San José City Break - Comfort - Hotel Don Carlos

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in San José

Transfer to your centrally located hotel in San José (the package includes one transfer) and if you have time, enjoy some of the abundant local or international cuisine, and the world-class nightlife.Located in the central highlands, San José enjoys a moderate climate. The heat and humidity of the coast and lowland areas may affect you, with a general sense of lethargy and/or loss of appetite. This is no cause for alarm, it is simply your body’s reaction to the heat. Be sure to drink plenty of water (bottled water is available everywhere) and do not attempt too much in any given day. We prefer fan-cooled rather than air conditioned rooms to avoid having to acclimatize to the heat and humidity every time you go outside. This is also a more eco-friendly approach.Like most cities, San José has its good and bad sides. It is the centre of government, theatre, and art, as well as of air pollution and congestion. It has beautiful parks and museums, and a few beggars on the streets. It is big and often noisy, but even from its crowded downtown streets, you’ll often enjoy a view of the surrounding lush mountains.Start your exploration of the city in the main plaza, a great place to people-watch. A mime, juggler, marimba band, magician, or storyteller may be performing for whatever is collected when the hat is passed. Artisan booths are common, creating a regular arts and crafts fair atmosphere. A source of pride for the ticos (as Costa Ricans are known) is the National Theatre. Inaugurated in 1897, the building was paid for by coffee growers through a voluntary tax on every bag of coffee exported. The National Museum, housed in the Bellavista Fortress, offers exhibits on pre-Columbian art, colonial art and furniture and religious art within a 19th century building that was converted from a military fortress after the army was abolished.The Museum of Costa Rican Art, located in La Sabana Park, was once the international airport; the museum is now housed in the old terminal building. The Jade Museum is on the 11th floor of the Instituto Nacional de Seguros building. In addition to the marvellous collection of jade objects, there are pre-Columbian ceramic and stone works as well as displays with archaeological and ethnographic information. The Gold Museum is located underneath the Plaza de la Cultura. Its spectacular collection of indigenous gold art belongs to the Central Bank of Costa Rica.The best and least expensive places to buy souvenirs in San José are the markets. The two main ones are the ones in Plaza de la Cultura, which is an outdoor open market, and the Central Market, where handicrafts are sold along with boots, fish, flour, herbal remedies, shirts and everything else you can imagine. Always watch your belongings and be ready for crowds. If you plan on spending a few days in or around San José after your tour, there are a number of activities within the city and outside city limits that you can participate in, many of them outdoors.Probably the hardest thing you will do in San José, other than get safely across busy streets, is keep the street numbering systems straight. Street and avenue numbers are posted on buildings at the corners of some intersections. Keep looking as you walk, and you will eventually find one.

Day 2 San José

On day two, you will have a half-day city tour on foot to explore San José, a modern, cosmopolitan city with a distinct Latin flair. This is your chance to see some of the city's sights, including the National Theatre, built entirely by coffee growers through a voluntary tax, the museums of Costa Rican art, and the Jade Museum. Relax in one of the many parks and green spaces located in and around the city that are a constant source of Costa Rican pride and renown. The afternoon is then yours for individual exploration.

Day 3 Depart San José

Depart the hotel at your leisure, either to the airport or for more adventures in Costa Rica and beyond.

Trip Details

Accommodation	Comfortable hotel (2 nts).
Departure	Departs any day
Group Size	No Minimum
Included Highlights	Half-day city tour, arrival or departure transfers
Local Payment	N/A
Meals Included	No meals included.
StartFinish	San José
Transport	Transfers in private shuttle.
Brochure Intro	A modern city with a distinct Latin flair, San José is a safe, easy to navigate city filled with sights, entertainment, shopping and friendly, welcoming people.

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