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San José is the capital of Costa Rica and has for about 320,000
inhabitants. Since the city is at an elevation of about 1100
meters above sea level, the climate is very pleasant. At night it
can become sensitively cool with clear skis!
San José is a relatively safe city - also after dark. However
pickpockets are hard at work and can be found in the crowded markets
and in the bus stop areas.
Architecturally San José does not have much to offer. Most buildings
of the colonial were destroyed in the heavy earthquakes of the last
century. These buildings were replaced by earthquake-proof,
but usually unappealing buildings of concrete. One of the best
buildings from the colonial age is the " Casa Amarilla ", which
today is where the State Department is located.
To navigate in San José is pretty simple: the city is like a chessboard.
The crossing of the Avenida central with the Calle central forms the
city center. The Avenidas runs from west to east, the Calles from
the south to the north. North the Avenida central the Avenidas with
the odd numbers is southern, those with the straight. Accordingly
it behaves with the Calles: the straight road numbers run west, the
Calle central, the odd east.
An absolutely must visit should be to the " Museo de Oro ".
In the cellars under the Plaza de la Cultura gold figures are shown
from praekolumbianischer time. The Museo de Oro is Costa Rica's most
important museum. Also worth a visit is the " Museo de Jade
" (Avenida 7/Calles 9-11). Jadeschmuck is issued from the time
of the Spanish conquerors.
Finally one should not miss the "Mercado central". The geschaeftige
Menschengewimmel and the variety of the offered goods are impressive.
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