Nestled in the heart of Costa Rica, San José is not only the capital of this vibrant, developing nation, but the heart of all that Costa Rica has to offer. The city is a modern hub filled with the latest brands and technology, lively nightlife and following all the newest trends. At the same time, however, it offers beautiful buildings, tranquil parks and cultural treasures.
Every year, churches see masses of people show up to celebrate the city's patron saint on March 19th. Another major event is the biannual Festival de Arte, which features theater, music, dance, and film and showcases the many talents of San José's talented artistic community. Museums, theaters, and cinemas abound throughout the city. San José is also home to the Universidad de Costa Rica, which was established in 1843 and stands as one of the most prestigious and historic universities of South America.
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Students in San José particularly enjoy the food. The city boasts an astounding selection of world-class restaurants offering every delicacy imaginable. At the same time, however, there are a number of familiar establishments offering plainer fare. Perhaps most exciting of all are the eateries typical of Central America that offer local "Tico" specialties.
If you're looking to saunter, downtown San José is actually quite compact and offers a very reasonable area to explore. Some of the most spectacular buildings are the mansions built by the cafetaleros (coffee barons). These serve today as hotels or restaurants.
San José offers as much excitement after the sun sets as during the day. The city's vibrant nightlife hums through numerous packed bars, nightclubs, and live music venues. Whether you're looking to go clubbing or to learn salsa, merengue, or the cha-cha-cha, San José offers great dancing.
Interestingly, San José was a town of little importance until 1824. It was then that Juan Mora Fernandez was elected as Costa Rica's first head of state and moved the country's government to San José. From then on, the city flourished. Today it is home to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
Other important places in the city include the Banco Central de Costa Rica, La Sabana Metropolitan Park, Avenida Central (one of the city's major commercial areas), Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica, and the Plaza de Cultura.
Surrounded by tropical forests and high mountains, San José lays in the middle of a country well known for its beauty and popularity with the eco-tourism crowd. Although Costa Rica accounts for only .01% of Earth's landmass, it is home to approximately 5% of its biodiversity, meaning that it is an excellent place for studying ecology, biology, and a number of related subjects as well as for traveling to some amazing places. Worthwhile destinations throughout Costa Rica include Monteverde, Península de Nicoya, Wilson Botanical Garden, the Parque Nacional Chirropó and the Parque Nacional de Santa Rosa.
