5 hours at the San José, Costa Rica, airport.
January 27, 2006 7:13 AM Subscribe
My gorgeous wife and myself will have a 5 hour stopover in San José, Costa Rica (from 1:25pm to 6:10 pm). Is it worth it to go into town, grab some lunch and hang out, or should we just hole up at the airport and gaze vacantly into space? If we head into town, whither shall we go?
Response by poster: We're allowed, as we don't need a visa for Costa Rica (I checked with the airline).
posted by signal at 7:28 AM on January 27, 2006
posted by signal at 7:28 AM on January 27, 2006
I think there's a club for gorgeous people your wife can go to in San Jose somewhere. Not sure if you'll be able to accompany her though/
posted by baphomet at 7:33 AM on January 27, 2006
posted by baphomet at 7:33 AM on January 27, 2006
Response by poster: baphomet writes 'Not sure if you'll be able to accompany her though/'
Maybe if we tell them I'm her man-servant?
posted by signal at 8:04 AM on January 27, 2006
Maybe if we tell them I'm her man-servant?
posted by signal at 8:04 AM on January 27, 2006
While the airport there isn't much to behold (I've spent several hours there a couple of times), San Jose also isn't much to see, either. Even if you have time to leave the airport, you won't have time to go very far or make it worth your while. This time, take a pack of Uno cards and settle in. Next time, plan a trip to Costa Rica, which is a wonderful country--the least impressive attraction of which is its capitol city.
posted by lilybeane at 8:12 AM on January 27, 2006
posted by lilybeane at 8:12 AM on January 27, 2006
San Jose is a dump and not worth seeing/risking your life for.
posted by eas98 at 8:28 AM on January 27, 2006
posted by eas98 at 8:28 AM on January 27, 2006
Second lilybeane. SJ has some limited charm, but really...it's pretty bleh. The food is really forgettable (as is the food in the airport, as I recall...). Not to mention, you'll have your bags with you, which will be a pain in the ass and will pinpoint you as a tourist.
If you do decide to venture out, though, I'd have to disagree with eas98--you wouldn't exactly be "risking your life." Sure, there are pickpockets, but it's not like the favelas of Sao Paolo or anything. My friend and I walked all the way from downtown to the other end of Paseo Colon without incident. The most common form of tourist-crime is a scenario in which someone pops your tire while you're at a light, and then a "good samaritan" comes over and "helps" you, and then they take all your money and your passports.
posted by veronica sawyer at 9:13 AM on January 27, 2006
If you do decide to venture out, though, I'd have to disagree with eas98--you wouldn't exactly be "risking your life." Sure, there are pickpockets, but it's not like the favelas of Sao Paolo or anything. My friend and I walked all the way from downtown to the other end of Paseo Colon without incident. The most common form of tourist-crime is a scenario in which someone pops your tire while you're at a light, and then a "good samaritan" comes over and "helps" you, and then they take all your money and your passports.
posted by veronica sawyer at 9:13 AM on January 27, 2006
I wouldn't go as far to say that SJ is a dump, but it's not the best of Costa Rica, and certainly not worth risking your onward flight for. It's a tough choice, five hours is not too much but not that little. It is certainly not a dangerous city, I walked around everywhere 2 years ago for days with no incidents at all. The market is nice and the centro itself. If you want, just negotiate a taxi to take you somewhere central and pick you up at a certain time. Have fun!
posted by keijo at 10:26 AM on January 27, 2006
posted by keijo at 10:26 AM on January 27, 2006
Oh, I don't know. If it were me, I'd venture out. Why not check out the national theater and then have lunch on the main square on the terrasse of the Gran Hotel?
Then walk over to the National Museum.
If you were feeling extra adventurous you could head over for lunch at the central market by the train station instead, and then go wander round and see what kind of weird treasures you can unearth.
posted by hazyjane at 10:29 AM on January 27, 2006
Then walk over to the National Museum.
If you were feeling extra adventurous you could head over for lunch at the central market by the train station instead, and then go wander round and see what kind of weird treasures you can unearth.
posted by hazyjane at 10:29 AM on January 27, 2006
I dont' think you'll be "risking your life" by going in to San Jose. The tico's are pretty peaceful for the most part, but, they won't miss an oppurtunity to gang your stuff if you turn your back. The city is wicked confusing though and a lot of the taxi drivers are shady. So, it might be hard to get out of the airport, find someplace cool, and get back into the airport in 5 hours. I don't think I'd chance missing my flight.
posted by trbrts at 10:36 AM on January 27, 2006
posted by trbrts at 10:36 AM on January 27, 2006
San Jose is not dangerous but it is an ugly hole utterly lacking in charm. There is, however, a nice butterfly farm just outside the city. You don't have to go on one of the guided tours. I just paid the admission and wandered around by myself for a couple of hours.
posted by trip and a half at 12:28 PM on January 27, 2006
posted by trip and a half at 12:28 PM on January 27, 2006
Rent a car and drive over to Santa Cruz. Figuring a couple of hours driving time will still leave you a couple hours at the beach.
posted by semmi at 12:40 PM on January 27, 2006
posted by semmi at 12:40 PM on January 27, 2006
Response by poster: Thanks for all the answers. 5 reading a good book at the airport is starting to look like the way to go.
2 follow up questions: a) does the airport have air conditioning? b) how long is the ride from the airport to downtown?
posted by signal at 12:46 PM on January 27, 2006
2 follow up questions: a) does the airport have air conditioning? b) how long is the ride from the airport to downtown?
posted by signal at 12:46 PM on January 27, 2006
a) I can't remember.
b) Santamaria (the airport) is 17km from San Jose, so, I don't know... twenty minutes to half an hour?
Be aware that the only food available at the airport is from three or four American fast-food chains (Burger King, etc.)
posted by trip and a half at 1:46 PM on January 27, 2006
b) Santamaria (the airport) is 17km from San Jose, so, I don't know... twenty minutes to half an hour?
Be aware that the only food available at the airport is from three or four American fast-food chains (Burger King, etc.)
posted by trip and a half at 1:46 PM on January 27, 2006
Risk your life? C'mon! It's definitely possible, do a little research, find out where you want to go and when you leave the airport, after going through customs, look for a little stand on the left, right before the door to exit the airport. You can get a taxi there, that will take you to your location. Go, eat, see some stuff, don't worry about getting robbed/killed/carjacked/etc... as long as it's daylight and you're in a public/touristy area. Then catch a cab back, but don't forget you have to pay a $26 exit fee.
posted by youthenrage at 2:40 PM on January 27, 2006
posted by youthenrage at 2:40 PM on January 27, 2006
San Jose is safe, but it is a bustling Central American capital city and can be highly disorienting when you visit for the first time. You aren't going to get shivved or anything, but you might be relieved of your wallet or purse if you aren't alert. If your wife happens to be a caucasian blonde or a redhead, she is going to draw a lot of attention (blatant oggling and staring) despite being with you.
Costa Ricans are typically very laid back, which means restaurant service and transportation may take longer than expected, so keep that in mind.
If you speak and undertstand decent Spanish, you will have a better bet of making a quick visit in the city and getting back in time to catch your flight. If you do venture out of the airport, have the currency stuff all figured out first, as taxi drivers are notorious for ripping passengers off.
If you decide to venture out, there are a lot of little open air cafe type places. I really love the costa rican style cafe con leche. A refresco is a fresh blended fruit/ice/milk drink. A big plate of gallo pinto (beans & rice) or chicken & rice are both tasty.
The airport in San Jose is pretty good for people watching. I might be wrong, but I think I remember that it was unairconditioned.
posted by tinaguppie at 3:05 PM on January 27, 2006
Costa Ricans are typically very laid back, which means restaurant service and transportation may take longer than expected, so keep that in mind.
If you speak and undertstand decent Spanish, you will have a better bet of making a quick visit in the city and getting back in time to catch your flight. If you do venture out of the airport, have the currency stuff all figured out first, as taxi drivers are notorious for ripping passengers off.
If you decide to venture out, there are a lot of little open air cafe type places. I really love the costa rican style cafe con leche. A refresco is a fresh blended fruit/ice/milk drink. A big plate of gallo pinto (beans & rice) or chicken & rice are both tasty.
The airport in San Jose is pretty good for people watching. I might be wrong, but I think I remember that it was unairconditioned.
posted by tinaguppie at 3:05 PM on January 27, 2006
I think I remember it as not air-conditioned and also not very comfortable. If you're imagining a US-style airport you're going to be disappointed. I wouldn't expect anything more than a rickety plastic chair with loads of people milling about.
posted by hazyjane at 3:21 PM on January 27, 2006
posted by hazyjane at 3:21 PM on January 27, 2006
I think it's sort of amusing that we are all assuming you are homogenized, naive Americans!
posted by tinaguppie at 3:32 PM on January 27, 2006
posted by tinaguppie at 3:32 PM on January 27, 2006
Response by poster: We speak spanish and are not at all worried about getting robbed, etc. The only real worry is whether or not the hassle and USD$52 are worth it to go through for just a few hours around town, and how badly the airport might suck to wait in.
posted by signal at 6:16 PM on January 27, 2006
posted by signal at 6:16 PM on January 27, 2006
Response by poster: Woops, forgot to post from the sock-puppet.
(no big cover up, just opened a new account so I could post twice a week).
posted by signal at 6:17 PM on January 27, 2006
(no big cover up, just opened a new account so I could post twice a week).
posted by signal at 6:17 PM on January 27, 2006
I was there last year and the airport is airconditioned and comfortable. We actually spent about four or five hours there before our flight left. There isn't too much to do in the airport though.
DO NOT RENT A CAR AND EXPECT TO BE BACK IN FIVE HOURS! Driving around Costa Rica is a trip, completely different than anywhere I have been. It took us a long time just to find our way out of San Jose. Roads are hard to figure out and maps are almost useless. Costa Ricans are exceedingly friendly and accomodating, but we learned that people would rather give you wrong directions than admit that they didn't know how to get anywhere.
That being said, you can catch a "Tourist Bus" which is really just a van which is air conditioned and comfortable and more expensive than the locals' bus. They will take you pretty much anywhere for $20 or so.
There isn't much good food in Costa Rica, unless you like beans, rice and onions. There are some good plantain dishes and the fried chicken is tasty.
I'm of the opinion that you should explore a different city whenever you get the chance. Assuming that you have to go through customs again and your flights are both on time, you probably only have three hours or so.
posted by jonah at 7:46 PM on January 27, 2006
DO NOT RENT A CAR AND EXPECT TO BE BACK IN FIVE HOURS! Driving around Costa Rica is a trip, completely different than anywhere I have been. It took us a long time just to find our way out of San Jose. Roads are hard to figure out and maps are almost useless. Costa Ricans are exceedingly friendly and accomodating, but we learned that people would rather give you wrong directions than admit that they didn't know how to get anywhere.
That being said, you can catch a "Tourist Bus" which is really just a van which is air conditioned and comfortable and more expensive than the locals' bus. They will take you pretty much anywhere for $20 or so.
There isn't much good food in Costa Rica, unless you like beans, rice and onions. There are some good plantain dishes and the fried chicken is tasty.
I'm of the opinion that you should explore a different city whenever you get the chance. Assuming that you have to go through customs again and your flights are both on time, you probably only have three hours or so.
posted by jonah at 7:46 PM on January 27, 2006
Response by poster: Final Update: we ended up leaving the airport on both legs of the trip, though only going to very-nearby Alajuelas, which is nothing to write home about but has a good Internet Café by the main Plaza.
Getting in and out of the airport is no hassle at all, and they don't charge departure taxes if you return before 12 hours. Didn't have to go through customs either.
The Ticos are generally really nice people, helpful and friendly, and the cab drivers we ran into were informative and honest.
posted by signal at 8:41 AM on March 18, 2006
Getting in and out of the airport is no hassle at all, and they don't charge departure taxes if you return before 12 hours. Didn't have to go through customs either.
The Ticos are generally really nice people, helpful and friendly, and the cab drivers we ran into were informative and honest.
posted by signal at 8:41 AM on March 18, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
When I flew from Greensboro to Italy last May, with a stopover in Newark, NJ, we weren't allowed to leave the boarding area.
posted by BackwardsCity at 7:24 AM on January 27, 2006