Alta Hotel, San José

Advantages: restaurant, views
Disadvantages: crime

...are basically hanging restaurants. While you’re eating you can look down to see the city of San Jose. Accomodation There is choice of hotel you can stay at. I stayed at the Hotel Alta which is quite a small hotel. The room had a private balcony where you had spectacular views of the Central Valley. All the rooms in Hotel Alta are very modern and you can also have a Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom in certain suites. http://www.thealtahotel.com San Jose has a moderate climate, so it’s not unbearably hot. I would say, It’s a place for couples only, or families with older children. And finally, a word of warning for anyone visiting San Jose…. Unfortunately, the amount of crime there’s lets it down. You have to look out for pickpockets and sometimes purse slashers. You’ll find these types of people normally on the public buses. I was walking with my... Read review

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Advantages: Friendly, small, interesting museums
Disadvantages: There are FAR better places in Costa Rica

...I have spent quite a lot of time recently in San Jose, Costa Rica - what with spending time there on my gap year and going back to visit. This review will be about San Jose itself , but in my opinion, any tourist would be well advised to visit other places in Costa Rica (eg. coast, beaches, mountains). Many hotels in San Jose organise tours, so if you use San Jose as a base than that is fair enough! If you come to Costa Rica and only see San Jose, you will have really missed out! San Jose itself is a smallish city. The best way of getting around if you are a tourist is to use one of the official cabs . These are red with yellow signs, or orange at the airport. They are incredibly cheap, and a reasonably safe option. Always sensible to agree a price with the driver beforehand just in case he tries to rip you off later, but I never had... Read review

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Advantages: Good night life, relaxed.
Disadvantages: Crime, not much culture.

...I lived In Costa Rica for 6 years and I spent most of my time in the capital, San jose, which is what I am writing about now. The city itslef is quite small for a capital city but it makes it easyto navigate (up to a point!!). San Jose is located right in the middle of the country in what is called the 'central valley' although it isn't actually a valley. The airport is in the north west of the city, actually outside San Jose. Actually most of the decent hotels are outside the center too. I cannot really recommend and as I have not really used one but I did stay in the Hampton Inn once and it was fine. Taxis Use them, they are cheap. A 30 minute drive could set you back the enourmous cost of £1.20!! They are red with a yellow triangle on the door. They are official but there are pirates around. Don't use them is my recommedation. Make... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful