San Jose Costa Rica Tourism & Travel Information Hotels Tours Airport Transfers

San Jose Costa Rica					Costa Rica

San Jose Costa Rica Travel Information

San Jose Costa Rica

Costa Rica is located in Central America, it is bordered in the north by Nicaragua, in the south by Panama, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea on the east. It offers a vast array of landscapes, micro climates that range from rain forests to mountain rivers, beaches and a wide range of animal and vegetation species. (See map of San Jose).

San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica and is situated in the central valley of the country flanked by volcanoes and rolling hills. It is the political and economical center of the country and generates more than half of the country’s commerce and services.

San Jose Costa Rica is a small city that attracts visitors from all parts of the world thus the existence of a considerable amount of top notch restaurants, hotels and casinos. The towns of San Pedro, Santa Ana and Escazu (also known as the Zona Rosa) stand out from the rest because of the high quality of their hotels, shopping centers and exciting night life.

San Jose Costa Rica is also home to major museums and cultural centers such as the Museo de Oro (Gold Museum), the Jade Museum, Arte Costarricense and the Teatro Nacional (architectural jewel). It is also very interesting to take in the sights and sounds of the Mercado Central (Central Market), Plaza de la Cultura, and Parque Central (Central Park).

San Jose Costa Rica is less than 3 hours away from each coastline which makes it the ideal departure point for many sightseeing trips. Distances are rapidly covered via public transportation and private vehicles.

Hotels in San Jose Costa Rica

Hotels in San Jose Costa Rica offer a wide range of service levels. Hotel classes vary and include basic barebones hotels, bed and breakfasts, eco-friendly lodging, antique homes and upper scale high class luxury hotels.

The top level hotels in San Jose Costa Rica belong mostly to famous international chains that showcase luxurious facilities and top notch service. There are some all inclusive hotels located on the on the beaches of the Northern Pacific.

Hotels in San Jose Costa Rica don’t include the 16.39% tax on tourism sales in their rates, it is added at checkout.

Hotels in San Jose Costa Rica offer various options. The lowest priced hotels are located in the central part of the city. On the outskirts, near the airport and the town of Escazu, Santa Ana and San Pedro there are high end upscale hotels.

Another option in San Jose Costa Rica are the antique homes of the coffee farmers that have been reconditioned to serve as comfortable bed and breakfast inns. They are spread out throughout the northern and eastern parts of the city.

Tours in San Jose Costa Rica

Tours in San Jose Costa Rica are geared towards those that want to visit the parks and National Reserves, see the woods, the wildlife, enjoy the beach, go diving or snorkeling, and learn about its museums and ancient buildings (See photos).

Costa Rica is home to 116 volcanoes, some of its active volcanoes include the Volcan Arenal, Poas and Rincon de la Vieja which are protected by national parks that have been developed so that visitors can enjoy the views and their native flora and fauna.

In the Caribbean, 160 kms east of San Jose Costa Rica we find the city of Limon, renowned for its cruise ports, Tortuguero National Park, a system of canals flanked by exuberant vegetation and picturesque beaches.

The northern pacific coast is home to several protected areas that house several marine, land, mountainous and coastal ecosystems. The Papagayo Tourist Pole is one the areas that has been greatly developed and is home to upscale hotels.

Puntarenas is the main attraction in the mid-pacific, with beautiful beaches, smooth inlets, islands and natural treasures that possess great beauty, it is also favored by delicious local cuisine. This particular area is very close to the Valle Central (central valley) approximately 2 hours away from the capital.

It is possible to hop on a train from San Jose de Costa Rica to Puntarenas utilizing the Pacific railway which goes by the name of Paseo en Tren a la Tica (Train Trip to La Tica). The voyage is 4 hours long to Puerto Caldera after which you must board a bus for 20 kms. Aside from the breathtaking views, you may also enjoy an onboard serenade and snacking on treats.

Car Rentals in San Jose Costa Rica

Car rentals in San Jose Costa Rica can be made at the agencies several of which are international and located in the city center or in the Juan Santa Maria International Airport.

Costa Rica has an elaborate network of roads most of which have been paved and allow easy access to almost any area in the country. Nevertheless, there is a lack of signals and maintenance on the roads.

Juan Santa Maria International Airport is located in Alajuela and is about 20 minutes from San Jose de Costa Rica. There are several car rental agencies on site and official taxi stands (orange colored cabs).

Taxis offer an efficient and modern service although we recommend to only ride with reputable companies (red cabs). When riding in the metropolitan zone all drivers should have their taximeters (called Maria), please make sure they activate it at the start of your journey.

The national fleet of public buses offers a modern, efficient and economical means of transportation specifically to the main tourist attractions. There isn’t a central station but the one that is frequented by the most number of passengers is the Coca Cola (Ave. 1-3 16th Street) which is the hub for the Northern Pacific and Central routes.

On the Gula of Nicoya en the Northern Pacific Zone you will find river and sea ferries (Ferry Tempisque and Salinero respectively).

Costa Rica is readily accessible by sea thanks in large part to the existence of ports on each side of the country that are equipped to comply with international standards. Moint Port and Limon Port are on the Atlantic and Puerto Caldera is on the Pacific.

Tourist Information for San Jose Costa Rica

People that are interested in visiting Costa Rica should consult with their local Costa Rican embassy or consulate to verify their compliance with entry requirements. There is a departure fee of US$26.00.

Costa Rica’s currency is the Colon and its exchange rate fluctuates. Currency exchange can be made at the airport, authorized currency exchange houses near the Plaza de la Cultura, Radio Monumental or in banks.

The most widely accepted credit cards in tourist areas are: Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Diners Club. Some small businesses only accept local currency, this is especially true in rural zones.

Costa Rica imposes a sales tax that covers lodging, restaurants and many other service related industries. The current tax rate is 13% of the value of the sale plus a 3.39% tourist surcharge in all hotels (16.39) (see orientation prices).

Gratuity is included in most bills but it is definitely a nice gesture to include an additional tip in recognition of good service.

Costa Rica has long been recognized as one of the safest countries in Latin America but as in any large city it is always best to avoid dark /secluded streets.

The Tope is a local celebration which takes place on the 26th and 27th of December and showcases the parade of horses and jockeys who dress up for the occasion. The country’s carnival is celebrated in February and has the usual parades, bands and floats.