A Cool Guide to Costa Rica’s Capital: The Real San Jose by Michael Miller

You might have read my post on a walking tour of San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital. I was staying in the quirky and inspiring Hemingway Inn in San Jose. A building with character and history and by chance I got to meet Michael Miller there. Michael has written an awesome book on San Jose which has had loads of raving reviews in the past few months. Here’s the link: The Real San Jose: Michael Miller’s Guide to Downtown San José, Costa Rica

Michael was kind enough to take me around the city in his own time and show me some quirky and unusual sights including the Anne Frank statue and that cool John Lennon bench!

So if you’re heading to Costa Rica, I recommend spending a couple of nights exploring the capital properly. I’m not talking Lonely Planet or Backpacker’s circuit. See the REAL San Jose – get deep into the culture and history of this phenomenal city. Michael’s Book has secrets and off the wall gems of everyday life in a city Michael lives, loves and breathes. I’ve compared Michael’s book to the excellent “Unique New York” book from Malachy Murray, another cool author I met back in 2007 on my backpacking jaunt through New York City. Malachy Murray’s Unique New York: From the Stories You Were Never Told Series

Here’s a bit of background on Michael Miller and his book The Real San Jose, a book you should buy if you’re heading there as it costs less than $4 US on Amazon!

Michael Robert Miller, with over forty years of business experience, has travelled extensively in the Far East and Central America. He has been visiting San José, Costa Rica since the 1980’s and he has made it his mission to discover all that the city has to offer. Mr. Miller has served in the United States Navy and is a Vietnam Veteran. He holds a degree in economics. Mr. Miller currently spends his time in San José, Costa Rica and Naples, Florida.

Email address:  [email protected]

Overview of the book “The Real San Jose”

San José, Costa Rica is a city of surprises. Many visitors arrive here with a head full of pre-conceived notions, not all of them good. Like any big city, San José has its problems and imperfections. But the more you look, the more you will see the tremendous variety of diversions and attractions it has to offer.

That’s what “The Real San José” is all about.

San José is the capital city, the financial headquarters and the historical and cultural center of Costa Rica. And once you get past the traffic, the noise and the chaos of the place, you will find a promising cosmopolitan city emerging from the jungle.

With “The Real San José, Michael Miller’s Guide to Downtown San José Costa Rica” its like having experienced San José explorer, Michael Miller, at your side to help you:

To find great restaurants, bars and coffee houses;

To learn about the art, the architecture, the museums, the great neighborhoods;

To discover that, yes, there are night-time activities to which you can take your family. Things like the National Symphony, dance and live theater.

With dozens of photographs and a handy map of Downtown San José, this book is perfect for the visiting family in town for a couple of days; for the international student; for the business person; and for the prospective retiree.