Costa Rica » Entertainment in San Jose

Important places in the city include the Banco Central de Costa Rica building, the Banco Nacional building (much taller than other buildings nearby, giving the city its particular skyline), La Sabana Metropolitan Park, Avenida Central (a pedestrian thoroughfare and one of the major commercial areas in the city). The Central Park and the Plaza de la Cultura are visited by thousands of workers and tourists every day. The Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica (National Theatre of Costa Rica), Melico Salazar Theater, and the Cathedral are other landmarks in the central area. In the south, the Cli­nica Bi­blica (a private hospital) and the Pacific Train Station are important buildings.

The National Theater and the Melico Salazar offer hectic calendars of cultural activities, featuring theater and dance groups and orchestra music throughout the year.There are numerous bars around San Jose Canton, with some major 'nightlife centres'.

El Pueblo is a mix of more than 50 bars, clubs, restaurants, art galleries and shops. Lining the picturesque cobblestone streets within walking distance of several hotels and resorts, it is a lively place from 9 p.m. until dawn. Caters to many tourists.

A street known as the Calle de la Amargura in San Pedro near the University of Costa Rica, with a wide selection of bars, restaurants and discos. Its proximity to the University and its young, economical inactive students makes this area offer food and drinks for relatively low prices. But beware, pickpockets and low-level criminals roam this place.Neighbourhoods around Heredia have a lot of bars and places to go at night.

Besides the nightlife in San Jose, there are many museums and other attractions offering alternative ways of exploring the city. One of these is the Gold Museum, which offers a rare look at various gold artefacts of the ancient Latin American civilizations. An interesting attraction for the less adventurous is the Lankester Botanical Gardens just outside of San Jose.