Just west of downtown San Jose lies
the leafy and well-heeled districts of Sabana, Pavas and Rohrmoser,
with quiet residential neighborhoods, malls, posh restaurants, executive-style
apartment blocks, and the capital's largest recreational park.
To get to La Sabana, take the Sabana Cementerio or Sabana-Estadio buses, which
stop at the Metropolitan Cathedral and all along Paseo Colon. For Pavas
and Rohrmoser, take the Pavas Boulevard bus from the Coca-Cola bus terminal.
Or take a short cab ride.
La Sabana Park is a peaceful retreat
from the mayhem of central San Jose. It has woodland areas, large open
spaces, playing fields, ponds and horse riding. Cool things on the park
are the Museum of Contemporary Arts,
housed in San Jose's old airport terminal; the National Gymnasium, where
many visiting pop groups play; and the National Stadium, the main venue
for Costa Rica's national sport, soccer. Next to the park is La
Salle Natural History Museum, displaying a wide array of stuffed
birds, bugs and beasts.
Pavas has the Tobias Bolanos Airport
a hub for domestic flights - and the U.S. Embassy (hdssjo@
usia.gov ). Pavas airport is the base of Travelair and several small
charter operators.
Plaza Mayor Mall, on Rohromoser
Boulevard, has opened a new section with the a two-screen cinema, food
court, bank and a wide range of shopes. Art Lovers visit Galería Centro in sabana oeste, a new gallery
that exhibits the works of latin American artists.
Many of the area's quality restaurants
and trendy bars are on the main drag between the western fringe of Sabana
Park and the U.S. Embassy, on the road to Pavas. The thoroughfare
has many U.S. fast-food places and traditional Tico dinners too. |
