San Josu00e9

One walk down its quaint streets, one sip of its celebrated coffee and Costa Rica was home for Lonely Planet Local Maria Esther Abissi. Seven years in and the city of San José is only getting better. Whether it's a night of dancing at one of the bars on Barrio Escalante, dining at the trendiest restaurants or a lazy afternoon spent at a city museum, Pura Vida (the simple life) is always within reach.

From the traditional Costa Rican establishments to the international restaurants with flair, every visit to San José promises the opportunity to indulge in fantastic food and drinks.

For travelers, Costa Rica’s capital has two great advantages: it’s not too big and nearly all of the major sights are located in the middle of town. Oh, and there’s a third: many of its highlights are free to visit. So if you’re saving your cents for canopy tours and scuba lessons, San José makes for a budget-friendly pit-stop. It’s also a nexus of Tico history and culture.

All year long, families flock to Costa Rica, where beaches and biodiversity enthrall travelers of all ages. Whether by necessity or design, you and your children will most likely find yourselves in San José, the nation’s capital, upon arrival.

San José has changed a lot since 1821, when it was dubbed the new capital of Costa Rica.

To put it politely, getting around San José is always an adventure.