San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica. It is located in Costa Rica's Central valley and very much the center of things - politically, economically and physically speaking. If you want to visit different parts of the country you will probably be passing by a couple of times. The capital is a busy place, but still quite laid back. It is a fine city for walking tours. Among the most important San José, sights to visit are the National Theater, the giant cathedral, the Gold Museum, the Jade Museum, the Children's Museum and National Museum. The Simon Bolivar Zoo is a great place to visit to get a taste of the animals you may see on your adventures into rainforests outside of the capital. San José is also a good place for food and shopping. But nowhere is the spirit and feel of San José and its people more evident than in the public parks, squares and markets. Spreading like fingers all throughout the city, this is where the common people of the city congregate to trade stories and opinions about everything from the weather to the failings of the current president. Joséfinos are proud of their country and their city and they aren't afraid to tell you what is wrong and how to fix it.

Among the things to do around San Jose are the one day tours such as the Rain Forest Aerial Tram, volcanoes, river rafting and the town of Sarchí, where visitors will find handicrafts and souvenirs.

Get in

Juan Santamaría Airport is located in Alajuela 17km or about 20 minutes by car from the center of San José. There is a local bus stop outside the airport, but you might have to change buses to get to the city center. The taxis charge around 12 US Dollars to take you to the city, be sure to take one of the licensed reddish-orange taxis that say "Taxi Aeropuerto." There are many unlicensed taxi drivers who will charge you almost twice as much as Taxi Aeropuerto. The taxis gladly take Dollars, but the local bus only takes Colones. There is an ATM by the entrance to the departures that will give you both Colones and Dollars.

There is a decent, if busy, road from the airport to downtown San Jose. You can rent a car at the airport. Driving is a little hectic but probably not as bad as, say, Boston.

Buses from Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panamá arrive in San José. And of course most local buses start or end here.

Taxis are generally cheap. All taxis should have a meter. The fare starts at 240 colones. Conversion is 470 colones per USD as of early 2005. A ride inside the city center will normally cost 500-1000 colones. Basically a couple dollars, which they will accept, will get you anywhere in the city. Be aware that it is close to useless to give a taxi driver an exact street address. You have to point out some well-known building, park or hotel close to where you are going.

Climate

Because of its elevation San Jose is usually 70 to 80 degrees farenheit though it can get chilly at night. The rainy season is in the fall.

See

* Museo Oro Precolombino (The Gold Museum), under Plaza de la Cultura. Entrance fee $5 for foreigners. The collection consists of 1600 pieces of Pre-Columbian gold work dating from 500 AD to 1500 AD. Information is given on the processing and making of the pieces as well as their social, cultural and religious meanings. Although nice, the museum can not be compared to the magnificent gold museum in Bogotá, Colombia.

At the same place you will also find The Numismatic Museum and The Temporary Exhibition Galleries. There is a nice museum shop and a tourist office at the entrance. * Museo del Jade (The jade museum), Avenida 5-7, Calle 11-13 bis, INS, 11th floor. Tel 223-5800. Mo-Fr 08:30-15:00. Entrance fee 500 Colones.

* Museo de los Niños (The children's museum), antigua penetenciaría (the old prison). Tel 258-4929. Mo-Fr 09:30-15:30, Sa-Su 10:00-16:00. Entrance fee 600 Colones for adults and 300 for children.

* Museo Nacional, Calle 17 Avenida 2. Tel 257-1433. Tu-Su 08:30-17:00. Entrance fee 200 Colones.

* Museo de Arte Costarricense, east end of Sabana Park. This used to be San Jose's main airport terminal back when La Sabana was the airport. Tel 222-7155. Tu-Sa 10:00-16:00, Su 10:00-14:00. Entrance fee $5 (students $3).

* Insect Museum at the Universidad de Costa Rica A very elegant collection of exotic bugs. Only a few dollars, but check the times when they are open.

There are a lot of tours and local events and doings in and from San José. Buses ane well marked, pretty reliable and crowded.