Could It Be? Real Labeled Addresses in San Jose, Costa Rica??

The city of San Jose, Costa Rica has just announced important news that over time will greatly help tourists and expats alike--the use of numerically labeled street addresses. While there are the occasional references to street numbers and street signs visible, the historic manner of giving addresses and directions is based off of markers.

Such as, '100 meters west and 200 meters south of Edificio de los Correos'. This is difficult for those unfamiliar with the markers, especially if the marker doesn't exist anymore except in the memory of Ticos. These new signs will begin to be installed in December of this year, and homes and businesses will be assigned a number. This is to happen throughout all of the city districts. The project is being funded by Banco Nacional and Bank of Costa Rica.

I have personally come to love the current method of addresses/directions, but understand the significance to tourism especially of a numbered system. Until then however, and especially until Ticos begin to use and acknowledge the numbered system, make sure you ask several Ticos for directions, because another cultural nuiance -- their desire to not only reference a marker, but to give you directions even if they don't actually know. It's all about being nice, wanting to save face and not say they don't know, which could send you in the opposite direction. So, do your direction gathering by consensus. I suggest a best of 3. Full article La Nacion.

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

Contemporary National Music in Costa Rica

Are you visiting and want to check out some of the most notorious bands, or living here and want to be more connected to music produced nationally? Radio Malpais is a great place to start a search. Broadcasting online at http://www.radiomalpais.com/ there are constant interviews with artists and what's played is 100% associated with Costa Rica.

Last Sat. was the 3rd anniversary party of the station, and a great concert was held at Latino Rock Cafe....a great venue to start seeing Costa Rican bands. The following are the artists that played, I liked them all and would see any of them again. The night ended with some 'Carnival' dancers & drummers. Fiesta! Photos also included.

Pato Barraza--electric guitarist and vocalist, rock, Costa Rican staple
Bernal Villegas--electric guitarist and vocalist, rock, Costa Rican staple
La Escafandra-- 5 piece rock--this band has certain sounds, rythms, key changes, etc. that I've only heard in Costa Rica, they are young probably all early 20's
CantoAmerica--Latin Fusion, lots of carribean influence, internationally known and respected, a truly great band and a must see while in Costa Rica.

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

Around Downtown San Jose in Pictures

I've snapped a few pics these past few weeks that don't offer enough story for write-ups but I just want to share through pics the variety of things downtown right now. The yellow building shows the progress of the restoration of the girl's school, and the blue and white building is the new blue paint the legislative assembly building is receiving of which I am not a fan. Enjoy!

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

Secrets, Glamour and History open in downtown San Jose, Costa Rica

Dining and drinking options are continuing to open with rapid pace in the city center of San Jose, Costa Rica. From Rome to underground tunnels, these featured options offer stories and beautiful surroundings in addition to food and drinks.

The Speakeasy Bar has been open a little over a month inside the also newly opened Secret Mansion. This bar is entered in a speakeasy fashion through a side entry and spreads over a portion of the bottom floor of a renovated mansion in Barrio Amon. This entire house was in the family of past president Oscar Arias until about 5 years ago when the new owners began renovations.

There are a few haunted ghost stories and underground tunnels at this 130 year old site. I highly recommend stopping in for a happy hour to imbibe in some wonderful urban history. In fact, we'll be adding this bar to our happy hour bar tour, which you can take for only $10!  Unfortunately, access to the rest of the mansion is reserved for private guests of this high-end hotel.

Roma Caffe is downtown's newest posh restaurant situated conveniently off the main road headed into San Pedro, just east of the National Museum. The restaurant's style is very sleek and incorporates original exposed brick walls with the warmth and delight of it's Italian menu. The chef is Italian and it was apparant upon my first visit. I enjoyed a prosciutto and provelone panini that was presented on bread made in house! The menu is large ranging from antipastos to sandwhiches to pastas and desert. This will quickly become a spot to meet with friends and enjoy dinner and early drinks before a night off to the theater or clubs/bars downtown. Cash only at the moment, free wi-fi, open from 7 a.m. to midnight, and till 2 Fri. and Sat. Closed Sundays.

Cafe Teatro Melico Salazar has opened on the bottom floor of this historic downtown theater. The building, constructed in the late 1920s and renovated in the 80's offers another special opportunity to step back in time and enjoy a more colonial San Jose. The cafe incorporates the natural colors and woods of the rest of the theater and uses the ceiling to display historic photos of San Jose, further setting the stage for a moment back in time. There is a small menu available as well as coffee. I highly recommend this as an afternoon getaway from our afternoon rain showers. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. or later if there is a show.

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

Most Original Theater Show of the Year-- THIS WEEKEND ONLY

The English speaking, Little Theatre Group of Costa Rica is presenting a one-weekend only show.

LTG asked theater members to write original monologues on the topic of love. The response was extremely varied, and this opportunity is one of a lifetime to see authors performing their own pieces on such a personal topic.The show features everything from a scary, yet impressionable great mastif, to Russian lessons, to the absurdities in life.

I will disclose that I am both a co-director and an actor in this special performance. Showtimes are Fri. & Sat. at 7:30 and Sun. at 2:30. Reservations and more info here.

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 Italian and Lights, Sound Romantic? Downtown San Jose, Costa Rica

We are very happy to report on new happenings downtown because most of the time they are adding cultural options or improving ambiance. This post has a little of both to cheer about in downtown San Jose, Costa Rica, making this an ever increasing destination for toursists and expats.


Safer, Nicer Lighting at Plaza de la Cultura: The plaza that sits on top of the Bank Museums and surrounds Teatro Nacional will be receiving a bit of a facelift and a new lighting system beginning next week. The plaza currently has 34 light posts and will be replaced with 11 that give out more light using less energy. A study will be done to determine the optimum placement of these lights and then they will be installed. 


In addition the plaza will be reworked to provide better seating for people to meet and have a true 'plaza experience'. A handicap ramp will also be installed for easier musuem access below. These changes should be completed some time in September. 


Add these changes to the improvements that have already happened on Paseo de los Damas, and the Urban Plan for Barrio Escalante, and in another year we are sure to have a pleasant and safe walking experience from as far as Mall San Pedro down to the heart of the city at Plaza de la Cultura. 


New Italian Restaurant: At least when one restaurant closes another usually opens quickly in its place. Last month I wrote about the closure of Argentine restaurant, Pachamama. Now in its place, on the first floor of Edificio Morazan is Little Italy. This restaurant will be 'softly' open starting next Monday, and continuing to fine-tune the ambiance throughout the week. Hours 11-4 to begin. 


Seeing as how there cannot be enough good pizza in downtown, this place is very welcome and a first round of tasting says the menu items will only get better. Featuring about 10 different pizzas including mexican and exotica (fresh fruits like pineapple, green apple or strawberry), the menu also includes calzones, spaghetti, a pizza burger and salads among its variety of options. Prices are reasonable starting with a small pizza for 2,000 colones to a large for 7,500. 


I still also recommend OK Ristorante Italiano as well for good pizza. Right now I'd say the defining difference is Little Italy is probably serving up heavier meat options while OK is a lighter, more Italian style. 
Buen Provecho!

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

Friday Night 7/2 in San Jose, Costa Rica

Three fun things happening tonight in the downtown area for tourists and expats alike to enjoy. 


Jazz & Orchestra: USA meets Costa Rica in a fun jazz symphonic performance at Teatro Nacional. 8 p.m. 1,500 - 10,000 colones. The National Symphonic Orchestra will be joined by seven piece group, Combo Nuvo from the USA. This will be a nice chance to see the Orchestra move outside it's classical shows into the exotic world of jazz. 10 pieces will be performed.


Fundraising Concert for 'A Roof for My Country' Bands include Cortez Amarillo, Los Acetatos, Diesel, Raging Bull Leather Jacket, Moldo y Eclipse. The concert is 4,000 colones and will be at El Observatorio at 8 p.m.. 80% of the door will be given to the non-profit, committed to building homes for the poor throughout Costa Rica. 


Costa Rican Film, A Ojos Cerrados, by Hernán Jiménez opens in theaters tonight. This is in Spanish, but will be a great opportunity to see a film some are saying is the best made by a Costa Rican. Showing at 6:10, 7:45, and 9:10 at Mall San Pedro. 

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