Anybody from San Jose, Costa Rica? (or been there)?

Question

Heyy, so I'm going to Costa Rica this Saturday for vacation. I'm going to be spending 3 days in San Jose before going to the Arenal Volcano Lodge. I was wondering if somebody could suggest some things to do and see? I'm going to be joining tours for the most part, I want to do some Canopy Adventures, Tortuga Island Cruise, White Water Rafting, etc. but are there any must-do things? Also, I want to know if in the city, there are some stores/museums/restaurants that would be nice to visit in San Jose. Thanks!

Answer 1

It sounds like you are on the right path.  If this is your first time in CR you are definitely covering some highlights.  You'll love the Canopy tours and the WWR!  I've never done the Tortuga Island Cruise, but it sounds nice if you like that kind of thing.  In San Jose, I think the best part I liked was the National Museum.  It's very cool.  The outdoor market was fun too.  Other than that - not a huge fan of San Jose.  There is plenty to do - just not 'different in another country' stuff.  I like zoo's - but not that high on the list when I'm visiting a foreign country if you know what I mean.  If you want to base yourself in San Jose for a couple of days, there are tours that are based in San Jose and will take you to the other locations.  Check out:

http://www.rainforesttours.com/sjd.htm

Also - Arenol Rocks!  You'll have so much fun.  Be sure to take a guided tour of the National Park - you'll see way more than if you were to hike on your own.  The hot springs are cool.  And there was this restaurant in La Fortuna that was a giant Tiki hut - that had great food and low prices.  We ate there everynight we were in La Fortuna.  They make an excellent Pina Colada!

Answer 2

You could stay in the tourist area by downtown and go to the craft market,

avoid walking out at night.

I would only stay maximum 1 day In San Jose.

there isn't much to see there.

Why don't you go two days to JACO beach, It's so close to San Jose that you might as well get straight there.

Answer 3

Do not do san jose at night (if you do, make sure you take a cab, even 2 blocks), in the day time it is safe). The shopping in san jose is awesome. Soccer jerseys that cost 25-40 bucks in the states you can find for 4-5 bucks.  If you are there on saturday, the best western irazu (near the airport) has a great bar.

Arenal: TOTALLY AWESOME   Hot springs, there are 2 major ones Tabacon and Baldi. I have been to tabacon, its great but I hear Baldi is just as nice and cheaper. (By the way, Costa Rican beer is better than american beer also)

Answer 4

Some places to visit in San jose:

Parque Zoologico Simon Bolívar

This park, located two blocks northeast of Avenida 11 and Calle 7, is home to a large variety of native Costa Rican wildlife.

The Amusement Park

Parque Nacional de Diversiones

Costa Rica’s only amusement park is located in La Uruca, 2km west of the Hospital Mexico.(been there, awesome place.)

Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park (in Turrubares)

Features a canopy tour, aerial tram, Superman-style sensational cable, butterfly garden, horseback riding, nature trails, bromeliad garden, iguana farm and restaurant.

Centro Comercial El Pueblo (El Pueblo Shopping Center)

You’ll find a large selection of shops, bars, restaurants and discos here - Bar Bongos, Twister Club, Restaurante Lukas, Restaurante Tarrico, Discoteque Cocoloco, Plaza Discoteque and more - located in Barrio Tournon.

MUSEUMS:

Costa Rican National Museum

Antiguo Cuartel Bella Vista

San Jose, Costa Rica

Tel: [phone]

The National Museum is the grandaddy of them all. It was created a hundred years ago to exhibit religious and archaeological objects which define the history and character of the country.

The National Museum is situated in San Jose, capital of Costa Rica, on 17th Street, between Central and Second Avenue and on Cuesta de Moras. adjacent to Plaza de la Democracia.

Hours: Schedule of Exhibition Galleries: Tuesday to Saturday, from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed on Mondays.

Costa Rican Art Museum

Calle 42, Sabana Este. (Behind the Leon Cortes-Castro Sculpture)

San Jose, Costa Rica

Tel: [phone]

This is modern art in every sense of the word.  It was created just twenty years ago as the place for art lovers to see the "now" of now-a-days in the world of Costa Rican painting and sculpture.

Hours: Every day except Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

National Children's Museum

(also been there AMAZING!)

picture:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_AUSCBw00w0Y/R8t8YO...

Calle 4 and Avenida 9

San Jose, Costa Rica

Tel: [phone]

Learning doesn't have to be boring. Here, kids play with hands-on exhibits designed to familiarize with the stuff of science and technology, as well as the traditional culture, art and literature of Costa Rica.

Hours: Wednesday through Friday 10 a.m. until noon; 2  to 5 p.m.; Weekends 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2  to 5 p.m.

El teatro Nacional (national theater)

http://mario.adario.googlepages.com/SanJ...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co...

heres their website.

http://www.teatronacional.go.cr/

and you should also Visit this link for more info:

http://www.1costaricalink.com/sanjose.ht...

I would also recomment going to Heredia(wich isn'nt very far from San Jose just a 15 minute drive) it's beautiful.

some places to visit in heredia:

Monte de la Cruz, beautiful park..you can do so many things including horseback riding and picking delicious wild berries!

http://img2.travelblog.org/Photos/9325/6...

Heredia’s historic La Inmaculada Concepcion, a majestic church built in 1796.

http://costaricaysugente.googlepages.com...

It's the oldest church in central America still standing!

El fortin.

http://www.fascinationcostarica.com/foto...

It's a wonderful colonial tower of an old Spanish fort.

and if you feel like shopping these are great malls:

El paseo de las flores

http://www.paseodelasflores.com/ - they have a Christian Dior store!

Plaza real Cariari

http://www.plazarealcariari.com/

Sorry it's so long but I hope you have fun :) Pura Vida!

Answer 5

Trty the food!! It's DELISH!!