San Jose, a 1.6 million metropolis, has grown rapidly over the last 1/2 century, with regular waves of refugees from adjoining states like San Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and even Mexico. A modern doughnut of city and industrialization surrounds the old city core which houses the Opera House, Museums, Art Galleries, Cathedrals, ..The highlight was my one day in San Jose was a visit to the modern Pre-Columbian Gold and Numismatic Museum. You enter through underground vault doors to become entranced with vast collections of Pre-Columbiam gold artifacts and jewelery. When you re-emerge, unfortunately you re-enter the faded, neglected down town world. Interesting, but not really stimulating. Heading for the bottom of the Nicoya peninsula -- should be more stimulating.
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