What to do in San Jose, Costa Rica?

Although Costa Rica is promoted worldwide for its natural beauty and not necessarily for its urban areas, San Jose, the capital, also has some very interesting things to offer tourist who travels for business or vacations and have some time to enjoy the city.

Whether you are interested in cultural sites, gastronomy, or simply getting to know a little about Tico culture, in San Jose you will find all that, and much more.

Here are some ideas of what to do in San Jose, Costa Rica, if you are traveling for business or vacations and have a few days or a few hours to spend in the capital:

1. San Jose’s cultural landmarks:

National Museum of Costa Rica

Located in front of the Plaza de la Democracia, the National Museum of Costa Rica is housed in an old building that once served as a fort and headquarters of the country's armed forces. Today, it's a cultural attraction that you cannot miss, especially if you are interested in learning about the rich history of this country from pre-Columbian times to the present day. Among the many things you will see in the museum are the famous pre-Columbian spheres- petrospheres found in the south of Costa Rica- considered unique in the world for their number, size, and perfection.

 The Jade Museum of Costa Rica

This museum is located in front of the National Museum, on the other side of the Plaza de la Democracia, and is considered a historical, archaeological, and cultural museum. It houses an archaeological collection made up of a wide range of ceramic, bone, wood, shell, and stone artifacts, but its main attraction is the enormous amount of archaeological pieces made with semi-precious stones. In fact, the Jade Museum of Costa Rica has the largest collection of jade pieces in the world, which makes the visit very interesting.

In addition to the permanent collections, the museum has various temporary exhibition halls, where works and collections of great masters of art are regularly exhibited, including names such as Van Gogh, Goya, Rembrandt, Cézanne, and Picasso.

 The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum:

The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum is a historical, archaeological, and cultural museum located beneath the Plaza de la Cultura, in the heart of San Jose. The museum's impressive underground building houses an extraordinary collection of pre-Columbian gold artifacts. These artifacts reflect the worldview, social structure, and goldsmithing of the pre-Columbian peoples who formerly occupied Costa Rica.

In addition to the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, the building is also the permanent headquarters of the collections belonging to the Central Bank of Costa Rica. The Jaime Solera Bennet Numismatic Museum is also housed here. If you have some free time to stroll around San Jose, this museums are definitely worth a visit.

The National Theater:

After visiting the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, located in the Plaza de la Cultura, you can find the National Theater; an impressive neoclassical building built in 1897. It is considered one of the most important buildings in Costa Rica's history and the main architectural jewel of the city of San Jose. Its construction holds profound meaning, as it represents the decision of a mostly peasant population that dreamed of a great, stable, and economically growing country through the production of coffee. This beautiful venue, often compared to the Paris Opera, promotes performing arts of high artistic and cultural level. The National Theater offers guided tours in different languages, where you can learn about its history and enjoy its architecture. Additionally, it has a cafeteria where you can have coffee in honor of the precious crop that made its construction possible.

Museo Nacional de Costa Rica.

2. Popular Culture of San Jose:

Now that you know some of the most important cultural landmarks of the city, we are going to give you some ideas to experience a bit more of the popular culture of San Jose. Let's start with the Central Market...

The Central Market:

It is one of the most vibrant spots in the capital, with vendors offering fresh produce, clothing, meats, handicrafts, and souvenirs. A place where tradition mixes with modernity. Here you can try some of Costa Rica’s typical dishes and the famous sorbetera ice creams. It is a world of flavors and smells that will not disappoint you. The only advice is to go without flashy items, such as jewelry, expensive cameras, etc. since it’s a highly crowded place, where there is a risk of drawing unwanted attention. However, if you take this word of advice, it is a place that you can undoubtedly enjoy safely.

Explore historic San Jose in Barrio Amon:

Barrio Amon is one of the oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods in San Jose, for its historic houses and charming streets. Here you will find art galleries, cafes, boutiques of national designers, and various restaurants, among others. Simply walking through its streets is a way of getting to know a historic and bohemian San Jose that is very different from the rest of the city.

Enjoy Barrio Escalante, a cultural legacy:

Barrio Escalante is an old residential neighborhood located just east of the city of San Jose. In recent years, it has become the cultural and gastronomic epicenter of the city. This small neighborhood brings together different aspects of the city's cultural legacy, including restaurants with diverse culinary offerings, shops featuring national designers, occasional street fairs, and diverse artistic expressions. It is a must-visit destination for any tourist looking to experience San Jose.

 It's time to plan your visit to San Jose

By now you have a better idea of what you can see and do in San Jose, Costa Rica. Of course, there are many other activities that can be added, but this is a good start. It doesn’t matter if your trip is for work or pleasure, San Jose has something for you!

If you want to discover other activities you can do in San Jose, we invite you to download the OTT travel app, which is totally free to use. Our travel app allows you to discover places according to your specific interests, create your itineraries collaboratively, and create the best routes in real-time. With OTT, create an effortless travel experience, tailored to your needs!