Rohrmoser

Snuggled into western San José are the suburbs of La Sabana, Rohrmoser, and Pavas. Located close enough to downtown San Jose to be convenient to everything, but removed from the typical hustle and bustle of city living, these three neighborhoods form comfortable enclaves for the city's businessmen and women, politicos, and families looking to spread out a bit.

A quick jaunt down Paseo Colón will bring you to San Jose's urban jewel, La Sabana Park. Shrouded in leafy greenery and boasting several ponds and a sparkling lake, the park is a welcome retreat from the city's honking cars and cramped spaces. The park offers several attractions and daytime activities for San Jose residents and visitors, including one of the city's favorite museums, the Museum of Costa Rican Art, housed in San Jose's old airport terminal.

The country's National Gymnasium, a popular locale for concerts, and the National Stadium, home to Costa Rica's National Soccer Team, La Sele, are also permanent fixtures at La Sabana Park, giving you a genuine taste of favorite tico pastimes. In addition, the park offers walking trails, soccer fields, perfect spots for an afternoon picnic, and even short trails for horseback riding. Around the park, residential La Sabana offers city living with a distinct josefino twist, a combination of luxury condos set against a backdrop of the emerald green, eucalyptus-lined park. There is currently a project to uproot any non-native tree and replace it with a tropical mixture of all the species that Costa Rica has to offer.

Heading west of La Sabana, Pavas and Rohrmoser sit with their tree-lined streets and family-oriented neighborhoods. Travelers will find refuge in the area's many bed and breakfasts, and any area visitor will enjoy the dining options that range from tico-style sodas (corner restaurants) that line the calles to upscale sushi restaurants.

Pavas, a mix of industrial and commercial with a bit of residential thrown in, plays host to the Tobias Bolaños Domestic Airport. Just 30 minutes from the Juan Santamaria International Airport, Tobias Bolaños is a hub for NatureAir, serving as the origination point for budget flights to Liberia, La Fortuna, Quepos, Playa Tambor, and all the rest of your favorites. But Pavas won't let its airport steal all the fame, and offers up decent nightlife, including favorites like Kabanas Klassica, Tragaldabas, and Van Gogh bars.

Rohrmoser is more residential than Pavas, and many ambassadors make their homes here, neighbors to Costa Rican President Oscar Arias's personal home. Several wonderful private schools are located either within Rohrmoser or close by, so many affluent tico and expat families raise their children here. In addition to educational offerings, this San Jose suburb has three movie theaters and several shopping options. Plaza Rohrmoser and Plaza Mayor, suburban malls offering plenty of modern amenities, tempt with American-style fast food, nail and hair salons, and many shops you'll recognize from the United States and Europe.

La Sabana, Rohrmoser, and Pavas are three San Jose suburbs full of feisty energy and diverse cultural, gastronomic, and entertainment offerings that promise to amuse and take care of you, whether you're here for a day trip or a long-term move.