San José, Costa Rica

The capital of Costa Rica, San José, is located in the Meseta Central (Central Plateau) of the Cordillera Central (Central Mountain range), at some 3,770 feet above sea level, so it offers a mild spring-like climate year round.  It was founded in 1737, though it did not become the capital of Costa Rica until 1823.  It is a fairly modern metropolis, sprawling over 4 sq mi., but it has the feel of a provincial town.  Public transportation, both buses and taxis, is cheap and widely available.

    San José is not a particularly attractive or dangerous city, but it is important to be careful as "outsiders" are always considered easy prey anywhere and everywhere in the world.  The center of San José offers some lovely plazas (or "parques"), churches, hotels, and museums to visit, including a Jade Museum, a Gold Museum and the Teatro Nacional (National Theater).  On our bus tour of San José, we will make a stop at the Museo Nacional where we will learn about the country's history, geography and culture.

Plaza de la Democracia
located behind the Museo Nacional