Arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica

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Like many airports around the world, as soon as you clear customs, a swarm of hawkers offering lodging and transport surrounded us. Claudette got disorientated but was sound enough to choose the right coloured taxi. Thirty seven dollars Can. to downtown.

Our hotel, the Fleur de Lys, www.hotelfleurdelys.com/ is a converted old colonial mansion about a 10 minute walk from the centre of town. The renovations are tastefully done with respect for the original fabric. Lots of fine wood wainscoting. Many grand open public spaces on each floor. Colourful artwork on the walls. Our room was large with high ceilings.

We went for a walk to stretch our legs after our long flight. The city is quite clean. Very little litter. Not even many cigarette butts. We saw very few people smoking. No smoking in restaurants or other public spaces. Cigarette packets have the same scary pictures on them as at home. Maybe it is an expensive habit here.

We returned to our lodgings for supper as we did not find any eateries of interest except the same old MacDo’s and Subway’s, etc. We were served an excellent meal. I noticed that 14 of the 16 people in the dining room were speaking French. Could it be the name of the hotel that caused this? There was even live musical entertainment on the front terrace. No audience except for those passing on the street. They weren’t that bad!

The bed was comfortable and we slept well. My only complaint about the place was the slowness of the internet connection. Slower than dial-up even. I hope this is not an indication of things to come.

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Photos

Fleur de Lys Hotel, San Jose, C.R.
We must be in the theatre district. One next door and another across the street.

Fleur de Lys Hotel
Highly recommend. Quiet side street. Five minute walk to downtown. Lots of shoe stores along the way.

Terrace Hotel Fleur de Lys
Clo waiting impatiently on the terrace for our transport to La Fortuna.