Things to Do in San Jose

An entire museum dedicated to gold sounds extraordinarily decadent. This museum full of artifacts (particularly medallions), though, is probably the city’s most important ‘sight’ and charts just a small part of the importance that the much lusted-after material played in the history of South America.

San José’s central market is a melee of human activity, noise, color and commerce. When you’ve finished food shopping, step back from it (ideally by getting a barstool at one of the scruffy little food stalls) and let it all wash over you.

‘Ticos’ (as inhabitants of Costa Rica are known) are amongst the most enthusiastic dancers in the world. Most nights of the week, San José’s music clubs are jiving to a variety of different Latin American rhythms like meringue and, especially, salsa.

San Pedro is the city’s university district, where reassuringly priced restaurants and cantinas mix with hordes of little student bars. When you’ve exhausted its options, Los Yoses also has a good choice of nightlife.

The real reason for coming to San José (and indeed, Costa Rica, generally) is for its practically unmatchable natural resources. Nearby volcanoes Alajuela, Irazú, Poas and Arenal have all been active fairly recently. For something a little less extreme, a stiff hike up to Barva’s crater is rewarded by amazing forests and wonderful wildlife.