San Jose Costa Rica
San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica and the country’s main travel hub, surrounded by the Central Valley between the volcanic Cordillera Central and the coffee-growing highlands. The metropolitan area includes the nearby towns of Heredia, Alajuela, and San Antonio de Belen, where many international conference venues, including the CIC ANDE convention center, are located close to the airport. Costa Rica is internationally known for its environmental and biodiversity research and ecotourism, and the country has a small but growing technology sector. Juan Santamaria International Airport is about 15 minutes from central San Jose by taxi, with direct flights to Miami, Houston, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Mexico City, and several European hubs.
-
Mercado Central - The historic central market for Costa Rican coffee, gallo pinto breakfasts, and gifts.
-
National Theatre of Costa Rica - The 1897 neoclassical theatre on Plaza de la Cultura is the most architecturally significant building in the country.
-
Volcanoes - Poas, Irazu, and Arenal volcanoes are within 1 to 3 hours of San Jose and all offer accessible day trips.
-
Coffee country - Plantation tours in Heredia, just outside the city, are a strong half-day option for conference attendees with an afternoon free.
-
Manuel Antonio National Park - About 3 hours south on the Pacific coast, the most accessible national park combining rainforest, monkeys, and beaches.
Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) is the main gateway, about 15 minutes from central San Jose by taxi or rideshare. SJO has direct flights from Miami, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Toronto, Madrid, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. Liberia International Airport (LIR) serves the Pacific Northwest coast and is unlikely to be the right choice for Central Valley conferences.
Central San Jose is walkable, especially the Avenida Central pedestrian zone. City buses are inexpensive but routes can be confusing for visitors. Uber and Didi operate widely and are usually the easiest option for non-Spanish speakers. For trips to airport-area convention venues such as CIC ANDE, taxis from official ranks and rideshare are reliable.
Costa Rica’s Central Valley has a mild year-round climate with daytime temperatures around 22-26C and cool evenings. The dry season runs December to April; the green season (rainy in afternoons) runs May to November. July, when GECCO is held, sits in the green season, with sunny mornings, afternoon showers, and lush landscapes.
Map
1 upcoming conference in San Jose
Our picks in San Jose
A curated selection of hotels chosen for location, value, and fit for conference travellers.
Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen
700m west of Bridgestone, San Antonio de Belen, Heredia, Costa Rica
Spanish hacienda-style Marriott resort in San Antonio de Belen built around a coffee plantation, with three restaurants and a spa - best...
Hilton Garden Inn San Jose La Sabana
Sabana Sur, San Jose, Costa Rica
Four-star business hotel beside La Sabana metropolitan park, midway between central San Jose and the airport - a reliable mid-range pick for...
Real InterContinental Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall
Autopista Prospero Fernandez, Escazu, San Jose, Costa Rica
Five-star luxury hotel in the Escazu business district with a pool, spa, and direct access to the Multiplaza Mall - best for...
Selina San Jose
San Jose, Costa Rica
Budget hostel-hotel in central San Jose with coworking space, a pool, and private and shared rooms - the cheapest reliable option for...
Wyndham San Jose Herradura
San Antonio de Belen, Heredia, Costa Rica
Large four-star resort hotel in San Antonio de Belen that hosts the GECCO 2026 summer school July 10-12 - best for GECCO...
Community Notes