10 BEST Things to do in San Jose, Costa Rica

Looking for the best things to do in San Jose? Then you’ve come to the right place!

While living in Costa Rica, we found many fun activities to do in the capital city from food tours to spotting wildlife. But San Jose also has another huge advantage: its central location! Day trips are a breeze with volcanoes, waterfalls, beaches, and tons of wildlife within reach.

To make it easy, we’ve rounded up the best San Jose experiences below. If you stick to these recommendations, we’re sure you’ll have a wonderful time in Costa Rica’s capital!

Best Things to do in San Jose

1. Take a Day Trip to Arenal Volcano

Located 90 km (56 miles) from San Jose, Arenal Volcano is a sight that can’t be missed in Costa Rica! But if you’re going all the way out to the volcano, you might as well hit up all of the other must-do activities in the area on this all-inclusive Arenal Volcano combo tour.

This tour will make sure you get the most out of your visit. It has over 3,100 5-star reviews that you can read here, so you can rest assured that it will bring you to all the must-see spots.

The day started with pick up from our San Jose hotel and from there, we were whisked away for a day of Costa Rican highlights, including a coffee plantation, La Paz Waterfall, San Fernando Waterfall, Centro Turístico Las Iguanas, Go Adventure Arenal Park and Paradise Hot Springs. If this is your first time visiting Costa Rica, this tour is a must-do because it helps you visit many of the top attractions without worrying about organizing it all!

I’ll say the photo ops at the waterfalls are incredible, and we especially loved ending our day in the hot springs surrounded by tropical gardens before heading back to the hotel. 

We loved this tour because it gives you more than two hours at Arenal Volcano, where you’ll enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch. Then, it’s time for the activity! Experience this looming volcano by ziplining through the rainforest and across the Arenal River.

It’s a full-day tour, and guides like Giovanni go out of their way to make it memorable. Tickets cost $179 USD and are even available for last-minute bookings!

Related Read: If this tour is sold out, don’t worry! We have a list of our all-time favorite Arenal Volcano tours from San Jose outlined here!

2. Eat Delicious Food

One of the first things I like to do when I arrive in a new country is try out some of the local food. Last time we were in San Jose we went on this foodie walking tour.

It lets you sample a wide variety of Costa Rican cuisine, from unique coffee to traditional tamales. You’ll get to visit multiple markets to taste (and make!) yummy treats. Plus, you’ll work up your appetite as you walk past some of the city’s top landmarks and learn some of the city’s history as you go.

Our tour started with visits to 2 local markets where we tried traditional empanadas and some new local fruits and veggies. After sampling our way through the markets, we visited some historical landmarks such as the Metropolitan Church, the ornate National Theater, and La Laguna Plaza.

The final stop was at a coffee shop, where we chowed down on tamales and learned how to make local food like tortillas, empanadas, and Pinolillo (a delicious corn and chocolate drink!).

This 3.5-hour experience was the perfect balance of walking and stopping to eat! It’s also pretty pocket-friendly at only $32 USD.

3. View Wildlife on a Walking Nature Tour

Attention animal and nature lovers! If you’re visiting San Jose, you must go on this 2.5-hour nature walking tour right in the city! It’s an amazing way to explore the abundant greenspaces in San Jose and see incredible local wildlife.

We started the walking tour on the University of Costa Rica campus, which has a large natural forest. We were led by a local biologist who was an expert in the flora and fauna of the area and knew exactly where to go to find the wildlife. We spotted a variety of tropical birds and even saw 2 sloths!

The best part was that our guide had a telescope so we could see the animals in the trees clearly. And with only 10 people max on the tour, it felt very personalized and we could ask all of the questions we wanted.

I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to learn more about Costa Rica’s natural environment without even having to leave the city. The tour is also super budget-friendly at only $35 USD and has 500+ 5-star reviews, so you really can’t go wrong!

4. Visit Manuel Antonio National Park

One of my favorite places in all of Costa Rica is Manuel Antonio National Park. It is located on Costa Rica’s central Pacific Coast and is home to a variety of wildlife, rainforests, and beautiful beaches.

You could easily spend multiple days in this area, but if you’re short on time I recommend doing this full-day tour from San Jose. The itinerary on this tour can’t be beat as it visits all of the must-do activities in the area, and even specifically times everything to avoid the crowds!

Some of the highlights include visiting “Crocodile Bridge”, an area where you view crocodiles in the river below from the safety of the bridge. Some of them are as big as 6 meters (18 feet)!

My favorite part of this tour is the guided hike through Manuel Antonio National Park where you will learn all about the biodiversity of the area while spotting a large variety of wildlife such as sloths, toucans, and squirrel monkeys (my personal favorite). After your walk through the rainforest, you will get to relax at the beach for a bit and go for a swim in the beautiful clear water.

This experience costs $169 USD which includes San Jose hotel pick-up/drop-off, transportation, national park fees, breakfast and lunch, and your knowledgeable guide.

We think this is a pretty great deal for all of the incredible experiences you get – just have a look at the hundreds of glowing reviews here. Oh, and make sure you book in advance because it’s popular!

Related Read: There are even more great tours to Manuel Antonio National Park. You can read our post about the top 5 ones here!

5. Explore the City on a Sightseeing Tour

If you’re hoping to get a feel for San Jose’s culture, we recommend taking this half-day city tour because it blends walking and bus transport. This way, you can visit more places versus solely walking tours – and you get air-conditioned breaks!

This tour gives a great overview of the city’s best sights, including top landmarks and beautiful buildings.

First up is the National Theater of Costa Rica, which has impressive architecture, marble, and intricate details! From there, it’s onto the Central Market to check out the fresh fruits, vegetables, and crafts. You’ll also have a chance to sit and chat about Costa Rica’s history at the Plaza de la Libertad Electoral.  

All the stops on this tour were great, but my highlight was the final stop at the Costa Rican Art Museum. It houses temporary and permanent exhibits that paint a picture of Costa Rica’s history and culture. My favorite part was the unbelievable Gold Room, with four walls full of gold carvings! 

The guide kept the bus rides engaging and fun, playing traditional folk music and sharing details of monuments on the way. Honestly, it was also nice just to rest our feet and have a break from the heat.

Tours run daily and cost $76 USD, which includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, a professional art historian guide, and lunch. We think this is such a great way to learn about the capital city of Costa Rica and really immerse yourself in the culture – Just check out all of the 5-star reviews here!

6. Snorkel on Tortuga Island 

There is nothing more ‘pura vida’ than Tortuga Island! This amazing island has incredible white sand beaches and crystal-clear water. You can spend the day on the sand, snorkeling (it’s one of the best places to go snorkeling in Costa Rica!), or even hiking one of the many trails through the forest on the island.   

Getting to the island from San Jose can be quite difficult by yourself as it involves a long bus journey and a boat ride, so we find it much easier to do this Tortuga Island day tour instead. It’s a long day, but there’s a big payoff with chill beach time and beautiful ocean views. 

Trust me, if you’re a beach person, this is the tour for you! We saw plenty of wildlife, including birds and even dolphins on our way over to the island. Plus, we got to snorkel, swim, and relax on the beach for about 5 hours.

The tour includes transport, all fees, lunch, soft drinks, and a shower/changing room (so you don’t have to be salty and sandy for the ride back!). Tours run daily and cost around $115 USD per person, which we think is a great deal for everything that’s included – just check out some of the great reviews here!

Note: If you are planning to spend some time in either Jaco or Montezuma, then I would just visit Tortuga Island on a day trip from either of these destinations – it’s much more convenient. In fact, a day trip to Tortuga Island is one of the best things to do in Montezuma.

7. Visit Poas Volcano

Poas Volcano is a very active volcano (40 eruptions since 1828!) located only about 1.5 hours from San Jose. It’s characterized by its acid-blue lake crater which is mesmerizing to see!

The easiest way to get to Poas Volcano is on this organized tour to Poas. Along with visiting the volcano, it also stops at a local coffee plantation and the La Paz Waterfall Gardens where you can see over 100 rescued animals at the wildlife sanctuary.

We love that this tour takes care of everything for you including hotel pick up and drop off. You also get 3 hours to spend at Poas Volcano to get tons of pictures and explore the surrounding trails. On top of all that, the tour also includes a delicious lunch all for only $165 USD.

Hot Tip: Try and pick a sunny day to go on this tour. Clouds can completely obstruct your view of the volcano – believe me on this, I once went and saw nothing but clouds! This is why we always book with Viator because they allow you to cancel or change your tour date up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund – which is definitely helpful if the weather forecast takes a turn for the worst!

Related Read: For even more great options to visit Poas Volcano from San Jose, check out our top 3 favorite tours here!

8. Go Ziplining!

For all of the adventurous travelers out there, this ziplining tour is for you! Located just outside of San Jose you will find the Carpintera Hills, which is the perfect place to go ziplining and rappelling!

On this 3-hour adventure tour, you will glide through the forest over the treetops between 19 platforms. It’s such a thrilling experience and the views are out of this world! You will also get to rappel down 130 feet (40 meters), which adds even more to the adventure.

It’s worth noting that there is quite a hike at the beginning of the tour as you make your way up to the start of the zipline course. I was a bit out of breath, but it should be accessible to anyone with a moderate level of fitness. Believe me, you will forget all about the hike as soon as you get on the ziplines!

The tour costs only $51 USD per person and runs daily. We think this activity should be a part of everyone’s San Jose itinerary – just look at all of these 5-star reviews!

9. Visit a Local Coffee Farm

No trip to Costa Rica is complete without diving into the country’s rich coffee culture! While there are coffee farms scattered throughout the country, one of the best day trips you can take is to Doka Estate—just an hour from San José.

This guided tour makes it all seamless. You’ll visit Doka Estate first, one of Costa Rica’s most respected coffee plantations. The tour walks you through every step of the coffee-making process, from bean to brew. You’ll learn about traditional growing and roasting methods, and of course, get to sample some of the freshest coffee around. Afterward, enjoy a Costa Rican buffet lunch on-site—it was hearty, authentic, and delicious.

The adventure doesn’t stop there. In Grecia, you’ll visit the town’s famous red metal church, a unique structure with soaring ceilings and stained glass windows. Then in Sarchí, you’ll stop at a local artisan workshop where colorful oxcarts are handcrafted using traditional techniques. Seeing the Guinness World Record-holding oxcart up close was a highlight!

This full-day experience includes all transportation and a knowledgeable guide. It costs $131 USD per person and operates with a minimum of four travelers. We highly recommend it for anyone wanting to experience Costa Rican culture beyond the capital. Just check out the great reviews here if you still need convincing!

10. Go Whitewater Rafting on the Pacuare River

If you feel adventurous and love water sports, you just have to go whitewater rafting on this rafting tour from San Jose!

Pacuare River is known as one of the top destinations in the entire world for whitewater rafting!

The spectacular surroundings mixed with the speed of the current (including multiple class IV and V rapids) through 129 km (80 miles), make it the top place to whitewater raft in all of Central America. So if you’ve been thinking about doing this, Pacuare River is the place!

To go whitewater rafting you will have to book a tour with certified guides. This full-day tour from San Jose takes you to the Pacuare River for $115 USD which includes round-trip transportation, meals, and your guide.

We think this is a pretty great deal for the memorable experience that you get – just look at all of these 5-star reviews!

BONUS ACTIVITY – Skip-the-line at La Paz Waterfall Gardens & Wildlife Refuge

I couldn’t leave out this one! The La Paz Waterfalls Gardens are one of the biggest private wildlife sanctuaries in the country and located only 45 minutes from San José. The main attraction here are the five stunning waterfalls which are accessible via paved trails.  

Our favorite tour here is this all-inclusive tour that provides skip-the-line access and a delicious lunch. Unlike some of the other combo tours that stop by the Gardens quickly, we love that this tour spends around 5 hours here so you can really enjoy it and see everything it has to offer.

This place is just amazing, it offers so much to see and makes for the perfect place to visit if you are on a family trip. One of my favorite attractions is the butterfly observatory. You will also be able to see jungle cats, sloths, monkeys, snakes, frogs, and birds in the ten different animal exhibitions.

The tour is $130 USD with transport, hotel pick-up/drop-off, skip-the-line entrance fees, lunch, bottled water, and a professional guide included.

Related Read: Choose one of these amazing hotels located close to SJO airport for a convenient stay!

Where to Stay in San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose is definitely not lacking when it comes to accommodation options! There are actually hundreds of hotels to choose from in San Jose, and most of them are extremely affordable! Below you’ll find our favorite options for each budget.

Grano de Oro Hotel – $$$

Want a more luxurious experience? Grano de Oro Hotel is right in the heart of San Jose and features an on-site gourmet restaurant, massage services, and a rooftop garden! The entire place is absolutely gorgeous, with vaulted ceilings and a beautiful interior design. You can walk to many of San Jose’s attractions, and you’re just a 15-minute drive to the airport.

Room rates start at $174 USD/night. For luxury in a great location, book the Grano de Oro Hotel right here!

Terrazas de Golf Boutique Hotel – $$

For a great mid-range option, Terrazas de Golf Boutique Hotel is absolutely stunning. The whole place is quiet, cozy, and clean. Each room provides garden or golf course views with a furnished balcony. They offer laundry, room service, and an airport shuttle for a fee – and they’re just a 10-minute drive to the airport. The staff are super accommodating and happy to answer any of your questions.

Prices here start at around $90 USD per night. For a relaxed and reliable choice, reserve a room at Terrazas de Golf Boutique Hotel online.

Costa Rica Backpackers – $

If you’re looking for a budget option in San Jose, I recommend Costa Rica Backpackers. This hostel has excellent ratings, is in a great location, and even includes an airport shuttle and swimming pool! They also have free coffee, a great on-site restaurant, and super helpful staff. The best part? Shared rooms start at $10 USD/person per night and a private room is only $30 USD a night. You can book your stay on Booking.com or through Hostelworld.com.

If you want to stay closer to the airport as opposed to in the city center, consider staying in Alajuela. This city is where the airport is actually located (connected with San Jose), and believe it or not, there are actually lots of fun things to do in Alajuela too!

Pura Vida!

Don’t just rush through San Jose when there are so many great things to do here! Day tours make it easy to visit some great nearby spots, like famous volcanoes, waterfalls, and adventure parks. But if you prefer to explore on your own, the city has tons to offer! Whatever you decide, we hope our guide has helped you find some fun activities.

To learn more about this country, check out our blog all about Costa Rica. We write about everything from location guides to the best tours in town. To get an idea, just click on one of the links below.

How to get from San Jose to La Fortuna

15 BEST Tours and Day Trips from San Jose, Costa Rica

BEST places to go scuba diving in Costa Rica