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  • San Jose Tour Activities
    • The Bird's Nest Tour
    • The Artist Bird Tour
    • The Hungry Bird Tour
    • The Glam Bird Tour
    • The Bird's Paradise Tour
    • Saturday Favorites Tour
  • Day Trips
  • Agents & Hotels
  • Travel Planning
    • Concierge Services
    • Private Shuttle Transport
    • Gay & Lesbian Fun
    • Outside Central Valley
    • General Advice
    • Safety
    • Helpful Travel/Fun Links
  • Best of San Jose
    • The Wise Birds
    • Gallery
    • News from the Barrio
    • Tour Reviews
    • Contact Us

news from the barrio

5 Don't Miss Activities in Jan./Feb. 

1/26/2013

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I hope you got in your rest during winter and the holiday season because this is the time of year to come out and play and there is no rest for the weary as back-to-back festivals and cultural events carry us through to Semana Santa. 

Here's a quick summary of what's to come in the next few weeks,we'll be covering some of these in more detail soon. 

FILM - Jan. 28 - Final film in Chaplin series at Teatro Variedades_, EL GRAN DICTADOR (The Great Dictator) 1940. 

THEATER - The English-speaking Little Theatre Group will kick off the 2013 season with a Cabaret Night, theater and musical performances will be the highlight of this Jam at the Bar. 7:30 on Feb. 8, 2.500 entrance fee at Sala Garbo.  

ROCK - Festival del Rock en el Farolito, 11a - 8p Feb. 16 and 17. This is a free concert featuring prominent Costa Rican rock bands in Parque Morazan. Full line-up schedules will appear on the facebook page. 

ELECTRONIC - ChepeJoven is an annual event that opens up international electronic music for free to Costa Ricans while closing Paseo Colon for a Sun. As the name implies, this will be an event mostly attended by teenagers and then electronic fans of all ages. Hosted also on Feb. 17 you can listen to music ALL DAY downtown. This festival runs 8a - 3p. 
DJs spinning include:
 
- Jeff Brenes
- Monik Zdan
- Hector Moran (El Salvador) 
- Erik Prestinary 
- ¿?
- Lawrence Casal 
- Huba&Silica

INNOVATION - TEDxPuraVida is an independently organized event with the same spirit of 'ideas worth sharing'. Presentations are in Spanish but that's a good opportunity to practice and a great chance to meet some of the nation's thought leaders. Tickets are $150, the event will be hosted at the Children's Museum. A full schedule of presenters is available. 

To explore of the exciting places and activities in San Jose, Costa Rica Book a City Tour.

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Yoga Studio Creates Space for Tourists to Practice with Locals

1/26/2013

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Downtown Yoga is a special place situated in the heart of San Jose, 1/2 block west of the SW corner of Parque Nacional. 

Open for 2 years, the studio aims to make yoga more accessible to the people living and working in and around San Jose, Costa Rica. 

Future plans include providing yoga in the low-income neighborhoods of the city and implementing a community garden with bicycle parking. 

The primary group of students are Costa Rican but because the management and teachers speak English, and there are classes everyday it's a great stop for travelers looking to relax as they wonder around the country. 

The best part is that visitors can feel right at home immediately being introduced to fellow students and teachers. To read more about the studio visit its Yoga in English page. 

Drop-in classes are $10, call 6050-1952 to reserve your space. 

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Historic Renovations Giving New Shine to Old Buildings

1/24/2013

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When I arrived to San Jose 4 years ago, I spent a lot of timing wondering side streets, finding old buildings that carried ancient soul, story and charm. My curiosity to learn their histories led me to start this city walking tour business so I could share that curiosity with visitors. 

Fastforward to 2013, and the majority of these buildings have been restored, bringing the rich history of the city out of the shadows and into the forefront for all to marvel and remember. 

As infrastructure and restorations move forward I continue to predict more pleasant walk ways with less chaotic traffic and signage, and more calm to take in the San Jose that existed 100 years ago and has a new face to put forward today.

The newest buildings to add to our restoration list are pictured here at the right. 

Edificio Macaya was originally a hardware store opened in 1906. Remembering that most goods were imported, these warehouses would be filled floor to ceiling with mostly european products to buy. 

The building is still in the Macaya family and due to poor property management they have been unable to or unwilling to pay for the continued neccesary maintenance of the property. The Patrimonial dept. invested $25,500 in the restoration of the facade. You'll notice the railing in the original photo, this had completely fallen apart and so that and other elements were reconstructed. 

Edificio Herdocia is a familiar building for those that have to cross east to west through downtown. Situated on the north side of the post office, this building was designed 30 years later by the same Spanish architect of the post office, Luis Lack Llagostera in 1945.

Restoration work has begun on the exterior. The pink and cafe colors on the side might be an experiment to see which color will be best for the entire facade. This building features some the traditional neoclassic elements we see on many of the downtown buildings from the early 20th century including the false columns down the side. The completion of this building will make the adjacent plaza (one of my favorites) an even nicer place to visit and relax in the sunshine with a coffee from the new cafe also located in the plaza. 

If you are interested in learning more about the architecture in San Jose we recommend taking our Bird's Nest Tour. 




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The nearly completed facade, Jan. 2013
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The original facade, 1910's
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Inside view of the hardware store about 100 years ago.
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Edificio Herdocia currently getting a face lift.
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Preview Oscar Nominees at Historic Cine Magaly

1/24/2013

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For all of you who have never heard of the Oscar nominee films and want to catch up before those shiny statues are awarded in March, you can preview the majority of the Best Picture selections and a few others throughout Feb. at the Cine Magaly, located in Barrio La California.

These will also be the first films shown in digital format at the theater so prep those eyeballs for clear images. This theater is a beautiful example of an art deco interior, however much of it has been toned down after the renovation and reopening a year ago. 

Tickets are 2.300 general admission, 1.800 students and senior gold card holders. A 12 film pass is 20.000. Movie times are below. For more tips on San Jose activities subscribe to this blog on the right or inquire with our concierge service.



The Impossible (Jan. 24 - 30) 4p, 7p

Lincoln (Jan. 31 - Feb. 6) 3p, 6p, 9p
Destiny Road ( Feb. 7 - 13) 4p, 8:30p
Flight (Feb. 7 - 13) 6:30pLos Miserables (Feb. 14 - 20) 3p, 7:30p
Beasts of the Southern Wild (Feb. 14 - 20) 6p
Los Miserables (Feb. 21 - 27) 3p, 8:40p
The Master (Feb. 21 - 27) 6p
Zero Dark 30 (Feb. 28 - March 6) 4:30p, 7:30p
Zero Dark 30 (March 7 - 13) 3p, 8:50p
Argo (March 7 - 13) 6p
Anna Karenina (March 14 - 20) 3:30p, 6p, 8:40p
Anna Karenina (March 21 - March 27) 3p, 8:40
Django Unchained (March 21 - 27) 6p



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5 Fun Outdoor Activities in San Jose, Costa Rica

1/16/2013

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How fun! We are included on this Insider's Guide: 5 Fun Outdoor Activities in San Jose, Costa Rica. 

You also don't want to miss the essential '5 Must Know Phrases in Costa Rica'. If you have questions about indoor OR outdoor activities to enjoy while you are in San Jose check out our concierge service. 

Book 1 of 5 city walking tours.

"While Costa Rica is best known for its biodiversity, lush jungles, volcanoes, and abundance of beaches, San José has its own unique attractions. Erin Morris, from De la Pura Vida, is a US expat living in Costa Rica. She shares with us some of her favorite venues, activities and dishes that many visitors may not know to find READ MORE>> "

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    By Stacey Auch.
    Stacey is the founder of Barrio Bird Walking Tours and an original advocate of San Jose's revitalization. She has opened 4 businesses all with a focus on sharing San Jose secrets and tips with locals and visitors. 

    You'll want to subscribe to this blog above if you want to enjoy the best of San Jose, and you'll definitely want to book a walking tour!

    Connect with Stacey on Google+.

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