Costa Rica

Cost of living

What a month costs

Central Valley living is affordable, though imported goods and cars run high.

The scores

How it rates for a moving family

See and do

Top 10 in San Jose

1. Teatro NacionalThe elegant 1897 opera house is the pride of the city center.
2. Museo del Oro PrecolombinoA glittering underground vault of pre-Columbian gold beneath Plaza de la Cultura.
3. Museo del JadeThe world's largest collection of American jade in a striking modern building.
4. Museo Nacional de Costa RicaHistory and a butterfly garden inside a former army barracks.
5. Mercado CentralA busy warren of stalls selling coffee, spices and cheap casados since 1880.
6. Barrio EscalanteThe leafy dining district packed with cafes and restaurants.
7. Parque Metropolitano La SabanaThe city's big green lung, once the old airport, good for a run or picnic.
8. Barrio AmonA historic quarter of coffee-baron mansions and street art.
9. Museo de los NinosA hands-on kids museum inside a castle-like former prison.
10. Catedral MetropolitanaThe neoclassical cathedral facing pretty Parque Central.

Where to go

Weekend escapes

1. Poas Volcano National ParkA steaming crater lake an hour north, easy to pair with coffee farms.
2. La Fortuna and Arenal VolcanoHot springs and a perfect cone volcano about three hours away.
3. Manuel AntonioRainforest meeting white sand beaches, with monkeys and sloths at the shore.
4. Monteverde Cloud ForestMisty canopy walkways and zip lines high in the mountains.
5. Irazu Volcano and Orosi ValleyThe highest volcano, then a green valley of colonial churches and coffee.

Coffee

Best cafes

1. Cafe del BaristaA local specialty-coffee favorite serving Costa Rican beans done right.
2. FrancoA bright Barrio Escalante spot loved for espresso and pastries.
3. Kalu CafeChef Camille Ratton's cozy corner in Barrio Amon.
4. Alma de CafeA gilded belle-epoque cafe tucked inside the National Theatre.
5. CafeotecaA tasting-focused coffee bar for people who take their brew seriously.

Restaurants

Where to eat

1. SilvestreChef Santiago Fernandez reimagines Costa Rican cooking in a grand old house.
2. Restaurante Grano de OroRefined dining in a boutique hotel, a longtime special-occasion pick.
3. Tin JoA beloved pan-Asian institution running for decades downtown.
4. La Esquina de Buenos AiresWarm Argentine steakhouse with tango on the walls.
5. Product CFresh oysters and seafood at the heart of Barrio Escalante.
6. SikwaIndigenous Costa Rican ingredients and technique on a tasting menu.
7. Cafe MundoA relaxed Italian-leaning kitchen on a Barrio Otoya terrace.

Morning

Best breakfast

1. Soda TapiaThe classic La Sabana soda for gallo pinto and fresh fruit drinks.
2. Kalu CafeA reliable brunch stop with garden seating in Barrio Amon.
3. FrancoEggs, sourdough and good coffee to start the day in Escalante.
4. Cafe del BaristaMorning pastries alongside carefully pulled shots.
5. Alma de CafeA grand setting for coffee and light breakfast by the theatre.
6. TalentumAn art-cafe in a heritage house serving easy breakfasts.
7. La MazorcaA long-running vegetarian spot with hearty morning plates.
8. Bagelmen'sA local mini-chain that nails bagels and big breakfasts.
9. CafeotecaSlow mornings over single-origin coffee and simple bites.