Popular Things to Do and See in San Jose (Costa Rica)

March 29, 2021 Mustafa Natalwala 3249 Views

San Jose is the national capital city of Costa Rica. It is one of the most important Latin American cities. The city is known for its varied history, rich culture, great food and happening lifestyle. It is also home to some of the finest works of architecture in Latin America. There are also numerous natural places to visit in San Jose where one can enjoy outdoor activities. Most well known natural San Jose attractions include Arenal Volcano and Tapanti National Park. These places are popular for outdoor and fun things to do in San Jose like hiking, camping and river rafting.

The city is also home to some of the largest museums and famous art galleries in Costa Rica. The nation’s national museum is among top things to see in San Jose. The museum is among top San Jose tourist attractions for the exhaustive number of artifacts exhibited here. Museums of Pre-Columbian Gold and Jade Museum are also well known for their exhaustive collections. Both of these museums hold superlative position in Costa Rica for terms of artifacts and collections. You will come across several best attractions of Costa Rica during San Jose sightseeing. The museum of Costa Rican Art is also among the best places to go in San Jose for those who practice, understand or admire art. It also gives great insight into the culture of the region and its people. You can check our top picks for places to see in San Jose in the section below. We have also prepared an exhaustive list of almost all the places to visit and things to do in San Jose, which is further divided into categories.

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Table of Contents

The Best 10 Tourist Places to Visit in San Jose, Costa Rica

1. National Theatre of Costa Rica (Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica)

This National Theatre was built in 1897 with an elegant European design and architecture. The interior design of the theater is one of the most lavish things to see in San Jose. You will see many ornate European elements like elaborate paintings, marble sculptures, regal furniture and so on. You will need about an hour to explore the architecture and interior of the National Theatre of Costa Rica.

2. Arenal Volcano

This volcano is not only among top San Jose attractions, but also among top attractions in all of Costa Rica. You will need to take a 3 hour drive to reach this Volcano. There are also natural hot springs near the volcano which you can explore among places to see in San Jose. There are also many outdoor activities and hike trails which can be explored along with other fun things to do in San Jose. All in all you would need about a days time from San Jose travel to enjoy the Arenal Volcano.

I suggest you must Book a Full Day Guided Tour of Arenal Volcano in advance.

3. National Museum of Costa Rica (Museo Nacional de Costa Rica)

The National Museum is one of the most important places to visit in San Jose. This museum gives you an insight into how civilization developed and evolved in the region. Not only do you learn about the history of Costa Rica, but also about the culture and traditions of the various people who lived here over the years. None of the other San Jose tourist attractions give such deep insight about the nation as this museum. You will need at least 2 hours to explore this museum.

4. Jade Museum (Museo del Jade)

The Jade Museum is one of the most interesting places to go in San Jose. This museum holds the largest collection of pre-columbian jade artifacts in the world. You would need at least an hour to explore this museum when you visit San Jose, Costa Rica.

5. Pre-Columbian Gold Museum (Museo del Oro Precolombino)

This museum exhibits a variety of gold items from the pre-columbian period. The collection of artifacts here is largest of its kind in Latin America. This is again an important aspect of Pre-Columbian culture to explore during San Jose sightseeing. You will need at least an hour to explore this museum.

6. Museum of Costa Rican Art (Museo de Arte Constarricense)

This museum exhibits the finest and largest collection of Costa Rican art in the country. It is among the best things to do in San Jose for artists and those who admire art. The museum is spread indoors and outdoors exhibiting sculptures, artifacts, paintings, photographs, engravings and more. You would need about 2 hours to explore this museum.

7. Metropolitan Cathedral of San Jose

The church is one of the most beautiful places to visit in San Jose. The interior of this church features wood carvings, stained glass windows and many other decorative elements. The figure of Christ in the church dates back to the 17th century. You will need at least 30 minutes to explore this church.

8. Iglesia de la Merced

This church is known for its gothic style architecture and is among the interesting things to see in San Jose. You would need 30 minutes to explore this church as well.

9. Central Market

If shopping is one your list of fun things to do in San Jose, Costa Rica then this market would be perfect for you. You can get a huge variety of local items, but be prepared to bargain for the price. You would need about an hour in this market.

10. Orosi River Valley (El Valle del Rio Orosi)

This river valley is great for exploring nature and enjoying some outdoor activities when you visit San Jose. One of the biggest attractions of this river valley is white water rafting. You would need at least half a day for the valley and to enjoy some of the best things to do in San Jose as far as outdoor adventures are concerned.

I suggest you should book a Day Trip to Orosi Valley with Irazu Volcano National Park.

Things to do in San Jose, Costa Rica

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in San Jose

Museo del Jade
National Museum of Costa Rica
Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
Children’s Museum
Museum of Costa Rican Art
Natural Science Museum La Salle
Costa Rican Center of Science & Culture
Metropolitan Cathedral of San Jose
Historical Museum of Dr Rafael Angel Calderon
Galeria Namu
The Yellow House
Iglesia de la Merced
CENAC
Iglesia de la Soledad
Museu de Insectos
Museo Histórico Cultural Juan Santamaria
Fortina de Heredia
Museum of Popular Cultural
Cathedral of Alajuela
Edificio Correos
Church Vazquez de Coronado
Church of the Holy Christ of Agony
Granja Burros de Portal
National Theatre of Costa Rica
Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
Casa Amarilla

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in San Jose

Arenal Volcano
Spirogyra Butterfly Garden
Centro de Conservacion de Santa Ana
Cruz de Alajuelita
Cerro Pico Alto
Fossil Land
Cerro Rabo de Mico
Cerro Cedral
Ark Herb Farm
La Fortuna Waterfall
Hot Springs
Orosi River Valley
Tapanti National Park

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in San Jose

Parque la Sabana
Parque Diversiones
MADC
Importadora Monge
Parque Nacional Simon Bolivar
Parque Central San Jose
Parque Diversiones
Bocaraca
Casino Club Colonial
Casino Fiesta Heredia
Grand Casino Escazu
El Sapo y La Culebra
Ara Project
Balneario Ojo de Agua

Shopping in San Jose

San Jose Central Market
Mercado Borbon
Feria Verde
La Casona
Plaza Real Cariari
San Pedro Mall
Multiplaza Mall
Avenida Escazu
Avenida Central
Caballo Loco Boutique
Galeria Namu
National Craft Market

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in San Jose

Hiking
Trekking
River Rafting

Sightseeing in San Jose

Plaza de la Cultura
Plaza de la Democracia
Parque de la Paz
Parque Espana
Parque Morazan y Templo de la Musica
Okayama Park
Plaza Gonzalez Viquez
Parque Nacional
Plaza Juan Mora Fernandez
Estatua de Leon Cortes
Central Avenue
Hispanity Fountain
John F Kennedy Park
Campus Omar Dengo Garden
La Divina Comida
Itarar Ecological Park
Juan Santamaria Park
General Tomas Guardia Park

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in San Jose

Park Cafe
L’lle de France
Cafe de los Deseos
Raw co Juicery
Drano de Oro
Furca
Andiamo La
La Empanada
Kalu
Soda Tala
La Divina Comida
La Sorbetera de Lolo Mora
La Esquina de Buenos Aires
La Vasconia
La Bodeguita del Medio
Silvestre
Le Chandelier
Sikwa
Freddo Fresas
Al Mercat
Chubascos
Cafe de los Deseos
Bacchus
Chelles
Maxi by Ricky
Mantras Cafe
Gallo Rojo
Olio

Where to Stay in San José?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in San José. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in San José.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in San José

How to Reach San Jose?

By Air

The easiest option for San Jose travel is Juan Santamaria International Airport, situated about 17 kms away from the city center. The airport receives direct flights from Mexico City, Toronto, Paris, Panama City, Montreal, Los Angeles, Bogota, Guatemala, San Salvador, London, Zurich, Madrid, New York, Amsterdam, Lima, Frankfurt, Orlando, Chicago, Washington DC, and many more. You can get buses and cabs to reach all the places to visit in San Jose from the airport.

By Road

You can buses to visit San Jose from several cities from cities of neighboring countries. There are regular buses running from Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama and Nicaragua. Similarly, there are several trains running between several cities and connecting to San Jose.

By Water

Being a landlocked city, there are no direct water routes for San Jose travel.

Image Reference

National Theatre of Costa Rica (Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica) – Jose Conejo Saenz / PixaBay
Arenal Volcano (Volcán Arenal) – Frank Ravizza / PixaBay
National Museum of Costa Rica (Museo Nacional de Costa Rica) – Fespinozalemistre / Wikimedia Commons
Jade Museum (Museo del Jade) – Haakon S. Krohn / Wikimedia Commons
Pre-Columbian Gold Museum (Museo del Oro Precolombino) – Jan Helebrant / Flickr
Museum of Costa Rican Art (Museo de Arte Constarricense) – Diane Herr / Flickr
Metropolitan Cathedral of San Jose – Andy Rusch / Wikimedia Commons
Iglesia de la Merced – Rodtico21 / Flickr
Central Market – JHochstat / Flickr
Orosi River Valley (El Valle del Rio Orosi) – Joseph Dsilva / Flickr