South & Central America

San Jose & the Central Valley

Originally founded in 1737, San Jose has grown significantly over recent decades and is now one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in Central America. Sadly it has lost much of its old colonial heritage and architecture and consequently is fairly unremarkable as a capital city, but remains a welcoming and safe city to visit with plenty of nice hotels, good restaurants and shopping malls.

What is perhaps of more interest is the surrounding area of the Central Valley. Despite being home to two thirds of the country’s population, much of it remains beautifully unspoilt and is home to large coffee plantations, butterfly farms, steaming volcanoes, waterfalls, cloud forests and numerous rivers ideal for some superb white water rafting.

There are some lovely rural retreats within easy reach of San Jose airport, so a few days at the start of the holiday spent exploring or merely relaxing in the glorious scenery of the Central Valley is time very well spent and a lovely introduction to the delights of Costa Rica.

Our preferred hotels & lodges include:

Grano de Oro (San Jose)

Marriott Hotel (San Jose)

Finca Rosa Blanca (Central Valley)

The Peace Lodge (Central Valley)

Xandari Resort & Spa (Central Valley)

Casa Turire (Central Valley)