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LATIN AMERICA SAN JOSE DESTINATIONS “S


an José has a lot of secrets,” says Carlos,


SAN JOSE


Costa Rica’s capital has plenty to


persuade people to stay awhile,


finds Ella Buchan


my guide on a bike tour of the Costa Rican capital, with local company ChepeCletas. “And they’re wonderful.” Though most flights, including British Airways’ direct route from London, land in the capital, people tend to head straight to the national parks, barely giving San José a backwards glance. But a little effort uncovers


world-class attractions, from the National Theatre’s opulent lobby to a collection of pre-Columbian gold in an inverted pyramid. It’s these tucked-away


attractions that a growing number of tour companies are keen to show off. Here’s how to spend two days exploring the capital’s culture, food and nightlife.


Pedal past Escuela Buenaventura, a 19th-century building made from iron and painted dusky pink


w DAY ONE 09.00: Get a sense of the city’s layout and history on a two-hour bike tour, about £30. Pedal past the Escuela Buenaventura or ‘Heavy Metal School’, a 19th- century building made from iron and painted dusky pink, and explore green spaces including Morazán Park. chepecletas.com


11.00: The tour ends by the grand National Theatre, constructed in 1897. Peek inside the marble- floored lobby and gaze up at ceiling frescoes, including the ‘Allegory of Coffee and Banana’, equally famous for its historical inaccuracies as its beauty. Tours of the auditorium, hidden ‘Smoking Room’ and upstairs galleries depart hourly and cost about £5. teatronacional.go.cr


12.30: Head to trendy Barrio Escalante, about a 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride from downtown, for lunch at Franco. This sleek, open-fronted cafe, with tables spilling onto a patio, serves ceviche, avocado toast and huge, zingy salads from £5. You’ll want to stay for coffee,


Escuela Buenaventura 7 February 2019 travelweekly.co.uk 71


TOP TIP


Visitcostarica.com is a useful source for planning trips


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