By Tyler Budke and Javier Alba
San José is the largest city of Costa Rica with a population just shy of 300,000 and also happens to be the capital city. It was founded in 1738 by the Cabildo de León. During colonial times the economy was mainly fueled by tobacco exports only to be replaced by coffee plantations during the middle of the 19th century.
San José today is a modern city complete with an international airport, parks, restaurants, cafes, hotels, and tall buildings. Along with this modernization comes a very interesting and diverse night life.
There are many districts with a night life but the three main ones are El Pueblo, San Pedro, and Barrio La California.
If you are taking a taxi to any of these locations do not give the driver an address or you will get lost. It is widely accepted that you give them some landmarks that are nearby where you want to go and you will arrive on time.
El Pueblo is a shopping center during the day and becomes a clubbing district at night. There are several bars and nightclubs cluttered in the tiny little alleyways.
Just mention El Pueblo to your taxi and he'll know where to go.
San Pedro is home to many bars and clubs. It is gener
ally accepted that you should avoid the university of Costa Rica area at night as the many bars in the university district tend to attract brawls and even the occasional gun shots. The other bars and clubs in San Pedro are free of trouble and full of fun!
The Barrio La California is the place to be if you are into the bohemian and rock crowd. Most of the bars have local bands playing every night which makes it a great place to go bar hopping!
A few local bars worth a visit are the El Tobogán, El Observatorio, and El Cuartel de la Boca del Monte.
El Tobogán is a huge dance club with classic Latin dance music from salsa to cumbia and merengue. The dance floor is roughly equivalent in size to a standard football field and it is always filled. It is only open on weekends but always has a live band and is open until 2am.
El Observatorio is owned by a local filmmaker and its décor is heavily cinema themed. It is a very large bar with high ceilings and active smoke scrubbing to make it bearable for non smokers. It is open from noon until 2am every day, and has the occasional live music and movie screening.
El Cuartel de la Boca del Monte is one of San José’s best and most popular bars. It started off as a local hang out spot for artist’s and bohemians and has evolved into a meeting spot for young successful individuals. There is usually a very diverse crowd here with artists, students, tourists, foreign exchange students, etc. It is open until 1am most days while weekends it can stay open past 3am.
San José has come a long ways since it was founded over 200 years ago and its night life can compete with some of the best out there.
San José today is a modern city complete with an international airport, parks, restaurants, cafes, hotels, and tall buildings. Along with this modernization comes a very interesting and diverse night life.
There are many districts with a night life but the three main ones are El Pueblo, San Pedro, and Barrio La California.
If you are taking a taxi to any of these locations do not give the driver an address or you will get lost. It is widely accepted that you give them some landmarks that are nearby where you want to go and you will arrive on time.
El Pueblo is a shopping center during the day and becomes a clubbing district at night. There are several bars and nightclubs cluttered in the tiny little alleyways.
Just mention El Pueblo to your taxi and he'll know where to go.
San Pedro is home to many bars and clubs. It is gener
ally accepted that you should avoid the university of Costa Rica area at night as the many bars in the university district tend to attract brawls and even the occasional gun shots. The other bars and clubs in San Pedro are free of trouble and full of fun!The Barrio La California is the place to be if you are into the bohemian and rock crowd. Most of the bars have local bands playing every night which makes it a great place to go bar hopping!
A few local bars worth a visit are the El Tobogán, El Observatorio, and El Cuartel de la Boca del Monte.
El Tobogán is a huge dance club with classic Latin dance music from salsa to cumbia and merengue. The dance floor is roughly equivalent in size to a standard football field and it is always filled. It is only open on weekends but always has a live band and is open until 2am.
El Observatorio is owned by a local filmmaker and its décor is heavily cinema themed. It is a very large bar with high ceilings and active smoke scrubbing to make it bearable for non smokers. It is open from noon until 2am every day, and has the occasional live music and movie screening.
El Cuartel de la Boca del Monte is one of San José’s best and most popular bars. It started off as a local hang out spot for artist’s and bohemians and has evolved into a meeting spot for young successful individuals. There is usually a very diverse crowd here with artists, students, tourists, foreign exchange students, etc. It is open until 1am most days while weekends it can stay open past 3am.
San José has come a long ways since it was founded over 200 years ago and its night life can compete with some of the best out there.
San José is the largest city of Costa Rica with a population just shy of 300,000 and also happens to be the capital city. I am happy to be there.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!!
Night Clubs