San José: Mountains, Mornings, and Maybe Rain
san josé is... well, it's the capital of costa rica, but honestly i'm still trying to figure out how to describe it without using the same old words. it's built on these mountains, which is kinda cool because it means you get these views, but also it means you're always going uphill or downhill. the elevation is around 1150-1200 meters, so it's not like the coasts. it's cooler, which is nice because i'm sweating less.
i just checked and it's... 19.32°C right now, feels like 19.37. hope you like that kind of thing. the temp min is 18.4 and max 20.9, so it's pretty mild. but don't forget, the nights get down to 15°C, so pack a jacket. someone told me that the weather can be tricky, especially because of the rain. they said the dry season is from december to april, which is ideal, but if you're going in the wet season (may to november), you'll get afternoon rains. it's not all bad though, because the city gets super green and lush.
the city itself is about 350,000 people, but the metropolitan area is huge, like 1.5 to 2 million. that's over a third of the country's population! it's a busy place, but the vibe is pretty laid-back, you know? the tico culture is all about "pura vida", which means pure life. it's a bit of a mix of business and residential areas, and the people are friendly and family-oriented.
if you get bored, heredia, alajuela, cartago, limón, and puntarenas are just a short drive away. actually, the greater metropolitan area includes alajuela, heredia, and cartago, so you can easily hop around. someone told me that the central valley extends from san ramón to paraíso, so there's a lot to explore.
speaking of exploration, the city is surrounded by volcanoes. irazú and barva are nearby, and they're active! i don't know if that's scary or exciting. someone told me that the national theater is a must-see, and that the downtown has some historic districts. also, the city is a gateway to ecotourism, so you can go to national parks in the province.
the food? oh, it's typical costa rican stuff. gallo pinto is the big one, that's rice and beans. then there are casados, which are plates with meat, rice, beans, plantains. fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and of course, coffee. the city is in the heartland, so the food is hearty and farm-fresh. you can find street food and these little places called sodas.
now, about living here: it's not all roses. they say there's petty crime in downtown and traffic congestion. so if you're visiting, maybe use the early mornings for clear weather and day trips. also, the high elevation means cooler nights, so pack layers. oh, and the roads to the coasts are good, but be aware of altitude adjustment. someone told me that the seismic activity near volcanoes is something to keep in mind, but then again, that's costa rica for you.
what's remarkable is that it's so central. it's the political and economic core, and it's surrounded by mountains and farms. the volcanic soil is great for agriculture, so they grow coffee, strawberries, sugarcane, and dairy. the climate is mild all year, so it's a great base for exploring.
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