San Jose car rental and San Jose Costa Rica

The city of San Jose is the place to be for excitement and entertainment when visiting Costa Rica. But you wouldn't expect anything less from the country's capital city, and only major metropolitan area. From the storied museums to the vibrant cultural events, San Jose proudly hosts some of the country's most eclectic attractions, not to mention an unbelievable nightlife. So whether you're planning on staying in the heart of the city, or simply passing through in your San Jose car rental, be sure to take your time and enjoy the amenities. You won't find this calibre of excitement anywhere else in Costa Rica.

A city reborn

In the past, San Jose has been tormented by a bit of a bad reputation. Many travelers often perceived it as nothing more than a chaotic jumble of cars, buildings, and people. San Jose car rental travelers used to seek the safety of their hotel room immediately, fearing the dangerous looking streets and poorly maintained sidewalks. But much of this has changed thanks to Mayor Jonny Araya. In recent years, Araya has led ambitious and sometimes controversial campaigns to rid the city's sidewalks of illegal vendors and cluttered billboards. He's also campaigned to bury a great deal of the city's electrical and phone cables, tidying the area immensely. But even after all of this work, San Jose still maintains some rough and tumble areas, much like any American urban center. To stay safe, simply avoid roaming the streets alone late at night, and never venture into an area that you're unfamiliar with.

You've got to try these beans!

Jonesing for a hot cup of java? Can't start your day without a steaming cup of Joe to go? Well, lucky for you, San Jose is one of the world's largest coffee bean producers. San Jose was practically built on the profits of the coffee-export business -everywhere you look you'll see working coffee farms and cultivated fields. Many of the mountains surrounding the city are home to rolling fields, most of which are planted with the “golden bean” as it's known locally. Many of the city's most beautiful buildings were built from coffee profits, including the National theater and the city's university. San Jose car rental travelers can wake up and smell the coffee roasting practically everywhere in the city, but Avanti highly recommends heading to the Central Market for a fantastic cup of the country's finest.

A beautiful place to visit

One of the reasons why coffee grows so well in San Jose is the city's sensational climate. This is because the city sits in Costa Rica's Central Valley. This area is often described as having a perfect climate, thanks to its elevation (1,125 meters or 3,690 feet above sea level) and year-long spring-like temperatures. San Jose car rental travelers will also be dazzled by the city's amazing views. Located less than an hour away from the city's center is a volcano, water-water rafting rivers, a “cloud forest” and a butterfly garden, so expect to enjoy plenty of unique experiences as part of your upcoming San Jose car rental vacation.

Visitor information in San Jose

San Jose car rental travelers can learn more about Costa Rica and the country's capital city as soon as they touch down in the Juan Santamaria International Airport. This is because there's an Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) desk right inside the airport. Here, San Jose car rental travelers can pickup local maps and browse through brochures of area attractions. The desk is open from 9am to 10pm daily. San Jose car rental travelers can also drop by the main ICT visitor information center during their visit to the city. The center is located in the Plaza de la Cultura, at the entrance to the Gold Museum. The office is open from Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.