HOME Travel Guide Common Sense Travel
decorative font style

Polaroid of the Week: Vibrant Street Art in San José, Costa Rica

Polaroid of the Week: Vibrant Street Art in San José, Costa RicaDespite our mixed feelings about Costa Rica's capital, as Jess noted last week, San José lacks the colonial charm of other Central American cities and doesn't quite deliver a modern, chic atmosphere. Yet, it boasts impressive street art—a passion we've long celebrated (see all our street art posts here). We discovered striking graffiti here last year, but this year uncovered even more.

The German Goethe Institute launched a regional street art initiative called De Mi Barrio a Tu Barrio ('From My Neighborhood to Yours'), highlighting talent from communities across Central America and fostering cultural connections through urban art.

Artist Jim Avignon journeyed through Central America and the Caribbean for six weeks, collaborating with local graffiti artists in each country and creating standout murals in San José's streets.

Discover more street art and details on the De Mi Barrio a Tu Barrio project here.

Tourist Attraction
  • Polaroid of the Week: Playful Spider Monkey in Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

    Costa Rica stands out in Central America for its abundant wildlife, including mammals, birds, and reptiles thriving in its lush forests. Our trip highlighted this biodiversity firsthand. Manuel Antonio National Park proved the prime spot for monkey sightings. During a serene hike in a quieter section of the park, we encountered this endearing spider monkey pausing after a playful skirmish with fellow troupe members—perhaps plotting his next adventure. Busier trails buzzed with monkeys captivati

  • Polaroid of the Week: Captivating Street Art in Silver Lake, Los Angeles

    Though my tight work schedule in Los Angeles prevented me from ticking off my entire to-do list, I revisited favorites like Santa Monica, Venice, and West Hollywood. One neighborhood I was determined to explore before leaving was Silver Lake. Often called the Brooklyn of LA or more precisely the Williamsburg of LA, Silver Lake topped Forbes inaugural list of Americas Best Hipster Neighborhoods. CNN Money also ranked it in the top ten best big-city neighborhoods in the U.S. Naturally, I had to s

  • Polaroid of the Week: Discovering Gregos Iconic Face Art in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

    My final week in New York (for now) arrived, so I stepped away from my laptop to embrace the citys summer spirit. I reconnected with friends through cycling rides, sunset picnics, bustling food markets, and rooftop al fresco dinners. This year, I finally kayaked the East River—a bucket-list item from the past two summers. It exceeded expectations, reinforcing my need for more water adventures (my last was in Austin this May). In Williamsburg, I hunted fresh graffiti and murals—a favorite pursuit