PLAZA JUAN RAFAEL MORA 
***** 
MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE GRAN HOTEL 
This fine hostelry was opened to the public a few years ago 
SAN JOSE 
17 
by parading* round and round the park and engaging* in 
innocent flirtations. 
On Sunday the hulk of the population goes to church in the 
morning*, while the afternoon is given over to sport and ex¬ 
cursions into the country. In the evening’s the people patronize 
the theater and the cinemas, where the latest talking* pictures 
are to he seen. After the theater, the clubs and hotels are filled 
to' overflowbng* as the Josefinos, as the people of San Jose are 
affectionately called, exchange gossip and greetings over their 
refreshments. All in all, there is a delightfully enjoyable life 
completely free from the hustle and bustle which is the bane 
of the big* cities of America and Europe. 
CLIMATE 
I11 the lowlands the usual high temperatures of the Tropics 
are naturally prevalent, but as one advances into the interior, 
with the elevation rapidly increasing, the temperature falls 
considerably. By the time the central plateau is reached the 
climate is moderate and pleasant; in fact, it may be compared 
with late spring* in the temperate zone. This condition is more 
or less constant; the variation in temperature over the whole 
year at San Jose runs between 50° F. and yo° F., with an 
occasional hot day reaching 8o° F. or 85° F. Thus, contrary 
to the northerner's idea of customs in the Tropics, the Costa 
Rican does not run around in a white suit, perspiring visibly 
the whole day through; instead, he dresses in the same kind 
of clothing that Americans or Englishmen back home wear and 
often finds an overcoat a welcome addition in the evenings. 
The reader, if he plans to visit Costa Rica, should take this 
as a warning* and not leave his heavy clothing behind. White 
tropical suits and palm-beach clothing are out of place in the 
highlands of Costa Rica. Not infrequently, American and 
