El Rodeo” Mountain resort within short distance of San Jose 
other countries, it still ranks considerably above the par of 
exchange, which is $ 4 to $ 1, and the visitor may calculate 
his expenses accordingly. (Present exchange rate is $5.61 to 
$ 1. June 1939). 
Traveller's cheques and dollar bills are best changed at 
one's hotel where the proper rate is invariably given. Sterling 
and other foreign currencies may also be readily exchanged at 
current rates. 
Clubs 
4 
San Jose is rich in clubs. Practically every foreign colony 
has its own dub whose visitors are always welcome. The 
German Club possesses a fine swimming pool. The Union Club, 
opposite the General Post Office, is an architectural gem both 
inside and out. There are several tennis clubs in the city. 
Cable and Radio Services 
San Jose has both cable and radio comunication with 
foreign countries. There is also an efficient radio-telephone 
service. 
Newspapers 
Two morning and three afternoon papers are published 
in San Jose. 
a. m. "Diario de Costa Rica" 10 centimos. 
La Tribuna" 
p. m. "La Prensa Libre" 
“La Hora" 
Novedades' 
36 
<<<«>>>> 
Union Club. — San Jose. 
There are also several minor weeklies published on Sa¬ 
turdays and Sundays. 
Lottery 
The National Lottery is a legalised institution operated 
for the benefit of local hospitals. Visitors may accordingly 
purchase tickets without hesitation. As a rule, there is a 
drawing twice a month with $ 40,000 as the first prize 
and a host of minor prizes. A whole ticket costs $ 10 but 
for the convenience of those who do not wish to purchase 
a whole ticket each ticket is divided into ten fractions each 
of which costs $ 1 and shares proportionately in the corres¬ 
ponding prize. 
What to Wear 
Although Costa Rica is in the tropics, this does not mean 
that the visitor to San Jose must wear a white drill suit and 
a sun helmet as some travel agencies mistakenly advise. 
On the coast, at Puerto Limon and Puntarenas, white 
suits are certainly desirable but for a visit to the cool capital 
the same lightweight woollen suits which one wears back 
home are the correct clothing. In the daytime palm beach 
suits may frequently be worn with comfort but the evenings 
are often quite cool and may even demand the use of a topcoat 
from December, to March. 
Evening dress is not essential in San Jose for the oneday 
visitor but the person who intends to stay for some time 
should bring his tuxedo for the many social functions 
which he will have the opportunity of attending. 
37 
