Choosing a city
Nightlife What activities are available in the city other than studying? You will want to be able to have a good time too!
Besides all the cultural activities that are shown on this page, San Jos offers a lot of fun for everyone.
Are you into shopping? From authentic markets to big chains, San Jos has it all. Have a look in the Multi Plaza Shopping Mall (anything of the highest quality, from goods like clothes, jewelry, groceries and souvenirs, to services like beauty salons, restaurants and cinemas), the Mall San Pedro and the Outlet Mall (located relatively close to each other in the neighborhood San Pedro, offering a diversity of shops like the Multi Plaza Shopping Mall but with less well-known brands and lower prices). San Jos’s oldest market, el Mercado Central, offers over 200 stores, stalls and small restaurants called ‘sodas’ in an area which roughly covers one city block. You can stop by for fresh fish, meat, fruits and vegetables or get a quick and cheap lunch, shop for souvenirs or visit small shops that sell local arts and crafts. Other items exposed include shoes, clothes, kitchenware, flowers, spices, jewels; you name it! The best place to shop for handcrafts (and to get the best price if you speak a little Spanish and have a pinch of confidence) is the Artisan Market. Big chains like Walmart and Mas por Menos are distributed over the city, but if you are looking for a diverse bunch of shops offering quality for low prices, have a look in downtown San Jos. Just a little bit outside San Jos, Paseo de las Flores in Heredia and TerraMall in Tres Rios are worth a visit.
San Jos offers several concert halls and theaters with both national and international performances. Other performances include the annually bullfights (in Costa Rican bullfights the bull is not harmed) and famous fairs and horseshows. Cinemas in the capital show art-house, classic and commercial movies. Feeling lucky? Give it a shot in one of the several casinos in San Jos.
Ticos love to dance and if you would like to show your moves in one of the many places in San Jos, consider taking dance classes first. Dance schools are all over the capital, differing in the type of dance they offer. Salsa is the most-used way of physical expression on the dance floor.
Are you prepared to dance the night away? Visit the many nightclubs and bars around town, the list is too long to publish here and a walk around will provide you enough possibilities. Several restaurants combine their services with a bar and dance area, either later on the evening or on a separate floor. Do you like your cocktails accompanied by live music? There are a lot of places, like the Jazz Caf, offering live music featuring a mix of local and international bands. Pubs like Irish pubs are found here as well and if you would like to gather for a soccer game (Ticos are really passionate about their clubs!) visit one of the many sport bars.
Would you like to relax after a night out? Consider the several spas in the area. Stunning, luxurious and all-embracing hot springs are to be found in quite a few resorts, often combining an entrance fee with delicious all-you-can-eat dinner buffets. This is also the perfect atmosphere to book a relaxing massage.
Is this overview too overwhelming and you do not know where to start? Our staff at Universal de Idiomas is more than willing to help you!