San José
The capital in the Central Valley, at 1,150 metres: cool, busy and for most travellers a beginning or an end. Stay a day and you find the Teatro Nacional, the Gold and Jade museums and the markets.
What to see
National Theatre Landmark
The 1897 theatre, paid for by a tax on coffee; take a tour or a coffee in its café.
Pre-Columbian Gold Museum Museum
Over 1,600 pre-Columbian gold objects, beneath the Plaza de la Cultura.
Central Market Market
The covered market of 1880, for a casado at the counter and fresh coffee.
Jade Museum Museum
The largest collection of ancient American jade.
National parks nearby
- Irazú Volcano National Park
- Braulio Carrillo National Park
- Poás Volcano National Park
- Turrialba Volcano National Park
- Los Quetzales National Park
- Carara National Park
- Manuel Antonio National Park
- Tortuguero National Park
- Chirripó National Park
- Arenal Volcano National Park
- Marino Ballena National Park
- Tenorio Volcano National Park
- Cahuita National Park
- Palo Verde National Park
- Corcovado National Park
- Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park
- Santa Rosa National Park
Tours that go there
The classic in 15 days
from €2,450 p.p.
The Caribbean coast
from €2,100 p.p.
Turtles and whales
from €2,250 p.p.