San José

Travel Guide
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 theater 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 programs 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 kilometers) northwest of the city center. 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(25 area reviews)

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

La California
Passing by 3rd Street.  Loved the art

#travel #trip #outdoors #streetart #getaway #phototravelers #traveler #costarica #art&color #sign

Carmen

If you're spending some time in Carmen, National Park and Morazan Park are top sights worth seeing.

Carmen
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Barrio Escalante

5/5(2 area reviews)

Barrio Escalante might not have many top sights, but San Pedro Mall and National Museum of Costa Rica are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Barrio Escalante
central american games

Mata Redonda

If you're spending some time in Mata Redonda, National Stadium of Costa Rica and Estadio Nacional are top sights worth seeing.

Mata Redonda
San Jose showing mountains and forests

Hospital

4/5(67 area reviews)

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

Hospital
The latest war facility in Costa Rica, ironically where the army wa abolished in 1948. #sky #clouds

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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥15,402 per night from Nov 15 to Nov 16
¥15,402
¥17,404 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 15 - Nov 16
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! (1,853 reviews)
"Staff was amazing!!"

Reviewed on Nov 3, 2024

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto, Costa Rica
Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport
Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport
3 out of 5
Hwy 1 Airport Blvd, Rio Segundo
The price is ¥17,473 per night from Nov 19 to Nov 20
¥17,473
¥19,744 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 19 - Nov 20
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Rio Segundo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,191 reviews)
"Nice room. friendly staff. Bar tender was great. Front desk personal were wonderful. Shuttle driver great. Front doorman lent my wife an umbrella. Breakfast was very good,"

Reviewed on Nov 1, 2024

Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport
Hilton Garden Inn San Jose Airport City Mall
Hilton Garden Inn San Jose Airport City Mall
3.5 out of 5
Francisco J. Orlich Road, Alajuela, Alajuela
The price is ¥17,356 per night from Nov 17 to Nov 18
¥17,356
¥19,612 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 17 - Nov 18
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Alajuela. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (716 reviews)
"Clean, comfortable and roomy. Attached to a mall with many food options, and a 2 minute shuttle ride to the airport. Perfect place for the night before an early morning flight."

Reviewed on Oct 28, 2024

Hilton Garden Inn San Jose Airport City Mall
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! (760 reviews)
"Villas del Rio is very well managed--I can't say enough about how good their staff is and the facilities are really nice as well. I've seldom been this satisfied with a hotel stay, but they were outstanding! I just had the basic one-bedroom booking, but still it was like a small apartment. Don't ..."

Reviewed on Nov 3, 2024

Apartotel & Suites Villas del Rio
BEE Suites Escalante
BEE Suites 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! (152 reviews)
Great place
"Great place"

Reviewed on Oct 29, 2024

BEE Suites Escalante
Hotel Residence Inn Suites Cristina
Hotel Residence Inn Suites Cristina
3.5 out of 5
300 meters north ICE building, Sabana Norte, San José, San Jose
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly aparthotel in San José. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (651 reviews)
"I like the free breakfast and cleanliness of the hotel and I also feel safe the hotel. Like our two room like an apartment."

Reviewed on Sep 7, 2024

Hotel Residence Inn Suites Cristina
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

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Reviews of San José

4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
309
" "5 - Excellent 28.55822550831793%
4 - Good
483
" "4 - Good 44.63955637707948%
3 - Okay
235
" "3 - Okay 21.719038817005547%
2 - Disappointing
37
" "2 - Disappointing 3.4195933456561924%
1 - Terrible
18
" "1 - Terrible 1.6635859519408502%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful, friendly city. I could totally live there.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

The place has little charm and horrible traffic, but there is a much better chance you can find what you're looking for (from a consumer perspective) than in any other part of the country, IF you know where to look

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

safe,. very friendly people, many english speakers and helpful with my spanish, good mix of stores and especially great food, good prices. great park for walking. no major freakouts re; corona virus.great dental work@ 1/3 u.s. price!! dr bonilla.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

is a city like many others good with bad

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

A generally shabby, very noisy town with precious few architectural attractions blessed by extremely friendly people, at least if one speaks Spanish, its 1,100-metre altitude and mountain surroundings (although these are, sadly, all-but-denuded).

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

the city itself was not that great. we went to other areas away from San Jose.

Cities near San José