Solo Traveler’s Guide to San Jose, Costa Rica: Urban Life and Street Culture
¡Bienvenidos a San Jose, Costa Rica!
When you arrive in San Jose, you will need to find your way into the city for your accommodations. You may call a cab company to send a one to drive you - just be sure to check that the meter (Maria) is on. The initial fee ₡935 (Colones, the official currency). Official taxis are red, called Bastë, and there is also Airport Official Transfers. The ride is about 35 minutes from the city center.
Interestingly, Uber and other ride-sharing apps, like Didi or In-Driver, are illegal in the county. However, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist; in fact, there are a lot of people that drive for Uber, just under the radar. To avoid detection, drivers usually only like to pick up one or two people at the most, and ask that they sit up front, to avoid looking like a taxi driver. If questioned, they'll say that you're their cousin!
Just one more thing about vehicles, pedestrians do NOT have the right of way! Walking in San José is the norm- downtown traffic means walking is often quicker than taking the bus! However, do not jaywalk, cars will not stop even if there are people in the street! Exercise caution, and use Cross Walks, and follow the stoplights correctly.
Public Transportation in the city is fairly easy! San José city bus lines have different costs, but generally a bus ride in San Jose costs around 400 CRC or 70 cents. Have close to exact change- you can’t always pay with large bills- you should ask the driver if he has change. You pay the driver when you get on and then move on to the back of the bus- don’t stay at the front between the bars because it will keep counting you as a new passenger and you’ll have to pay again and get scolded! If all seats are taken, you stand in the aisle. If you are seated and an elderly person or pregnant woman or woman with small children is standing near you, it is good manners to give up your seat.
Costa Rica is unique in the sense that since it only has two seasons, the "seca" or dry season from November to April, and the "lluviosa" or rainy season from April to November. When I went, from late June to early July, is the period of time in-between the two seasons where the weather is perfect! Not to hot, and not too rainy. That being said, make sure to always carry an umbrella with you, as the weather can change on a dime, and be prepared for the humidity too, and wear sunscreen! Torrential downpours can happen in an instant without warning, so just be ready!
Explore The City
One of the biggest lessons I learned while in San Jose was "With your expectations, be prepared to be flexible. And when things seem to go wrong, they could also be right. things might not always go to plan, but that’s okay, and we can learn a lot of lessons when things go wrong, which could be great stories to tell in hindsight."
You might get off on the wrong stop. You might lose your way in the city. You might get caught in a freak rainstorm unprepared. While all these might seem world-ending in the moment, as the locals say, "Pura Vida!" Relax, recollect yourself, because things have a way of working out here.
Guided San José City Tour with Chepecletas
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Graffiti and Urban Art walking tour in Downtown San José with Costa Rica En La Pared
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