This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in San José.
San José is the capital city of Costa Rica. Although it doesn't necessarily concentrate as many touristic attractions as other parts of the country (with beaches, volcanoes, mountains, and national parks) it is the starting point for most travelers when visiting the country. San José receives so many travelers a year that is very likely you'll make friends with other foreigners visiting Costa Rica during your stay.
There are plenty of San José hostels and accommodation options available. There is a high concentration of budget accommodation and hostels in San José. In fact, there might be a shortage of higher-end hotels, but budget travelers and backpackers are guaranteed to have plenty of choice according to their preferences and budget! Depending on your travel plans, you might want to stay in the city centre or closer to the airport (for early departures to the rest of the country, for instance). If the latest suits you best, Alajuela is the place in which to look for accommodation, since the airport is at least an hour-and-a-half drive because of the traffic.
As the main city in the country, it has plenty of little luxuries that might not be that common in the most touristic areas, that tend to be more rural. There are plenty of shopping opportunities and you'll find so many international fast food chains in the main streets that will make you think for a moment that you are somewhere in the USA.
There is a very lively nightlife scene in San José. Street life is important, and, particularly on Thursdays, you'll have the chance to see a lot of people partying in the streets, where entertainers tend to perform. The city is also very open when it comes to the gay scene.
Written by local enthusiast for San José hostels
zararock
