San José

Costa Rica allows for visa-free travel periods up to 90 days to citizens from most EU, America, and Oceania countries. Before traveling, check Costa Rican visa requirements that apply to citizens on your country.

San José and other towns in Costa Rica use a rectilinear roadway grid. The roads going north and south are called calles (streets) while the ones going east and west are called avenidas (avenues). Let's pretend that Calle Central is number 0. From there, calles count up by odd numbers to the east and even numbers west. Avenidas have odd numbers north of the pedestrian Avenida Central and even going south. Parque Central and Mercado Central (Central park and market) are usually at the centre of town. Many addresses will be written down as Calle 4, Avenidas 4 & 6 — somewhere on the north-south street 4 between avenues 4 and 6. However, many businesses will describe their location in relation to major landmarks. For example, Dulce Junio Café's address is "200 m Este De la Iglesia Santa Teresita y 25 norte, contiguo a Saúl Bistro, Barrio Escalante, San José" — that's 200 m from the Santa Teresita church and 25 m north, next to Saúl Bistro, Escalante neighbourhood.

The Juan Santamaría International (SJO) airport is located about 17 km northwest of the city centre. Right outside the entrance, you will find local shuttle buses that take you downtown. The journey is usually inexpensive. If you prefer taxis, make sure to get a licensed "Taxi Aeropuerto". One journey is about 25 minutes and costs about 25 US$. The most common bus you’ll see is the big red TUASA bus. The final stop of this bus is close to La Merced park.

There is a good and inexpensive bus system in San José, as well as outbound buses to the rest of the country. Interbus and Gray Line Fantasy Bus will also take you to touristic places outside the city centre, but the fares are slightly more expensive. If you are taking a bus between cities, be very mindful of your belongings. The bags are often stolen from overhead luggage racks. If anyone is trying to help you put your bag up there — they are very likely to grab it and leave at some point. If they go for your bag and you try to stop them, that's when you will be pickpocketed by their accomplices.

Country Code: +506 Area Code: 22

Costa Rica uses 110 volt, 60 cycle electricity. The plugs are typically the 2-pronged flat type common in North America and some Asian countries.