Arrive in San Jose
Founded in 1737, San José was a forgotten backwater of the Spanish empire until the late 19th century, when it boomed with the coffee business. San José enjoys spring like temperatures year-round and its location in the Central Valley -- the lush Talamanca Mountains rise to the south, the Poás, Barva, and Irazú volcanoes to the north -- makes it both stunning and convenient as a base of exploration. Check into hotel upon arrival.