I've been traveling to Costa Rica regularly for more than 25 years. Today, there are innumerable choices for hotels in the San Jose area, and a US tourist can easily find a shiny, new clone hotel that will feel like a trip to Cleveland, if that's your thing. The Barcelo San Jose is quite a bit different. The hotel is about a 15 minutes ride from the Juan Santamaria Airport, and about 5 minutes to the edge of downtown San Jose. It is located right at the cloverleaf of the General Canas Highway and the Circunvalacion, San Jose's perimeter road. For those who know how hard it is to get around in San Jose, you know that this is a perfect location if you're going to be in the city and need to travel around to Escazu, Heredia, Alajuela or San Jose. The hotel is nestled on a breezy hillside with views of the Central Valley from virtually any room. The best views are at the front of the hotel, with the National Stadium framed by the mountains of Escazu. The property itself is beautifully landscaped, and you'll be surrounded by tropical greenery that is unique for its urban location. A giant outdoor pool surrounded by chaise lounges, hammocks and greenery makes it a perfect place to rest and relax.