Here are a few of my favorite restaurants:
- Princesa Marina they have some really good seafood and you must try the ceviche corvina. There are several locations in and around San Jose.
- Cafe Mundo is another very good restaurant. They serve a large variety of meals. They also serve bread with dipping oil while you wait for your meal.
- Antojitos is a very good Mexican restaurant. There are several locations in and around San Jose. The location I go to most is in San Pedro across from the San Pedro Mall.
- Mayra is a small restaurant in Tibas that serves a tasty lunch. This is a very simple restaurant but good.
There are lots of similar restaurants throughout Costa Rica.
Restaurants in the San Jose area:
There are numerous small hotels and B&B’s in and around San Jose.
On the east side of downtown. Some of those neighborhoods would be Barrio Aranjuez, Barrio Dent, or San Pedro.
Hotel Aranjuez
Hotel Ave del Paraiso
At the western edge of downtown San Jose.
Hotel Grano de Oro
Just outside of San Jose near Escazu.
The Alta Hotel
Hotels in the San Jose area:
When you arrive at the airport in San Jose the best place to exchange money is at the bank upstairs in the departure area of the airport. After leaving customs just go outside and ask which way to the bank. While at the bank the desk to pay your departure tax is right there if there is not a line go ahead and pay your departure tax. This will save you time when you are leaving to go back home. During busy departure times there can be a long line.
Tips on arrival:
Learn Spanish and More
Central Valley Spanish School, S.A. San José, Costa Rica
Tipping
Since a 10 percent service charge is included on all restaurant bills, most Ticos leave no tip. If service is exceptional, you might want to leave another 5 percent, but it is not required or expected. Taxi drivers are not tipped, while bellboys, hotel maids, and tour guides are.
Hotels in the Arenal area
Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa
Hotel Cabañitas Resort & Spa
Hotels in the Monteverde area
Hotel El Sapo Dorado
The tour operator Destination Costa Rica can assist you in making reservations at numerous hotels throughout Costa Rica as well as making arrangements to transportation and excursions.