top of page button
Travel Local/CC BY 2.0/Flickr (upscaled and cropped)

 Costa Rica is a unique Central American country nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. San José, the capital, holds diverse activities for visitors and has an exciting urban life with art galleries, parks, and a vibrant nightlife scene. The country is a worldwide-renowned travel destination praised for its abundance of wildlife, rainforests, volcanoes, beaches and national parks.

currency

1 ₡ Colón (CRC) = 100 céntimo
US Dollar is also accepted by many businesses

phone

911
Ambulance: 128
Fire: 118

newspaper

In English: Tico Times — ticotimes.net

Diario Extra — www.diarioextra.com
La Nación — www.nacion.com
La República — www.larepublica.net

hours

General opening hours are from 8 am to 6 pm, though some businesses close as early as 4:30 pm. Big shopping centres stay open until 9 pm. Note that many shops and museums might be closed on Mondays.

population

342,000 — the capital city
1.5 million — the urban area

info

San José Tourist Information Office
Located in the east side of Juan Pablo II bridge,
over the motorway General Canes, San Jose
Open Mon–Fri 8am – 4pm
+506 2299 5800

website

www.visitcostarica.com

Colourful houses in downtown of San Jose QArts/Shutterstock.com

The City

Boasting marvellous tropical wildlife and outdoor adventures, Costa Rica is truly a traveler’s paradise. Whether you want to explore a diverse fauna — with big wild cats, curious birds, and colourful fish — or to dive into the rainforest flora, this Central American paradise offers its visitors an outstanding glimpse of nature.

While the city of San José might contrast with its green surroundings, the cultural and political capital is well worth exploring. Among the grey buildings and the hectic urban life, you will find a number of art galleries, historic monuments, and market areas that will make your visit unforgettable.

San José is also a central travel hub with easy access to beaches, mountain hikes and natural parks.

Top 8 Attractions for Coffee Lovers

Coffee production has played a key role in Costa Rica's history and continues to be important to the country's economy. The volcanic soil, high altitudes, and good climate come together to create some of the best coffee crops in the world with its lively acidity, lighter body and smooth, sweet, floral flavours.

As a small country, Costa Rica now provides under 1% of the world's coffee production, so don't expect to find their coffee beans on just any supermarket shelf back home. All the more reason to explore the hyperlocal coffee culture, from farm to cup.

Don't miss the chance to visit local hipster joints for your third wave coffee experience while in San José. You can even take cupping classes to develop your palate! A farm visit is an absolute must for when you are ready to leave the city and explore the countryside.

Aumnuaysin Pookraksa / Shutterstock.com

Cafeoteca

Cherry b l o s s o m/Shutterstock.com

Alma de Café

Tarrazu/Wikimedia Commons

Aquiares Coffee & Community Experience

Brooke Cagle/unsplash.com

Cafe La Mancha

Austin P/unsplash.com

Dulce Junio Café

Saddymonster/Wikimedia Commons

Britt Coffee Tour

Serge Goujon/Shutterstock.com

Coffee Tour & Adventure

Behind the iron gate is the garden pathway into the National Theater in San Jose aceshot1/Shutterstock.com

Do & See

San José is home to great world-class museums, lush parks, hip hostels with pools and some seriously amazing restaurants. The most exciting neighbourhood of the city is Escalante — the hippest people are hanging out there. Besides having a vibrant urban life, San José is also the perfect starting point for day trips to many major destinations spread throughout the country. Hop on a bus and explore the local forest regions or a hike in the nearby mountains. The city's energetic and vibrant life and unique nature will make for unforgettable experiences.

Joe Ferrer/Shutterstock.com

National Theatre of Costa Rica

Rodtico21/Wikimedia Commons

Museum of Costa Rican Art

Andy Rusch/Wikimedia Commons

Metropolitan Cathedral of San José

fullempty/Shutterstock.com

Jade Museum

Marek Poplawski / Shutterstock.com

National Park

Ryan Jacobson/unsplash.com

Parque Francia in Barrio Escalante

Zdeněk Macháček/unsplash.com

Simón Bolívar National Zoological Park and Botanical Garden

alessen/Shutterstock.com

Pre-Columbian Gold Museum

Serge Goujon/Shutterstock.com

Coffee Tour & Adventure

Bernal Fallas/unsplash.com

The Pedestrian Central Avenue

LACSACR/Wikimedia Commons

La Sabana Park

Makistock/Shutterstock.com

Children's Museum

Michaela Kadlecová/unsplash.com

Bites and Sights Food Tour

Julia Kadel/unsplash.com

Cementerio General de San José

Peter Wollinga/Shutterstock.com

Spirogyra Butterfly Garden

Dudarev Mikhail / Shutterstock.com

Orosi River Valley

Manuel Oppel del Rio/unsplash.com

Meet the Sloths at Toucan Rescue Ranch

Collins93 / Shutterstock.com

Corso Lechería Tour

Rikin Katyal/unsplash.com

Arenal Volcano

Maricel Quesada / Shutterstock.com

La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Michal Sarauer / Shutterstock.com

Poás Volcano National Park

Štefan Štefančík/unsplash.com

The All-in-One Package

Typical Costa Rican vegetable plate sahana/Shutterstock.com

Dining

Rice, vegetables, black beans, and fruit (especially plantain) are the main ingredients of Costa Rica's gastronomy. As it is common in Central America, you will find a healthy and delicious variety of dishes. The city centre is filled with a good amount of small cafes, cozy restaurants, and lovely eateries where you can have a taste of the country's mouth-watering cuisine.

alekseigl / Shutterstock.com

Tin Jo

Ali Inay/unsplash.com

Saúl Bistro

Louis Hansel/unsplash.com

El Patio Del Balmoral

Bea Rue / Shutterstock.com

Sapore Trattoria

Louis Hansel/unsplash.com

Restaurante Jürgen's

Fredy Estuardo Maldonado / Shutterstock.com

La Tortillería de Luján

Patrick Le/unsplash.com

La Esquina de Buenos Aires

Leo Roza/unsplash.com

Machu Picchu

Coffee JIL Photo/Shutterstock.com

Coffee and Lunch

Cafes in San José are usually cozy and intimate, yet welcome everyone to a quick refreshment or an extended break on a busy day of sightseeing. You will come across plenty of places to grab an ice cream to eat as you stroll through the city, or just a small coffee shop to sit down and enjoy an afternoon snack. San José is one of the world's capitals of coffee, so don't miss out!

Maslova Valentina / Shutterstock.com

Café Miel Garage

Maksym Azovtsev / Shutterstock.com

POPS

Josie Grant / Shutterstock.com

Café Rojo

Aumnuaysin Pookraksa / Shutterstock.com

Cafeoteca

Paula Vermeulen/unsplash.com

Jardín de Lolita

Cherry b l o s s o m/Shutterstock.com

Alma de Café

Brooke Cagle/unsplash.com

Cafe La Mancha

Austin P/unsplash.com

Dulce Junio Café

Bars & Nightlife

From jazz cafes to dance clubs and beer pubs, San José offers visitors a diverse selection of nightlife entertainment. Experience the vibrant street life and an exciting music scene with events for every taste. Hangout with friends in the pub around the corner and head out to the hottest disco in town afterwards — you won't be disappointed with the Latin nightlife of San José.

momente/Shutterstock.com

Costa Rica Beer Factory Inc

Bochkarev Photography/Shutterstock.com

Bar Bahamas

Patrizia Tilly/Shutterstock.com

La Avispa — The Wasp

Vinogradov Illya/Shutterstock.com

El Sótano / Amón Solar

ne3p/Shutterstock.com

Antik Restaurant + Bar

bogdanhoda / Shutterstock.com

Stiefel Pub

Simon Maage/unsplash.com

San José by Night Tour

Ardian Lumi/unsplash.com

El Observatorio

Louis Hansel/unsplash.com

El Cuartel de la Boca del Monte

Shopping

Carvings from polished coconut wood, colourful bead bracelets, and handmade ceramics are popular souvenirs that you can bring home from Costa Rica. Jewellery and skilfully crafted woven fabrics that will delight your friends and family can be bought at the various markets in the city centre.

Hand-carved wooden figures, colourful hammocks and t-shirts with prints are among the most popular souvenirs from Costa Rica. You can pick them up at one of the many markets in the city centre or look for specialty shops in the area.

Engin Akyurt/unsplash.com

Mall San Pedro

Marissa Strniste

San José Central Market

Peter Bernik/Shutterstock.com

Feria Verde de Aranjuez

fizkes/Shutterstock.com

Plaza América

aceshot1/Shutterstock.com

Galería Namú

Jean-Philippe WALLET/Shutterstock.com

Holalola Gift Shop

Toomas Tartes/unsplash.com

La Casa del Montañista Outdoor Store

Egor Myznik/unsplash.com

Pura Vida Souvenirs

Deckchairs along Mal Pais coastline in San Jose Costa Rica RHIMAGE/Shutterstock.com

Tourist Information

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season, from mid-December to April — you'll get plenty of sunshine, ideal for exploring beaches. The forests, however, are not as lush this time of the year. The dry season is the most crowded and expensive time to visit.

The rainy season lasts from May to November, with incessant rain showers — it is the cheapest season to visit. During June and July, rain showers stop briefly and the forests burst with green foliage.

Address:

Email:

Phone:

Website:

More Information:

Passport / Visa

Costa Rica allows for visa-free travel periods up to 90 days to citizens from most EU, America, and Oceania countries. Before traveling, check Costa Rican visa requirements that apply to citizens on your country.

Address:

Email:

Phone:

Website: www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/planning-your-trip/entry-requirements

More Information:

Addresses

San José and other towns in Costa Rica use a rectilinear roadway grid. The roads going north and south are called calles (streets) while the ones going east and west are called avenidas (avenues).

Let's pretend that Calle Central is number 0. From there, calles count up by odd numbers to the east and even numbers west. Avenidas have odd numbers north of the pedestrian Avenida Central and even going south. Parque Central and Mercado Central (Central park and market) are usually at the centre of town.

Many addresses will be written down as Calle 4, Avenidas 4 & 6 — somewhere on the north-south street 4 between avenues 4 and 6.

However, many businesses will describe their location in relation to major landmarks. For example, Dulce Junio Café's address is "200 m Este De la Iglesia Santa Teresita y 25 norte, contiguo a Saúl Bistro, Barrio Escalante, San José" — that's 200 m from the Santa Teresita church and 25 m north, next to Saúl Bistro, Escalante neighbourhood.

Address:

Email:

Phone:

Website:

More Information:

Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría (SJO)

The Juan Santamaría International (SJO) airport is located about 17 km northwest of the city centre. Right outside the entrance, you will find local shuttle buses that take you downtown. The journey is usually inexpensive. If you prefer taxis, make sure to get a licensed "Taxi Aeropuerto". One journey is about 25 minutes and costs about 25 US$.

The most common bus you’ll see is the big red TUASA bus. The final stop of this bus is close to La Merced park.

Address: Autopista Bernardo Soto, Río Segundo, Costa Rica

Email:

Phone: +506 2437 2400

Website: sjoairport.com/en

More Information:

Public Transport

There is a good and inexpensive bus system in San José, as well as outbound buses to the rest of the country. Interbus and Gray Line Fantasy Bus will also take you to touristic places outside the city centre, but the fares are slightly more expensive.

If you are taking a bus between cities, be very mindful of your belongings. The bags are often stolen from overhead luggage racks. If anyone is trying to help you put your bag up there — they are very likely to grab it and leave at some point. If they go for your bag and you try to stop them, that's when you will be pickpocketed by their accomplices.

Address:

Email:

Phone:

Website: www.vacationscostarica.com/travel-guide/public-transportation

More Information: costa-rica-guide.com/travel/transportation/san-jose-bus-station-map

Taxi

Taxis in San José usually have a meter and are inexpensive. Official taxis are coloured in red or orange, and one km costs about 640 colones. It is strongly recommended to only use official taxis and make sure that the meter is ticking. Alternatively, use Uber or Didi. Note that exact street names are hardly used in Costa Rica so you better refer to some well-known places nearby.

As in many countries in Latin America, you want to know who is driving you so that they are less likely to scam you or drive off with your belongings. For your safety, do not take regular taxis — call for one or use a ride sharing app.

Address:

Email:

Phone:

Website: ticotimes.net/2021/09/19/taxis-costa-rica-ultimate-guide

More Information:

Post

There are several post offices spread throughout San José. One of the main branches is located on Via 204.

The Telegraph and Post Office building dates all the way back to 1917 and is located close to La Merced park (officially known as Braulio Carrillo Colina Park).

Address: Correos de Costa Rica, Calle 3, Avenidas 1 & 3, San José, Costa Rica

Email:

Phone:

Website: www.correos.go.cr

More Information:

Pharmacy

There are three major chains of pharmacies in Costa Rica that sell medicine as well as personal hygiene products:

Fischel
In front of the Correos de Costa Rica (Central Post Office), San José, plus many other locations in the country.
+506 2248 1682

Farmacia Sucre
Plaza de la Democracia, the Sauter building, on the corner of Calle 11 Avenida Central
+506 2248 9302

Farmacia La Bomba
Calle 1, Avenida Central, close to the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
+506 4001 3647

Address:

Email:

Phone:

Website: costaricabestride.com/how-are-pharmacies-in-costa-rica

More Information:

Telephone

Country Code: +506

Area Code: 22

Address:

Email:

Phone:

Website:

More Information:

Electricity

Costa Rica uses 110 volt, 60 cycle electricity. The plugs are typically the 2-pronged flat type common in North America and some Asian countries.

Address:

Email:

Phone:

Website:

More Information: