San José is the capital city of Costa Rica, the oldest democracy in Latin America. While the city itself is often merely a stop over to the country’s more interesting destinations, San José is surrounded by beautiful countryside, and nearby volcanoes are easily accessible on a day trip.
The city does boast a fair number of interesting museums, including ones featuring gold and jade. The Museo de los Niños (Children’s Museum) and the Museo Nacional (National Museum) also are worth a look.