Things to do in San José

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

A cityscape with a stadium, buildings, and mountains in the background.
A large stadium with a white roof and multiple tiers of seating.
A classical pavilion with a dome and columns, surrounded by trees and urban buildings.
A historic building with ornate architecture, large windows, and a flag.
A yellow building with a flag, steps, and a fence.

Things to do

Aerial Tram Experience: Rainforest Flyover & Nature Gardens

Braulio Carrillo National Park Aerial Tram Experience Pass

￥12,678
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Braulio Carrillo National Park Aerial Tram Experience Pass
San Jose: Central Market Bites and Sights Walking Tour

San Jose: Central Market Bites and Sights Walking Tour

￥4,836
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
San Jose: Central Market Bites and Sights Walking Tour
ISLA TORTUGA DESDE SAN JOSÉ

ISLA TORTUGA DESDE SAN JOSÉ

￥21,943
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
ISLA TORTUGA DESDE SAN JOSÉ
San Jose by Night: Small Group Food and Culture Tour with Dinner

San Jose by Night: Small Group Food and Culture Tour with Dinner

￥10,273
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
San Jose by Night: Small Group Food and Culture Tour with Dinner
Manuel Antonio National Park from San José

From San José: All-Inclusive Manuel Antonio Park & Beach Day

￥21,943
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
From San José: All-Inclusive Manuel Antonio Park & Beach Day
Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose

Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose

￥26,819
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose
Alajuela: Coffee Plantation Guided Tour with Tasting

Alajuela: Coffee Plantation Guided Tour with Tasting

￥5,689
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Alajuela: Coffee Plantation Guided Tour with Tasting
From San José: Hots Springs, Arenal Volcano view with Lunch

From San José: Hots Springs, Arenal Volcano view with Lunch

￥21,943
per adult
72% of travellers recommend
From San José: Hots Springs, Arenal Volcano view with Lunch
San Jose By Night: Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktail Class

San Jose By Night: Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktail Class

￥7,964
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
San Jose By Night: Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktail Class
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Most popular activities in San José

Tours & day trips

See all 285 activities
Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose

Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose

Activity duration is 14 hours
9.4 out of 10 with 210 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥26,814 per adult
Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San JoseOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 91 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 34 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥12,676 per adult
Braulio Carrillo National Park Aerial Tram Experience PassOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 75 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 ￥32,990 per adult
Arenal Volcano and Baldi Hot SpringOpens in new tab

Water activities

See all 35 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 55 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥17,876 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 23 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥5,688 per adult
Alajuela: Coffee Plantation Guided Tour with TastingOpens in new tab

What to do in San José

Stay near popular San José attractions

A cityscape with a stadium, residential areas, and mountains in the background.

Sabana Park

8.8/10 (1,549 reviews)
This urban oasis serves as San José's green lungs with tree-lined paths and an artificial lake. Explore the Costa Rican Art Museum within the park or join locals for weekend sports on the expansive fields.
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Where to stay in San José

Find the best San José areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about San José
Learn more about San José
A cityscape with a mix of residential and commercial buildings, a prominent stadium, and mountains in the background.

Amón

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

A large stadium with a metal framework and rows of seats.
Photo by Garrett Britton
Open Photo by Garrett Britton

La Sabana

If you're spending some time in La Sabana, Sabana Park and National Stadium of Costa Rica are top sights worth seeing.

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 neighborhood, you won't need to go far to find top spots like National Museum of Costa Rica or National Theater of Costa Rica.

A cityscape with a prominent modern skyscraper, a mix of residential and commercial buildings, and a mountainous backdrop.

Barrio Escalante

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.

A busy urban street with a large historic building with a green roof and columns.

Merced

While visiting Merced, you might make a stop by sights like Mercado Central and Mercado Borbón.

Popular day trips from San José

A lush green valley with a lake and a mountain in the background.

Alajuela

A panoramic view of a city with a winding road, dense residential areas, and a backdrop of hills under a dramatic sunset sky.

Escazu

A rural landscape with green fields, a white fence, and houses in the background.

Heredia

A cityscape under a stormy sky.

Santa Ana

A suspension bridge surrounded by dense forest.

Patarra

A mountainous landscape with a city in the valley, lush greenery, and a clear sky.

Tarbaca

A mountainous landscape with a town nestled in the valley.

Tres Rios

A cityscape with a mountain in the background under a cloudy sky.

Ciudad Colon

Frequently asked questions

Is San José worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in San José is visit National Theater. 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 Theater 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 Theater, Refugio Animal de Costa Rica and Museo Homenaje Joaquín García Monge with a three-day getaway in San José. On average, many travelers 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 neighborhoods and major sights within walking distance of the city center, San José is a good destination to visit on foot. Wander between National Theater and Museo Homenaje Joaquín García Monge. Then take a stroll through Carmen, located 2 kilometers from downtown, and Uruca, which is roughly 3 kilometers 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 neighborhoods, parks and other attractions you can experience without reaching into your pocket. Sabana Park is one place that doesn't charge an entrance fee.

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