San José · Nightlife

The reliable night out: taprooms, wine bars and small restaurants in a few blocks, with the crowd moving between them rather than settling.

San José has a real brewing scene, and the taprooms in Escalante and Los Yoses pour local rather than Imperial. Most shut around midnight.

The old mansion district north of the centre keeps cellar bars running live jazz and bolero at weekends. Ask your hotel which are open this month.

For the last week of December the Zapote fairground fills with rodeo, carnival rides and fried food, and stays open very late.

The streets by the University of Costa Rica are the cheapest and youngest night in the city. A short taxi east of the centre.