San Jose, Costa Rica, is the country's social, political and commercial center, and it's more cosmopolitan and prosperous than many cities of Central America. San Jose is a pleasant place to visit, although it has comparatively few colonial structures, and most travelers use it a stepping stone to somewhere else in the country. Volcanoes and mountains ring the city's neighborhoods and suburbs; cloud forests, raging rivers and rain forests lie within a few hours' drive.
San Jose has its own attractions worth exploring, however. The architecture is a mishmash of historic colonial structures, glass high-rises and run-down buildings (although the streets are plagued by congestion and pollution), but San Jose's older neighborhoods have revived thanks to the recent boom in tourism.
And the city is blessed with gourmet restaurants, excellent (albeit small) art galleries and boutique-hotels.
San Jose's delightful springlike climate is never too hot and never too cold because of the city's location in the Central Valley; it is surrounded by mountains; and the Ticos, as locals are known, are friendly hosts who do their best to make your stay enjoyable.
Location
You will likely fly in or out of San Jose if your cruise ship begins or ends its journey at one of Costa Rica's ports—Puntarenas and the nearby container port of Puerto Caldera on the Pacific coast, or Puerto Limon or the nearby container port of Moin on the Caribbean side.
Shore Excursions
Cruise lines do not generally offer side trips to San Jose, but tour companies will design a tour for you, and day trips to San Jose are possible. The extra planning and effort are worthwhile. Although each area of Costa Rica is special and wonderful, a visit to San Jose—even a short one—is essential to really appreciate the full flavor of this unique country. If you choose to add days to either end of your cruise, there is plenty to see and do in San Jose and in the nearby countryside.
San Jose's main visitors center is downtown, beneath the Plaza de la Cultura. There is also a Costa Rican Tourism Institute booth with brochures and maps at the Juan Santamaria International Airport.
