Anyone know about the city of David in Panama or about San Jose, Costa Rica?

Question

My friend and I plan to travel to these areas soon. Any info appreciated.

Answer 1

not much to do in David. but it is pretty close to many beautiful places like Boquete or Bocas del Toro..

Answer 2

Don't know anything about David, but I have been to San Jose.  It's not a bad city so far as large Latin American cities go but aside from nightlife and museums/concerts and stuff, it doesn't have much going for it.  The architecture is drab and over-reliant on concrete and corrugated tin, its kinda polluted, and some areas have crime problems (but moderate by central american standards). Some of the suburban neighborhoods aren't bad, the vegetation is quite lush. Costa Rica is a pretty awesome country, though, if you like beaches and natural beauty.

Answer 3

I have spent time a good amount of time in both.  The descriptions that you have received of San Jose are pretty accurate.  There is quite a bit to do there but it is a chaotic city and is not particularly beautiful.  It is the most convenient place to base yourself if you want to get to know the rest of the country.  David is Panama's 3rd largest city after Panama City (about half of all Panamanian live in the Capital) and Colon and is the financial and political center for Chiriqui province.  I think it has about 50,000 people compared to about 2 million in the San Jose metro area.   It is hot and flat.  It is not a tourist destination.  It is equal distance between Boquete and the sea but roughly an hour from either.  It is not really set up for tourism.  It is a nice town with lower crime than San Jose (my daughter lives there).