San José Off The Beaten Path

Although very touristy and commercial, I thoroughly enjoyed this theatrical tour.

Led by professional actors posing as plantation workers, you are guided through the whole process of coffee growing, harvesting, roasting, tasting and buying.

There is also a multimedia show, plant tour and tasting session, with the ubiquitous shopping experience at the end. Their coffee liqueur is to die for!

Established in 1916, San Jose’s zoo contains more than 300 animals and 150 species of plants. Operated by the National Park Service, it offers opportunity to view numerous species of native wildlife that are not all that easily seen in the wild, even after a week or two of walking trails through different national parks. Open 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Small admission.

Address: North on Calle 9

This train station was built by the Costa Rican government to connect San Jose to the towns of Caldera , Puntarenas and their harbors. Although not in regular service the line has recently been reopened for regular tours organized by the Tico Train Tour Corp. The train uses 1940 coaches to travel through villages offering views of jungle scenery.

Address: Avenida 20 - Calle 2

This is an orchid garden run by the University of Costa Rica. Originally a private garden run by a British orchid enthusiast, it is now open to the public.

Between February and April is the best time to visit the gardens to see most orchids in bloom.

There are over 800 species of orchids in these gardens, as well as many other plants and an arboretum

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This train station was the jumping off point for the “jungle train” which connected San Jose to Moin harbor near the town of Limón. Service has been discontinued in 1991 when an earthquake destroyed more than 50 miles (80 km.) of track on the Atlantic slopes. Currently, the 1908 Victorian-style building houses the National Train Museum which contains pictures and documents from that era. Outside there is a steam engine of the Northern Railway (as the line was called before nationalization) that was brought from Philadelphia in 1939. Open 10 am to 3 pm. Small admission.

Address: Avenida 3 - Calle 21

Sarchi is Costa Rica's famous craft centre, best known for its painted ox carts. These carts are Moorish in origin and can be traced back to Spanish immigrants. Now you can find them adorning gardens of local inhabitants. You can also see them being made at a couple of cart factories.

If you would like to bring home one of the painted carts, but are worried about space in your luggage, the same painting style is also used to decorate wooden trays, plates and other souvenirs.

Many other crafts are for sale here including unpainted woodwork and leather rocking chairs.

Built in the 1930’s the roof is adorned by a figure of Santa Teresita. This church turned out to be an excellent landmark for my walking adventures. To the west the streets are grid-like and easy to navigate; to the west, not so much.

Address: Avenida 9 - Calle 29

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Surrounded by high, bleak, concrete walls, the old National Liquor Factory has been turned into a complex with two theatres, three art galleries, a library and live cultural activities. There are frequent dance performances and concerts in the Teatro FANAL and the Teatro 1887. The newly named Centro Nacional de la Cultura, National Cultural Center, is administered by the Ministerio de Cultura Juventud Y Deportes, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. The main building was built in 1856 and used to distil coffee liquor. On the grounds are historical artifacts as well as some of the original equipment and machinery from the factory. Open Tue-Sat, 10 am- 5 pm. Free admission.

Address: Avenidas 5-7 - Calle 11; Next to the Parque España (Park of Spain).