San Jose Valley

 

 

WABIA Regional Information

 

Weather: The San Jose Valley’s 3,000-foot high valley floor and its elevated highlands have spring-like temperatures. Hillsides are cooler and mountains are cooler still.

Access: The San Jose International Airport (SJO) is accessible from many international cities. San Jose is the central transportation hub servicing the entire country. All domestic flight destinations are accessible from here. Before the Liberia International Airport existed, all roads led to San Jose. Now most roads lead to San Jose.

Beauty: The surrounding mountains are famous for coffee plantations and farms. Dramatic panoramic city-light views are visible from surrounding hills and mountains. Majestic volcanoes ring the horizon.

Infrastructure: The San Jose Valley has an international airport in Alajuela, a domestic airport in Pavas, large bridges, extensive public water and sewer system, many freeways, large central parks and sport complexes. The majority of both the major and minor roads are paved.

Amenities: There is a large assortment of international cuisine, including everything from famous international chains and high-end independent restaurants to fast food restaurant chains, small family restaurants and fruit stands. There are a number of large grocery stores, including Hipermas, a warehouse-style supermarket that sells appliances and other household items; Auto Mercado, an upper end supermarket with a large variety of brand names and small household goods; Pricesmart, a Latin American equivalent of Costco warehouse stores; other local grocery chain stores, such as Mas Por Menos and Pali are located throughout the valley. Gas stations abound. The large and modern Hospital CIMA is located in Escazu, a suburb close to downtown. There are numerous other major hospitals, including a new large state-of-the-art hospital under construction in Heredia. Multiple new and used car dealers, auto parts stores, furniture and major appliance stores, and many large indoor malls are located here. San Jose is the nation’s financial center, hosting all Costa Rica’s private and public banks. To sum it up, San Jose is the banking, shopping, dining and entertainment Mecca. There are also cultural attractions, such as the Gold Museum and the National Theater. Accommodations range from youth hostels to large full service luxury hotels.