Costa Rica Guide
San José
Discos
1 Cocoloco El Pueblo Smart, well-dressed clientele, small dance floors, and the usual Latin techno-pop/reggae/merengue mix.
2 Ebony 56 El Pueblo One of the most popular among El Pueblo's glut of discos. Several large dance floors with salsa and US and European dance music with the odd 1980s/1990s pop hit thrown in. Opening time: Closed Sun
3 Infinito El Pueblo Similar to Cocoloco, with three dance floors and booming salsa, US and European dance music, and 1970s romantic hits spun by excellent DJs. Attracts an older, smarter crowd. Opening time: Closed Sun
4 Salsa 54 C 3, Av 1/3 Downtown alternative to the El Pueblo discos, this lively joint plays the favoured mix of Latin and American tunes but, as the name implies, also goes heavy on the salsa and merengue. The best place to dance in San José proper, attracting the most talented salseros.
5 Planet Mall San Pedro Mall Central America's largest disco (apparently) with the same slightly soulless atmosphere of US and European mega-clubs. Still, it's wildly popular (if a little pricey at $10) with young Josefinos. DJs spin European dance and Latin rhythms.
6 Terra U San Pedro, one block east of San Pedro Church With three open-air levels and a heaving dance floor, this is a one of San José's weekend hot spots. Latin and Jamaican dance hits predominate. Music videos (and occasional soccer match highlights) play on the TV.