Cover Photo © iStock /E_Rojas
Cover Photo © iStock /E_Rojas

Planning a trip? Build a personalized plan with Maya - your AI travel assistant by Live the World

Chat with Maya

Stroll around downtown San José: Create your own tour!

5 minutes to read

Travel Tips For San José

Get personalized advice based on this article from AI assistant Maya
Get the most authentic Cities experience. Check out these guided tours and skip-the-line tickets around San José.
If you use the above links, you pay the same price and we get a small commission - thanks for your support!

San José welcomes foreigners and tourists. Depending on how much time you have and, of course your interests, San José is fascinating. If you have only a short time in San José, a stroll downtown will give you a “feel” for the city.  Create your own tour! Consider starting at the Cultural Plaza.

Not all who wander are lost…

San José is a city full of hustle and bustle. At times it even seems to transform itself daily.  If you wander, you will discover old and new, poor and rich, public and private, residential and commercial all woven together to form the central fabric of the city. While the main design stays more or less constant, San José’s patterns change with the tropical seasons, people, and traffic flows.

© iStock/Rainer Lesniewski
© iStock/Rainer Lesniewski

Like most urban centers anywhere, it’s important to be observant while walking. Be careful not to wander into isolated areas. San José is colorful and energized; vibrant with an impressive variety of enterprising entrepreneurs on nearly every corner.

La Plaza de la Cultura (The Cultural Plaza)

At the heart of San José, La Plaza de la Cultura is a good starting point for any stroll around San José. Here you will begin to get a sense of the city; its current culture and history.  The Plaza is alive with passersby, young and old, people of many professions and students.

There’s often captivating entertainers.  On weekends especially, you're likely to see a musician or juggler. If you just like watching people, this is the spot!  Kick back and enjoy a refreshing coconut drink (called "pipa" in Costa Rica) or tropical fruit ice cream before you head off to explore.  By the way, in Costa Rica it’s best to have local currency (colones) for purchases; some stores and restaurants accept credit cards, but not always.

© iStock/Wittayayut
© iStock/Wittayayut
The Cultural Plaza, San José
The Cultural Plaza, San José
Plaza de La Cultura, Av. Central, San José, Costa Rica

El Teatro Nacional (The National Theater)

The star feature of La Plaza de la Cultura is The National Theater of Costa Rica.  Built in 1897, it is an official national monument even as it continues to host performances.  It’s often called “the gem of Costa Rican culture and architecture.” According to history, the National Theater was modeled after the magnificent Opera House of Paris. The introduction to culture begins at its entrance. As you enter its gates, you’re welcomed by statues of the world renowned artists: the German composer Ludwig van Beethoven and the Spanish dramatist, poet, and writer Pedro Calderón de la Barca.

© iStock/Repistu
© iStock/Repistu

Attend a performance by the Costa Rican symphony orchestra or take a tour to see the original hand crafted Belgian ironwork and the elaborate Baroque and Italian renaissance decor with its 22.5-karat gold leaf. Be sure to look up to marvel at the sparkling chandeliers, marble columns wrapped with bronze, and the still-beautiful ceiling mural. Painted in 1897 by Aleardo Villa, the ceiling painting is surely the most famous painting in Costa Rica.  It reflects equality among grateful farmers harvesting Costa Rican coffee. It truly portrays Costa Rican humility along with prevailing values of hard work for prosperity.  The precious woods in the grand theater came mostly from Alajuela. The antique red velvet seats are still preserved.

© Flickr/VictorC.
© Flickr/VictorC.
The National Theater (Teatro Nacional), San José
The National Theater (Teatro Nacional), San José
Avenida 2, calle1, San José, Costa Rica

The Gran Hotel of Costa Rica

The Gran Hotel of Costa Rica is directly across from the National Theater. Treat yourself to a pastry and a cup of richly aromatic Costa Rican coffee while you admire the stately interior. From the Plaza, you are just steps from the busy Avenida Central, a pedestrian boulevard (no cars), where you’ll find lots of shops and shoppers, cafés and restaurants, and street vendors. 

© iStock/Golden_Brown
© iStock/Golden_Brown

4 Museums are nearby

Close by are several museums to check out.  The precious collections on display in the Museo de Oro Pre Colombiano (Pre Columbian Gold Museum) and in the Museo de Jade (Jade Museum) are major attractions. The Museo Numismático (National Coin Museum) is also located in the same building as the Gold Museum.  It displays the currency and eventual minting history of Costa Rica, dating back to 1236, including coffee tokens. The Museo Nacional (National Museum of History and Culture) is nearby.  If you’re traveling with children (or even if you’re not!) a favorite museum for both Costa Ricans and tourists is the Museo de Los Niños (Children’s Museum). It's full of hands-on activities.

Gold Museum, Costa Rica
Gold Museum, Costa Rica
Bajos de la Plaza de la Cultura. Avenida Central. Calle 5 San José Centro San José CR 10104, Av. Central, San José, Costa Rica
National Coin Museum, Costa Rica
National Coin Museum, Costa Rica
Bajos de la Plaza de la Cultura. Avenida Central. Calle 5 San José Centro San José CR 10104, Av. Central, San José, Costa Rica
Jade Museum, Costa Rica
Jade Museum, Costa Rica
Calle 13 y 13 bis, Provincia de, Av Central, San José, Costa Rica
National Museum of Costa Rica
National Museum of Costa Rica
Cuesta de Moras, San José, Costa Rica
Children's Museum, Costa Rica
Children's Museum, Costa Rica
Avenida 9, Calle 4, San José, Costa Rica

Mercado Municipal de Artesania (San José Arts & Crafts Market)

Before you leave downtown or Costa Rica, be sure to save time to go to a souvenir market (Mercado Municipal de Artesania). Closest to the Plaza de la Cultura is the Arts & Crafts Market of San Jose, (sometimes called the Nacional Artisian's Market). Other popular places to buy souvenirs are Sarchi, Alajuela, Poasito, Cartago, Jaco Beach, and at most national parks

© Flickr/German Eduardo Moracena
© Flickr/German Eduardo Moracena
Municipal Arts & Crafts Market (Mercado de Artesania), San José
Municipal Arts & Crafts Market (Mercado de Artesania), San José
San José, Costa Rica, calle 5, avenida 6, costado Sur de la Plaza de las Garantías, San José, Costa Rica

2 Souvenirs most representative of Costa Rica

Two uniquely Costa Rican souvenirs to take back home are miniature ox carts (carretas) and delicious Costa Rican coffeeSarchi is the town known for its wood and ox cart craftsmen. These brightly painted carts are still hand painted with traditional geometric designs.

© Flickr/Strizich
© Flickr/Strizich

Coffee from the high volcanic mountain ranges of Costa Rica is my favorite souvenir gift. There are many quality brands with prices ranging from $3-5 for a half kilo. You can buy coffee at any grocery store. Or, you can purchase it directly from coffee producers when you take a Costa Rican coffee tour. I’ve given Costa Rican coffee as a gift to family, friends, and as diplomatic gifts to colleagues all over the world. Delicious coffee is a gift that’s always received with appreciation. Yours will be too.

© Rouxxcoffee.com/Roxana Rojas R.
© Rouxxcoffee.com/Roxana Rojas R.

A charm all its own, visit San José

San José is a city with its own charm and style. I hope you are intrigued to stroll around downtown San José and create your own fun tour.  The city’s colors, charisma and culture are constantly revealed in San José as well as through the people, parks, towns, and foods you explore as you wander.

Want to plan a trip here? Talk to AI travel assistant Maya.





The author

Susan Wesley-Vega

Susan Wesley-Vega

My name is Susan and I’m from the U.S., but have been living in Alajuela, Costa Rica for 15 years. I love discovering the specialness in every place I go. By writing about the fun and fabulous ecotourism hotspots in my adopted country, Costa Rica, I hope to inspire you to come and see for yourself!

Plan a trip with Maya - your AI travel assistant

Chat with Maya

Stories you might also like