Things to Do in San Jose

Discover San Jose on our travel blog

San Jose is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with many amenities and interesting things to do. Everyday needs are met by the city's wealth of shopping malls, Internet cafes, department stores, restaurants, universities and small shops. For more touristy pursuits, visitors can visit San Jose's museums, statues, landmarks and churches, learning more about Costa Rica's history and culture with every stop.

If you crave city culture and a look into San Jose's soul, a stop at the Central Market will do the trick. The bright yellow facade houses everything from typical cooking implements and recipe ingredients to colorful hammocks, handmade goods and fresh, typical home cooking. You'll find yourself surrounded by real Costa Ricans as well as tourists, all looking for great deals and something to fill their stomachs.

San Jose's daytime activities are eclipsed every night by the lively nightclubs and packed bars that dot the city's center. For a cold glass of Costa Rica's favorite beers – Imperial and Pilsen – and a rousing game of soccer on the television, head to one of the city's many sports bars (in truth, the challenge is to find a bar that doesn't have soccer on the screen). For dancing, swing to be beats of traditional merengue, salsa and cumbia music, jam out at one of the city's hip rock clubs or lose yourself in modern techno and trip hop.

Without a doubt, San Jose is the center of Costa Rica's art, culture and entertainment scene. So if you want a taste of Costa Rican life, this is the place to start.

San Jose Highlights:

Downtown Landmarks
Churches
Museums
Plazas
Parks
Theaters

Nearby Things to Do:

Canopy Tours (zip lines and aerial trams)
Bungee Jumping
Coffee Tours
Whitewater Rafting & Tubing