Introduction
Often called the cultural heart of Costa Rica, the charm of San Jose reveals itself as you wander the city streets; passing suddenly from the grand shopping districts of the modern city into ramshackle neighbourhoods more typical of Latin America.
San Jose, due to its central location and excellent transport infrastructure, is generally viewed as a hub rather than a holiday destination in its own right. Most visitors only stay a few nights, flocking to the bustling downtown region where the Plaza de la Cultura is a perfect spot for watching the locals go about their daily business.
While enjoying downtown San Jose pay a visit to the Gold Museum, home to one of the finest exhibits of pre-Columbian gold in Central America, or climb up through the nearby cloud forest, over long-solidified lava flows, to reach the lunar landscape of the Irazu Crater.
