San José

San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, and is located in the heart of the Central Valley. San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.

Founded in 1738, San José is one of the youngest capitals of Latin America by its year of foundation, though it was not named capital until 1823. Nowadays it is a growing city with bustling commerce, brisk expressions of art and architecture, and spurred by the country’s improved tourism industry; it is also a significant destination and stopover for foreign visitors.

Officially, the city’s current population is of 346,799 inhabitants. This population corresponds to the San José Canton, the first of the twenty administrative units in San José Province, though the metropolitan area stretches beyond the canton limits and comprises a third of the country’s population. Besides, San José exerts a strong influence on a wider range because of its proximity to minor cities such as Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago, each of which is the administrative capital of the provinces that bear their respective names; the downtown district is surrounded by residential and commercial districts, or “barrios”, each with its own name and ambience, but the main suburbs are  Pavas / Rohrmoser & La Sabana (central), Escazu & Santa Ana (west), and San Pedro & Curridabat (east).

The city lies at a mean elevation of 1,161 m (3000 feet) above sea level, and enjoys a stable climate throughout the year, with an average temperature of 23°C (73 Fahrenheit) and precipitation of 150 mm per month.

San José is also headquarters for all government institutions, and guardians of the country’s most precious monuments and landmarks. Currently this city serves as the headquarters of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. It is here where old-world meets digital-age, many aged houses and buildings made by the first “ticos” (Costa Ricans) are still standing, right next to all the modern constructions.  Traditional markets and artisans operate besides computer cafes and micro-breweries all around the central valley. San José is served by two airports: the Juan Santamaría International Airport, 23 km west of downtown, in the city of Alajuela, and the Tobías Bolaños Airport, located in Pavas, a suburb of San José, 4 miles west of the San Jose International Airport. This airport caters to most domestic commercial flights as well as several private international chartered flights.

Interesting places to visit:

		Teatro Nacional (National Theater): This wonderful theater was built in 1897 and is a replica of the magnificent Opera House in Paris. At the National Theatre you will be able to see all kind of plays, going from opera to national folklore. This building is the “jewel” of the “ticos”
		Plaza de la Cultura (Culture Place): This is the best meeting place in San José. Enjoy a nice Costa Rican coffee at the Gran Hotel Costa Rica (The only hotel in Costa Rica declared as a Historical - Architectural landmark by the Costa Rican Government).
		National Museum: Contains pre-Columbian art, including pottery and gold work.
		National Cultural Center (CENAC): Former Liquor Factory is now a performing art complex that combines Ministry of Culture office.
		Morazan Park: Named after the Central American hero Francisco Morazán, and redesigned twice, was originally an open air waters reservoir used by the distillery.
		Edificio Metalico (Metal Building): One of the first’s schools in the country. This prefabricated metal structure was built in Brussels and imported through France and is still a public elementary school today.
		Jade Museum - National Insurance Institute (INS) The impressive Jade Museum is on the top floor of this building. Showing pre- Columbian pieces made out of jade and many other elements make this museum a great option for your tours.
		“La Sabana” Park:This enormous park located in west San Jose, is the perfect place for a nice walk, playing sports, picnics or exercising.
		Parque National de Diversiones (National Amusement Park) Benefactor of the Children’s Hospital: This is a modern amusement park with a lake and innovative “Pueblo Antiguo” exhibit, which transports visitors into the early years of Costa Rica´s 2oth Century.