What to do in San José

Activities, attractions and tours

San José
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Edificio Metalico - an old school in the center of San Jose
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Most fun & popular experiences in San José

Tours & day trips

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Day Trip to Tortuga Island from San José

Day Trip to Tortuga Island from San José

Activity duration is 16 hours
8.4 out of 10 with 51 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿3,608 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

See all 80 activities
Braulio Carrillo National Park Aerial Tram Experience Pass

Braulio Carrillo National Park Aerial Tram Experience Pass

Activity duration is 2 hours
8.0 out of 10 with 33 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿2,558 per adult
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Private & custom tours

See all 69 activities
Arenal Volcano and Baldi Hot Spring

Arenal Volcano and Baldi Hot Spring

Activity duration is 10 hours
8.0 out of 10 with 16 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿6,658 per adult
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Water activities

See all 31 activities
Day Trip to Tortuga Island from San José

Day Trip to Tortuga Island from San José

Activity duration is 16 hours
8.4 out of 10 with 51 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿3,608 per adult
Day Trip to Tortuga Island from San JoséOpens in new tab

Classes & workshops

See all 23 activities
Alajuela: Coffee Plantation Guided Tour with Tasting

Alajuela: Coffee Plantation Guided Tour with Tasting

Activity duration is 2 hours
9.0 out of 10 with 22 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿1,148 per adult
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What to do in San José

Popular places to visit

Beautiful aerial view os the city of San Jose Costa Rica, and its main park The Sabana

National Stadium of Costa Rica

4.5/5(3 reviews)

Catch an event at National Stadium of Costa Rica during your trip to San José. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

National Stadium of Costa Rica
Estadio National and La Sabana Park. San José Costa Rica

Sabana Park

4/5(4 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Sabana Park, a lovely green space in San José. Discover the area's top-notch restaurants and its acclaimed art galleries.

Sabana Park
Parque Viva

Parque Viva

Learn about the events happening in Parque Viva during your trip to Guacima. Take in the festivals while you're in the area.

Parque Viva
Beautiful aerial view of the National theater in Costa Rica

National Theater of Costa Rica

4/5(8 reviews)

You can make plans for a show at National Theater of Costa Rica on your trip to San José. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or visit the shops in this vibrant area.

National Theater of Costa Rica
Parque Central de San José en Costa Rica

Central Park

4/5(1 review)

You can find out about the history of San José with a visit to Central Park. While you're in the area, wander around the parks.

Central Park
San Jose, Costa Rica, National Museum Building in historic city center

National Museum of Costa Rica

3.5/5(4 reviews)

You can spend time exploring the galleries in National Museum of Costa Rica in San José. Discover the fascinating museums and shops in this vibrant area.

National Museum of Costa Rica
Beautiful aerial view of San Jose City in Costa Rica

University of Costa Rica

4.5/5(2 reviews)

Enjoy the student vibe at University of Costa Rica during your visit to San José. Discover the fascinating museums and shops in this vibrant area.

University of Costa Rica
Beautiful aerial view of the Morazan Park in Costa Rica

Morazan Park

4/5(1 review)

Morazan Park is just one of the places to see in San José, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the top-notch restaurants and entertainment choices in this vibrant area.

Morazan Park

Multiplaza Mall Escazu

4/5(2 reviews)

During your visit to San Rafael, you can enjoy retail therapy at Multiplaza Mall Escazu. Amble around the area's picturesque gardens or seek out the local tours.

Multiplaza Mall Escazu

Where to stay in San José

Find the best San José areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about San José
Learn more about San José
La Sabana Park and Costa Rica National Stadium

Amón

If you're spending some time in Amón, Casa Amarilla and TEOR/éTica are top sights worth seeing.

Photo by Garrett Britton
Open Photo by Garrett Britton

La Sabana

While visiting La Sabana, you might make a stop by sights like Sabana Park and National Stadium of Costa Rica.

La California

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 Center of Art and Culture.

Aerial view of La Sabana Park, Costa Rica National Stadium and San Jose, Costa Rica Skyline

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 Center of Art and Culture.

Photo by Krystalvation
Open Photo by Krystalvation

Catedral

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

Day trip destinations from San José

Beautiful aerial view of the city of San Jose with view of the Sabana Park and the Stadium.

San Antonio de Belen

Beautiful aerial view of the Desamparados Church and park

Desamparados

Beautiful aerial view of the Santo Domingo Church in Heredia Costa Rica

San Joaquin de Flores

Frequently asked questions

Is San José worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in San José is visit National Theatre. Check this leading sight off your to-do list, then experience more of the area's history and dining.
How do I spend a day in San José?
After you've checked off leading attractions like Refugio Animal de Costa Rica and Museo Homenaje Joaquín García Monge, spend some time discovering San José's retail and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in San José?
National Theatre is one of the top tourist attractions in San José and deserves a place on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in San José?
You can easily tour leading attractions like National Theatre, Refugio Animal de Costa Rica and Museo Homenaje Joaquín García Monge with a three-day getaway in San José. On average, many travellers book two days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so stay a bit longer and check out Ciudad Cariari.
Is San José a walkable city?
With vibrant neighbourhoods and major sights within walking distance of the city centre, San José is a good destination to visit on foot. Wander between National Theatre and Museo Homenaje Joaquín García Monge. Then take a stroll through Carmen, located 2 kilometres from downtown, and Uruca, which is roughly 3 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in San José with kids?
If you're looking for activities and sights for all of your group, here are some great ideas for what to do in San José with kids.

What to do in San José for adults?
Whether you're a food lover, culture enthusiast or outdoor explorer, there are loads of things to do in San José for adults including Casa Amarilla and Asamblea Legislativa.
Are there free things to do in San José?
One of the top ways to find free things to do in San José is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on vibrant neighbourhoods, parks and other attractions you can experience without reaching into your pocket. Sabana Park is one place that doesn't charge an entrance fee.