Paolo

1. Cariari, conveniently between the airport and downtown. A very safe and upscale area with walking distance to everything.

2. Campo Real, just west of Lindora/Santa Ana and the Forum via Highway 27. Convenient for business, hospital etc, and a safe green area for families.

3. On the outskirts of downtown (condos we partner with)

Not if you are choosing a condo near highway 1. This Real Cariari Mall area means you will be walking distance to supermarkets and restaurants and bars and casinos, as well as the pick up spots for all the fantastic day tours.

Yes if you are choosing a condo near highway 27. It's a great location for family, but the public bus service is not perfect. A vehicle would be great for this location.

And probably no if you are choosing a condo on the outskirts of downtown

If you do consider booking a vehicle, then be very careful since so many bookings online via reputable websites turn out to be a scam, due to not including a large cost of mandatory fees/insurance etc.

If it's the Cariari (highway 1) area, then your range of choices and simply being able to walk to them is outstanding!

If it's Campo Real and highway 27, then it's best to think of using a your car, but then it's just a matter of minutes. Sabor a Pueblo is just 5 minutes drive and a wonderful little place for typical delicious Costa Rican cuisine. And high end bars and restaurants are plentiful just 10 minutes away via the expressway. There are some simple bars and restaurants in the village, but you have to be adventurers to venture there at night!

There is easy bus and taxi service from the north gate of the complex.
Buses head all the way to downtown San Jose without any change of bus needed. But they are hourly and only during day light hours. The nearest simple supermarket is about 3 minutes drive. And the nicest high end supermarket is Automercado in Lindora (about 8 minutes via expressway and then the Santa Ana boulevard).