San Jose, another big and exciting Latin American city is home to two-thirds or more of the Costa Rican population. Founded in 1738 San Jose was built on the profits of the coffee-export business. There is not masses architecturally of note (frequent earth tremors over the years have taken their toll), other than the national theatre, which is very impressive and also the gold and jade museums.
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Between the airport and downtown, you will pass working coffee farms and if you glance up from almost any street in the city and on the surrounding volcanic mountains and you'll see a patchwork quilt of farm fields, most of which are planted with the grano de oro (golden bean), as it is known here.
The Central Valley, just two or so hours from
San Jose, is where you can find two national parks, the Braulio Carrillo and the Poas, which house the Barva and the Poas volcanoes respectively, the latter which is still very active.
The
Central Valley area is also prime river-rafting territory and the rivers Pacuare and Sarapiqui lend themselves to some thrilling adventures on the water.
Hotels in the San Jose / Central Valley region:
Xandari Resort and Spa is about twenty-five minutes from
San Jose and built on a coffee plantation. There are 22 spacious and beautifully decorated bungalows with private facilities and good views.
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The small, yet comfortable Hotel Alta is in the affluent suburb of Escazú, about 20 - 25 minutes from
Juan
Santamaría
Airport. This 23-room hotel's name refers to its hilltop location and from your room you will have a superb view.
More...The boutique eco-hotel, Finca Rosa Blanca has been newly renovated and now has 13 suites (two of which are master suites) on seven acres of reforested gardens, with spectacular views of volcanoes, cloud forests, tropical orchards and coffee plantations.
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The 81-roomed
Hotel Bougainvillea is a great choice - perfect if you are looking for a hotel in a quiet residential area, but also not far from downtown (a complimentary hourly downtown shuttle bus will take you in and out of town). The views across the valley from this hillside location are wonderful.
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Want to add San Jose and the Central Valley to your tailor-made itinerary? Contact us by telephone on 0207 622 1116 and ask to speak to a consultant about this holiday idea. |
