San Jose, nicknamed: Chepe, is the largest city in Costa Rica and it serves as the country's capital. It is also the seat of the national government and is the focal point of the country's economic and political activities. The December 2007 census determined that Costa Rica's population amounted to more than 350,000 people. The city was founded in the 18th century and became the capital of Costa Rica in 1823. Some of San Jose's sister cities include Taipei, Miami-Date County, San Jose (California), and Guadalajara.

The climate in San Jose is classified as that of a tropical rainforest and it lies in the Torrid Zone. Its elevation, however, is responsible fro giving the city a mild climate as compared to other Torrid Zone regions. It experiences a wet and dry season with the wet season extending from April to November.

Tourism is one of the major backbones of San Jose's economy. Several tourist attractions are found in the city, these include: El Pueblo, Calle de la Amaragura, Pueblo Antigo, The Melico Salazar Theater, and the Lancaster Botanical Gardens located on the outskirts of the city. San Jose also has a thriving entertainment industry comprised of various bars and clubs.