Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [73]
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LOS YOSES & SAN PEDRO
These two side-by-side neighborhoods may lie in close proximity, but their characters are each totally unique. Los Yoses is a charming residential district dotted with modernist structures, historic homes, cozy inns and chilled-out neighborhood eateries. San Pedro, on the other hand, which houses the university district, is more boisterous – brimming with bars, clubs and all manner of student activity. Both of these areas provide an enticing (and convenient) alternative to staying in San José.
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Orientation & Information
These districts are centered on a roundabout where Av Central meets the road to Zapote. The traffic circle is punctuated by the Fuente de la Hispanidad (a large fountain), which serves as an area landmark. Be careful crossing the streets that surround the circle; vehicles like to careen through at full throttle. To the west lies the district of Los Yoses; to the east, you’ll find San Pedro, anchored by a small plaza and the Iglesia de San Pedro. About three blocks to the north of this point is the tree-lined campus of the UCR.
Most streets in Los Yoses and San Pedro are unnamed, and locals rely almost entirely on the landmark method to orient themselves (see boxed text, for details). In Los Yoses, major area landmarks include the Subaru dealership, the old ICE building (El Antiguo ICE), the Spoon restaurant and the Mall San Pedro. In San Pedro, common points of reference include the old Banco Popular building (El Antiguo Banco Popular) and the Iglesia de San Pedro.
There are dozens of internet cafes in the streets surrounding Calle La Amargura, so you will have no problem logging on. Rates begin at ₡300 per hour.
Burbujas (Map; 2224-9822; 150m east & 25m south of the Scotiabank, San Pedro; 9am-5pm Mon-Sat) Laundry service; about ₡3000 for a regular-sized load.
OTEC (Map;2234-9468; www.turismojoven.com; 2nd fl, Outlet Mall, cnr Av Central & Calle Central, San Pedro; 10am-7pm Mon-Sat) The San Pedro office of the international youth travel agency.
Post Office (Map; 2253-6895; 1st fl, Outlet Mall, cnr Av Central & Calle Central, San Pedro; 8am-5:30pm Mon-Fri, 8am-noon Sat)
Scotiabank (Map; 2280-0604; Av Central btwn Calles 5 & 7, San Pedro) Changes cash and has a 24-hour ATM on the Cirrus network.
TAM Travel (Map;2527-9700; www.tamtravel.com; Calle 39 btwn Avs Central & 8, Los Yoses) Airline ticketing, local travel and more.
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Sights & Activities
The Museo de Insectos (Insect Museum; Map; 2511-5318; admission US$2; 1-5pm Mon-Fri; ), also known as the Museo de Entomología, has a fine collection of insects assembled by the Facultad de Agronomía at the Universidad de Costa Rica. It is housed (somewhat curiously) in the basement of the music building (Facultad de Artes Musicales), a brutalist structure painted an incongruous shade of Barbie pink. It is claimed that this is the only insect museum of its size in Central America. The collection is certainly extensive and provides a good opportunity to view a vast assortment of exotic creepy crawlies. The museum is signposted from the Iglesia de San Pedro.
For contemporary art, pay a visit to the lobby of the Hotel Milvia, which serves as a noted area gallery, during daytime hours.
If you’re interested in knocking down some pins, Boliche Dent (Map; 2253-5745; www.bolichedent.com; Calle 37, north of Av Central, Los Yoses; lane per hr US$18; 11am-midnight) in Los Yoses is an old-school bowling alley that looks straight out of 1969 (when it was built). Just east of the rotunda in San Pedro, the 1970s are alive and well at Salón Los Patines (Map; 2224-6821; northeast cnr of traffic circle, San Pedro; 7-10pm), a throwback roller rink.
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Sleeping
Intimate inns, relaxed hostels, atmospheric B&Bs – this area offers some blessedly tranquil spots to hang your hat for the night,