Costa Rica's cosmopolitan national capital stands in the center of the Central Valley at an altitude of 1,150m/ 3,772ft, and the mountains create an attractive backdrop beyond the city. When Costa Rica gained independence from Spain in 1823, the nation's capital was moved from Cartago to the more dynamic and expanding San José.
San José was
founded in 1737 but little remains from the colonial era. San José offers many interesting attractions, in particular several excellent museums, fine restaurants, good nightlife and an eternal spring-like climate. San José is the heart of Costa Rica, and nearly 30% of the country's population live in the city or the nearby suburbs that are home to approximately 900,000 people.
San José is the hub of transportation in the country; all public transit and road systems radiate from the city. Hence, San José is a noisy bustling place, with traffics jams and congestion often the norm. Costa Ricans living in the city refer to themselves as 'josefinos' and are known for their friendliness and hospitality to visitors.
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