New Website, New San Jose Walking Tours

It is with great excitement I announce we have a new website. You can view new walking tours, purchase a day in san jose tour package, take advantage of our concierge service and shop for souvenirs!

Please make the most of your stay in San Jose, Costa Rica by viewing all of our new services at TOURSANJOSECOSTARICA.com 

Pura Vida,
Stacey
Owner
Barrio Bird Walking Tours

Art & Exercise Combine for a Healthy Dose of Culture in Barrio Amon

Historic Barrio Amon will be alive with cultural activities this Wednesday evening for the first artwalk of 2011. Over 20 galleries and musuems open their doors free to the public and attendees can travel between venues on foot (U4), bicycle (ChepeCletas) or shuttle (GAM) to see the lastest national and international pieces on display.

The newest cultural center in the barrio, Downtown Yoga (a Barrio Bird partner) will also open its doors to the public for a chance to try for free the newest exercise craze, Hooping from 4:30 - 5:15 & 6:30 - 9:00. In addition, yoga fans can enjoy a 1-hour Detox and Invigoration Class for 1,000 colones at 5:30.

Visitors can also take advantage of Valentine Specials including Yoga Mats for 15,000 colones and Gift Certificates for Massages - 1 Hour $35, 2 Hour $60. Monthly Yoga Memberships are available for 15,000 Colones - unlimited classes. 

Call 8926-9867 to reserve a space for yoga at 5:30 or with questions about the ArtWalk. 

Class at Downtown Yoga

Arrive to Class on Bike and receive 20% discount on month membership, only 12,000 colones unlimited yoga. 

Hooping is possible for adults and is a FUN way to get in shape. 

Barrio Bird offers walking tours of San Jose. If you are a visitor or have lived here for some time, there is always a new way to see the city. View tours or make a reservation by emailing barriobird@gmail.com or calling 8926-9867.

You can Help Save Historic Home in San Jose & Eat French Food Too!

French Ambassador will open the doors of his home in an effort to save The French Alliance building. 


The French Alliance is a historic Costa Rican landmark located in Barrio Amon, San Jose. Built in 1895 this home represents a traditional victorian style home of the time period, specifically featuring a large front porch, long central corridor with interior courtyard, and wood floors and walls. It is this wood that has recently become victim to termites. 


The Alliance repaired wood which had actually been placed in the 90s over the Christmas break upon the discovery of these unavoidable creatures. While the majority of damage happened to this later-installed, less durable wood, minor damage has happened to original pieces and therefore the Alliance is hosting a Franco dinner to raise funds to properly treat and replace the affected wood. 


So on Thursday, February 10 at 7:30 for the low price of $50 you can enjoy a french meal in the home of the French Ambassador and a performance from ARSYSS a french pop vocal group. What a nice way to contribute to the historical conservation of one a San Jose's most valued properties. Contact Luna 22 22 22 83 ext. 7 or comunicacion@afsj.net to RSVP. 

Barrio Bird offers walking tours of San Jose. If you are a visitor or have lived here for some time, there is always a new way to see the city. View tours or make a reservation by emailing barriobird@gmail.com or calling 8926-9867.

New & Only Yoga Center in Downtown San Jose Now Open

Downtown Yoga is San Jose's newest cultural attraction. Treat yourself or a loved one during the holidays with a healthy, relaxing gift and enjoy special holiday pricing througth the end of the year. 


Offering yoga, massage and art all in one place in historic downtown Barrio Amon, San Jose, Downtown Yoga specials include: 

• $5 yoga classes (saves $5)
• 6 month membership for price of 5 ($150, save $30)
• 12 month membership for price of 10 ($300, save $60)

Downtown Yoga services can be packaged with our tours. Packages include: 


A Day in San Jose - $65, 1 yoga class, 1 hour massage, 2 hour city tour and lunch. 
Package #1 - $60, 2 hour city tour with massage and choice of lunch or yoga class
Package #2 - $50, 1 hour massage and 2 hour city tour 
Package #3 - $45 1 hour massage and yoga class


Massages Services: Basic 1 hour massages start at $40 and include Therapeutic, Aromatherapy and Relaxation. Full information here: http://barriobird.blogspot.com/p/yoga-massage-art.html.


Location: 150 meters north of Parque Morazan. Building #735, 3rd floor. Calle 7 between Ave. 5 & 7, DowntownyogaCR@gmail.com, (506) 8926-9867.

Our Building, Signs to come so don't pass us!

The studio and garden.

Mystery Building to Reopen in Barrio Amon

Across from Barrio Bird headquarters sits an architectural mystery for many who pass by. Onlookers everyday stop to peer at the strange outside, wondering what possibly could have existed on the inside. We ourselves have tried to figure out the story behind the building and today we have answer-- and more, we know there is a new future in store.

This home is about 50 years old, and belonged to a Costa Rican woman who studied but did not complete architecture studies in France. She returned and built this ecclectic home. It's last public foray was as a design exhibition. Multiple artists created different environments in each room, making this already labyrinth even more crazy as you wonder from room to room. After sitting empty for years, some of the design elements are still surreally intact.

The building has just been bought by Belgiums and future plans are undisclosed but a hotel is a likely option with restaurant possibilities. This building's renovation will absolutely be an additional cultural anchor in the ever revitalizing Barrio Amon, San Jose.

Take a look inside!

Entire room was purple and silver.

Note all of the curving walls in this room. 

Remnants of design show

Wood beams with red and white walls

Purple wall with giant mirror. This is like stepping into an amusement park.

More of purple wall.

Different room, all black with mirrors on the walls

And mirrors on the ceiling

This room seems like something out of Barcelona.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona???

Aztec 'ish', this house is so crazy!

Barrio Bird offers walking tours of San Jose. If you are a visitor or have lived here for some time, there is always a new way to see the city. View tours or make a reservation by emailing barriobird@gmail.com or calling 8926-9867.

2011 Festival Announcements Made as Holiday Festivities Close 2010

Without a doubt, San Jose is the place to be in Costa Rica during the summer if you want to get a taste of culture and enjoy festivals. This December, while chillier than most is still full of holiday festivities to enjoy as we launch into full summer in January. A list of remaining December activities is below, as well as dates to mark on your calendars for the rest of summer. 

Lights of Christmas Fair: Come and browse artisan crafts, art and jewelry as you finish holiday gift shopping. Next to the National Theater, Dec. 14 - 19. One of our favorites AHM will be there!

Holiday Jazz Vocals, Maria Pretiz: Snuggle up with your loved ones this Fri. at one of San Jose's newest restaurants Roma Caffe. Every Fri. they offer live music, and this week is a special guest and Costa Rican composer and vocalist Maria Pretiz. No cover, 8 p.m. 


Our Land Festival: As an effort to clean up Costa Rica, this festival will be a marathon recycling event and drop center for paper, plastics, glass, batteries, cardboard and cans. After you lighten your load of recyclables get down to live music all day long. La Sabana Park, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free.

National Bands Holiday Concerts: The bands of the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) will give 4 concerts this weekend at the Plaza de Democracia next to the National Museum. Celebrating 165 years of the forming of the national bands, over 200 musicians will perform Christmas pieces, Costa Rican pieces and a variety of other classics. Additionally the Christmas lottery winner will be announced during the last concert on Sunday. Starts at 4 on Sat. 3 on Sunday. 

Speed Dating: Still looking for a loved one to snuggle with over the holidays? Come to Caracas Arepia Wed. Dec. 22 to meet other professional singles. (Hate that I have to say this, but this is not a prostitution meet up, only those not wanting to buy love please). Special request to single ladies: DON'T BE SHY, come out!

Christmas Tope: If you haven't yet seen a tope, a horse dancing festival, The day after Christmas is a good day to do so. Starts around 12 on the 26th, Paseo Colon. Warning, this is really an excuse to get drunk in the street and ride a horse, not necessarily a good combination. Be safe!

Bullfights: I don't even want to spoil this for anyone. Let's just say Costa Rica has it's own special version of bullfights where humans are injured, not bulls. These fights are all day starting Christmas Day for about 10 days at Ampo Ferial en Zapote.

CENAC Summer Festival: The Cenac summer festival series is free and will feature concerts and art shows  for all ages to give exposure to Costa Rican artists the weekends of March 4,5, and 6 and 11, 12, 13. 

TransitArte: This festival will partner with CENAC the weekend of March 11, 12, and 13 to bring art to the parks and public spaces of the North East parts of downtown San Jose in an effort to bring people back into the city center. 

International Design Festival: Artists from around the world representing graphic, interior, fashion and art design will gather to host workshops, fairs, exhibitions and parties to display and discuss the lastest in all things design. Save the dates for March 10, 11 and 12. More info at FID. 

National Theater: The theater has announced it's 2011 calendar. For those of you that missed Lila Downs this past winter, you'll have another chance. Full PDF here. 

Christmas Lights, San Jose Costa Rica

Public Art, TranistArte 2010

Sonambulo TransiteArte 2010

Full Week of Culture in San Jose, Costa Rica

Summer is almost here with the ending of the rain, and a full calendar of events this week is a great reason to get outside! The weather has also been great for a San Jose, Costa Rica walking tour for travelers and residents alike!

Art City Tour

The art city tour is back this Wed. For those of you unfamiliar with the project, a number of galleries and museums downtown open their doors for free to the public. Buses are available for safe transit in between, as well as new tours on bike with ChepeCletas and walking tours with U4. The French Alliance will host a mini-fashion show, Shadows of the Moon, featuring a collection by designer and Belgium french teacher, Magaly Timmerman. 6 - 8 p.m.

Why is Carmen Lyra on the New 20,000 Colones Note

Visit the auditorium this Thurs. at the Central Bank Museum for a talk about beloved Costa Rican children's author, Carmen Lyra. 90 years after the publication of the famous Cuentos de mi Tía Panchita you can hear about the significance of these works in Central America's children's literacy. In Spanish, 6 p.m.

Live Hammock Making from 6-pack Plastics Rings

This Sat. bring your 6-pack plastics the organic farmer's market in Barrio Aranjuez downtown. There will be two hammocks on display and the artist, Francesco Bracco, will be showing us how to make them. In addition you can do your weekly produce shopping as well as share in the many artists organic products. 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Go early if you want best pick of produce. 

Christmas Celebration & Shopping

CENAC will host a Christmas festival with typical Costa Rican food, artisan crafts and live concerts from national bands including Sonámbulo, Gaviota, Enjuague vocal, De voz a vos, Libélula y Lubín Barahona.

Barrio Bird offers walking tours of San Jose. If you are a visitor or have lived here for some time, there is always a new way to see the city. View tours or make a reservation by emailing barriobird@gmail.com or calling 8926-9867.