Places to See in San Jose

Downtown San Jose is filled with city parks, plazas, historical buildings and museums.  There are several notable landmarks, churches and markets to visit too. 

It is also home to a number of popular tourist attractions - museums, art galleries, shops selling handicrafts, casinos, banks, malls and many fine restaurants and hotels.

An afternoon walking tour of the City will enable you to see many of San Jose's attractions.

Favorite attractions for Locals

Centro Comercial El Pueblo (El Pueblo Shopping Center)

You’ll find a large selection of shops, bars, restaurants and discos here - Bar Bongos, Twister Club, Restaurante Lukas, Restaurante Tarrico, Discoteque Cocoloco, Plaza Discoteque and more - located in Barrio Tournon.

The City of Escazu

You’ll also find a large selection of shops, bars, restaurants and discos here - Q’Tal, Bar Orale, Restaurante Turistico El Boyero, Centro Comercial Colonial, Sambuka Parrilla Bar, Veragua Bar & Restaurante, Le Monastère Restaurant & Bar, Restaurante La Cascada, Delmonico Restaurante and Cerutti Restaurante. Read More about Escazu

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Parque Zoologico Simon Bolívar

This park, located two blocks northeast of Avenida 11 and Calle 7, is home to a large variety of native Costa Rican wildlife.

The Amusement Park

Parque Nacional de Diversiones

Costa Rica’s only amusement park is located in La Uruca, 2km west of the Hospital Mexico.  Read More ...

Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park (in Turrubares)

Features a canopy tour, aerial tram, Superman-style sensational cable, butterfly garden, horseback riding, nature trails, bromeliad garden, iguana farm and restaurant.

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Nearby Places to See:

Within an hours drive from central San Jose are several  national parks and volcanoes:

Braulio Carrillo National Park

Irazu National Park

Poas Volcano National Park