Costa Rica Area Info: Central Valley: Things to Do: San Jose: Central Valley Hotels: Central Valley Restaurants


Costa Rica Central Valley: Pavas, Rohrmoser and La Sabana

ExploreCostaRica.com Central Valley

Just west of downtown San Jose lies the districts of Sabana, Pavas and Rohrmoser. This area has quiet residential neighborhoods, malls, posh restaurants, executive-style apartment blocks, and San Jose's largest recreational park.

To get to La Sabana, take the Sabana Cementerio or Sabana-Estadio buses, which stop at the Metropolitan Cathedral and all along Paseo Colon. For Pavas and Rohrmoser, take the Pavas Boulevard bus from the Coca-Cola bus terminal. Or take a short cab ride.

La Sabana Park is a peaceful retreat from the bustling downtown San Jose. It's surrounded by woodland areas, large open spaces, playing fields, ponds where you can enjoy horseback riding. Cool things on the park are the Museum of Contemporary Arts, housed in San Jose's old airport terminal; the National Gymnasium, where many visiting pop groups play; and the National Stadium, the main venue for Costa Rica's national sport, soccer. Next to the park is La Salle Natural History Museum, displaying a wide array of stuffed birds, bugs and beasts.

Pavas has the Tobias Bolanos Airport a hub for domestic flights - and the U.S. Embassy (hdssjo@usia.gov). Pavas airport is the base of Travelair and several small charter operators.

Plaza Mayor Mall, on Rohromoser Boulevard, has opened a new section with the a two-screen cinema, food court, bank and a wide range of shops. Art Lovers visit Galerķa Centro in West Sabana, a new gallery that exhibits the works of Costa Rica & Latin American artists.

Many of the area's quality Costa Rica restaurants and trendy bars are on the main street between the western fringe of Sabana Park and the U.S. Embassy, on the road to Pavas. You can enjoy many U.S. fast-food places and traditional Tico dinners.