Hotel Ave del Paraíso

San José


Decorated with beautiful mosaic tiles and a yard full of interesting art, this hotel run by an artsy family is set back from the busy street just far enough to permit a good night's sleep. The wonderful restaurant and bar, Café Kracovia, is owned by the same family. The university is just a two-minute walk east. Partially solar-powered.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby San José attractions

1. Museo de Insectos

0.36 MILES

Reputedly Central America's largest insect museum, this place has an extensive collection assembled by the Facultad de Agronomía (agronomy faculty) at the…

2. Barrio Escalante

0.68 MILES

Formerly a residential enclave, the streets of this increasingly hip neighborhood are now lined with dozens of restaurants, cafes, bakeries and bars. The…

3. Cooperación Española Cultura

0.73 MILES

One of the city’s most vibrant cultural institutions, this Spanish-run center offers a full roster of events. There is also an audiovisual center and a…

4. Parque Francia

0.83 MILES

A lovely little space of former farmland, bordered by a French cafe and French-Spanish bookstore, as well as some restaurants. Shade trees and plenty of…

5. Estación del Ferrocarril de Costa Rica

1.05 MILES

Less than a block east of Parque Nacional is San José's historical train station to the Atlantic, built in 1908. Nowadays offering weekday train service…

6. Parque Nacional

1.18 MILES

One of San José’s nicest green spaces, this shady spot lures retirees to read newspapers and young couples to smooch coyly on concrete benches. At its…

7. Asamblea Legislativa

1.24 MILES

Costa Rica's congress meets in this grand structure – known as the 'blue castle' – in the center of San José. It's scheduled to be replaced by a…

8. Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporáneo

1.25 MILES

Commonly referred to as MADC, the Contemporary Art & Design Museum is housed in the historical National Liquor Factory building, which dates from 1856. It…