Weekend Getaway to San Jose

Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that New York City is impressive. Often referred to as the “Big Apple,” the “City That Never Sleeps” or the “Capital of the World,” New York is one of the most vibrant urban centers on the planet, and also one of the largest.

When people talk about New York, they typically mean Manhattan, which is but one of five boroughs that make up the city proper, the others being Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. The full metropolitan area, which includes nearby Long Island, Westchester County, and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, has a population upwards of 18 million.

New York draws tourists from around the globe, not only for its rich cultural and historical attractions, but also because it is a major center for media, theater, food, fashion, art, research, finance, trade and nightlife. It also has one of the most famous skylines on earth, dominated by the iconic Empire State Building.

First-time visitors can’t go wrong by hitting the traditional tourist spots: the top of the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Greenwich Village and SoHo, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center, Central Park, even Times Square. But those looking for more local, authentic experiences, plan a trip to Brooklyn to check out the Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Park and the Botanical Gardens; Manhattan’s Lower East Side for a taste of old-world immigrant history meets modern-day hipsters and nascent art scene; or Jackson Heights in Queens, for the best Indian and Thai food outside of Asia.

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.

The Costa Rica Marriott features a colonial hacienda set on a 30 acre coffee plantation, decorated with antiques for an elegant and relaxed atmosphere. The architecture, grounds, and exceptional service are captivating. Whether traveling to Costa Rica for business or to enjoy magnificent attractions such as volcanoes, rainforest trails, and canopy tours, the hotel lets guests to enjoy the splendor of Costa Rica and all it has to offer. It features 11350 square feet of a versatile function space. Guests can relax and enjoy the facilities after a long day of sight seeing or meetings, swim in two outdoor pools, or pamper themselves at the Palmas Wellness & Spa. The hotel also offers magnificent restaurants.

Here you can come and learn about Costa Rica's past, from pre-Colonial days up to the recent past. Exhibitions of geology are also on show. As usual in Central America, the pre-Columbian artifacts steal the show, with their marvellous carvings and masterful depictions of indigenous mythology and religion. The actual building in which the museum is housed is quite interesting in itself - it is a former military building, and retains a feel of barracks.

This museum (called "el MAC") is committed to preserving the national arts heritage of Costa Rica. It holds two separate collections, one of Costa Rican art and another for foreign art works. The national collection includes approximately 2,575 pieces, including sculptures, paintings and woodcarvings. Only about half the collection shows at any given time. Additionally, El Salon Dorado (Gold Room) is used to present concerts and conferences. The Alternative Space section was recently inaugurated for temporary exhibitions. Contact the museum for current exhibits and upcoming concerts.

Centuries after the conquest of the Americas, the Central Americans retain a somewhat ambivalent attitude toward Spain. The shared history of the two areas is evident in parks and other public places with names such as this. This small and relatively simple park is an excellent place to rest if you have been shopping or sightseeing. Parks like these, with their abundant growth, almost make you forget the sheer size of San José. Be careful here after dark.

The main feature of this museum is the collection of jade objects, crafted through different techniques by the native Costa Rican indigenous people. The collection was acquired by the National Institute of Insurance in 1973. The museum also exhibits pottery and metal works from the same time span. The museum offers guided visits in English and Spanish, in which the guides explain the importance, precedence and symbols on the pieces.

Experience the land of Costa Rica on this luxurious and expertly guided eight-day tour. The group meets in San Jose and ventures out to Monteverde Cloud Forest, Carara National Park, Manuel Antonio Park, beaches, rainforests, swamps, jungles, and numerous other natural, historic and breathtaking sites. There are plenty of opportunities for relaxing on the beach, snorkeling, and of course, checking out the amazing wildlife and plantlife of the area. Check website for further information including tour dates and prices.

The volcano is some distance from San Jose, but it is worth the trip to visit one of Central America's most impressive volcanoes. In the night, the view is awe-inspiring thanks to the red-hot rocks that the volcano spews into the air. You can stay in the village, Fortuna, to take advantage of the night views, or take a day trip from the capital to visit the Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal.

When the Spanish came to the Americas, they began to spread their system of beliefs. Because of the fact that various goddesses already enjoyed active cultures, the virgin quickly became the most popular Christian symbol here. According to the legend, the statue miraculously appeared on the site here. The basilica remains a very important focus of popular religion, even after its destruction in the earthquake of 1926. The present basilica was rebuilt afterwards.

More, much more than a Chinese restaurant, this is a culinary experience of different tastes and flavors from all of Asia. Here, you can try specialties from India, Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, Japan and, of course, China. It is not unusual, then, that a mixture of smells comes from the kitchen including curry, ginger, soy, lemon grass, garlic and onions, in a parade of magical olfactory seduction. When you feel it is time for a gastronomic change, the Tin Jo can give you a marvelous culinary tour through those exotic places.

This is a talented orchestra that plays frequently in downtown San Jose at the Teatro Nacional or the Auditorio Nacional, located in the Children's Museum. If you like conservative music, you can attend an orchestra performance at one of these locations. The symphony's season runs from March to November. For additional information and to acquire their concert schedule, telephone the orchestra directly.

The Costa Rica Marriott features a colonial hacienda set on a 30 acre coffee plantation, decorated with antiques for an elegant and relaxed atmosphere. The architecture, grounds, and exceptional service are captivating. Whether traveling to Costa Rica for business or to enjoy magnificent attractions such as volcanoes, rainforest trails, and canopy tours, the hotel lets guests to enjoy the splendor of Costa Rica and all it has to offer. It features 11350 square feet of a versatile function space. Guests can relax and enjoy the facilities after a long day of sight seeing or meetings, swim in two outdoor pools, or pamper themselves at the Palmas Wellness & Spa. The hotel also offers magnificent restaurants.

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.

Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that New York City is impressive. Often referred to as the “Big Apple,” the “City That Never Sleeps” or the “Capital of the World,” New York is one of the most vibrant urban centers on the planet, and also one of the largest.

When people talk about New York, they typically mean Manhattan, which is but one of five boroughs that make up the city proper, the others being Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. The full metropolitan area, which includes nearby Long Island, Westchester County, and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, has a population upwards of 18 million.

New York draws tourists from around the globe, not only for its rich cultural and historical attractions, but also because it is a major center for media, theater, food, fashion, art, research, finance, trade and nightlife. It also has one of the most famous skylines on earth, dominated by the iconic Empire State Building.

First-time visitors can’t go wrong by hitting the traditional tourist spots: the top of the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Greenwich Village and SoHo, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center, Central Park, even Times Square. But those looking for more local, authentic experiences, plan a trip to Brooklyn to check out the Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Park and the Botanical Gardens; Manhattan’s Lower East Side for a taste of old-world immigrant history meets modern-day hipsters and nascent art scene; or Jackson Heights in Queens, for the best Indian and Thai food outside of Asia.