San Jose City Center, Central Valley Vacations and Luxury Travel Packages
THE HISTORIC CENTER
Orientation
All streets in the city center - calles and avenidas - are numbered. The usually broader avenidas run from east to west, the canes from north to south. The Avenida Central cuts through the city and forms its east-west axis. North of the Avenida Central, the avenidas bear uneven numbers; to the south, the numbers are even.
Similarly, the Calle Central intersects the Avenida Central from north to south at a right angle. All canes east of the Cane Central bear uneven numbers; those west of it have even numbers. When asking one of the local residents for directions in San Jose - or in any other Costa Rican city - the answer is likely to sound something like this: "Go three blocks to the west and then four blocks south." Or they will count the distance in 100-meter blocks, meaning housing blocks, even when these are less than 100 meters long. Half a block translates into 50 meters.
Addresses in Costa Rica seldom contain house numbers. An address is given citing the nearest intersection. For example, Mercado Central at Avenida Central between Caller 6 and 8 would be entered in the address registry as Av. Ctl, C. 6/8 or Av. 0, C. 6/8.
When giving their addresses, Ticos prefer referring to a famous building, monument or similar landmark near their residence. "Two blocks south of the old whatever-it's-called bar," is a typical address - even long after the bar has closed. A number of years ago, the popular newspaper Tico Times reported that San Jose taxi drivers, in all earnestness, frequently gave directions containing information such as: "Three hundred meters east of the spot where, way back when, they burned the dog that was run over," or "turn right at the meadow where the cows once grazed." For travelers, such directions don't necessarily guarantee they will reach their destination in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica's drivers also fail to inspire much confidence. Once behind the wheel of a car, they often seem to forget their good manners and their motto, "quedar bien." Pedestrians are often made to feel like wild game in season when crossing a busy street, which can turn into a harrowing adventure.
A constant concert of horns and shouting matches between drivers discussing the right-of-way can increase the noise level to a fever pitch. Far too few parking spaces, too many one-way streets and to put it mildly - an extremely modest use of street signs convince many travelers to take the first opportunity to exchange the chaos of the big city jungle for the relative peace and quiet of the rain forest.
The most important sights in the center of San Jose can be easily reached on foot. The Central Park is the ideal place to start your walking tour.
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