Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [65]
There are bigger multiplexes in Los Yoses and San Pedro (Click here), while the most modern theaters are in Escazú (Click here).
Cine Magaly (Map; 2223-0085; www.ccmcinemas.com; Calle 23 btwn Avs Central & 1) The latest releases.
Sala Garbo (Map; 2222-1034; cnr Av 2 & Calle 28) Art-house and classic films.
Teatro Variedades (Map; 2222-6108; Calle 5 btwn Avs Central & 1) An old show palace that dates from 1894 screens independent and Hollywood films.
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Live Music
Centro Comercial El Pueblo (Map; ) has a number of spots that feature live Latin combos and rock bands – and everything in between. As with everything else at El Pueblo, these come and go like the tides. One long-standing space is Los Balcones (Map; 2221-4619; open on Fridays and Saturdays), which specializes in the socially conscious Latin American folk music known as nueva trova.
El Cuartel de la Boca del Monte (Map; 2221-0327; Av 1 btwn Calles 21 & 23; 4pm-1am) Though not strictly a live-music venue, this atmospheric old bar with exposed brick walls has long drawn in cheek-to-jowl crowds for live bands on most nights of the week (especially Fridays). It’s popular with university students, who arrive to flirt and drink and various combinations thereof.
For a more upscale scene, try the 2nd-story bar at El Patio, which hosts live bands on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, as well as the artsy El Morazán. Otherwise, serious musical aficionados should head to the neighboring district of San Pedro, where Jazz Café serves as the city’s pre-eminent live-music venue.
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Theater
There is a wide variety of theatrical options in San José, including some in English. Local newspapers, including the Tico Times, list current shows. Most theaters are not very large so performances tend to sell out; get tickets as early as possible.
Auditorio Nacional (Map; 2256-5876; www.museocr.com; Museo de los Niños, Calle 4, north of Av 9) A grand stage for concerts, dance theater and plays – and the site of the Miss Costa Rica pageant.
Little Theatre Group (2289-3910; www.littletheatregroup.org) This English-language performance troupe has been around since the 1950s and presents several plays a year; call or go online to find out when and where the works will be shown.
Teatro Fanal (Map;2257-5524/8304; Cenac Complex, Av 3 btwn Calles 11 & 15) Adjacent to the contemporary art museum, it puts on a variety of works, including children’s theater – all in Spanish.
Teatro La Máscara (Map; 2222-4574; Calle 13 btwn Avs 2 & 6) Dance performances as well as repertory theater.
Teatro Melico Salazar (Map; 2233-5424; www.teatromelico.go.cr; Av 2 btwn Calles Central & 2) The restored 1920s theater has regular fine-arts performances, including music, theater, ballet and other dance.
Teatro Nacional (Map; 2221-5341; www.teatronacional.go.cr; Calles 3 & 5 btwn Avs Central & 2) Costa Rica’s most important theater stages plays, dance, opera, symphony, Latin American music and other major events. The main season runs from March to November, but there are performances throughout the year.
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Casinos
Gamblers will find casinos in several of the larger hotels. Most of these are fairly casual, but in the nicer spots it is advisable to ditch the T-shirts in favor of a button-down shirt as there may be a dress code. Gents: be advised that casinos are frequented by prostitutes (high-class and otherwise), so be wary if suddenly you’re the most desirable person in the room.
Casino Club Colonial (Map; 2258-2807; www.casinoclubcolonial.com; Av 1 btwn Calles 9 & 11; 24hr) San José’s most elegant casino.
Clarion Hotel Amon Plaza (Map; 2523-4600; www.hotelamonplaza.com; cnr Av 11 & Calle 3bis; 3-4pm)