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The best areas to stay in San Jose are Escazú and Santa Ana, particularly for travellers seeking comfort, convenience, and a more upmarket experience.


Escazú is often considered San Jose's most upscale district, known for its modern infrastructure and green spaces. You'll find a wide selection of high-end hotels, international restaurants, and shopping centres, such as Avenida Escazú and Multiplaza Escazú, all within a short drive of each other. The area feels more suburban than the city centre, offering a relaxed environment while still being well-connected.


Couples looking for a luxurious and convenient stay will appreciate Escazú. Many hotels here feature amenities like swimming pools, spas, and high-end fitness equipment. It's a great base for exploring the central valley, with easy access to attractions outside the immediate city centre, such as coffee plantations and volcano day trips, without the hustle and bustle of downtown San Jose.


Santa Ana, located just west of Escazú, offers a similar quality of experience but often with a slightly more relaxed, small-town feel. It's known for its well-maintained residential areas, golf courses, and a growing number of gourmet restaurants. While it shares some of the modern conveniences of Escazú, it retains a bit more of its traditional Costa Rican character.


For those planning to explore the Pacific coast or the central highlands, Santa Ana provides excellent road access, making it a practical choice for travellers who value efficiency and ease of travel.

For a highly recommended hotel in San Jose, consider the Hotel B&B Garden Grecia.


This hotel, with an excellent 9.6 rating, is frequently praised by guests for its excellent and friendly staff, as well as its clean rooms. It offers premium bedding and complimentary full breakfast. For added convenience, there is a 24-hour airport shuttle service and rooms also feature a kitchen. The hotel is situated in a quiet neighbourhood and is located 1.7 km from Tropical Bungee.

For a hotel in San Jose that offers complimentary breakfast, the Hotel B&B Garden Grecia is an excellent choice.


This hotel, with an impressive 9.6 rating, provides a delicious full breakfast free of charge, which guests often appreciate. It also offers a 24-hour airport shuttle service and free WiFi, making it very convenient for travellers. Guests consistently praise the excellent and friendly staff, and the clean rooms. Additionally, the hotel is situated in a quiet neighbourhood.

For budget-friendly accommodation in San Jose, Hotel B&B Garden Grecia is an excellent choice.


This hotel, with an outstanding rating of 9.6, offers a range of convenient features for travellers. Guests frequently highlight the excellent and friendly staff, the quiet neighbourhood, and the clean rooms. The hotel provides a 24-hour airport shuttle service, free WiFi and wired internet, and complimentary full breakfast, making it particularly appealing for those looking for value and convenience. Additionally, free self-parking is available. It is located 1.6 km from Ruinas de Ujarras.

The best time to go to San Jose, Costa Rica, is during the dry season, which runs from December to April. This period offers the most pleasant weather for exploring the city and its surroundings.


During these months, you can expect plenty of sunshine and lower humidity, making it ideal for walking around the city's attractions like the National Theatre or the Gold Museum. The drier conditions also make day trips to nearby coffee plantations or volcanoes more enjoyable, as rain is less likely to interrupt your plans.


For travellers planning a relaxed trip, the shoulder months of May and November can also be a good option. While there might be occasional afternoon showers, these are usually brief, and you'll often find fewer crowds and potentially better value on accommodation and flights.

San Jose has a few distinct areas for nightlife, each with its own character.


Barrio Escalante is a popular spot, particularly for those looking for a more relaxed evening. It's known for its extensive selection of restaurants, many of which have their own bars. You'll find craft beer pubs, wine bars, and places offering sophisticated cocktails. The streets here, especially around Calle 33, are pleasant for an evening stroll between venues.


For a more traditional experience, La California is worth a look. It offers a mix of bars and clubs, with a focus on Latin music and dancing. You'll find venues with live bands playing salsa and merengue, as well as places where you can dance to contemporary hits. This area tends to get quite lively, particularly on weekends.


San Pedro, especially near the University of Costa Rica, caters to a younger crowd. It's home to numerous bars and pubs that offer affordable drinks and a generally laid-back atmosphere.

You can cancel your hotel reservation on Expedia, although it depends on the cancellation policy of your booking. Most bookings are refundable if cancelled within 24 to 48 hours of the scheduled arrival. Be sure to check your booking confirmation for the exact cancellation policy. If free cancellation is available, you can cancel directly through your Expedia account by logging in, going to ‘My Trips’ and selecting your reservation. To find flexible deals, filter your search by ‘Fully refundable property’ for hotels in San Jose.

One Key™—Expedia’s free travel rewards programme—gives you instant access to discounts with Member Prices on San Jose hotels. Plus, you’ll earn OneKeyCash™* on eligible bookings to use on future trips. Booking an Expedia hotel and flight package is another great way to save, where bundling can result in significant savings. *Excludes taxes and fees. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia and other participating brands.

Prices for hotels in San Jose often vary, but you can find a great deal from NZ$65 on Expedia. All sorts of factors affect price, such as the time of year or the days of the week you choose for your stay. Find the best deals by being flexible with your dates, and sort search results by ‘Price: low to high’ for our cheapest rates.