Costa Rica question - extra night in San Jose??

[marcemch]

We are considering booking a Costa Rica trip for the summer (probably with Tauck Bridges), and was wondering if we should spend an extra night in San Jose. Is there much worth seeing in the area?
Our other option would be to spend two extra nights at Hotel Playa Hermosa, on the west coast. I'm kind of leaning this way, but wanted opinions from those who have done the Tauck or ABD trip.
The two free nights that Tauck is offering for repeat guests (plus the good reviews and excellent price) is drawing me in to book with them again. Sorry ABD...

 

[kjd469]

We did the Tauck Bridges Costa Rica trip. Personally I would choose the 2 nights in Playa Hermosa over the extra night in San Jose. We arrived early in Playa Hermosa and really enjoyed our family time on the beach before joining with the group...by the time we ended up in San Jose we were ready to go home and had seen enough that we didn't feel that we were missing out on anything. I highly recommend the TB trip...seriously can't think of anything ABD could have done to top what TB did...it was a really great trip. Good luck with your decision

 

[Bobo912]

We didn't see much of San Jose on our ABD since it was mainly a place for everyone to gather before the tour actually started. The fact that the guide's suggestion for our free time was to go to the movies at the mall across the street from the hotel or hang out at the pool suggests to me that either there wasn't a lot to see in San Jose or that it might not have been safe to head out into the city on our own. But I could be totally wrong about that. If I were in you place I would choose the hotel on the coast.

I've been trying to decide what we are doing for summer vacation, since we already have the big tip booked for spring break. I really like the new Rome & Sorrento trip that Tauck Bridges added this year. Two free pre-nights in Rome would be a nice perk too. Not sure I'm comfortable with paying the enormous airfare to Europe in the same year that we're going to the Galapagos so that may be one for the future. Also considering Peru or a US trip with ABD or Tauck for next summer. Decisions, decisions...

 

[Stitch'sLilo]

I can't speak for tours, but I can speak as someone who has travelled many times to Costa Rica. The National Museum in San Jose is very nice, and there is a marketplace that is terrific for buying inexpensive artisanal souvenirs. But I would choose Playa Hermosa in a heartbeat. It is a safer area, very beautiful, and much more to do (unless you dislike the beach). Hope this helps!

 

[KLondon]

While there are some things you can do in San Jose (Gold Museum, city tour, etc.), I don't really think of the place as a tourist destination. If I could spend an extra night in Costa Rica, I'd personally choose something outside the city.