Entertainment

When the day is over, almost melancholic and disheartened, the vibrant and noisy city yields gradually to murmurs and tranquility. San José starts transforming its formal business and commerce face, into a makeup of coquetry and glamor! Bars and taverns get crowded with business men and women, public workers, professionals, and patrons of all kinds, wishing to release the pressures of the working day and anxious for new friendships.

Nightlife

Downtown San José is packed with small bars and taverns that in many cases are traditional landmarks. At the Palma Bar, the bar stools are common for those that come alone or wish to make new friends, as they are perfect to break the ice. It is true that some years ago, ladies sitting on a barstool were looked upon with disdain, times have changed. It is common to see groups of women sitting on the stools nowadays, a sign that they are open to conversation and friendship. The tables are relegated to more intimate or business conversations. Establishing contact with the local people is easy, as by nature ticos are friendly and talkative.

At the sports bar Hooligan's, the preferred drink per excellence is beer, which is of outstanding quality. Imperial, Pilsen, and Bavaria are traditional brands along with some newer ones with appealing names for the young at heart such as Rock Ice. For stronger spirits, the Zambra Lobby Bar in the neighborhood of Escazú is the place to try Guaro Cacique, the national drink, which is mixed most of the time with Coca-Cola, Ginger Ale, or in cocktails. For jazz enthusiasts, the Jazz Café hosts renowned artists that play until late.

Museums

There are a large number of museums in San José and each one offers the visitor a glimpse into this beautiful country. The Popular Culture Museum, the Childrens Museum and the Bioplanet Museum are ideal for the family. The National Museum narrates the history of Costa Rica and houses a tremendous amount of pre-columbian art. For those lepidopterists (butterfly collectors)out there, go to the La Salle Natural Science Museum and for something a little more macabre, there is the Criminology Museum. For more contemporary works, the Costa Rican Art Museum displays both international artists and local ones. If you thought jade masterpieces were only made in China, the Jade Museum proves this assumption wrong, since it contains some fine artifacts created in Latin America.

Eco-Tours

Costa Rica is known to have some of the most diverse flora and fauna on the planet thanks to its varied topography. And although the country has its share of deadly, venemous snakes, there are other attractions throughout the city of San José that can help you avoid them, while still enjoying the rich eco-history of the capital. The Lankester Botanical Garden is one such place, it mainly focuses on orchids and their cultivation while Zoo Ave, the city zoo has many exotic animals, even a 12 foot long crocodile. For the family, take them to the Spirogyra Butterfly Garden and learn in detail about butterflies, their reproduciton and life cycle alongside more information about the natural history of Costa Rica and the preservation of ecosystems. If you would actually like to climb into the trees, take the Original Canopy Tour, which is a zip-line tour through massive trees in the rain forest. An informative tour can also be had by visiting the INBioparque, this is a 20 acre theme park that describes in detail (with bi-lingual guides) about the various topographies and climates in Costa Rica.

Galleries

San José has an innumerable amount of artists and no shortage of galleries to house their works. If you are looking to buy some art, visit the Andromeda Gallery and purchase some contemporary art at modest prices. At the Galería Ocelote, fine works from national artists are on display here as well as indigenous handicrafts. The ever popular Galeria Roberto Lizano is a gallery with a rotation of artists from throughout Costa Rica, a place to see the true nature of this culture. Galería José Vargas is a gallery where the owner, Mr. Vargas, reproduces masterpieces from some of the greatest artists of all time, such as Da Vinci, Dürer and Van Eyck.

Festivals & Celebrations

In Costa Rica, it seems as if every day there is a festival or celebration happening, so no matter when you go, you are bound to find one. Religion plays a large role in the theme of these festivals and celebrations like San Ramón's Day where celebrants hold a procession in homage to more than 30 different saints, including San Ramon. Another festival remembering the patron saint of Costa Rica is the festival for the Virgen de Los Angeles. More secular celebrations include the Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day) which celebrates the Hispanic heritage and Guanacaste's Day, a day where the citizens of this town chose whether to belong to Nicaragua or remain as Costa Ricans. Another festival where the visitor can party at the beach is the Virgin of the Sea Celebration, this festival remembers the virgin of Mount Carmel with food, special masses, parades and music, all while getting a tan under the warm July sun. All Saints Day and All Souls Day is one of the most important festivals in Costa Rica, it honors the deceased and visitors should be mindful of becoming belligerent. On the other hand, to celebrate the living, Easter Week is where the whole country shuts down for days to hold massive processions throughout the streets. More secular and interesting festivals include, the National Orchid Show, Day of San José, Worker's Day or labor day and University Week which celebrates on the campus of the University of Costa Rica.

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