San José, Costa Rica

"Chepe," as the city is referred to by locals, is the capital city of Costa Rica and a hub for modern Costa Rican culture. It's also where most visitors depart for tours of central Costa Rica's volcanoes and coffee plantations. Before you leave, take a fun-filled tour of the city's monuments and parks, and maybe sample the burgeoning craft beer scene.

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San José transitions from a commercial block of department stores, chic cafés, and fast-food establishments to the haphazard residential areas characteristic of Latin America. Because it is such a large city, tourism services are the most extensive in the country. While the city is not a top destination for visitors, San José has a few attractions for visitors to consider, as well as numerous restaurants, museums, outdoor markets, and parks.

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Another attractive characteristic of San José is its temperate weather, which can be quite a relief, particularly during the summer months. Because of its relatively high elevation—3,839 feet (1,170 m)—the city, like the rest of the Central Valley, is always a pleasant temperature year-round, with very limited showers.

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