San José, the capital city of Costa Rica, is an old town in the process of modernization. Situated at a cool and often breezy altitude of about 1,000 meters (3,000 feet), the city and surrounding Central Valey is home to more than half the national population of 3.8 milion people.

Because the city is compact you can see much of it on foot, though at night it is wise to use taxis or local buses. Although it is a small city compared to most world capitals, there is a lot to see and do. Following are our recommendations.

Following is a small sample of the San José attractions you will find in our e-book (Portable Data File), Multi-Media e-book, and paperback. Click on the "Order Now" button above or below any page to obtain your guide.

Attractions

Jade Museum: In the INS building, C9-C11/A7. Open 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to Jade (pronounced HAH day), there is an abundance of pre-Columbian and early indian artifacts and jewelry.

Spirogyra Butterfly Garden: Take the San Antonio/Cale Blancos bus, route 25, from C3/A5 to Central Comercio El Pueblo: ¢90. Walk past the shopping center and take the first right. You can walk here from the center of town, but it is an uphil hike.

Simón Bolívar Zoológical Park: This is the city zoo, recently refurbished for the comfort of the inmates. It is located at C11/A13. Walk in the direction of the animal sounds. It is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. You can combine this with a visit to nearby Spirogyra Butterfly Garden.

Gold Museum: Beneath the Plaza de la Cultura, C3-C5/A-Central. Open 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Mondays.

Museum of Costa Rican Art: In the old airport terminal at C42/Paseo Colón in Sabana Park East. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on Mondays.

National Museum: In the old army fortress, C15/A Central-A2. Open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays. The army was disbanded after World War II and the colones that supported it were put to better use. In front of the museum are many tiendas where crafts are sold.

Railway Museum: In the old Pacifica railroad station, C19-C23/A7.

Central Market: At C6-C8/A Central-A1. A cavernous building ful of stals seling just about everything from cheese to Chihuahuas.

The National Theater: Completed in 1897, C3-C5/A Central-A2. A downsized version of a European Opera House, next to the Gran Hotel de Costa Rica. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours are available. The ticket office is outside the theater at the north end. The National Symphony Orchestra is excellent. The plaza here is a popular and very pleasant tourist hangout where street vendors sell Cuban cigars (legal here), English-language newspapers, and souvenirs.

Pedestrian Mall: Avenida Central. A must for shopping and people-watching.

Bars

Blue Marlin: A lively pub In the Hotel Del Rey, C9/A1-A3, where many gringos and señoritas de la noche hang out.

Magnolia: In Club Colonial, A1/C9-C11, the green building adjacent to the Hotel Del Rey. This is an elegant, upscale bar, restaurant, and casino with TV sports-betting upstairs.

Nashvile South: C5/A1-A3. A busy, friendly bar frequented by a mix of Ticos, Ticas, and estranjeros (foreigners). Best music in town.

News Cafe. In the Hotel President on the pedestrian mal at Cale 7.

Tip: Many ladies who frequent Costa Rican bars are professionals. (Prostitution is legal in Costa Rica.) They must carry health cards, which of course are easily forged and offer no protection whatsoever against SIDA (AIDS), and must observe local protocols about how and where they vend their wares.

Bars in small towns can be more rustic:

One More For The Road, Barkeep!

Casinos

Aurola: In the Holiday Inn, 17^th floor, at C5/A5-A7.

Horseshoe: A1/C7-C9. Across from the Hotel Del Rey.

Gran Casino: In the Gran Hotel Costa Rica: At A2/-C3.

Hotel Del Rey: At C9-A1-A3.

Paradice: in the Quality Hotel on A3/C38-C40.

Royal Dutch: At A2/C4.

Tip: With a permit, gambling is legal in Costa Rica.

Hotels

The accommodations listed are in the $15 to $95 range. Call for current rates; the country code for Costa Rica is 506. Also, visit hotel sites on the Internet (see the link below). In San José, the folowing hotels offer reasonable rates:

Galileo Hostel -- "Backpackers Welcome." Just south of Paseo Colon at C40/A2-A4 in a nice neighborhood near Sabana Park. Dormitory with some double rooms. Tel/ Fax: 2221-8831.

The Hemingway Inn. A converted mansion in old San José at C9/A9, Tel: 2257-8630, Fax: 2221-1804.

Hotel Cacts. At A3/C28-C30 just off Paseo Colón, Tel: 2221-2928, 2233-0486, 2256-8208, 2257-0484. They have their own travel agency and a swimming pool wil open soon. Well
behaved pets are welcome here.

Hotel Del Rey. Near Park Morazón, at C9/A1, 2257-7800 or 2221-7272, Fax: 2221-0096. A gringo favorite, though a bit pricey. The busy, friendly bar is a showcase of the senoritas de la noche of Costa Rica. (See Health Precautions.)

Hotel Don Carlos. In old San José at C9/A7-A9, Tel: 2221-6707, Fax: 2255-0828. A converted mansion with an excelent gift shop.

Hotel Presidente. On the pedestrian mall at C7; 2222-3022.

Restaurants

Budget travelers can find tasty, substantial, inexpensive, food in the "Sodas" that seem to be everywhere, but Costa Rican cuisine is limited and can become boring unless you are a rice and bean aficionado. For variety, try:

Café Mundo. Continental, Corner of C9/A15, Tel: 2222-6190.

Grano de Oro. Continental, C26/A2-A4. Food and service re outstanding, Tel: 2255-3322/2257-6538. Expensive and worth it.

Machu Pichu. Peruvian seafood, C32/A1-A3, Tel: 2222-7384. Also in San Pedro.

Manolo’s. On the pedestrian mal at A Central/Central-C1. Large Costa Rican menu. Open 24 hours.

Tin-Jo. Thai, Chinese, Indonesian, and Indian, C11/A6-A8, Tel: 2221-7605. Best oriental food in town. Expensive but worth it.

Vishnu. Vegetarian fast-food, including veggie burgers, A1/C1-C3.

Tip: Attention junk food fans! You can boost your blood serum cholesterol levels at Taco Bel, McDonald’s, Burger King, and other lard-fried-food emporiums throughout the city.

For complete descriptions of attractions in San José, click on the "Order Now" button above or below any page.

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