The best hotels in San Jose
San Jose has 8,000+ places to stay and most of them aren't worth your time. We reviewed the standouts. these 10 made the cut.
Our 10 Top Picks in San Jose
Click any hotel to check availability and book at the best price.
Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen
San Jose
$284/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Hotel Grano De Oro
San Jose
$171/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Posada El Quijote
San Jose
$75/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton
San Jose
$169/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Hilton San Jose La Sabana
San Jose
$337/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari San Jose - Costa Rica
San Jose
$137/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Sheraton Hotel • Escazú
San Jose
$183/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
CasAguacate Hotel Boutique
San Jose
$68/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Escazu
San Jose
$229/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Hotel Casa Roland San Jose
San Jose
$58/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Why These Hotels Made Our List
Here's why each one made the cut.
Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen
Your best bet if you're flying out early. It's 10 minutes from Juan Santamaría Airport, the hacienda-style grounds are genuinely beautiful, and the pool rivals anything in the country. At $284 it's pricey. But a 4.7 from 4,600 guests doesn't lie.
Address:Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen, 700 Meters West From Bridgestone/Firestone, Heredia, 40703, Costa Rica
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Hotel Grano De Oro
San Jose's best boutique hotel, full stop. This converted Victorian mansion in Paseo Colón has a rooftop hot tub you won't want to leave. At $171 it's excellent value. The restaurant is worth a dinner even if you're not staying here.
Address:Hotel Grano De Oro, entre Ave 2 y 4, Calle 30, San José, San Bosco, 10101, Costa Rica
Neighborhood:Sabana Sur
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Posada El Quijote
At $75 a night with a 4.7 score, this is the best deal in San Jose. It's a small, family-run property in Bello Horizonte. Rooms are simple but spotless. Don't expect a gym or spa. Do expect genuine hospitality and a quiet street.
Address:Posada El Quijote, Bello Horizonte, San José, Escazú, Costa Rica
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Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton
You're sleeping above Plaza de la Cultura, which is either perfect or a dealbreaker. Location is unbeatable for walking to the National Theatre and Central Market. It's historic and a little noisy. If you want downtown San Jose, this is how to do it right.
Address:Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton, WWMC+GXH, Av. Central, San José, El Carmen, Costa Rica
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Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
Hilton San Jose La Sabana
The priciest pick here at $337, and it mostly justifies it. You're right next to Parque La Sabana, San Jose's biggest green space. Rooms are sharp, service is consistently good. Best for business travelers on expense accounts, less compelling for leisure.
Address:Hilton San Jose La Sabana, WVQV+F4J, Av. de las Américas, San José, Urbanizacion Castro, 10108, Costa Rica
Neighborhood:Sabana Norte
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DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari San Jose - Costa Rica
Near the airport and Cariari Country Club, which tells you the crowd. For $137 you get solid Hilton reliability without downtown hassle. The airport shuttle is free. Good pick if you're arriving late or leaving early and want to skip the city entirely.
Address:DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari San Jose - Costa Rica, San Antonio de Belen, San Jose, San José, Cariari, 40703, Costa Rica
Neighborhood:Cariari
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Sheraton Hotel • Escazú
Five stars in Escazú means you're in the safest, most restaurant-dense neighborhood in the metro. At $183 it's genuinely affordable for the category. Multiplaza mall is a five-minute walk. Skip it if you want real Costa Rica rather than a polished expat bubble.
Address:Sheraton Hotel • Escazú, 350 Metros Oeste Multiplaza, 27, San José Province, San José, 10203, Costa Rica
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CasAguacate Hotel Boutique
A perfect 5.0 from real guests at $68 a night. Either suspicious or the best find in the city. It's tiny, so availability is tight. Book early. The quirky boutique aesthetic isn't for everyone, but the price-to-rating ratio is hard to argue with.
Address:CasAguacate Hotel Boutique, Bosques de Doña Rosa, Casa 2k, C. 112, Heredia, Belén, Cariari, 40703, Costa Rica
Neighborhood:Cariari
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Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Escazu
A three-star charging $229 needs a reason. Here it's Escazú's prime business location and easy freeway access across the metro. If you're here for work, it makes sense. For leisure, spend $46 less and get the Sheraton a few blocks up the road.
Address:Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Escazu, Plaza Itskazú, Calle Marginal Norte, San José Province, San José, 10203, Costa Rica
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Hotel Casa Roland San Jose
The cheapest option at $58, and it earns its 4.5 honestly. It's in a quiet residential pocket, not downtown, so you'll want a taxi for restaurants or nightlife. Rooms are small but clean. Perfect if you're using San Jose purely as a transit stop.
Address:Hotel Casa Roland San Jose, San José Province, San José, Santa Catalina, 10107, Costa Rica
Neighborhood:Pavas
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Didn't find your match above? Here's every hotel in San Jose.
Every scored hotel in the city. Filter by price, rating, or type to find yours.
| # | Hotel | Our Score | Guest Rating | Reviews | Type | Price/Night | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen | 4.7 | 4 632 | 4★ | $280/night | Book → | |
| 2 | Hotel Grano De Oro | 4.7 | 1 578 | 4★ | $170/night | Book → | |
| 3 | Posada El Quijote | 4.7 | 352 | 3★ | $80/night | Book → | |
| 4 | Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton | 4.6 | 2 023 | 4★ | $170/night | Book → | |
| 5 | Hilton San Jose La Sabana | 4.6 | 944 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $340/night | Book → | |
| 6 | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari San Jose - Costa Rica | 4.5 | 3 085 | 4★ | $140/night | Book → | |
| 7 | Sheraton Hotel • Escazú | 4.5 | 3 608 | 5★ | $180/night | Book → | |
| 8 | CasAguacate Hotel Boutique | 5.0 | 61 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $70/night | Book → | |
| 9 | Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Escazu | 4.5 | 1 273 | 3★ | $230/night | Book → | |
| 10 | Hotel Casa Roland San Jose | 4.5 | 639 | 3★ | $60/night | Book → | |
| 11 | Hotel Parque Del Lago San Jose | 4.5 | 858 | 4★ | $110/night | Book → | |
| 12 | Hotel La Riviera | 4.5 | 529 | 3★ | $110/night | Book → | |
| 13 | Hotel Presidente - San Jose, Costa Rica | 4.4 | 1 857 | 4★ | $110/night | Book → | |
| 14 | Hotel Barceló San José | 4.4 | 5 018 | 5★ | $120/night | Book → | |
| 15 | Colours Oasis Resort | 4.4 | 418 | 3★ | $60/night | Book → | |
| 16 | Radisson San Jose-Costa Rica | 4.4 | 5 174 | 4★ | $110/night | Book → | |
| 17 | Prime studio oasis pool Views & Top Location | 5.0 | 16 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $70/night | Book → | |
| 18 | BEE Suites Escalante | 4.5 | 166 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $90/night | Book → | |
| 19 | Casa Conde Hotel & Suites | 4.4 | 1 209 | 4★ | $110/night | Book → | |
| 20 | An oasis in the middle of the city | 4.7 | 16 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $80/night | Book → |
Where to Stay in San Jose
The neighborhood you pick matters more than the hotel.
First time in San Jose? Start here.
Base yourself in Barrio Amon or Barrio Otoya. Both neighborhoods sit north of Avenida 7 and give you walkable access to the Teatro Nacional, the Museo Nacional on Calle 17, and the Mercado Central in under 15 minutes on foot.
Don't waste your first night figuring out taxis. Walk south along Avenida 9 toward Barrio Escalante and you'll hit a strip of restaurants and bars within 10 minutes. Sikwa, Furca, and Mantras are all within 3 blocks of each other on Calle 33.
The honest guide to San Jose's neighborhoods
Barrio Amon has the best architecture and the most boutique hotels, but it's not always the safest after midnight. Barrio Escalante, further east near Calle 33, is where the food scene has exploded in the last 5 years and it's noticeably calmer at night.
Paseo Colon is businesslike and convenient, sitting between Downtown and Parque La Sabana. Sabana Norte and Sabana Este are mostly corporate and residential, better for conference travelers than tourists. Skip Hatillo and San Sebastián entirely unless you have a specific reason to go.
How to get around San Jose without losing your mind
Uber is the only way to go for point-to-point trips. Fares average $3-7 within the city center. Official orange taxis are fine but insist on the meter, called a 'maría', before you get in.
San Jose doesn't have a metro. City buses run frequently on major routes like Avenida 2 and Paseo Colon but the system is confusing if you don't speak Spanish. For day trips to Cartago or Alajuela, the SACSA terminal near Avenida 22 is your hub.
San Jose dining: where to eat near your hotel
Barrio Escalante on Calle 33 is the food capital of San Jose. In one block you'll find everything from Peruvian ceviche to wood-fired pizza. If you're staying in Barrio Amon, it's a 15-minute walk east.
Don't sleep on the Mercado Central near Avenida 1 and Calle 6. Lunch here costs $4-7 and it's the real deal, gallos, casado, and fresh fruit. Most tourist-facing restaurants around the Plaza de la Cultura charge 3 times as much for worse food.
What to know before you book in San Jose
San Jose's hotel quality varies wildly by block. A hotel that looks central on Google Maps might sit on Calle 14 near the Coca-Cola terminal, which is a genuinely unpleasant street. Always check the exact address against a street view before booking.
Dry season runs December through April. Rooms in Barrio Amon and Paseo Colon fill up fast during the last week of December and around Semana Santa in March or April. Book at least 6 weeks out for those windows. The rest of the year, you'll have no trouble finding availability 2 weeks ahead.
Day trips from San Jose: what's worth it
Poás Volcano is 57 kilometers north and takes about 1.5 hours by car. Leave by 7am from Barrio Amon or the clouds roll in by 10am and you'll see nothing. The Irazú Volcano near Cartago is a similar drive east and less crowded.
Manuel Antonio on the Pacific coast is 3.5 hours south on the Costanera Sur highway. It's a long day trip. Most travelers book a night there instead and use San Jose hotels as their base for arrival and departure days only. That's the smart play.
San Jose's best hotel regions
Barrio Amon and Barrio Otoya are where we'd tell any first-timer to base themselves. You're close to the Museo Nacional, the Mercado Central, and the best coffee shops in the city, without the noise of Downtown or the suburban sprawl of Ciudad Cariari.
Barrio Amon & Barrio Otoya 3 vetted hotels San Jose's most characterful neighborhood, and the right base for first-timers.
San Jose's most characterful neighborhood, and the right base for first-timers.
Barrio Amon sits just north of Avenida 7 and is packed with Victorian and Moorish-influenced mansions built by 19th-century coffee barons. The streets are genuinely attractive by Central American capital standards. You're 10 minutes walk from the Teatro Nacional and 8 minutes from the Jade Museum.
Barrio Otoya borders Amon to the east and is slightly quieter. Fleur de Lys Hotel sits here on Calle 13, which gives you residential calm without sacrificing walkability. The Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporáneo is literally next door.
Hotel prices here range from $45/night at Kaps Place up to $145/night at Hotel Don Carlos. That spread means the neighborhood works for almost any budget. Just stay alert after midnight on Avenida 11, it gets quiet fast and that's when you want to take a taxi.
Browse all Barrio Amon & Barrio Otoya hotels → Downtown & Paseo Colon 2 vetted hotels Central, commercial, and convenient. But pick your block carefully.
Central, commercial, and convenient. But pick your block carefully.
Downtown San Jose runs along Avenida Central, the pedestrianized main street between Calle 2 and Calle 9. Hotel Presidente sits right on this strip, which means you're surrounded by shops, banks, and street food all day long. The Teatro Nacional and Plaza de la Cultura are 3 minutes on foot.
Paseo Colon runs west from Downtown toward Parque La Sabana and is more polished. Hotel Grano de Oro sits on Calle 30, which is a quiet residential street despite being 5 minutes walk from the main boulevard. This is where you get the real San Jose luxury experience.
Hotel prices in this zone go from $130/night at Hotel Presidente up to $245/night at Grano de Oro. That range reflects the difference between a smart city-center hotel and a genuine destination property. Both are worth it for very different reasons.
Browse all Downtown & Paseo Colon hotels → Sabana Norte & Sabana Este 2 vetted hotels Corporate San Jose, with Parque La Sabana on your doorstep.
Corporate San Jose, with Parque La Sabana on your doorstep.
Parque La Sabana is the city's largest green space and the anchor for this entire zone. Barcelo San Jose sits in Sabana Norte and is the most popular hotel in the city for a simple reason: it delivers consistent quality at $150-200/night with zero surprises.
Crowne Plaza Corobici is positioned on the east side of the park in Sabana Este, right on the Radial Francisco J. Orlich. It's the best conference hotel in San Jose. If you're here for business meetings near Escazú or the embassy district on Avenida Las Américas, this is the logical base.
The neighborhood isn't a sightseeing hub. But the park is excellent for morning runs and the strip along Sabana Norte has solid restaurants. A taxi to Barrio Escalante from here costs about $5.
Browse all Sabana Norte & Sabana Este hotels → Ciudad Cariari & Santa Ana 2 vetted hotels Suburban resorts with space, pools, and easy airport access.
Suburban resorts with space, pools, and easy airport access.
Ciudad Cariari sits northwest of San Jose city center, about 20 minutes from Juan Santamaría International Airport. The Wyndham San Jose Herradura is the main reason to stay here. Families love it for the pool complex and the proximity to the Multiplaza Escazú mall, a 15-minute drive away.
Santa Ana and Escazú are upscale suburbs that have become the residential choice for expats and diplomats. Alta Hotel Las Palomas sits on a hillside with views back toward the Central Valley. At $290-390/night it's the priciest hotel in our list, and it earns it.
Neither area is walkable to central San Jose sights. But that's not the point. You come here for the space, the quiet, and the mountain air. If you need to be in Downtown San Jose for meetings, an Uber runs $12-18 each way.
Browse all Ciudad Cariari & Santa Ana hotels →Best Areas by Vibe
Tell us how you travel.
Romantic
Barrio Otoya is the call. Fleur de Lys Hotel on Calle 13 sits in a converted Victorian mansion with garden courtyards and candlelit dinners. It's the most genuinely romantic setting in the city, and it's not even close.
Culture
Barrio Amon gives you the Teatro Nacional, the Jade Museum, and the Museo Nacional within a 12-minute walk. Hotel Don Carlos has its own collection of pre-Columbian artifacts in the lobby, which sets the tone perfectly.
Family
Ciudad Cariari is the right base. Wyndham San Jose Herradura has a proper pool complex, spacious rooms, and easy access to the Parque Diversiones amusement park, about 10 minutes away.
Budget
Barrio Amon at the lower end is a genuine bargain. Kaps Place starts at $45/night and puts you 8 minutes walk from the Jade Museum. You won't find better value this close to the city's main sights.
Foodie
Barrio Escalante on Calle 33 is San Jose's best food street, full stop. Stay in Barrio Amon and you're a 15-minute walk from Sikwa, Furca, and a dozen other legitimately great restaurants.
City Break
Paseo Colon puts you between Downtown and Parque La Sabana with Hotel Grano de Oro as your anchor. It's the best all-round location for a short stay focused on cafes, markets, and city walking.
We reviewed 8,000+ options across the main regions of San Jose. We cut anything with fake 'colonial charm' that turned out to be a renovated parking garage. We cut the cluster of overpriced hotels around the Coca-Cola bus terminal, which look central on a map but put you in one of the city's least pleasant blocks. We cut chains near the airport that charge city-center prices for a 40-minute taxi ride. What's left are 10 hotels we'd actually book ourselves.
Location Quality
Is the neighborhood walkable? Are restaurants, shops, and attractions within 10 minutes on foot? How does it feel after dark? We evaluate safety, public transport access, and whether the area has genuine local character or just tourist traps. A hotel in the wrong neighborhood ruins a trip. That's why location carries the most weight.
Value for Money
We compare what you pay against what you get. A €150 hotel with a great location, clean rooms, and helpful staff can outscore a €500 hotel with fancy amenities in a bad area. We factor in seasonal pricing, cancellation policies, and hidden costs like tourist tax and breakfast surcharges. The goal is finding the best ratio, not the lowest price.
Guest Experience
We analyze thousands of verified guest reviews across multiple platforms, looking for patterns rather than individual complaints. Consistent praise for cleanliness, staff, and room quality counts. We also assess the intangibles: does the hotel have character? Would you recommend it to a friend? A soul-less chain hotel with perfect facilities still loses to a well-run boutique with personality.
Every hotel on this page earned its spot through this process.
When to Visit San Jose
Hotel prices, crowds, and weather vary by season.
Dry Season (Dec-Apr)
This is peak season and everyone knows it. Late December sees rates at Barrio Amon hotels jump by 20-30%, and Semana Santa in March or April fills up the city's better properties weeks in advance. Book Hotel Grano de Oro or Fleur de Lys at least 6 weeks out. The weather is genuinely excellent, clear skies and low humidity every day.
Green Season Early (May-Jul)
Rain comes in the afternoons, usually for 2-3 hours, and mornings are clear and cool. Hotel rates drop noticeably: Barcelo San Jose goes from $180 to around $150/night and mid-range Barrio Amon hotels follow suit. July has a brief dry spell called 'veranillo' that makes it one of the more underrated months to visit.
Wet Season (Aug-Oct)
September and October are the wettest months in San Jose. Daily rain is heavy and sustained, not just afternoon showers. Budget hotels like Hotel Aranjuez in Barrio Aranjuez drop to $65-75/night, which is excellent value. But day trips to Poás or Irazú volcanoes are often a washout.
Transition Season (Nov)
November is San Jose's transition month. Rain tapers off through the month and by late November it's nearly dry. Hotel rates are still low: Hotel Don Carlos in Barrio Amon runs $105-120/night versus its dry-season peak of $145/night. It's a genuinely good window if you can be flexible on dates.
Booking Tips for San Jose
Smart booking strategies for San Jose.
Don't book near the Coca-Cola terminal
Hotels around the Coca-Cola bus terminal on Calle 14-16 look central on a map but the area is grimy and poorly lit at night. We've seen this mistake hundreds of times. The extra $10-15/night to stay in Barrio Amon instead is the best money you'll spend on this trip.
Book Semana Santa at least 6 weeks out
Semana Santa (Holy Week, usually late March or April) is the single biggest domestic travel week in Costa Rica. San Jose hotels in Barrio Amon and Paseo Colon fill up completely. If Grano de Oro or Fleur de Lys is on your list, 6 weeks minimum. Last-minute bookings during this window end up in the Coca-Cola terminal zone. Avoid.
Use Uber, not street taxis
Licensed orange taxis are fine if you insist on the meter ('maría'). But unlicensed taxis at Juan Santamaría Airport arrivals charge $40-60 for a ride that should cost $20. Install Uber before you land. Cross-city trips in San Jose average $3-7 and the pricing is transparent.
Barrio Escalante for dinner, every time
The Calle 33 strip in Barrio Escalante is 15 minutes walk from Barrio Amon and has the best restaurant density in San Jose. Sikwa does Costa Rican tasting menus, Furca is the best all-day café, and the Saturday farmers' market at Feria Verde runs 7am-1pm. Budget $15-35 per person for dinner on the strip.
Airport transfers: book in advance for late arrivals
Juan Santamaría Airport arrivals after 10pm are harder to Uber from, surge pricing kicks in and wait times stretch to 20 minutes. Pre-book a shuttle through your hotel (Barcelo San Jose and Crowne Plaza Corobici both offer this for $25-35) if you're landing late. It's worth the premium.
Ask your hotel about neighborhood safety. be specific
San Jose safety varies by block, not just by neighborhood. When you check in, ask the front desk which specific streets are fine at night and which ones to avoid. Every hotel on our list will give you honest, granular advice. Hotel Don Carlos and Fleur de Lys are particularly good at this.
Hotels in San Jose, FAQ
Straight answers from our team.
What's the best neighborhood to stay in San Jose?
Barrio Amon is our top pick. It's walkable, has the best concentration of Victorian-era mansions turned boutique hotels, and puts you 10 minutes on foot from the Teatro Nacional and the Jade Museum. Barrio Escalante is a close second if you prioritize restaurants and nightlife over sightseeing.
Is Downtown San Jose safe for tourists?
It depends on the block. Avenida Central between Calle 2 and Calle 7 is heavily pedestrianized and generally fine during the day. Avoid the area around the Coca-Cola bus terminal after dark, especially along Calle 16. If you're staying Downtown, Hotel Presidente puts you on the right side of that divide.
How much does a hotel in San Jose cost per night?
You can find a solid guesthouse in Barrio Amon from $45-75/night. Mid-range hotels in Barrio Otoya or Paseo Colon typically run $120-200/night. For something genuinely luxurious, like Hotel Grano de Oro on Calle 30 near Paseo Colon, budget $195-245/night.
Do I need a car to get around San Jose?
No. Most of the city's attractions are within a 20-30 minute walk of Barrio Amon. Ubers are cheap, usually $3-6 for cross-city trips. If you're day-tripping to Poás Volcano or Manuel Antonio, rent a car for that day only.
When is the best time to visit San Jose?
December through April is the dry season. Temperatures sit around 22-26°C and there's almost no rain. Hotel rates peak in late December and again in late January, so book Barrio Amon and Paseo Colon hotels at least 6 weeks out if you're traveling then.
What's the worst time to visit San Jose?
September and October are the wettest months, with daily downpours and humidity sitting around 85%. That said, hotels like Hotel Aranjuez in Barrio Aranjuez drop to $65-75/night in this window, so it's genuinely good value if rain doesn't bother you.
Are there good budget hotels in San Jose?
Yes. Kaps Place in Barrio Amon starts at $45/night and is 8 minutes walk from the Jade Museum. Hotel Aranjuez in Barrio Aranjuez is another strong option at $65-95/night, with a garden that most hotels twice the price can't match.
Which hotels are best for business travel?
Crowne Plaza Corobici near Sabana Este is the go-to for corporate travelers. It's directly adjacent to Parque La Sabana and a 10-minute drive from most embassy row offices on Avenida Las Américas. Rates run $170-220/night and the conference facilities are the best in the city.
Is there a luxury hotel scene in San Jose?
It's small but strong. Hotel Grano de Oro on Calle 30 near Paseo Colon is the best in the city, full stop, with a rating of 9.1 out of 10. For a resort feel, Alta Hotel Las Palomas in Santa Ana is 25 minutes from downtown San Jose and runs $290-390/night.
How do I get from the airport to central San Jose?
Juan Santamaría International Airport is about 20 kilometers northwest of Barrio Amon. An Uber typically costs $18-25 and takes 25-45 minutes depending on traffic on the Ruta 1 highway. Avoid unlicensed taxis at the arrivals hall, they routinely overcharge by 100%.
What areas of San Jose should I avoid?
La Carpio and Los Guido are residential districts with high crime rates and offer nothing for tourists. The blocks immediately west of the Coca-Cola terminal on Calle 14-18 get rough at night. Stick to Barrio Amon, Barrio Otoya, Barrio Escalante, and Paseo Colon and you'll have no issues.
Are San Jose hotels good for families?
The Wyndham San Jose Herradura in Ciudad Cariari is the best family option, with pools, large rooms, and proximity to the Multiplaza Escazú shopping mall, about 15 minutes away. It runs $260-340/night but the space you get makes it competitive with two mid-range rooms.
Useful links for San Jose
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