The Central Market
where vendors hawk exotic spices, fish, fruit, vegetables, and
wood and leather handicrafts from stalls in this warren of dark,
narrow passages.
Pueblo
Antiguo - located in San Jose's Amusement Park, this
is a full scale reproduction of a typical Costa Rican town 100
years ago, featuring a folkloric dance troupe, mock machete fights,
typical restaurants, etc.
National Theater - An historical landmark.
Opera, classical music and other performances can be seen regularly.
National Arts and Cultural Center - Contains
works of art, architectural displays and photo exhibits. There is also
a performing arts area.
Jade Museum - The Museo de Jade (Jade
Museum) with its' display of 6,000 pieces of fascinating pre-colombian
jade, clay, stone and gold artifacts, is the only pre-Columbian jade
museum in the Americas. The world's largest collection of American jade
dates primarily from 300 BC to AD 700. Other pre-Columbian artifacts
on display include polychrome vases, three-legged metates (low tables
for grinding corn), and a startling array of ceramic fertility symbols.
Pre-Columbian Gold Museum - The Gold
Museum features one of the most valuable and spectacular collections
of pre-Colombian gold in the world. This dazzling, modern museum, housed
within a three-story underground building, contains the largest collection
of pre-Columbian gold jewelry in Central America: 20,000 troy ounces
of gold in more than 1,600 individual pieces.
Plaza de la Cultura (Culture Square).
This large cement square is a pleasant spot to buy some souvenirs, soak
up the sun, or watch marimba bands, clowns, jugglers, and colorfully
dressed South Americans playing Andean music.
The Museo Nacional (National Museum)
- founded in 1887, contains exhibits on natural history, pre-colombian
cultures and the history of Costa Rica and is situated in a former fortress
last used for military purposes during the 1948 civil war. This museum
offers a quick and insightful lesson in Costa Rican culture. Rooms are
devoted to pre-Columbian artifacts, period costumes, colonial furniture,
and photos of Costa Rican life through the ages
SAN JOSE & METROPOLITAN
REGION
Approximate Driving time from San José to:
Main beach areas: approximately 1:30 - 6 hrs.
Cloud Forest: Approximately 4 hours
Rain forest: Approximately 40 minutes to 3 hours
Volcanoes: Approximately 2 - 4 hours
Other Attractions:
Aserri - perched on
the southern peaks surrounding the Central Valley and less than 20 minutes
from San Jose, Aserri is renowned for "miradors" - restaurants
and bars with breathtaking lookouts over the city and country far below.
Rio Reventazón white-water rafting
(Class II-III) - The trip begins with a scenic drive by
comfortable air-conditioned bus to the tremendous Rio Urney down the river
provides plenty of excitement for the most experienced rafter, yet it's
forgiving enough to allow even a novice to paddle, making this the perfect
introductory trip for the beginner. The ride begins with a relatively
easy series of rapids, providing an opportunity to gain confidence as
you approach the challenging El Gordo (Fatso) and Hueco Santo (Holy Hole)
rapids, while enjoying the magnificent jungle scenery and wildlife.
Rio Pacuare white-water rafting (Class
III-IV) - Costa Rica's most scenic and the quintessential
tropical river with densely vegetated gorges, waterfalls, exuberant wildlife
and ravishing rapids. It is one of the great rafting rivers in the world,
with sections dropping 100' per mile as it cuts through one of the rare
pockets of unexplored wilderness left on this planet. Total trip length
- 18 miles
Doka Estate coffee encounter.
- This internationally awarded multi-media presentation will let you discover
the secret behind Café Tres Generaciones world-class coffee. Learn
about this product's process from the harvest to the cup, and participate
in a coffee cupping (tasting) session with experienced coffee cuppers.
Butterfly Farm - Two
hour guided tour teaching you the incredible details of the complex life-cycle
of some of the world's most beautiful butterflies. This farm is home to
over 1,000 butterflies.
Irazú Volcano -
"Mountain of rumbling and trembling", is the highest peak of
the Central Volcanic range and the largest volcano in Costa Rica. The
former capital of Costa Rica, Cartago, lies just 20 minutes east of San
Jose. The road to the summit of Irazú Volcano heads north just
before town, winding past beautiful scenery and fantastic views before
ending at the awe-inspiring crater. Once at the top of the misty Volcano
you will be astonished by its "lunar" landscape. On the way
down, drive to the ruins of the old parish and the splendid Basilica de
los Angeles, Costa Rica's most sacred shrine.
Lankester Botanical Gardens -
features an impressive collection of orchids (about 800 of Costa Rica's
1,400 species are found here) and other tropical plants. Numerous trails
offer the possibility of getting in touch with desert-like and forest
gardens, as well as a great variety of unique small plants in micro habitats.
Poás Volcano National Park -
From Alajuela, heading in a steady climb to its summit at 9,000' above
sea level, the Poás Volcano is one of the three volcanoes in the
continent accessible by road, and it's considered among the largest craters
in the world. Along the way, you will watch a colorful scenery that includes
coffee plantations, strawberry fields, and ornamental plant greenhouses.
Once at the volcano, you will walk through the country, brimming with
native plant species, and marvel at the spectacular views of the smoking
crater and crater lake.
ZooAve - hundreds of
species of tropical, rare, endangered birds are showcased, as are several
species of primates and reptiles. A successful breeding program for tropical
birds has been in place for some time.
Jardín de Mariposas Spyrogyra
(Butterfly Garden) - Some 30 species of colorful butterflies
flutter around the gardens, together with several types of hummingbirds.
Self-guided tours provide information about butterfly ecology and a chance
to observe the winged jewels close up. 55 yds west and 164 yds south of
brick church of San Francisco, Guadalupe, tel. 222-2937. Admission: $4.50.
Open daily 8-3. |
