San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, and is at the heart of the sprawling Gran Area Metropolitana or GAM, located in the Central Valley. San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and 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 not named capital until 1823. Nowadays it's a modern city with bustling commerce, brisk expressions of art and architecture, and spurred by the country's improved tourism industry, it is also a significant destination and stopover for foreign visitors.

Officially, the city's current population is of 346,799, this population corresponds to the San José Canton, the first of the 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.

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.

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, in the city of Alajuela.

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 city 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.

Districts and barrios

 

Districts of San José

San José is divided into 11 districts (distritos):

• Catedral
• El Carmen
• Hatillo
• Hospital
• La Uruca
• Mata Redonda
• Merced
• Pavas
• San Francisco de Dos Ríos
• San Sebastián
• Zapote

 

Barrios of San José

The districts are divided up into a number of barrios.

City Landmarks

 

Location of San José Canton between provinces.

The city's landmarks include the Banco Central de Costa Rica building; the Banco Nacional building, which is much taller than other buildings nearby, giving the city its particular skyline; La Sabana Metropolitan Park; and the 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 also visited by thousands of citizens and tourists every day. The Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica (National Theater of Costa Rica), the Melico Salazar Theatre, and the Cathedral are also other landmarks in the central area. Northward is a neighborhood called Barrio Amon, with many older and historic buildings of architectural importance. The Clínica Bíblica (a private hospital) and the Pacific Train Station are located in the south of the city, and are both considered important edifications.

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 28.3 °C (59-83°F). The rainy season is from April to late November, but cloudiness and rainfall can occur during the dry season. The weather is also very windy; this may decrease temperatures even more. Relative humidity tends to range between 60% and 90%.

Tourist attractions

 

San José's European styled downtown is a popular gathering place.

There are numerous tourist attractions around San José:

• 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.
• Calle de la Amargura in San Pedro near the University of Costa Rica has a wide selection of bars, restaurants and discos and caters to University students with food and drinks for relatively low prices. Pickpockets and low-level criminals are a cause of concern.
• Pueblo Antiguo is a theme park with lots of fun and colors; it has many museums and is modeled after 19th century San José, and is located inside a massive complex called Parque de Diversiones de Costa Rica.
• There are many red-light districts around the city and in the San José Metropolitan Area, where the adult entertainment business is growing.