"...Strangers waiting...Up and down the boulevard. Their shadows searching in the night...Streetlights, people... Living just to find emotion..." -Journey (or Glee)

Costa Rica is a tiny country (51,100 km2) and most of its 4million people population is located in the central valley which is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. Four main provinces are in this big valley: San José right in the center of the country, Cartago to the east, Alajuela and Heredia to the north. The "beach provinces" (Guanacaste in the north Pacific Coast, Puntarenas in the central Pacific Coast and Limon to the South Caribbean Coast) are outside of this central valley and the highways to get there are twisted around the mountains.

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San José: Like many other cities in the world, our capital is the host of all important businesses and residences, most uneducated tourists, skip this city and go straight to the most famous attractions, however you are speaking to a couple of born and raised locals here!  

2 day city tour:
Day 1: Barrio Amón and surroundings: The nicest neighborhood in Downtown, back in the 1940's this is where the politicians and rich people lived.  Nowadays no one lives downtown and these huge old houses and buildings host the most interesting museums: 

• Museo de Jade

• Museo de Oro

• Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporáneo

• Museo Nacional

In the area you can find cute coffee shops to eat and rest after walking.

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Day 2: Hipster tour:  Visit the most hipster shops and restaurants, meet the costarican craft beer culture, be outdoors!

• Feria Verde de Aranjuez: An organic farmer's market.. its not about the organic produce, but about the bottled products you can find, from organic soda to small improvised cafés. Perfect for breakfast.

• Barrio Escalante: up and coming hipster neighborhood that has become famous for its gastronomy, build inside big old houses each restaurant has its own style.  Try the local craft beers.  This neighborhood is also the home of the "Churchileta" the famous popsicle that caused the first "Cronut" style histeria.

• Mercado la California: Right next to Escalante, you'll find "Mercado La California", a food, drinks and shops little market with music shows to enjoy while you shop or just look around.

• Parque Metropolitano La Sabana: If you get tired of eating, spend the afternoon in La Sabana, the biggest park in the city, where you can find the National Stadium (where Keylor Navas has played a few times), Tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball fields, soccer fields, track field, skating field, a pool and a lake to row in. Or just sit on the grass and watch kids fly their kites or ride mini ponies.

 

Cartago:​ "Sleeping city", back when the Spanish conquerors first came to Costa Rica, they settled in Cartago, up until 1821 it was the country's capital province, when it was moved to San José. This province is considered the coldest part of the country, it is also know for being a province where people only sleep, meaning most of its inhabitants travel every day to San José to work... you don't want to be stuck going in or out in rush hour!

1 day tour:

• Volcán Irazú: You can't come to Costa Rica and not visit at least one Volcano.  Irazú is the closet one to the Central Valley (where most population is located), it is also the highest volcano in the country.  The ride up is the host to onion and potato crops and incredible city views (if the weather allows it)

• Sanatorio Durán: On the way down from the Volcano, you can stop by the hunted sanatorium built in the early 1900s to treat patients with tuberculosis which is now abandoned and makes up for a hunting experience.

• Basilica de la Virgen de los Ángeles: Home of the Virgen de Los Ángeles or "La Negrita" is a small representation of the Virgin Mary found on this spot on August 2, 1635 by a native woman. As the story goes, when she tried to take the statuette with her, it miraculously reappeared twice back where she’d found it. The townspeople then built a shrine around her. It symbolises the union between natives and Spanish conquerors.  Every August 2nd, the believers walk from all over the country to this church to honor her miracles or ask for help. 

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Guanacaste: In 1813, Costa Rica's Governor, Tomás de Acosta y Hurtado de Mendoza, wrote to the president of the Guatemala Audience a letter where he exposed the sparse population of the country (barely 60.000 inhabitants) which prevented them to vote for a deputy in the Cadiz court and proposed that Nicoya which belonged to Nicaragua, joined Costa Rica to be able to participate in this election.  This was allowed temporarily however in 1822, Costa Rican goverment asked to keep the territory, they voted and decided to stay as part of the country.  Their province slogan is "De la patria por nuestra voluntad", "Of the Country by our will" and you'll never find a prouder Costarican than the guanacastecos. Thanks to them, we got folclore music, gowns and incredible beaches.

2-3 days beach tour:

• Tamarindo: 4-5hours away from San José it is one of the biggest beach towns in the country. Here you can find accomodation, amazing food and ofcourse, Tamarindo Beach.  Its location is perfect to visit other great beaches in the area.

• Avellanas: Bride's favorite beach in the world, wide yellowish sand beach with waves perfect for experienced surfers. Its wild ocean and dirt road keep crowds away. Perfect for a day of relaxation and tanning.  

• Sugar beach: Called this way because of the color of the sand.  Perfect for tanning, swimming or amateur bugging.

 

 

 

 

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