San Jose, Costa Rica

Area: 1,918.2 mi2
(Fifth province in size: 10% of national area)
Population: 1,356,442 (2000)
Geography and Meteorology:
Elevation: 3,773 feet
Average Temperature: 68.5°F
Annual Rainfall: 59-79 inches

San Jose is the center (the shaft) of Costa Rica. It is part of the central valley and is locked in high mountains and green. The capital is very vibrant and loud but not frightening both to travelers as other capitals latinamericanas. Many parks offer rest inside the city and are pulsating as oasises for rest of life stressed. The nightlife is very diverse and there are many high-class restaurants internationales. Several musesos, the National Theater, which already has 100 years of existence. The many possibilities to go to the theater or a concert or dance make San Jose is also the cultural capital.

East of San Joseat the canton Montes de Oca is the semiresidential barrio of Los Yoses, with an increasing number of firstcIass restaurants and hotels, followed by San Pedro, which is a major suburb in its own right and is where the main university is found, with the accompanying university-area ambience. Heading east on Avenida Central from central San José through Los Yoses, the traveler passes a traffic circle with a huge fountain - the Fuente de la Hispanidad and a local landmark. San Pedro begins beyond the fountain, and about 300m east of the fountain along Avenida Central is the San Pedro church, another important landmark.