Costa Rica Nightlife in San Jose and Jaco Beach

Costa Rica nightlife, especially Costa Rica nightlife in San Jose and Jaco Beach, is noted for lovely Latina ladies and long sultry nights

El Pueblo: San Jose Clubs and Dining

Located a few minutes north of the downtown Holiday Inn, El Pueblo is a mix of more than 100 bars, clubs, restaurants, art galleries and shops. Lining the picturesque cobblestone streets within walking distance of several hotels and resorts, it is a lively place from 9 PM until dawn.

Red tile roofs top the romantic Colonial-style architecture; courtyards and sidewalks are alive with rainforest flowers and plants; laughter spills from the clubs as you meander along charming cobblestone streets. This atmospheric setting makes El Pueblo among the city's top attractions.

Beach towns such as Jaco Beach, Manuel Antonio and Quepos have nothing like El Pueblo, so don't miss it when passing through San Jose.

The downtown area of San Jose, known as Gringo Gulc, offers spicier entertainment than El Pueblo at bars such as that of the Hotel del Rey and Club Idem

The Disco Scene

You will meet as many young Ticos as tourists in El Pueblo, which also differ in ambiance. Friends is like a singles place, while La Terraza, with a great view of a quaint courtyard, is great for people watching in the day or night. For more exotic entertainment in a cozy setting, Tango has live music and dancing Tuesday-Saturday, starting at 9 PM.

Discos don't start rocking until 9-10 PM, but the action lasts until 2 AM. (The shops and a few restaurants are open all day, so there is plenty to do before the tropical night falls.)
Apparently no one ever told Latinos that disco is dead. Because disco remains alive and well in this land (karaoke is popular too, but that's another story).

Infinito Disco is the most well known and glitziest, with a young crowd that parties all night. The entrance s on the outside, in front of the parking lot next to Friends. The party often lasts until dawn, though El Pueblo loses at 2 AM

(Other discos also party all night.)

The Coco Loco, also decked out with a pacious dance floor but more subdued in ambiance, attracts a lightly more mature crowd. (But after a few shots of guaro, uddenly they can get just as wild as in the other discos.) In ddition to meeting tourists from around the world, you will also have a chance to party with plenty of young locals dancing the night away here.

All this, and food too?

If your idea of an evening on the town calls for a fine meal, you will find an assortment of restaurants scattered throughout El Pueblo. La Estacion is recommended for steaks. Papa Pez, in front of the ATM machines conveniently located at the entrance, serves good seafood and appetizers. For a more upscale dining experience, Rias Bajas is your best bet for seafood, not just in El Pueblo but practically the entire town.

Restaurante Tipico Cocina de Lena, upstairs from the gazebo, hits the spot for a Tico meal in a romantic setting. The Turrialba-style tenderloin is a feast that requires no steak sauce, but avoid the bland "Creole" dishes. Pizza, spaghetti, Chinese, tacos -- everything but Peruvian and Colombian cuisine is on one menu or another in this "smorgasbord south of the border.

Nowhere else in town -- or in the country -- will you find such a diverse collection of nightclubs, shops and restaurants as in El Pueblo. It shines like a star in the San Jose night, and you don't want to miss an evening of fun rambling along its colorful streets.

Though the discos stay open until dawn, it's safer to leave by 3 AM, as there were several shootings in the wee hours in 2005.

Nightlife in Downtown San Jose, Costa Rica
Jaco Beach Nightlife