Costa Rica: About San Jose

History of San Jose:

Prior to San Jose, Cartago was the capital of Costa Rica from 1563 to 1823. Cartago was the first permanent Spanish settlement in the country located 25 KM east of San Jose. 

• San Jose becomes the Capital: After independence from Spain in 1821, a brief civil war erupted between those who wanted to join the Mexican Empire and those who wanted independence (based in San José). San José won, and in 1823, it was officially named the capital.

• The "Golden Bean": Coffee cultivation exploded in the mid-1800s. The wealth from "the golden bean" funded the city's modernization. 

• In 1884, San José became number 3 city in the world (after New York and Paris) to have electric street lighting.

• Cultural Zenith: The peak of this era was the 1897 opening of the National Theatre, built with a coffee tax to prove that San José was a "sophisticated" world capital.

It has a population of 1.5M (30% of Costa Rica), however most people live the suburbs/countryside. The downtown is nearly empty after 8 PM.

Sabana Park:

It is like the central park in New York (1/3rd size, 1.4 Km x 0. 5 Km). It was the site of San Jose’s first international airport for 44 years. In 1977, the land was officially converted into a metropolitan park.

• National Stadium: This state-of-the-art arena, a gift from China inaugurated in 2011, is a major landmark used for international soccer matches and massive concerts.

• Museum of Costa Rican Art: Housed in the beautiful neo-colonial building that was once the airport's main terminal, it features a vast collection of national fine arts.

• Recreational Facilities: The park is packed with amenities, including an artificial lake for paddle boating, a national skating rink, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and numerous courts for tennis, basketball, and volleyball.

Costa Rican Art Museum:

It was San Jose’s original international airport terminal, converted into museum in 1970. It has paintings, sculptures, and prints by renowned Costa Rican artists.

On the second floor, they had built a VIP room, called the Golden Room. It depicts synthesized history of Costa Rica starting from the pre-Columbian era, moving through the Spanish conquest and colonial period, and ending in 1940.

It was sculpted in stucco and finished with a bronze-colored paint and patina, giving the entire room its iconic shimmering "golden" appearance.

The design and execution of this masterpiece were the work of Louis Féron, a distinguished French sculptor and goldsmith who lived in Costa Rica between 1934 and 1945.

National Museum:

It offers a profound journey through the nation's identity from its pre-Columbian (before Columbus arrived) roots to modern times. Housed in the historic Bellavista Fortress, the site is a powerful symbol of Costa Rican peace, as it was here that the military was officially abolished in 1948.

Costa Rica officially abolished its military on December 1, 1948, following a brief but violent 44-day Civil War. The decision was led by José Figueres Ferrer (widely known as "Don Pepe"), who was the head of the Founding Junta of the Second Republic. The key reasons:

• Preventing Military Coups: After winning the civil war, Figueres wanted to eliminate the military as a potential political rival. By disbanding the army, he removed the institution that had historically been used by leaders in Latin America to seize power through coups.

• Redirecting Resources: A central part of the vision was to shift the national budget from defense spending to "noble causes." This "peace dividend" allowed the government to invest heavily in public education, healthcare, and environmental conservation.

• Democratic Consolidation: Disbanding both the national army and his own rebel forces ensured that power would remain in the hands of civilian authorities, fostering a culture of democratic governance rather than military rule.

• Global Pacifism: Figueres sought to make Costa Rica a model of a pacifist nation that resolves conflicts through international law and diplomacy rather than force.

A quote by José Figueres Ferrer: “Weapons give victory but only laws can give freedom”

National Theater:

In the late 19th century, San José was a small city of roughly 18,000 to 20,000 people. 

Many rich coffee barons came from Europe and realized that San Jose lacked theaters and place to socialize and make business deals. The theater was built by them, but it was not a grand theater as it is today. 

The story goes that a famous European opera singer was invited here to sing and she refused as she was told that the theater was not up to her par. This was the motivation for the locals including government to a build a unique and opulent theater with perfect acoustics, the best in the region.

To fund the ambitious project, the government placed a tax on every sack of coffee exported, which was the country's primary source of wealth at the time. Many coffee entrepreneurs and citizens—including students and merchants—donated funds to help realize the dream.

Construction and Design (1891–1897)

• Architectural Style: The building features a Neoclassical facade heavily influenced by the Palais Garnier (Opera theater) in Paris. Its interior follows a lavish Neo-Renaissance style.

• International Craftsmanship: Materials were imported from around the world, including Italian marble, Belgian ironwork, and French glass. An Italian engineer was eventually brought in to correct early construction errors and ensure the structure could withstand earthquakes.

Today, it remains the home of the National Symphonic Orchestra and hosts global performers. It has been recognized as a National Monument since 1965 and was declared a National Symbol of Cultural Freedom in 2018