San José

Travel Guide

San José
San José
San José
San José
San José
Immerse yourself in Spanish language, culture and food and European architecture in this inviting Central American capital city.

European charm and Central American vitality combine to provide an interesting blend of old and new, making San José a fascinating Costa Rican city. Interact with friendly locals, investigate impressive European architecture, enjoy cultural arts and perfect your Spanish language skills.

Several of San José’s impressive public structures date back to Spanish settlement from as early as the 1700s. Experience some of the best of San José ’s cultural activities and see interesting buildings near the large Plaza de la Cultura. Here, admire the neo-classical architecture of the Teatro Nacional. Reserve seats for outstanding cultural events at this national theatre or tour the opulent interior decorated with murals, paintings and sculptures. 

Nearby, visit three exceptional museums. See dazzling indigenous pieces in the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. The Museo del Jade has plenty of jade as well as anthropological artifacts. Learn about Costa Rican history and natural science at the Museo Nacional, another example of striking architecture.

Costa Rica is a popular location for language learners looking for immersion in a Spanish-speaking region, either through formal training or casual interaction with local residents. Sign up for one of many structured programmes or test your Spanish skills in restaurants in the different barrios of San José. 

You’re sure to get a friendly smile if you order gallo pinto (rice and beans) for breakfast just as the locals do. When you need a break from Spanish, go to the restaurants and country clubs of the western Escasu barrio with many English-speaking expats or visit the relatively new Chinatown area. 

In March, the city hosts the Transitarte Festival. Enjoy pleasant summer weather and travel from one urban park to another to enjoy music, crafts, workshops and art.

Reach San José  via Juan Santamaría International Airport, 10 miles (17 kilometres) northwest of the city centre. Use public buses and taxis to get around the city. Many of the main landmarks are in the downtown or “el centro” area, easy to walk from one to another. 

Where to stay in San José

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La California

4/5(1 area review)

Check out the restaurants, shopping and museums while spending some time in La California. Though there might not be many attractions in the neighbourhood, you won't need to go far to find top spots like National Museum of Costa Rica or National Theater.

La California
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Carmen

While visiting Carmen, you might make a stop by sights like Asamblea Legislativa and National Center of Art and Culture.

Carmen
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Barrio Escalante

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Barrio Escalante and surrounding area, you can visit San Pedro Mall and National Museum of Costa Rica.

Barrio Escalante
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Mata Redonda

While visiting Mata Redonda, you might make a stop by sights like National Stadium of Costa Rica and Estadio Nacional.

Mata Redonda
San Jose featuring forests and mountains

Hospital

3.5/5(6 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Hospital, Central Park and Chirripo National Park are top sights worth seeing.

Hospital
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Catedral

If you're spending some time in Catedral, National Museum of Costa Rica and National Theater are top sights worth seeing.

Catedral
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto, Costa Rica
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto, Costa Rica
3.5 out of 5
Sobre Autopista General Cañas, Ulloa, Heredia
The price is RM409 per night from 4 May to 5 May
RM409
RM462 total
includes taxes & fees
4 May - 5 May
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly hotel in Ulloa. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,275 reviews)
"We stayed for one night prior to needing to be at SJO airport. The room was great... spacious, clean & comfortable. (Had a room with the bedroom upstairs). The staff was very nice. We used the airport shuttle, which was a convenient service. (note: shuttle runs during certain hours.) Very good breakfast. ..."

Reviewed on 16 Apr 2025

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto, Costa Rica
Radisson San Jose-Costa Rica
Radisson San Jose-Costa Rica
4 out of 5
Calle Central y Tercera Av. 15, Calle Blancos, San Francisco, San Jose
The price is RM511 per night from 17 May to 18 May
RM511
RM578 total
includes taxes & fees
17 May - 18 May
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Staff were all lovely but hotel is tired and in need of a face lift. Windows were really dirty too."

Reviewed on 13 Apr 2025

Radisson San Jose-Costa Rica
Wyndham San Jose Herradura Hotel & Convention Center
Wyndham San Jose Herradura Hotel & Convention Center
4 out of 5
Autopista General Canas, 3 Miles South of Intl Airport, La Asunción, Heredia
The price is RM410 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
RM410
RM463 total
includes taxes & fees
20 Apr - 21 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in La Asunción. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,687 reviews)
Airport arrival hotel
"A very convenient location for the airport. Comfortable beds and spacious rooms. We loved the swimming pools and hot tubs. The hotel restaurant was helpful after arriving from a late flight. Breakfast was vast and varied."

Reviewed on 14 Apr 2025

Wyndham San Jose Herradura Hotel & Convention Center
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Apartotel & Suites Villas del Rio
Apartotel & Suites Villas del Rio
3.5 out of 5
East side of Costa Rica Country Club, San Rafael, San Rafael
Book a stay at this family-friendly aparthotel in San Rafael. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (843 reviews)
"This was our second time staying here and we continue to like all that there is at this location."

Reviewed on 14 Apr 2025

Apartotel & Suites Villas del Rio
BEE Suites San Jose - Escalante
BEE Suites San Jose - Escalante
3.5 out of 5
San José, Barrio Escalante., San José, San José
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in San José. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (181 reviews)
"Perfecto para estar cerca de San Jose!"

Reviewed on 16 Apr 2025

BEE Suites San Jose - Escalante
Casa Conde Hotel & Suites
Casa Conde Hotel & Suites
3.5 out of 5
South-west of Peace Park, Suroeste del Parque de la Paz, San José, San Jose
Stay at this 3.5-star spa aparthotel in San José. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (831 reviews)
"I like it"

Reviewed on 16 Apr 2025

Casa Conde Hotel & Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of San José

3.8
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
5
5 - Excellent 21%
4 - Good
9
4 - Good 38%
3 - Okay
9
3 - Okay 38%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 4%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The Theatre was an amazing place to visit and eat and finished of with a fab Irish coffee, great staff too. Beautiful church and buzzing square. Didn't really have any more time to explore more, very friendly people. Apart from the taxi driver lol

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Really busy traffic. Driving is not for the faint hearted.

2/5 - Disappointing

Mikolaj

Not a city I would recommend you visit. Costa Rica is all about nature. San Jose is not pretty, does not have any proper cultural bits to visit. Don't waste your time!!!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

I love Costa Rica for the amazing abundance and diversity of its nature, and for the warmth of its people. But traffic choked and uninspiring architecture make San Jose far from my favorite Latin American capital city.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

We mostly used San Hose as a hub whilst travelling to see other parts of Costa Rica. The city may be up and coming but it is still very much a locals place. Some nice restaurants but you have to seek them out.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We stayed three times for five days in total as we used it as a central hub during our tour of Costa Rica, visiting six other locations. It has some great coffee shops and great little cafes. Go to the 1147 Cafe, Hotel Aranjuez, outstanding food.