San José, Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s central highland capital centers on public markets, historic theaters, coffee culture, and museum collections.
🏛️ Sights & Attractions in San José
- National Theatre — The National Theatre of Costa Rica is Costa Rica's national theatre, located in the central section of San José. Construction began in 1897, and it opened to the public on 21 October 1897 with a performance of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust. It has capacity for 1,140 people.
- Central Market — San José Central Market is the largest market of the city of San José, Costa Rica. Established in 1880, it occupies an entire block on Avenida Central, 250m northwest of the Parque Central.
🥾 Trails & Hikes in San José
- Avenida Central walk — A walking route through Avenida Central, san jose costa rica, taking in local sights, architecture, and street life along the way.
- La Sabana loop — A loop through La Sabana Metropolitan Park, San José's largest urban park, featuring a lake, sports facilities, and the National Stadium.
🍽️ Restaurants in San José
- Mercado Central stalls — The Central Market in downtown San José, a historic 1880 market with food stalls serving traditional Costa Rican casados and fresh produce.
🍸 Bars & Nightlife in San José
- El Steinvon — A popular bar in Barrio Escalante with craft beers, cocktails, and a lively atmosphere.
- Luz de Luna — A classic bar and club in the centre with live music and a local crowd.
🎯 Activities & Tours in San José
- Bar Crawl in Downtown San Jose — Welcome to the original and very first BarCrawl in San Jose, Costa Rica! Since 2019, we've hosted over 2,000 tourists from 50+ countries. We're proud promoters of affordable tourism and holders of the registered BarCrawl trademark in the country! Staying in San Jose and looking
- San Jose: Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour including Markets — Unmask the beauty and culture of contemporary Costa Rican life on this San Jose walking tour. You'll get up close and personal, through local food, history, culture even the herbal remedies of folk medicine. Enjoy exotic, fruits, in the Borbon Market. We’ll take a stroll through
- Chocolate Making and Tasting at a Local Factory in San José — In the hands of experts you will discover in an entertaining way the entire process of cocoa to become chocolate, you will also receive all the supplies to manufacture and carry your own personalized chocolates.
- San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees — You will absolutely love San José after this experience. Guided by young biologists you will discover nature hiding in the middle of Costa Rica's largest city. You will get to experience with all your senses, wildlife you wouldn't have imagined existed minutes away from downtown.
- Full Day Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Coffee Plantation Experience — For this full day tour, we will visit three incredible places that are completely unique to this area. As well as learning more about Costa Rican coffee, we will visit Poás Volcano, one of only seven active volcanoes in the country. We will then see over 100 species including res
- Go City: San Francisco Explorer Pass: Choose 2 to 5 Things To Do — Enjoy great savings on some of San Francisco's best-known attractions with Go City. The San Francisco Explorer Pass let's you select 2, 3, 4 or 5 things to do in San Francisco from a list of over 25 museums, cruises and other activities, and enjoy them within a 30-day period from
- San Jose City Tour & Costa Rican Specialty Coffee Tastings — ☕ Why This Tour? Because you’re not just here to drink coffee. You’re here to understand it, to feel its story, from bean to brew. This tour isn’t something you “do” in San José. It’s something you remember. You’ll start in a tucked-away café where the beans are treated like po
- San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner — Delicious Costa Rican food and drink .Oh, we need to say more? Alright, well, there’s also a ton of culture and history, a tasty local dinner, and the chance to experience San Jose’s nightlife with a local. Best. Night. Ever.
- San Jose Walking City Tour Coffee and Chocolate Tastings — Discover the hidden elegance of San Jose on a journey that blends urban storytelling with a sensory experience. Walk through San José’s most prestigious districts, nature-filled parks serve as the backdrop to stunning historic architecture and the city’s best-kept secrets. Then w
- Self Guided Audio Walking Tour of San Jose Highlights — Discover the highlights of San Jose, Costa Rica on this self-guided walk that takes you to the most interesting monuments, buildings, museums and tells you their stories. This tour is the perfect introduction to the city for first time visitors. You will learn how coffee culture
- +15 more activities & tours
🏨 Hotels & Stays in San José
- Barceló San José — 5-star hotel in a quiet residential area, 3 km from the city center. Outdoor pool, tennis court, free WiFi, and airport shuttle. 254 renovated rooms with city or mountain views. 3 restaurants and a bar with live music.
- AC Hotel San Jose Airport Belen — Marriott hotel 3.7 mi from Juan Santamaría International Airport with rooftop pool, fitness center, free WiFi, and free airport shuttle. Restaurant and bar with live music. Excellent location score of 9.1.
- El Rodeo Estancia Boutique Hotel & Steakhouse — Boutique hotel in the San Antonio de Belen countryside with health club, tennis court, steakhouse restaurant, outdoor pool, and free WiFi. 15 minutes from the airport. Ranch-style ambiance.
- Alta Las Palomas Hotel — Boutique hotel in Santa Ana with outdoor pool, restaurant serving Mediterranean and Latin American cuisine, and free WiFi. Romantic ambiance. Best for couples and travelers wanting a quieter, upscale base.
- Hotel Grano de Oro — Historic boutique hotel in downtown San José with restaurant, courtyard, and rooftop terrace. Victorian architecture with modern amenities. Walking distance to museums and cultural attractions.
- Hotel Del Río — Mid-range hotel in downtown San José with restaurant, pool, and free WiFi. Walking distance to the National Museum and Central Market. Good value for exploring the city.
- Costa Rica Backpackers — Popular backpackers hostel in downtown San José with dorms, private rooms, pool, restaurant, and bar. Walking distance to museums and bus stations. Best for budget travelers.
- Hostel Pangea — Budget hostel in downtown San José with dorms, private rooms, bar, and rooftop terrace. Walking distance to the National Theater and Central Market. Popular with backpackers.
- Hotel Fleur de Lys — Hotel Fleur de Lys is a hotel in San José city center, San Jose Costa Rica. Guest review score: 8.4/10. Check current rates and availability via the booking link.
- Wyndham Garden San Jose Escazu — Wyndham Garden San Jose Escazu is a hotel in San José city center, San Jose Costa Rica. Guest review score: 8.3/10. Check current rates and availability via the booking link.
- +6 more hotels & stays