San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, was founded in 1738. It stayed quite small for a couple of 100 years and it is only recently that it has spread and developed. In San Jose you will find a good selection of shopping malls, cinemas, museums, restaurants and bars. It is set right in the center of Costa Rica, in the central valley, where the climate is cooler than on the coastlines. It is a good place to use as a base camp when visiting the country. The airport is only 15 minutes away and there are many affordable good hotels to choose from.

Barrio Amon and Aranjuez are indisputably the two most interesting areas of the city, with their neo-classical style houses and small hotels. Staying there is probably the best idea, in these fantastci old rescued houses that have been turned into the most beautiful guests houses and hotels. A must. Walking in the streets of these “barrios”is a treat as every corner provides you with a pleasant surprise!
There are many tours and travel companies, look out for the bus terminal of the old Coca Cola, many destinations start just there.

There are very instructive and interesting museums to visit; the Gold Museum, on the Plaza de la Cultura, the Jade Museum in the Instituto National de Seguros, and the Museum of Contemporary Arts located inside the CENAC. The Children’s museum (Museo de los Ninos) always has some interesting show or exhibition going on as well.

For a real Latin taste, do not miss the Mercado Central, in the Central Avenue. There you will see leather bags, sandals and belts, medicinal herbs, eateries, fisheries and meat, toys, souvenirs, and all sorts of good. A great place to buy some souvenirs! For arts, artesanias, jewelry and crafts, go to the Artesania Market on the Plaza de la Democracia, where you can also find a good deal of Guatemalan work. While you are there, take a tour of the National Museum. This historical museum is housed in the old barracks where most of the fighting took place in 1948  during the civil war; bullets hole are still visible everywhere! There are displays of Costa Rican history and culture from pre-Columbian times till present days.

There is no doubt that for many San Jose may appear to be chaotic at first, noisy and sometimes a little unsafe; this is quite normal and this is what is called culture shock! Enjoy the novelty, and a good shopping spree!