Randy makes a good point about SAN JOSE but I won't go that far. To travellers there, I have heard his point of view on a few occassions. San Jose is definately not the prettiest of towns. But you can't really compare SAN JOSE COSTA RICA to alot of places. Costa Rica is a typical BANANA REPUBLIC kind of town, a third world Central American city. The infastructure is pretty good, lots of stores and things to do if you really know where to go. I am attracted by San Jose's surrounding mountains and cool not so hot climate. Crisp nights in the high 50's or low 60's year around. It does rain too much during raining season and it can pour hard. The city is congested and there is some crime. Not the cute little town it used to be back in 1974 when I first went there. Costa Rica has become a bit commercialized, lots of European backpackers and visitors. The big coffee plantations owned by foreigners and the land and fruit companies have been exploited by U.S. buisness throughout its history. (DOLE) But if you take Costa Rica for what it is, it is still a very beautiful place, and like RANDY says, particularily when you go outside of San Jose. The rainforest is pristine, the food and people for the most part are great. But Costa Rica isn't the only paradise place falling prey to exploitation, rising prices, overpricing of land and property. Look at neighboring PANAMA. It is shooting up concrete skyrises like crazy. It has changed drastically in the past 5 years. I was in SAN JOSE most recently in February of this year. I spent five days in October of last year with my wife, and she at first was not impressed until I took her outside of San Jose to VOLCAN POAS area. San Jose is better for the night life and if you live there, then you will absorb the extent of its good side. But for first hand viewers, San Jose is definately not the most impressive. Food is cheap, beer is cheap, taxi's and buses are fair. The nearby town of HEREDIA is quite a neat little town with surrounding mountains and all kinds of little stores and market place, right in the vicinity of nearby San Jose. The airport is in ALAJUELA which is actually another town and province. I think like 12 miles from downtown San Jose.