About San Jose
San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, and the capital of San José Province. It is in the center of the country, in the mid-west of the Central Valley. San José is Costa Rica's seat of national government, focal point of political and economic activity, and major transportation hub. San José is simultaneously one of Costa Rica's cantons, with its municipal land area covering 44.62 square kilometers and having within it an estimated population of 352,381 people in 2022. Together with several other cantons of the central valley, including Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago, it forms the country's Greater Metropolitan Area, with an estimated population of over 2 million in 2017. The city is named in honor of Joseph of Nazareth.
Places to visit in San Jose
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National Theatre of Costa Rica
LandmarkAn ornate nineteenth-century theater with marble staircases and painted ceilings, the city's most elegant building. Take a guided tour or attend a performance, and stop at the cafe inside for coffee.
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Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
MuseumAn underground museum beneath the Plaza de la Cultura displaying hundreds of gold objects made by Indigenous peoples. The same building houses a coin museum, so allow time for both.
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National Museum of Costa Rica
MuseumA national history museum in a former army barracks still marked by bullet holes, with a butterfly garden at the entrance. The building symbolizes the country's 1948 abolition of its army.
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Poás Volcano
Nature · 21 mi from centreAn active volcano with one of the world's largest craters, often holding a steaming acidic lake. Reserve your entry online in advance and arrive early, before clouds roll in and hide the crater.
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Irazú Volcano
Nature · 16 mi from centreCosta Rica's highest volcano, with several craters, one containing a green lake. On clear mornings you can sometimes see both the Pacific and Caribbean, so bring warm layers for the chilly summit.
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La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Nature · 19 mi from centreA private nature park with trails past a series of waterfalls, plus hummingbird and butterfly gardens. It pairs easily with a morning visit to Poás Volcano, which is nearby.
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Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels
Religious · 12 mi from centreA large basilica in Cartago housing a small statue of the Virgin that is the country's most important pilgrimage site. Dress respectfully, and visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
Things to do in San Jose by type
48 tours, tickets and experiences across 7 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Outdoor activities & Adventure 14 experiences Adventure Cambo: Canopy and Horseback Riding -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 10 experiences Arenal Volcano and Baldi Hot Springs from San Jose -
City tours 4 experiences Doka/Grecia/Sarchi/Oxcart factories and stores. -
Art & culture 3 experiences Explore San Jose - Panoramic VIP City Tour -
Gastronomy & nightlife 3 experiences San Jose Bites and Sights Tour -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 2 experiences La Paz Waterfall Gardens with Lunch - Ticket -
Day Trips & Excursions 2 experiences San José city tour
- 1-3 hours 4
- Flexible 4
- Over 6 hours 3
- 3-6 hours 3
- Youth 10
- Couples 9
- Families 9
- Senior 8
- Families with kids 1
- Adult only 1
- Private 1
Top experiences in San Jose
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 48 available.
Tortuga Island Tour From San Jose
From $135 per adult
Rainforest Adventures Braulio Carrillo - 6 in 1 Tour with Transfer from San Jose
From $160 per adult
Explore San Jose - Panoramic VIP City Tour
From $80 per adult
Rainforest Adventures Braulio Carrillo Aerial Tram Tour
From $84 per adult
Rainforest Adventures Braulio Carrillo Aerial Tram Tour with Transfer from San Jose
From $126 per adult
San Jose Bites and Sights Tour
From $99 per adult
Irazú Volcano from San Jose
From $94 per adult
Rainforest Adventures Braulio Carrillo Canopy Tour with Transfer from San Jose
From $106 per adult
San José by Night Tour
From $70 per adult
Rainforest Adventures Braulio Carrillo - 6 in 1 Tour
From $119 per adult
Rainforest Adventures Braulio Carrillo Zipline Tour
From $65 per adult
Frog Watching - Night Tour
From $45 per adult
Best time to visit San Jose
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit San Jose is January to March, when average daytime highs are around 79–83°F and rain falls on about 7 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
San Jose weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 80° 64° 100%
- Thu 22 Oct 80° 64° 100%
- Fri 23 Oct 78° 64° 100%
- Sat 24 Oct 78° 64° 100%
- Sun 25 Oct 78° 64° 99%
- Mon 26 Oct 80° 62° 92%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Costa Rican colón (CRC)1 US dollar ≈ ₡454
- Language
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +506
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/Costa_RicaUTC−6
- Capital
- San José
Upcoming public holidays in Costa Rica
- Army Abolition DayDía de la Abolición del Ejército
- Christmas DayNavidad
- New Year's DayAño Nuevo
- Maundy ThursdayJueves Santo
- Good FridayViernes Santo
- Juan Santamaría DayDía de Juan Santamaría
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to San Jose
These are the airports closest to central San Jose. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- SYQ Tobías Bolaños International Airport4 mi (7 km) from the city centre
- SJO Juan Santamaría International Airport10 mi (16 km) from the city centre
Getting around San Jose
Public transport system includes buses, various administrations have mulled some type of light rail for the city but as of mid 2018 there has been nothing more than talks on the subject. Bus lines, maps, schedules and ticket prices are available on Moovit. This is the preferred bus navigation app among locals.
By taxi
Taxis are moderate to fairly expensive in price; all taxis should have a meter. To go from the airport to somewhere in the city typically costs ₡5000-₡20000. Uber is popular despite being illegal throughout the country, and Uber costs significantly less than taking a taxi.
By bike
It is also possible to get around by bicycle in San José. If you want to buy a bicycle you find stores in Calle 6 / Av. 5 (Coca Cola) or south of "Avenida Segunda" on the corner or Av. 6 / Calle 4. In the south east corner of plaza Viquez you find a small bicycle store.
By car
The traffic lights don't have the yellow border around them and can be difficult to see. The city's road network is well utilized by locals (to overcapacity) so don't expect to get anywhere fast. On the other hand, motorcyclists delivering food weave in and out of traffic and travel quickly. If someone is driving you, make sure you clarify the location with that person before leaving, as locals are kind and might guess your intended destination in the hope of being correct.
San Jose travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit San Jose?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit San Jose is January to March, when average daytime highs are around 79–83°F and rain falls on about 7 days a month.
What is the weather like in San Jose?
March is usually the warmest month in San Jose, with average highs of 83°F (28°C). November is the coolest, with average lows of 62°F (17°C). The wettest month is typically June, with about 519 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to San Jose?
Tobías Bolaños International Airport (SYQ) is the closest airport, about 4 miles (7 km) from the centre of San Jose. Other nearby airports include Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO, 10 mi).
What currency is used in San Jose?
San Jose uses the Costa Rican colón (CRC). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ₡454.
What time zone is San Jose in?
San Jose uses the America/Costa_Rica time zone (currently UTC−6). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around San Jose?
Public transport system includes buses, various administrations have mulled some type of light rail for the city but as of mid 2018 there has been nothing more than talks on the subject. Bus lines, maps, schedules and ticket prices are available on Moovit. This is the preferred bus navigation app among locals.
What are the best places to visit in San Jose?
Top sights in San Jose include National Theatre of Costa Rica, Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, National Museum of Costa Rica and Poás Volcano. An ornate nineteenth-century theater with marble staircases and painted ceilings, the city's most elegant building. Take a guided tour or attend a performance, and stop at the cafe inside for coffee.
What are the top things to do in San Jose?
Popular experiences you can book in San Jose include Tortuga Island Tour From San Jose, Rainforest Adventures Braulio Carrillo - 6 in 1 Tour with Transfer from San Jose and Explore San Jose - Panoramic VIP City Tour. Destina Holidays offers 48 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in San Jose?
The most popular types of experiences in San Jose are outdoor activities & adventure (14), zoo, aquarium & nature (10), city tours (4) and art & culture (3). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
