Walking Tour Of Downtown San Jose - Costa Rica

Downtown San Jose, as a rule do not do it, most tourists must see spots in Costa Rica. Most people will not have time to visit in San Jose, but you are really missing the sight of a real living part of Costa Rica. Sure it's congested and smoggy but many people go visit to New York City. And even though we now can fly directly to Liberia, so you can hit the beaches without a stop in San Jose, is the fact that most people still fly into San Jose International Airport, so why notgo on a walking tour of downtown San José?

Here is the route I take friends on when visiting Costa Rica. Depending on how much you get into it this tour it could take several hours even a full day.

If you have a rental car parking is very cheap. I like the parking lot across the Omni shopping center so that is where I'll start this tour. Make your way towards East of Calle 4, Avenida central near the Plaza de la Cultura where you will see a lot of people and pigeons hanging out with the Street Preachers, comedians and musicians all live preforms. The square is the famous Teatro Nacional. It opened its doors in 1894 and it is beautiful. Guided tours are offered. Compared to the theater, the Grand Hotel de Costa Rica. What is the most famous hotel in Costa Rica. It used to be the most exclusive and luxurious hotel in Costa Rica. You have a beautiful garden, where you can eat a cup of coffee or a drink and a snack. TheirSandwich de Jamon (ham) is delicious. There is also a casino in the hotel if you are the gambling type.

Back to the theater and down the grassy steps on Calle 5 is the tourist information center of ICT. It is open Monday-Sat, 9-1, 2-5. From there you can change the place of the underground exhibits, including the Gold Museum, which features pre-Columbian artifacts. Admission is $ 6 and it is open daily 9.30-4.30.

Was the main street of the Plaza de la Cultura Addedinto a pedestrian zone, so you can move around freely, because cars are not allowed. Keep an eye on your valuables and do not wear jewelry, which can be snatched by thieves. Here you will see many shops and restaurants vying for your attention on both sides of the road.

Some good stops include La Casona, the look away from the pedestrian zone just to the right of the Calle Central, and you will see it. It is a two-story building full of typical souvenirs from Costa Rica. Can you take care of allYour gifts for friends and family here. You also see the Librieria Universal, which is one of the oldest business in Costa Rica. You can buy gadgets, maps, books, and much more. Libreria Lehmann you'll see another large bookstore.

There you will find a large monument regard for democracy in Costa Rica, which are a group of farmers from bronze humbly but firmly looked proud. It is in front of a large building in which the Banco Central is. Walk further and you will be La PassGloria, Costa Rica's largest department store. Across La Gloria is the Banco de Costa Rica a large building made of black marble.

Make your way down towards the Mercado Central. The market is crowded with shops, restaurants, food production stands and much more. It covers the entire block of Avenida Central 1 and calles 6-8. This is a great place to take in the daily life of local Costa Rica. You will also find some interesting food and meat on the display. There are herbs used for medical salesClaims to cure diseases.

If you are claustrophobic or do not like crowds do not visit the market! Two blocks away is the historic Correo Central Building. If you are a stamp collector check out the second floor, where they issued a museum for the Costa Rican postal history with rare and old stamps.

Heading back towards the Plaza de la Cultura in the north of the ICT office and went gold museum.

You will see a park in the center of the city, the Parque Morazan.It is near the Aurola Holiday Inn. In the middle of the park is the Music Temple, patterned after Le Trianon in Paris.

Head 2-3 blocks north and you'll go to Parque Bolivar and the location of the San Jose Zoo is open daily, the form 9-4:30. Admission is only about 2.00 $.

Heading east you will see the Parque Espana, which is full of plants and trees delivered in the middle of the city. Keep going on you 7 Avenida la Casa Amarilla, which will see the home of the Ministry for ForeignRelations. It has a beautiful park in front. Both donated by Andre Carnegie. Nearby is the Centro Nacional de Cultura Open Tue-Sat 10-5. It houses a museum and theater. Nearby is the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design also open T-Sat 10-5. Admission is $ 3, and they have art exhibits from around the world.

Up the hill, is on Avenue 7, the Biblioteca Nacional, which is the national library. It is experiencing the largest city park, Parque Nacional. Check out the Monumento Nacional, theIn honor of the battle again filibuster William Walker. The statue was made in France, Rodin's studio and shipped to Costa Rica.

On the other side of the street from the park you will see the statue in honor of Costa Rican hero Juan Santamaria held his torch, and the Legislative Assembly, the Congress in Costa Rica hoses.

Two blocks south of the Parque Nacional, the Museo Nacional is open Tue-Sunday 8.30-4.30. This is a very popular tourist attraction. Admission is $ 4 and you get the tourformer Fort Bellavista. You can still have the bullet holes from the 1948 war Civiale. Outstanding exhibits in Spanish and English.

Next stop after the museum is the Plaza de la Democracia. You can see it from the museum. This is fairly new built in 1989 to commemorate democracy. It has a statue of José Figueres hero of the Civil War 1948th The former president, who abolished the army after the Civil War. The place is full of tented market stalls everything from clothes,Jewelry, hammocks and handicrafts.

Places To Eat

There are several great spots to grab a quick snack, a cup of coffee or a cold cerveza. For a good cup of coffee and a tasty bagel yes, Bagelmen-Bagel is a must. The hotel is located at Central Avendia in Barrio California city.

Cafe de la Posada south on the sidewalk of the National Museum. More local in nature. Good stuff.

Giacomin. Coffee and Italian style pasteries. In the vicinity of FischelPharmacy center.

Manolo's what is right in the pedestrian zone. Excellent casados and delicious churros.

There is also a Pops downtown just around the corner of the Plaza de la Cultura directly in the pedestrian zone. Best ice cream in town.

If necessary, you can find all the stuff downtown franchises like KFC, Pizza Hut, Burger King, MacDonald's, Taco Bell and Wendy's. For a little more Latin fare-try Rosti Pollos, downtown is right across Cine vanidad.

Therehave. A large walk in downtown San Jose that hits all the big places. How to wear comfortable shoes and lots of fun!