Our tour of San Jose began with a train trip into the city center. The railroad through San Jose and neighboring cities was originally constructed to bring coffee and banana crops to the ports from the mountains. However, the railroad now serves as public transportation during peak rush hour solely for those who live in the city. The railroad is just one example of the influences the coffee and banana industries have had in San Jose. When the industries were at their height of popularity in Costa Rica, they provided funding for the government to make reforms and improve infrastructure. Some of these projects were in San Jose, such as the construction of Theatro Nacional, or the National Theater, which was one of our stops today. The theater is now considered to be one of the most important buildings in Costa Rica as a symbol of prosperity and the rich culture of the country.

The city of San Jose shares similar qualities of American cities I have been to, including Pittsburgh. The layout of the city appears as many American cities, like Pittsburgh, with a busting downtown that includes larger buildings surrounded by various neighborhoods and smaller cities like Heredia. However, downtown San Jose does have its own distinct style, with a mix of colonial buildings, the occasional skyscraper, and brightly colored homes, which is vastly different from the towering glass skyscrapers of downtown Pittsburgh in colors to match the consistent gloomy weather.

Another aspect of San Jose that is vastly different from American cities is the lack of addresses. The reliance upon landmarks, which sometimes are not even there anymore, does make finding businesses and other destinations difficult. While it does provide another unique aspect to their culture, since it is a result of their rural roots, this logistical factor does hinder the growth businesses today. Currently, San Jose is experiencing continuous growth in its population, and more people means more confusion with the lack of addresses for a mailing system. This does not welcome foreign businesses and investors, as it can be seen as an unnecessary nuisance in their everyday operations. However, for locals this factor is just part of their way of life and, therefore, their businesses. This anachronism from Costa Rica’s roots has not held the country back from economic growth but has likely slowed it down, especially in recent years. With the mass improvement of technology, something like an address system is considered a given in industrial nations today. Overall, this lack of organization may need to be resolved in the next decade to encourage economic growth.