Lonely Planet Discover Costa Rica 5

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• Publisher: Lonely Planet
• Year: 2018
• eBook ISBN:
  9781788681841
• Print ISBN:
  9781786576347

San José

Plaza de la Cultura

Plaza de la Democracia

Walking Tour

Sights

Tours

Shopping

Eating

Drinking & Nightlife

Entertainment

Where to Stay

San José at a Glance…

It’s no secret that Chepe, as San José is affectionately known, doesn’t make a great first impression, with its unremarkable concrete structures and honking traffic. Dig deeper, though, and you’ll discover countless, untold charms. Poke around historic neighborhoods, where colonial mansions have been converted into contemporary art galleries, restaurants and boutique hotels. Stroll the bountiful farmers market, join the Sunday crowds in Parque La Sabana, dance the night away, or visit the museums of gold, jade, art and natural history. Only then will you begin to recognize the multidimensional appeal of Costa Rica’s largest city and cultural capital.

IMAGES ON MAP clockwise from top LEFT: Matthew Micah Wright/getty images ©; Matthew Micah Wright/getty images ©; Esdelval/Getty Images ©; John Coletti/getty images ©; Megapress/Alamy Stock Photo ©

One Day in San José

Begin with a peek inside the 19th-century Teatro Nacional and an espresso at its atmospheric cafe. Then peruse pre-Columbian treasures at the Museo de Oro Precolombino y Numismática map Google map.

Take lunch at Rávi Gastropub in the city’s culinary hub Barrio Escalante, then wander historic Barrio Amón and sample local microbrews at Stiefel. Do dinner and cocktails at the fabulous Café de los Deseos.

WOLFGANG KAEHLER/GETTY IMAGES ©

Two Days in San José

Start day two with a primer on Costa Rican history at the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica map Google map, then visit the newly expanded Museo de Jade map Google map. Head up to the Mercado Central for cigars and local snacks.

Grab dinner at the city’s top restaurant, Park Café, then venture east for a rooftop drink at Azotea Calle 7, then catch ...

Table of contents

• Table of Contents
• Welcome to Costa Rica
• Costa Rica’s Top 12
• Need to Know
• Hot Spots for…
• Local Life
• Month by Month
• Get Inspired
• Itineraries
• Family Travel
• San José
• Tortuguero
• Southern Caribbean
• Río Pacuare
• Parque Nacional Chirripó
• Península de Osa
• Costa Ballena
• Manuel Antonio
• Southern Nicoya
• Monteverde
• Volcán Arenal
• Sarapiquí Valley
• In Focus
• Costa Rica Today
• History
• Costa Rica Outdoors
• The Tico Way of Life
• Landscapes & Ecology
• Food & Drink
• Directory A–Z
• Language
• Behind the Scenes
• Our Writers