San Jose experienced a great tourism boom growth in the '80s, and hotels of all sorts were built. It is important though, to make the right choice depending on the reason for your visit.

With the increase of business-class tourism, wonderful convention centres and resorts offering business travellers all the conveniences required to carry on with their work, were developed. Fast Internet connections, fax, secretarial services, voice mail and conference rooms are some of the features offered. Generally speaking, most resorts include swimming pools, tennis courts and gyms, as well as nice bars with live music for demanding tastes. You will find rent-a-car and travel agency offices and shops as well. The restaurants are also magnificent.

For the traveller who is more interested in the city life, downtown San Jose offers quite an array of medium to small size hotels. They have the advantage of their location, so they are great if you want to explore the city by foot, and you can always catch easily a cab or bus if you want to go further. They apply to the business traveller, too, and although they do not offer the same amount of services that a resort does, they are, generally speaking, clean and comfortable. Among their amenities you will find bar and restaurant service, cable TV, air conditioning and a travel agency. If you require an Internet connection, there are quite a few cafes just a few blocks away. If shopping is your weak spot, San Jose's retail stores carry almost anything you might want to buy -- with the exception of wild animals and endangered species, that is! Prices are moderate to high, depending on the quality.

The tourism boom created the bed and breakfast phenomenon as well. Just a few blocks north of Central Avenue, in the historical and charming Barrio Amón, you will find some B&Bs operating in the old mansions of the coffee plantation owners from the turn of the century. After some restoration, they have been turned into small hotels, full of history and tradition. You will find B&Bs in the San Pedro and Escazú areas, as well as in some rural zones. They generally offer comfortable and clean rooms, telephones, air conditioning or fans and cable TV. Most of them have private bathrooms, and breakfast is part of the fare. They are a great option for travellers in families or groups, or whose final destination is a beach or mountain resort, but wish to spend a few days in the city.

Finally, there are boarding houses. They have the cheapest rates and will suit traveller on a very tight budget. Bathrooms are shared and those on the rock-bottom side might be not as clean.

It is worth mentioning that some medium sized, more specialized excellent hotels are located towards the Escazú and Santana areas. Superb restaurants with European chefs and lavishly decorated rooms are their hallmark. They are perfect for honeymooners or people who want to relax and forget all about everything, although their rates are a bit on the high side.