San José, Costa Rica

San José is the capital city of Costa Rica. It is also the largest and most populated city in the country with a total population reaching nearly 350,000 people (2003). It is located in the central part of the country and is only a short drive from Alajuela, Heredía and Cartago (Costa Rica’s other large cities). Not only is San José the capital city, it is also a beautiful area that is very rich in culture and history. It is a place where thousands of tourists come each year to explore the history and enjoy all of the hidden secrets that San José has to offer.

San José was originally founded in 1783 as a city. It was not named the capital of Costa Rica until later in 1823 when it was named after the civil war revolutionary, San José. The capital city was named two years after Costa Rica’s independence from Spain in 1821; and after this war for independence, Costa Rica has managed to remain a peaceful democracy amidst war torn areas such as Nicaragua and El Salvador. Since San José was named the capital city in 1823, it has grown from a small town of dirt roads and a few small buildings on the outskirts of the rainforest to a booming city full of life and culture. San José may be Latin America’s youngest capital city, but it is also one of the most popular tourist areas in Central America. San José is also one of the most rapidly growing cities in all of Latin America. Back in the 1970s, it had a population of less than 10,000 people and today it is nearly reaching 350,000; today continues to grow strong on a daily basis.

There is never a dull moment in San José for tourists or locals. There are plenty of things to see and do. For example, El Pueblo is one of San José’s most popular areas for visitors. There are several nightclubs, bars, shopping, restaurants and museums located in and around El Pueblo. El Pueblo is very accessible from downtown.  It is only a short walk from many of San José’s finest downtown hotels and other attractions. There are also many parks, casinos, churches, and libraries throughout this grand city. Tourists are always amazed at the variety of activities to see and do in San José. It is also considered a starting point for many tours that go around Costa Rica. There are several tours that originate in San José that take guests to Costa Rica’s fabulous beaches, to the beautiful rain forest, to the volcanoes, and other areas of interest around the country.

Car Hire in San José

San José, Costa Rica is a very popular option for tourist and locals. There are many different car hire companies that offer a variety of clean, safe, reliable vehicles at affordable rates. There are many SUVs, 4X4s, vans, and other trucks for hire in San José and are highly recommended if one is planning to drive outside of San José city limits. The minimum driving age in San José is 21. All drivers who hire cars from companies in San José must show a valid driver’s license with proof of age, a valid credit card, and a picture identification such as an identification card or a passport. The road conditions in San José are not as bad as road conditions throughout the rest of the country. However, all drivers should drive attentively at all times.  Traffic in San José is usually very congested throughout the day. Many local drivers will not pay attention to traffic laws, so it is always advised that if you are renting a car in San José to always drive with extreme caution.