museum, houses the world's largest collection of jade pieces dating back to 300 B.C. The fascinating Gold Museum showcases over 2,000 pre-Columbian gold artifacts on permanent display, one of the largest in the world. This museum also houses temporary art exhibits. In fact, San José's many museums offer something for everyone. From contemporary art, historical artifacts, insects and natural sciences to a children's interactive museum, this city satisfies every curiosity. With over a dozen theaters inside the city limits, San José offers a full range of performances from comedy to drama, dance and symphony. The National Theater hosts Costa Rica's National Symphony, a renowned and well-traveled group, twice a month. The Bolshoi Ballet has also performed here. The Melico Salazar Theater, a 1,500-seat venue, hosts the National Youth Symphony, the National Opera Society, the award-winning National Choir and several dance companies. Golf Courses
Central Valley's ideal climate and lush landscape make it a perfect golf destination. In San José, a former coffee plantation now hosts the Cariari Country Club, an 18-hole, par 71 course designed by George Fazio. Just outside the city is Parque Valle del Sol, a championship, 18-hole course designed by Tracy May. The trade winds add an extra challenging twist to this diverse course with stunning views. Dining & Entertainment
Downtown San José offers all the rich, diverse elements of a large cosmopolitan city including great dining and entertainment choices. Enjoy enticing local specialty dishes or haute cuisine in a five-star restaurant or anything in between. The city's bars, discos and casinos keep things hopping until the wee hours of the morning. Culture
Costa Rica's people, called "Ticos," are the friendliest in all of Latin America. They enjoy a high standard of living, social harmony, political stability and have had no army for more than 50 years. Known for their exceptional hospitality, Ticos are also committed to preserving their land and its natural resources.
Named after a courageous drummer boy in an 1856 battle, the Juan Santamaria International Airport sits just outside the San José's downtown and is serviced by most major U.S. airlines. A short 20-minute drive delivers guests to hotels and sights throughout the city. Weather
With the Poás volcano to the north and Irazú volcano to the east, Central Valley enjoys mineral-rich soil, verdant fields and a mild, dry climate year round. Surrounded by rolling farmland, coffee plantations and cloud forests, the city of San José enjoys an annual average temperature of 72? F, often with a Pacific coastal breeze. Convenience to shopping
From open-air markets to shops in quaint plazas, most downtown shopping is easily accessible on foot. Public transportation is plentiful and easy to navigate as well. The pedestrian-only section of the main thoroughfare, Avenida Central, ends at the Central Market, a large, bustling market full of local produce and artisan's handicrafts. Attractions
This capital city is full of cultural and historical sights, shopping, parks and exciting nightlife. The city's largest park, the Parque Metropolitano de la Sabana, offers something for everyone. Within the park's expansive borders, visitors find an art museum, the Museo de Arte Costarricense, a sparkling lake, outdoor art installations, venues, fields and arenas for everything from soccer to volleyball to baseball and many picturesque spots, perfect for photo opportunities. The Central Market, a typical Latin American market, is fascinating and often crowded. Here the locals shop daily for fresh fish, meats, exotic produce, baked goods, leather goods, hand-woven baskets and other crafts. Souvenir stands are plentiful, too. Merchants are quick to smile and offer a food sample to entice customers in. Many food stands here offer seating at their counter and are a great, inexpensive way to experience authentic regional dishes. Exploring further into the capital city's downtown will yield riches beyond belief. The Jade Museum, Costa Rica's most famous museum, houses the world's largest collection of jade pieces dating back to 300 B.C. The fascinating Gold Museum showcases over 2,000 pre-Columbian gold artifacts on permanent display, one of the largest in the world. This museum also houses temporary art exhibits. In fact, San José's many museums offer something for everyone. From contemporary art, historical artifacts, insects and natural sciences to a children's interactive museum, this city satisfies every curiosity. With over a dozen theaters inside the city limits, San José offers a full range of performances from comedy to drama, dance and symphony. The National Theater hosts Costa Rica's National Symphony, a renowned and well-traveled group, twice a month. The Bolshoi Ballet has also performed here. The Melico Salazar Theater, a 1,500-seat venue, hosts the National Youth Symphony, the National Opera Society, the award-winning National Choir and several dance companies. Golf Courses
Central Valley's ideal climate and lush landscape make it a perfect golf destination. In San José, a former coffee plantation now hosts the Cariari Country Club, an 18-hole, par 71 course designed by George Fazio. Just outside the city is Parque Valle del Sol, a championship, 18-hole course designed by Tracy May. The trade winds add an extra challenging twist to this diverse course with stunning views. Dining & Entertainment
Downtown San José offers all the rich, diverse elements of a large cosmopolitan city including great dining and entertainment choices. Enjoy enticing local specialty dishes or haute cuisine in a five-star restaurant or anything in between. The city's bars, discos and casinos keep things hopping until the wee hours of the morning. Culture
Costa Rica's people, called "Ticos," are the friendliest in all of Latin America. They enjoy a high standard of living, social harmony, political stability and have had no army for more than 50 years. Known for their exceptional hospitality, Ticos are also committed to preserving their land and its natural resources.
