San José celebrates its 200th birthday
On May 16, 1823, the country’s capital was moved from the city of Cartago to San José. It is now made up of 31 cantones or municipalities with each having its own government and mayor. Every four years municipal elections are held to choose a new mayor.
Few expat retirees and tourists know that on August 9, 1884, San José became the third city in the world only after New York and Paris to have electric outdoor street lighting.
Unfortunately, the capital city now suffers from traffic, urban flight of residents to the suburbs, and some crime. The city’s reputation has been daemonized by many expats who live in outlying areas and in places like Santa Ana, Atenas, Grecia, Heredia, Puriscal and San Ramón, etc.
Fifteen years ago the municipality started a campaign to re-populate the city and surrounding suburbs. Much of the downtown area was converted to walking streets in an effort to limit automobiles and traffic and beautification projects were initiated.
Unfortunately, the country’s tourism department sells the image of Costa Rica as a “green” country with stunning beaches and mountains, so many tourists bypass the capital city and head to places like the Osa Peninsula, Monte Verde, Lake Arenal, Guanacaste, Nicoya outside of the capital city.
Despite the above, San José does have a lot to offer for expats, tourists, and even Costa Ricans.
- Many cultural events
- Avenue Central extends 20 blocks and is the largest outdoor shopping mall in Central America.
- The country’s best museums
- A symphony orchestra
- A spectacular indoor Central Market that has to be seen to be believed.
- An ornate National Theater
- The Clinical Bíblica, Cima, and Metropolitan Hospitals are the best private medical facilities in the country.
- The 4 best public or caja hospitals
- Beautiful city parks
- Restaurants including Barrio Escalate which is the culinary capital of Costa Rica
- The huge Sabana Park which is like Golden Gate Park is to San Francisco or Central Park is to New York
- And much more.
