Accommodations in San Jose and the Central Valley, Costa Rica
While most vacationers travel to Costa Rica for sunshine, beaches and nature, others rent vacation homes in San Jose, the capital city, in order to spend a few days to experience Central American culture and the rich historical heritage evident in its buildings and museums. Located at 2,900 feet above sea level in the Central Valley, San Jose boasts a spring-like climate year around with an average temperature of 24 degree Celsius which means visitors can walk from their San Jose vacation rentals to nearby shops and restaurants without breaking out a sweat! There are many air-conditioned shopping malls in Escazu, Santa Ana and San Pedro; they are a pleasure to visit even if you are just window-shopping. In fact, many locals would argue that your travel to Costa Rica is not complete without a vacation in San Jose, as the most important cultural events take place here and most of the theatres and venues for arts and exhibits are staged here, most notably, the National Theater and the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica (National Museum) which features an impressive display of Costa Rican cultural heritage. Once a small provincial Central American village, this sprawling capital city is today a gourmet’s paradise, with numerous restaurants featuring national cuisines from all over the world. More likely than not, visitors do not have to venture far from their San Jose hotels or vacation homes to enjoy one of the many fine restaurants scattered throughout the city.
Adventures in and around San Jose, Costa Rica
Your vacation rentals in San Jose will provide a base to explore most of the Central Valley attractions such as the principal volcanoes in the area: Poas, Barva, Irazu and Turrialba, all with exciting scenery of volcanic craters, nature walks, verdant jungle, and glimpses of wildlife and a large variety of birds. An hour’s drive west of your San Jose vacation homes on an excellent toll road, the Pacific Ocean beckons with its golden beaches: Playa Jaco, Playa Hermosa, Playa Herradura are the closest beaches. Beaches aside, this area offers some of the most popular aerial tram and canopy adventures in Costa Rica. Heading east from your home rentals or hotels in San Jose will take you to an area rich in history and tradition: the Orosi Valley, where sweeping valley views, historic churches, lush coffee plantations, sugar mills and picturesque villages dating back to the colonial era will capture your imagination. There are many delightful restaurants and Orosi Valley accommodations where you will be treated with utmost warmth and courtesy. Northwest of San Jose, Sarchí is a town famous for Costa Rican handicrafts and souvenir shopping. South of your vacation accommodations in San Jose, the province stretches south to incorporate the fabled villages of El Valle de Los Santos and the gateway city of San Isidro del General from where travelers can connect to all destinations on the southern Pacific coast and to Chirripo National Park.
San Jose Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts
The capital city abounds with world class hotels and some San Jose hotels in particular exude an old world charm like the Hotel Grano del Oro. To avoid downtown congestion however, some visitors prefer to stay in quieter hotels in Escazu or reputable bed-and-breakfasts in Santa Ana; these two satellite cities are located a few kilometers west of San Jose. Visitors who prefer to walk to shopping centers and restaurants will find the accommodations in San Pedro to the east of San Jose to be convenient.
