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Theaters of San Jose

Teatro Nacional (National Theater)

National Theater

The National Theater, located on Avenida 2 between Calle 3 and Calle 5, was modeled after the art deco style of Paris’ Opera House. It is decorated with Belgian ironwork, Baroque and Italian renaissance flourishes and 22.5 karat gold leaf. Its construction was completed in 1897, and has only undergone one major renovation since, in 1991. In 1965, the National Theater was declared a national monument.

Legend has it that the theater was built after the world-renowned prima donna Adelina Patti refused to perform in Costa Rica, citing its lack of a proper theater. In the wake of this rebuff, Costa Rica's 19th century coffee barons commissioned the theater's construction, financing it with a small tax on every bag of coffee.

The 1,040-seat theater can be converted into a ballroom, using a 12-man manual winch that raises the entire floor to stage level. Its vaulted ceilings are decorated with detailed paintings of mythological deities and a large 85-light chandelier. The foyer and main lobby are decorated with paintings by classic Italian artists such as Vepasiano Bignami and gilded with real gold-leafed mahogany furniture. The floor was completely refurbished in 1940 using ten varieties of native Costa Rican hardwood.

The theater was finished in 1897 and inaugurated that same year by the French Opera Company, which was invited to help celebrate its opening.

National Theater Phone Number: 2221-1329

Teatro Melico Salazar (Melico Salazar Theater)

Melico Salazar Theater

The Melico Salazar Theater is located in front of the Central Park, at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Calle Central. The original theater was built in 1799, and once served as the municipal tenement house. An 1828 earthquake completely destroyed the graceful building, but it was soon rebuilt from its own rubble.

In 1849, Juan Rafael Mora converted the building into his main offices, and moved his army in. Traces of army presence are still evident today, and cannons have even been found hidden beneath the theater's floorboards.

In 1918, the building changed hands and purposes once again, becoming a school for boys. Unfortunately, a 1924 earthquake severely damaged its structural integrity, and it was soon vacated.

Jose Raventos purchased the property promptly. After removing the building's remains, Raventos began plans to build a theater elegant enough to rival Costa Rica's National Theater. A local architect drew up the plans, and the new structure was dubbed the Raventos Theater. The theater enjoyed years of success, hosting many operas, operettas and other entertainment. In 1967, a Dracula adaptation went wrong, and a raging fire destroyed the theater's interior. Soon after, San Jose's elite purchased and refurbished the theater, renaming it the Popular Theater.

In 1976, the theater's interior was completely renovated. Interested parties began to quarrel over the theater's new name, and many lobbied to rename it the Municipal Theater. Others suggested the name Melico Salazar Theater, after a famous Costa Rican tenor. The latter suggestion won out in 1980, and the theater has retained its prestigious name ever since.

Today, the Melico Salazar Theater boasts several works from the Spanish Museum of Art, a new third floor, a rebuilt stage, renovated Corinthian columns, cascading balconies, an orchestra dais and several other elegant touches. Theater season lasts from April through December, and 1000 guests are invited to enjoy each showing.

Melico Salazar Theater Phone Number : 2233-5424

Eugene O'Neill Theater

This is the third largest theater in San Jose, and often hosts performing arts shows from around the world. The small but elegant theater seats 314 guests.

Eugene O'Neill Theater Phone Number: 2207-7554

Cinema of Variedades

Located on Avenida Central between 1st and 5th Streets, this is San Jose's most famous cinema. Local tradesman Tomas Garcia founded the cinema in 1891, and from the start it welcomed traveling groups as well as local troupes.

In 1930, the cinema hosted Costa Rica's first movie, El Retorno. Since that historic showing, the cinema has continued to specialize in unique, vanguard and independent film screenings.

When the Melico Salazar Theater burned down in 1967, the Cinema of Variedades (the Vaudeville Cinema) gained in popularity, often filling its 185 seats during circus acts, magic shows and other artistic performances. Though the Melico Salazar Theater is now back in business, the cinema remains an important part of Costa Rican entertainment and culture.