Costa Rica Directory: Central Valley Region

The cosmopolitan capital of Costa Rica is the transport hub and focusing point of the country.; Most visitors spend at least a few days in the citybefore or after their visit to thecountry. ;It has a more North American feel to it than many Latin American capitals, with department stores, shopping malls and fast-food chains. However, it also has several excellent museums, some great restaurants, colorful markets and a fine climate.

Among the museums of the capital we recommend: the Museo Nacional, which ;displays the best ;of Costa Rican archaeology, colonial furniture, costumes and religious art;; the Museo del Oro Precolombino, which houses a dazzling collection of pre-Columbian gold pieces and the Museo de Jade, with the world's largest collection of American jade sculptures.

The most impressive city building is the Teatro Nacional, built in the 1890s. It hosts plays, operas, ballets and performances by the National Symphony Orchestra. The best market is Mercado Central, which bustles rather than buzzes, but has a range of goods from live turkeys to leatherwork to fresh medical herbs and some of the cheapest meals in town.

National Parks in the Province of San José

• Braulio Carrillo National Park
  

Other Points of Interest:

• Cerro de la Muerte
• Los Cusingos Neotropical Bird Sanctuary - Dr. Skutch's farm;
• El Rodeo Forest Reserve