San José

San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, situated in the Central Valley and serving as the country's political, economic and cultural centre. It is a compact, walkable capital where colonial-era landmarks, museums, markets and modern business districts sit close together, surrounded by green volcanic mountains.

Founded in the 18th century, San José became Costa Rica's capital in 1823. Its historic core features the National Theatre of Costa Rica, a 19th-century coffee-era landmark, along with the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, the National Museum in the former Bellavista fortress, and the neo-Gothic Metropolitan Cathedral.

Central neighbourhoods such as Barrio Amón and Barrio Escalante hold restored mansions, cafés, galleries and some of the city's best dining, while San Pedro and La Sabana are home to universities, parks and the National Stadium. Downtown streets around Avenida Central and the Central Market offer busy commercial life and local food stalls.

San José is a regional hub for technology, shared services, conferences and international institutions, and its position in the Central Valley makes it a convenient base for business travellers. Nearby day trips lead to volcanoes, coffee farms and cloud forests, while the airport at Alajuela links the city to the rest of the country.

For leisure visitors, San José offers museums, markets, cafés and a lively food scene, while business travellers benefit from its government offices, corporate hotels and event venues. It works well as a starting point or stopover for exploring Costa Rica's Pacific coast, Caribbean coast and highlands.