What can I do in San Jose?

Juan46m · Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 6

Upon my arrival, I will be staying in San Jose for 3 days and then heading to the beaches. Do you have any suggestions on what to see in San Jose?

HoriTico · Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 29

San Jose is a busy city with a few attractive places to see. My recommendation would be to start visiting some of the old historic buildings in San Jose down town. The first on the list would be the National Theater, an engineering master piece built in the 18th century. They give a nice tour about the history and many details concerning the Costa Rican culture. The next place to see is right under the theater, the Gold and Coin Museum, with very interesting details about the Indian culture in Costa Rica and their attachment to the gold products. Following the tour you can visit the National Museum, which is just 3 blocks east from the theater.

Also in San Jose down town you will find the old post Office building and the Central Market founded in 1881. It is a labyrinth of crowded passage ways where enthusiastic vender hawk their wares. Be aware of pickpockets.

Explorer3 · Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 7

Maybe you want to visit other attractive sites such us the INbio Park, the Children’s Museum or Pueblo Antiguo. These places are all in the surroundings of San Jose within 30 minutes or less.
INbio Park is dedicated to the study of the biodiversity in Costa Rica with ecosystems in living exhibits, videos, trails, birds and more.
Children’s Museum, once an infamous prison now houses delightful hands-on exhibits plus art gallery and concert hall.
Pueblo Antiguo is a living miniature replica of old Costa Rica with special weekend folkloric dinner/theater events.

sophie · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 6

if your looking for some food and dancing.. check out El Pueblo. it's on the north side of town. there's lots of good restaurants, shops, galleries, souvenirs.

i like to head out late evening for food and shopping. the bars don't get going till later. there's quite a variety of clubs. some have live entertainment, other DJs. if you get there before 9-10, you can get in without paying a cover... but the crowds don't start till 11