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EspañolSAN JOSé, COSTA RICA
(Redirected from San Jose, Costa Rica)
'San José' (Spanish: 'San José'; ) is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the center of the country, sprawling across the Central Valley, the city is the seat of the government, the focal point of political and economic activity, as well as the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.
Founded in 1738, San José is one of the youngest capitals of Latin America by its year of foundation, though it was named capital until 1823[1]. Nowadays it's a modern city with bustling commerce, brisk expressions of art and architecture, and spurred by the country's improved tourism industry, a significant destination and stopover for foreign visitors[2].
Officially, the city's current population is 346.799,[3] inhabiting the area corresponding to San José Canton, the first of twenty administrative units in San José Province, though the metropolitan area stretches beyond the canton limits and comprises a third of the country's population. Besides, San José exerts a strong influence on a wider range because of its proximity to minor cities (Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago) and the country's demographic assemblage in the Central Valley.[4]
The city lies at a mean elevation of 1,161 m above sea level, and enjoys a stable climate throughout the year, with an average temperature of 23C and precipitation of 150 mm per month[5].
The University of Costa Rica was established here in 1843, in that time with the name of "University of Santo Tomás". San José also serves as the headquarters of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The city is served by Juan Santamaría International Airport, 23 km west of downtown, near Alajuela.
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The latter half of the 20th century was a period of rapid growth for the city, considering that in 1950 its population was a mere 86,900.
San José was a small village of little significance until 1824. In that year, Costa Rica's first elected head of state, Juan Mora Fernández, moved the government of Costa Rica from the old Spanish colonial capital of Cartago. This was a time of much optimism in the newly independent nation of Central America, of which Costa Rica was at that time a state (''see:'' History of Central America).
Important places in the city include the Banco Central de Costa Rica building, the Banco Nacional building (much taller than other buildings nearby, giving the city its particular skyline), La Sabana Metropolitan Park, Avenida Central (a pedestrian thoroughfare and one of the major commercial areas in the city). The Central Park and the Plaza de la Cultura are visited by thousands of workers and tourists every day. The Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica (National Theatre of Costa Rica), Melico Salazar Theater, and the Cathedral are other landmarks in the central area. In the south, the Clínica Bíblica (a private hospital) and the Pacific Train Station are important buildings.
San José City lies in the Torrid Zone, like the rest of the country, but its elevation gives it a mild climate. The temperature ranges between 15 °C and 26 °C (59-79°F). The rainy season is from April to late November, but cloudiness and rainfall can occur during the dry season. Relative humidity tends to range between 60% and 90%.
There are numerous bars around San José, with some major nightlife centres:
★ El Pueblo is a mix of more than 50 bars, clubs, restaurants, art galleries and shops. Lining the picturesque cobblestone streets within walking distance of several hotels and resorts, it is a lively place from 9 p.m. until dawn. Caters to many tourists. Be careful here as in other part of San Jose as recently crime has risen here at an alarming rate.
★ A street known as the Calle de la Amargura in San Pedro near the University of Costa Rica, with a wide selection of bars, restaurants and discos. Its proximity to the University and its young, economical inactive students makes this area offer food and drinks for relatively low prices. Pickpockets and low-level criminals are known to roam this place.
★ Neighbourhoods around Heredia have a lot of bars and places to go at night.
★ The cantons of Escazú and Santa Ana offer many options and quality places, though sometimes at inflated prices.
★ There are a lot of spots similar to red-light districts around the city and in the San José Metropolitan Area, where the adult entertainment business is growing. this is the end.
In recent years, San José has suffered a growing problem with crime, due partly to population growth in the greater metropolitan area and limited economic opportunities. Tourists are frequently targeted and it is advisable to use taxis even for extremely short distances. Visitors to the heart of San Jose should pay particular attention due to lax policing and the presence of gangs, some of which have operated with impunity for years.
Tourists are advised to carry only as much cash as is required and to leave credit cards in a safe at their hotel. Furthermore, it's advised to use simple common sense as with any populated city around the world, these dangers are inevitable.
Although prostitution among adults is legal in Costa Rica, child prostitution is punished to the most severe extent of the law. This is regularly and endlessly reported by the local press and television. It is also covered in the annual reports of the U. S. State Department regarding prostitution and the international trafficking of minors. Government statistics prove that the problem is prevalently domestic in origin, but regardless this has been ignored by foreign governments that have blacklisted Costa Rica as a haven for paedophiles. However the government deals harshly with those criminals they arrest. There are a large number of small establishments in San Jose catering to locals seeking prostitutes. A small number of hotels might be tolerant with guests bringing in prostitutes, but all are vigilant in protecting themselves and guests from entering with minors through verifying identification (such as checking of passports or national identification cards).
The National Theater and the Melico Salazar offer hectic calendars of cultural activities, featuring theater and dance groups and orchestra music throughout the year.
There are some cafés in the downtown area, in the Central Mail building, The National Theater and the Melico Salazar, where national coffee is prepared and served in typical Costa Rican ways.
There are many museums and other attractions offering alternative ways of exploring the city. One of these is the Gold Museum, which offers a rare look at various gold artifacts of the ancient Latin American civilizations. An interesting attraction for the less adventurous is the Lankester Botanical Gardens just outside of San José. Other attractions include various bars and clubs which concentrate on holding musical shows and events. One for example is the bar "Sand Live" which is a massive inside/outside bar and concert hall which usually holds rock and extreme metal shows.
1. History of San José, Costa Rica, by Spanish Abroad, Inc.
2. Infoplease. San José, Costa Rica
3. Total Population of Costa Rica by, for province, canton and district levels, December 2006, published by the National Institute of Statistics and Census(INEC)
4. In San José, Costa Rica, effective metropolitan planning and selective infrastructure investment can improve the quality of life for the poor, by Rosendo Pujol, researcher of ProDUS on the World Bank Urban Research Symposium in Brasilia, Brasil, April 4-6, 2005
5. BBC Weather. Average Conditions for San José, Costa Rica
★ Kfar Saba, Israel
★ Managua, Nicaragua
★ Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
★ San Jose, California, United States
★ McAllen, Texas, United States
★ Okayama, Japan
★ Santiago, Chile
★ 'San Jose, Costa Rica Travel Guide', Powered by Wikitravel.
★ 'Municipalidad de San José'. Mayor of San José's Office
★ 'San José Metropolitano'. Web site with information about San José's Metropolitan Area
★ 'Infoweb.co.cr. Galería San José'. Some pictures of the city
★ 'San Jose Costa Rica Maps'. Google Maps of the City
★ 'Contemporary Museum'
'San José' (Spanish: 'San José'; ) is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the center of the country, sprawling across the Central Valley, the city is the seat of the government, the focal point of political and economic activity, as well as the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.
Founded in 1738, San José is one of the youngest capitals of Latin America by its year of foundation, though it was named capital until 1823[1]. Nowadays it's a modern city with bustling commerce, brisk expressions of art and architecture, and spurred by the country's improved tourism industry, a significant destination and stopover for foreign visitors[2].
Officially, the city's current population is 346.799,[3] inhabiting the area corresponding to San José Canton, the first of twenty administrative units in San José Province, though the metropolitan area stretches beyond the canton limits and comprises a third of the country's population. Besides, San José exerts a strong influence on a wider range because of its proximity to minor cities (Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago) and the country's demographic assemblage in the Central Valley.[4]
The city lies at a mean elevation of 1,161 m above sea level, and enjoys a stable climate throughout the year, with an average temperature of 23C and precipitation of 150 mm per month[5].
The University of Costa Rica was established here in 1843, in that time with the name of "University of Santo Tomás". San José also serves as the headquarters of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The city is served by Juan Santamaría International Airport, 23 km west of downtown, near Alajuela.
San José (southern view, as seen from Aurora, Holiday Inn Morazán)
A view of San José skyline, seen from Children's Museum in downtown San José
| Contents |
| History |
| City Landmarks |
| Climate |
| Nightlife |
| Crime |
| Legal prostitution |
| Attractions |
| References |
| Sister Cities |
| External links |
History
The latter half of the 20th century was a period of rapid growth for the city, considering that in 1950 its population was a mere 86,900.
San José was a small village of little significance until 1824. In that year, Costa Rica's first elected head of state, Juan Mora Fernández, moved the government of Costa Rica from the old Spanish colonial capital of Cartago. This was a time of much optimism in the newly independent nation of Central America, of which Costa Rica was at that time a state (''see:'' History of Central America).
City Landmarks
Important places in the city include the Banco Central de Costa Rica building, the Banco Nacional building (much taller than other buildings nearby, giving the city its particular skyline), La Sabana Metropolitan Park, Avenida Central (a pedestrian thoroughfare and one of the major commercial areas in the city). The Central Park and the Plaza de la Cultura are visited by thousands of workers and tourists every day. The Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica (National Theatre of Costa Rica), Melico Salazar Theater, and the Cathedral are other landmarks in the central area. In the south, the Clínica Bíblica (a private hospital) and the Pacific Train Station are important buildings.
Climate
San José City lies in the Torrid Zone, like the rest of the country, but its elevation gives it a mild climate. The temperature ranges between 15 °C and 26 °C (59-79°F). The rainy season is from April to late November, but cloudiness and rainfall can occur during the dry season. Relative humidity tends to range between 60% and 90%.
Nightlife
There are numerous bars around San José, with some major nightlife centres:
★ El Pueblo is a mix of more than 50 bars, clubs, restaurants, art galleries and shops. Lining the picturesque cobblestone streets within walking distance of several hotels and resorts, it is a lively place from 9 p.m. until dawn. Caters to many tourists. Be careful here as in other part of San Jose as recently crime has risen here at an alarming rate.
★ A street known as the Calle de la Amargura in San Pedro near the University of Costa Rica, with a wide selection of bars, restaurants and discos. Its proximity to the University and its young, economical inactive students makes this area offer food and drinks for relatively low prices. Pickpockets and low-level criminals are known to roam this place.
★ Neighbourhoods around Heredia have a lot of bars and places to go at night.
★ The cantons of Escazú and Santa Ana offer many options and quality places, though sometimes at inflated prices.
★ There are a lot of spots similar to red-light districts around the city and in the San José Metropolitan Area, where the adult entertainment business is growing. this is the end.
Crime
In recent years, San José has suffered a growing problem with crime, due partly to population growth in the greater metropolitan area and limited economic opportunities. Tourists are frequently targeted and it is advisable to use taxis even for extremely short distances. Visitors to the heart of San Jose should pay particular attention due to lax policing and the presence of gangs, some of which have operated with impunity for years.
Tourists are advised to carry only as much cash as is required and to leave credit cards in a safe at their hotel. Furthermore, it's advised to use simple common sense as with any populated city around the world, these dangers are inevitable.
Legal prostitution
Although prostitution among adults is legal in Costa Rica, child prostitution is punished to the most severe extent of the law. This is regularly and endlessly reported by the local press and television. It is also covered in the annual reports of the U. S. State Department regarding prostitution and the international trafficking of minors. Government statistics prove that the problem is prevalently domestic in origin, but regardless this has been ignored by foreign governments that have blacklisted Costa Rica as a haven for paedophiles. However the government deals harshly with those criminals they arrest. There are a large number of small establishments in San Jose catering to locals seeking prostitutes. A small number of hotels might be tolerant with guests bringing in prostitutes, but all are vigilant in protecting themselves and guests from entering with minors through verifying identification (such as checking of passports or national identification cards).
Attractions
Teatro Nacional (National Theater)
The National Theater and the Melico Salazar offer hectic calendars of cultural activities, featuring theater and dance groups and orchestra music throughout the year.
There are some cafés in the downtown area, in the Central Mail building, The National Theater and the Melico Salazar, where national coffee is prepared and served in typical Costa Rican ways.
There are many museums and other attractions offering alternative ways of exploring the city. One of these is the Gold Museum, which offers a rare look at various gold artifacts of the ancient Latin American civilizations. An interesting attraction for the less adventurous is the Lankester Botanical Gardens just outside of San José. Other attractions include various bars and clubs which concentrate on holding musical shows and events. One for example is the bar "Sand Live" which is a massive inside/outside bar and concert hall which usually holds rock and extreme metal shows.
References
1. History of San José, Costa Rica, by Spanish Abroad, Inc.
2. Infoplease. San José, Costa Rica
3. Total Population of Costa Rica by, for province, canton and district levels, December 2006, published by the National Institute of Statistics and Census(INEC)
4. In San José, Costa Rica, effective metropolitan planning and selective infrastructure investment can improve the quality of life for the poor, by Rosendo Pujol, researcher of ProDUS on the World Bank Urban Research Symposium in Brasilia, Brasil, April 4-6, 2005
5. BBC Weather. Average Conditions for San José, Costa Rica
Sister Cities
★ Kfar Saba, Israel
★ Managua, Nicaragua
★ Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
★ San Jose, California, United States
★ McAllen, Texas, United States
★ Okayama, Japan
★ Santiago, Chile
External links
★ 'San Jose, Costa Rica Travel Guide', Powered by Wikitravel.
★ 'Municipalidad de San José'. Mayor of San José's Office
★ 'San José Metropolitano'. Web site with information about San José's Metropolitan Area
★ 'Infoweb.co.cr. Galería San José'. Some pictures of the city
★ 'San Jose Costa Rica Maps'. Google Maps of the City
★ 'Contemporary Museum'
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