San Jose Hotels
San José is Costa Rica’s capital city and also where many vacations begin. With a vast array of options, it is worth knowing which hotels in San José really stand out from the crowd.
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Grano de Oro Hotel is a surprising oasis in downtown San Jose downtown, offering boutique-style services, luxury accommodations, and one of the finest...
From $170
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Experience a taste of Costa Rica—either literally—in a coffee cup or on a dining plate, or figuratively—the lush life of its tropical surroundings....
From $280
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Located less than an hour from the San José airport, the Peace Lodge is a cozy, boutique hotel with numerous on-site activities, the perfect place to begin...
From $415
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Villa Blanca is surrounded by the breathtaking cloud forest and conveniently located just one hour from San José International Airport.
From $190
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This hotel offers impressive views of the Central Valley, a modern business center, and many amenities. It's conveniently located in central San José.
From $189
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Xandari Resort and Spa offers ideal mix of luxury and convenience, at just 20 min away from San Jose's International Airport.
From $225
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This top-of-the-line boutique hotel specializes in all things equine. Ideal for those wanting a unique experience in a picturesque mountain setting.
From $453
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The Pacuare Jungle Lodge is a unique, adventurous property in the secluded jungle. Great for those looking for luxurious, enriching nature experience.
From $445
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Conveniently located just across the highway from the San José airport, the Hampton Inn is a great place to stay for a first or last night in Costa Rica.
From $157
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The Bougainvillea Hotel is a peaceful family-owned hotel with friendly staff, just a 30-minute drive from the SJO airport.
From $129
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San Jose, Capital City
Many people who vacation in Costa Rica only see the Central Valley and San José briefly, if at all. The country’s main international airport, the Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO), is located in the suburb of Alajuela, and travelers will often arrive and step straight into a waiting transfer to their hotel.
However a smart choice can be to take one or more nights on either end of your vacation and complement your package with a night in a San José hotel. This can make the entire travel experience just that little bit more relaxing since the nearest beach destination is over an hour away. It also affords you the opportunity to take in some of the less well-known attractions of the stunning Central Valley and to stay in some of the boutique hotels close to San Jose.
Day Trips from San Jose Hotels
The central valley is also home to some great tourist day trips. The waterfall gardens at La Paz make for an incredible day out, with all manner of flora and fauna on display, as well as great food and the chance to take a walk along a river with several of the largest waterfalls in the Central Valley.
You can combine this trip with a hike up the Poas Volcano to see the incredible crater lake and learn all about the country’s volcanoes. Poas is also strawberry country, and when driving around you will not fail to stop at any number of the local street side stalls selling incredible fresh strawberries. Also, if you can find it, Chubascos is a local gem of a restaurant offering some of the finest “Comida Típica” (Costa Rican traditional food) you will find in the country.
It may well be that the beaches, jungles, and volcanoes of Costa Rica are where you wish to spend most of your time, but it would be a mistake to totally overlook San José and the Central Valley. Not only are there world class hotels and restaurants, but there is no end to the things to see.
Why Visit San Jose?
