About Costa Rica-San Jose City

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Short Description

Costa Rica is an exhilarating land of luxuriant rainforests and mighty volcanoes, of natural hot springs and shimmering oceans, of colonial charm and captivating nightlife. The ultimate delight of Costa Rica is its people.

Destination Highlights

San Jose highlights include: the National Theater, the Central Market, and close proximity for day trips such as the Britt Coffee Tour, white water rafting, hiking....just to name a few.

Local Weather

Costa Rica's year round climate is pleasant with naturally occurring breezes, cooling down most of the coastal areas. Temperatures in the highlands and mountains are not so cold, especially during day, producing the feeling of a constant springtime. The average annual temperatures range from 89ï¿½F on the coast to 62ï¿½F inland. The rainy or green season lasts from May to December with noticeably drier days during the rest of the year.

Description

Costa Rica is a major vacation and adventure-travel destination. Despite the boom in vacationers, Costa Rica remains a place rich in natural wonders and biodiversity, far from the maddening crowds. Here you can still find unsullied beaches that stretch for miles, small lodgings that haven't attracted hordes of tourists, jungle rivers for rafting and kayaking, and spectacular cloud and rainforests with ample opportunities for bird-watching and hiking. In addition to the country's trademark eco- and adventure tourism offerings, recent years have seen the opening of a handful of large luxury resorts and golf courses. The Central Valley, in which the city sits, has a perfect climate. At 3,690 ft. above sea level, San Josï¿½ enjoys springlike temperatures year-round (the rainy season is May to Sept). The pleasant climate, along with the beautiful views of lush green mountainsides, makes San Josï¿½ a memorable city to visit. All you have to do is glance up at those mountains to know that this is one of the most beautifully situated capitals in Central America. And if a glance isn't enough for you, you'll find that it's extremely easy to get out into the countryside. Within an hour or two, you can climb a volcano, go white-water rafting, hike through a cloud forest, and stroll through a butterfly garden -- among many, many other activities.

Local Information

The local currency of Costa Rica is the Colon. While US dollars are accepted it is best to exchange some dollars for the local currency either at a Currency Exchange House or your hotel. Note that there are fees involved when exchanging currency and those fees vary from location to location. ATMs are available in a few locations in San Jose but their availability is nearly non existent in areas outside of the city. Be aware that if you driving within the country all tolls are payable only in local currency.

Airport Information

The international airport in San Jose is Juan Santamarï¿½a and is approximately 12.5 miles from the city. Daily flights arrive from gateways all over Europe, North America and the Latin America. In the province of Guanacaste, Liberia's Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport is home to an increasing number of international daily flights and is a better option for those staying on the west coast of the country.

Entry Requirements

A valid passport and return ticket are required of visitors with citizenship in the United States. Non-U.S. citizens should contact the airline they are traveling on, or their local consulate regarding the specific entry requirements that apply to their nationality.