CAFENET EL SOL

Puerto Jimenez, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica More Information

General Information

San Jose, the main gateway to Costa Rica for millions of annual visitors, is a destination in its own right.  A city of around a half a million souls in a country with a population of only four million, all roads lead here.  Costa Rica was inaptly named following Columbus's third and last voyage in 1503 on the basis of favorable trade in the precious metal with the indigenous people of the time.  The first settlements on the Caribbean coast near today's Limón were vulnerable to privateers from all stripes of Spain's then European enemies, and by decree of the ruling emperial authority, then located in Guatemala, the colonists moved to the Central Valley, and Cartago would remain the capital for nearly three hundred years.  It was said that on the migration a slave died for every step of the journey, giving rise to the macabre name of the mountain over which in present times, the Panamerican Highway panoramically weaves:  the mountain of death.  Upon Independence from Spain, of which Costa Rica learned one month later, Cartago supported annexation to Mexico, while San Jose, an upstart capital suburb, favored a federation of Central American states.  After a short, tidy war, the capital shifted anew.  Today, Cartago is the suburb, San Jose the capital.

Blessed with a spectacular tropical highlands climate, fertile volcanic soils, abundant water, and its geographic centrality, San Jose is a logical launching and concluding point for Costa Rican travel, whether for business or pleasure.  San Jose is a city, and visitors should take precautions against street crime and be aware of the nation's laws which are harsh for juvenile sex offenses but which tolerate licensed prostitution and gambling.  The same admonitions that would apply to any large city apply to San Jose as well, and visitors should stay conscious of their surroundings and comfortable by them, or else do something different.  The Costa Rican people are friendly to visitors of all stripes, including Americans, for whom the country has a long-standing affection, unusual in today's world.

San Jose is the starting point for a wide variety of tours and activities and enjoys the global distinction of being a defining player in the worldwide ecotourism industry, a real poster child of the industry.  A wide range of tours depart from San Jose proper, including volcano tours, rafting, museum tours, and others.  San Jose is the central hub of national transport.  NatureAir and Sansa provide domestic air service as well as flights to Bocas del Toro, Panama, and Granada, Nicaragua.   All of the country's bus lines (nearly) have a San Jose route and office.  The rental car industry is a mature one, and good deals can be had on rental cars, arguably the best form of travel in this relatively small country. 

Getting There

Under construction.

Tours and Activities

Under construction

Hotels

A WORD ABOUT PRICING:  Too avoid the possibility of dated information, Sol de Osa, no longer publishes prices for lodges.  We rate accommodations as budget (BUD), mid-priced (MID), and top-shelf (TOP) according to the relativities of the class of destination.  Most lodges are all-inclusive and are priced per person.  Others do not include taxes in their pricing structure, and hotels and vacation rentals are normally priced per night based on double occupancy.  Please inquire for current pricing. 

LOGO	DESCRIPTION	PRICE
	REAL INTERCONTINENTAL COSTA RICA:
	HOTEL MELIA CARIARI:
	HOTEL AMBASSADOR:  The Hotel Ambassador is located on Avenida 2 in downtown San Jose, and has comfortable and inexpensive rooms and suites with all the amenities and long list of services.  Rooms have air conditioning, phone, cable tv, safe, minibar.  The Ambassodor has private secure parking, onsite cafeteria and bar, business center, laundry service, room service and has rooms for the handicapped.  Continued . . .	$45-$90
	HOTEL TRYP COROBICI:
	BARCELO PALACIO HOTEL:  Located in a quiet peaceful suburb about fifteen minutes from the airport and five minutes from downtown (except during rush hour!), the San Jose Palacios is a Barcelo-Group facility, offering the great lodging and endless extras one would expect, all for a modest nightly room rate.  Located adjacent to La Sabana Park, the Palacios is convenient to banks, shopping centers, museums, cinemas.   The Palacios complex includes a gym, and tennis, racquetball, and squash courts.  All rooms feature air-conditioning, a fully furnished bathroom with hairdryer, a minibar, coffee maker, cable TV, telephone, a safe, and room service.  Continued. . .	$57-$77
	HOTEL HERRADURA:
	HOTEL MARRIOTT:
	HOTEL AUROLA HOLIDAY INN:  The elegant Aurola Holiday Inn, a mirrored-glass 15 story tower on the southern margin of downtown San Jose's Morazan Park is a 4-star downtown destination.  Hotel Aurora is convenient to all downtown attractions including museums, gift shops, fine cuisine, casinos, and night life.  Also convenient to banks, government installations, and other business destinations.  $85 (promotion until December 30th; $125 normally) to $650 per night for the Presidential Suite.  Continued. . .	$85-$650; B; T
	QUALITY REAL SAN JOSE:
	BEST WESTERN SAN JOSE:
	PARQUE DEL LAGO HOTEL AND BUSINESS CENTER:  Parque del Lago Hotel and Business Center is located on Paseo Colon, a boulevard formerly for an upscale residential district just west of the downtown business district, today a bustling commercial district that includes banks, boutique hotels, business centers and many restaurants.  Hotel features include buffet breakfast, a safe, and Internet.  A wide range of regional tours also available.  Continued. . .	$95-$135
	HOTEL DUNN INN:  Hotel Dunn Inn:  Located in a refurbished mansion four blocks from Morazan Park in Barrio Amon, downtown San Jose, the Dunn offers cozy accommodations and a spectacular staff, all for great prices.  All rooms include satellite television, in-room LAN connections and broadband Internet, mini-bar and refrigerator, and hair dryer.  Most rooms have one double bed, though some rooms have an additional single, one room has two doubles, and there is one suite.  Continued . . .	$37-$70
	HOTEL CASA ROLAND:
	HAMPTON INN SUITES:  The American-style Hampton Inn Suites is conveniently located less than one mile from Juan Santamaria International Airport and very close to Rental Car Row, making it super convenient for travellers with early departures and/or late arrivals.  The rooms are sound-proof, and outfitted with king-sized bed, air conditioner, 25-inch cable television, desk, microwave oven and others in a modern structure situated in manicured gardens.  Continued . . .	$155-$790
	IRAZU BEST WESTERN:
	THE ALTA HOTEL:   Located in the breezy cool heights along the hip Escazu / Santa Ana highway.  Enjoy sumptuous lodging and fine dining, fully anointed and gorgeous.   Continued. . . Incomplete
	HOTEL QUALITY COLON:
	HOTEL EUROPA:  In the heart of San José, and just in a minute from the principal museums, theatres and interesting places of Costa Rican capital city, you can find one of the pioneers in hotelery, the HOTEL EUROPA  brings an unforgetable experience, personalized service, and all the idiosyncrasies of Costa Rican people to every client since 1911.  Continued . . .	$45-$60
	HOTEL ROSA DEL PASEO:
	THE ADVENTURE INN:

For general reservations inquiries, please fill out our Osa Peninsula Travel Information Questionnaire.  Alternately, please write me or call at one of the phone numbers provided below.  From the United States, remember to use the 011 direct dialing prefix.

CAFENET EL SOL Travel and Tour Information and Reservation Services
English:  506 2735-5702
Spanish:  506 2735-5719
Facsimile:  506 2735-5717

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