Capital of Costa Rica: San José

San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Nestled in the Central Valley (Valle Central) at an elevation of about 1,150 meters (3,775 feet), it enjoys a mild, spring-like climate year-round despite its tropical latitude.

The city is the nation's political, economic, and cultural heart, home to roughly 345,000 residents (metropolitan area ~2.1 million). Key landmarks include the National Theater, the Gold Museum, the Jade Museum, and the bustling Central Market. San José is served by Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), about 20 km (30–60 minutes) west of the city center in Alajuela. Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, Guanacaste, is roughly 2.5 hours away by road.