Mamon chinas, for sale in downtown San Jose, are quite tasty once their
spiny skins have been peeled off!
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San Jose is the cultural, governmental and business center of Costa Rica. We usually
advise our guests to spend your first and last nights here. Sometimes, international travel
can be tricky. the worst situation is when you have scheduled a night in a hotel four hours
from the airport and then have your flight delayed! If you spend the first night in San Jose,
your travel will be less stressful. By the same token, it is usually easier to spend the last
night here, too.
Besides, if you have never been to a large Latin city, you should spend at least a day and a
night exploring the museums, discos and street scene. One of my favorite activities is to visit
La Esmeralda's. this is the headquarters for the Mariachi union. Here you will find
dozens of musicians in colorful outfits and pompadours. The locals come here for the last drink
of the evening, and to hoot, holler, and sing along.
San Jose is also where you want to shop for delicious coffee and take time to visit the markets.
The Jade and Gold museums are certainly worth a visit, as is the wonderfully ornate National
Theater. This is also the jumping off point for many day tours and for whitewater rafting.
All in all, I don't think that I have ever had a bad day in San Jose. So, as the locals say -
"Tranquilo." Have a drink and a meal at one of the many fine restaurants, and get ready for
the rest of the trip!
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