Sightseeing in San Jose

Volcanoes

San Jose is not only the capital of Costa Rica, but it’s also the only metropolitan city and medical tourism center in the country.  As the seat of all official activity, this is a well maintained city with wide boulevards, a fine selection of museums and galleries, theaters, shopping centers, and yes, a few active volcanoes scattered about the outskirts of town.   

Just 20 miles outside the city lies Irazu, an active volcano covering nearly 500 sq kilometers.  Drive through a winding path up the mountains and past some spectacular views before ending up at the top of the summit.  There you’ll see a massive crater surrounded by an eerie lunar landscape.  On the way down the summit, stop by the Basilica de Los Angeles, the most revered shrine in the country. 

If you’d like to indulge in more volcano hopping on your medical tourism vacation, head to Poas Volcano National Park, just a few miles from Alajuela.  Said to be one of the largest in the world, this is one of only three volcanoes in South America that is accessible by road.  The journey is beautiful with strawberry fields along the way.   

Museums

The Museo National de Costa Rica displays an extensive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts dating back 2,500 years.  Almost as interesting as the exhibitions is the actual museum’s structure.  The building was formerly used as army barracks, and it also witness heavy fighting during the civil war of 1948.  Thousands of bullet holes and fragments in the wall clearly illustrate the ferocity of the battle. 

The Gold Museum, as its name suggests, houses the largest collection of pre-Columbian gold jewelry and artifacts.  More than 1,600 pieces are on display.  Head to the Jade Museum to look at necklace pendants and figurines made of jade, a stone that was valued more than gold was during pre-Columbian times.   

Butterfly Farm

South of Alajuela is the Butterfly Farm, home to nearly 80 species of butterflies raised in an enclosed garden.  Many San Jose medical tourism hotels conduct day tours to this farm.  Expect to have some of the most exotic species of butterflies flying above your head as you walk though the garden.

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