San Jose Nightlife

Salsa 54 has plenty of salseros and if you’re daring, show off your own salsa skills. Rarely visited by tourists, this bar offers the perfect opportunity to practice your Spanish as well as your salsa. Castro's bar in the historic Barrio Mexico, is open very late every night. They also feature Salsa, reggaeton and karaoke on three separate floors.

Vertigo is located in the large Paseo Colon building. This is a true night club with two floors, and stages for dancers to rock out to electronic beats. The bar is open till 3am, and half the crowd seems prepared to continue the party afterward. The music is loud and thumping, so it is not an ideal bar for conversation. There is a cover charge, and ID is required to get in. Theme nights with famous local and international DJs are common.

Calle de la Amagura (Street of Bitterness) offers a variety of bars, primarily patronized by many of the students of the University of Costa Rica that is located a bit south. The streets are filled with bar-hoppers, and there is even a late night pizza joint to cure your post-bar munchies. Some of the popular bars are: Terra U includes a street front patio area to escape from crowds and smoke. Mon- Sat open until 2am. Phone: 225-7249 Mosaikos is a popular bar with DJ-spun reggae, ska, hip-hop, trance, house and techno dance music. It attracts a young and wild crowd. Mon-Sat: 11pm-2am. Phone: 280-9541 Tavarua serves lots of Imperial beer, and in the background you will see the Imperial girls dancing on stage. La Villa is the most mellow and quiet bar in the street, where you can actually have a conversation. Music is not too loud in the back, and the ambiance is quite good.

El Cuartel de la Boca del Monte is a sure bet for a good time. Filled with a variety of patrons from students, tourists, and even river-rafting guides, this bar is a favorite with singles looking for love, and offers live music and dancing. Monday nights this is the place to be! Open until about 1 am, sometimes later. Phone: 221-0327

Lubnan is a chill Lebanese style restaurant with a small bar in the back that features live music once in a while. Well-off locals flock here on Wednesday nights.

Van Gogh near the American Embassy is theme decorated in Van Gogh's classic paintings. This bar attracts mostly younger crowds and has random theme nights, including belly dancers and ladies' night. A chill early evening hangout, this bar turns into a dance party late at night.

Kabana Klassica is located up the 'Carretera a Pavas' from Van Gogh and is a slightly up-scale bar, and a popular happy hour hangout. The bar features tons of flat screen TVs that show music videos for all of the music played. It gets pretty crowded pretty fast after 10pm, so plan on standing if you don't get there early enough to claim a table. An upstairs VIP room has a $25 entrance fee.

Rincon de mi Tata just off Carretera a Pavas is an open-air bar that is great for dancing. Reggaeton beats and classic merengue and salsa hits blast from loud speakers, forcing people to their feet. There is usually a small cover charge, but the prices inside make up for it. Try a 'Tower' of beer for $14... which could easily last you and your friends the evening through.

Casino Club Colonial Avenida 1 Calles 9-11. Phone: 258-2807.

Mac´s American Bar is the haven you´ve been searching for. From pool tables to non-stop sports action on the TV´s it´s the place to get your American sports fix, here in the middle of Central America. Their enthusiastic staff and exotic drinks will always make you want to stay for one more. Located in Sabana Sur. Phone: 231-3145.