San José

The vibrant capital and cultural heart of Costa Rica, home to leafy plazas, colonial architecture and a lively urban scene. Visit for its museums, markets, nightlife and as the gateway to the rest of the country.

Things to do

• Pre-Columbian Gold Museum — Explore thousands of glittering gold artifacts crafted by indigenous cultures beneath the Plaza de la Cultura.
• National Theatre of Costa Rica — Admire the country's most iconic neoclassical building with its marble staircases, frescoes and elegant café.
• Mercado Central — Wander the bustling maze of stalls selling coffee, spices, produce and cheap local eats since 1880.
• National Museum of Costa Rica — Learn the nation's history inside a former army barracks, complete with a butterfly garden and stone spheres.
• Jade Museum — See the world's largest collection of American jade alongside striking pre-Columbian ceramics and artifacts.
• Barrio Amón stroll — Wander this historic neighborhood of restored coffee-baron mansions, street art and boutique cafés.
• Parque Metropolitano La Sabana — Relax in San José's largest green space with lagoons, jogging paths and the Costa Rican Art Museum.

Food to try

• Gallo pinto — The national breakfast of rice and black beans fried together, typically served with eggs, tortillas and sour cream.
• Casado — A hearty lunch plate combining rice, beans, plantains, salad and a choice of meat or fish.
• Olla de carne — A comforting beef and vegetable stew loaded with yuca, plantain, corn and chayote.
• Chorreado coffee — Traditionally brewed Costa Rican coffee dripped through a cloth sock filter called a chorreador.
• Tamales — Corn masa filled with pork, rice and vegetables, wrapped in banana leaves and popular around the holidays.
• Granizado — A shaved-ice street treat drizzled with syrups and condensed milk, found near the Mercado Central.

Local customs & good to know

• Pura vida is a way of life — This phrase means hello, goodbye, thank you and all is well, so use it freely and warmly.
• Watch your belongings downtown — Pickpocketing happens in crowded markets and bus areas, so keep valuables hidden and stay alert at night.
• Addresses use landmarks — Ticos give directions by meters from a known point rather than street names, so learn key landmarks.
• Tico time is relaxed — Punctuality is loose socially, so expect a laid-back pace and don't rush interactions.

Nearby

• Central Market — 1 km
• La Sabana Metropolitan Park — 1 km
• National Theatre of Costa Rica — 2 km
• Jade Museum — 2 km