Can anyone recommend a nice, non-chain, hotel in downtown San Jose. My girlfriend are going to CR and are hoping to spend our last night before leaving in San Jose, so maybe something located near a good evening stroll and/or fun nightlife.

Have you looked at any of these. There are many to choose from.

Hotel Don Carlos - www.doncarloshotel.com

Hotel Brittania -
www.hotelbritanniacostarica.com

Hotel Grano de Oro -
www.hotelgranodeoro.com

Hotel Le Bergerac -
www.bergerachotel.com

I would recommend the Hotel Don Carlos. We just stayed there our last night (12/23) and would not hesitate to go back. Very charming old house, former presidential residence. Nice breakfast included. Easy walk to cultural center and pedestrian mall. I believe you are right across from the Jade museum too. The Don Carlos also has one of the largest gift shops in San Jose if you need to do some last minute shopping.

And for anyone visiting San Jose - do not miss the central market! This is cultural immersion at it's best. We stumbled in there on our first CR trip 15 yrs ago and made a special trip back with our two kids this time. I was pleased to see it hadn't changed. Just plan to get lost in this maze of of little booths and absorb the sights, sounds and amazing smells.

Thank you for your suggestions. I am going to make a reservation at the Hotel Don Carlos. I have already received an email reply from them.

Also, could you recommend a nice place to have a good (not to expensive) dinner in San Jose close by the Don Carlos?

See a few pictures of the central market http://www.costaricaweb.de/crweb/en/...ivities-en.htm
Don Carlos is nice.
Have a great time in Costa Rica
Saludos
costaklaus - www.costaricaweb.<font color=red>de</font>

Thumbs up on the Don Carlos--absolutely the best location! You'll be happy with the staff as well. They are very attentive. We don't stay in town anymore, but when we did, we always stayed there. Everytime we came back for a return visit, it was, &quot;Welcome back, Mrs.___________,&quot; etc. etc.

They are the ones who introduced us to Cafe El Mundo, just a few blocks east up Avenida 9. Excellent food.

It would probably take you a couple of days to see and do EVERYTHING that is in walking distance. Highlights should be the Jade Museum, the Gold Museum, the Teatro Nacional (my favorite), the Plaza de la Cultura there at El Gran Hotel Costa Rica (across from the Teatro), the Mercado Central, mentioned by an earlier poster. And of course, lots of little souvenir and art shops that are funs for browsing.

Also, at night, you are a 2 minute, $3 taxi ride away from El Pueblo, a great place for dining, bars, artisan shops.

Be sure your evening stolls are before dark. After dark, please rely on taxis. Although the area is a good one, it changes at night and wouldn't be safe at all to be out and about.

Have a great time!

Again, thanks everyone for the suggestions. Shillmac, even as a tough New Yorker (ha!) I will take your advice about the taxis.

I have another thread going about Interbus, if you know anything about that company, please respond to that thread too

Molly2 gave you very good advice regarding Interbus. They are a top notch company, and I believe problems with them to be few and easily avoidable following Molly2's advice regarding the use of credit cards.

The difference in the streets of New York and Costa Rica (my opinion) is perhaps less of a police presence--at least an English speaking police presence--coupled with little or no punishment for the offenders! It does encourage more bravado on the part of the perps! Actually, there have been more incidents of muggings during the daytime in recent months as well, but we'd still feel comfortable walking around--just not carrying purses or backpacks.