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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 the absolute best things to do in the capital city, from hidden gems to popular attractions. Read about them below!
Passing through big cities is always a part of travel. And if you’re traveling through Costa Rica, chances are you’ll be stopping in San Jose for at least a day or two. Prior to visiting, we hadn’t thought of San Jose as a top destination in Costa Rica. However, we were happy to learn that it’s a pretty safe city with diverse offerings and cool corners to explore.
San Jose also has another huge advantage: its central location! Day trips to other provinces are a breeze with volcanoes, beaches, and tons of wildlife easily within reach. And if you prefer to stay in the city, you have your pick of awesome restaurants, tours, and fun activities.
To make it easy, we’ve rounded up our favorite San Jose experiences below. Whether you join a tour or create your own itinerary, we’re sure you’ll have a wonderful time in Costa Rica’s capital!
Don’t have time to read the full article? Check out this list of our absolute favorite things to do in San Jose:
- Get close to amazing wildlife at the Toucan Rescue Ranch.
- Get your adrenaline pumping on Costa Rica’s best whitewater rafting adventure.
- Roam around the city and learn about its history on this sightseeing tour.
- Things to do in San Jose, Costa Rica
- 1. Explore the City on a Sightseeing Tour
- 2. Visit Poas Volcano
- 3. Go Whitewater Rafting on the Pacuare River
- 4. Eat Delicious Food
- 5. Explore La Paz Waterfall Gardens
- 6. Visit a Local Coffee Farm
- 7. Visit the Wildlife Rescue Center
- 8. Relax at Jacó Beach
- 9. Hike Irazu Volcano
- 10. Snorkel on Tortuga Island
- Pura Vida!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Getting Around Costa Rica
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in San Jose, Costa Rica
1. 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 sites, including the top landmarks and some 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 ogle all 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 little 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!
Check availability for this San Jose sightseeing tour here!
2. Visit Poas Volcano
Poas Volcano is a very active volcano (39 eruptive episodes since 1828!) located only about an hour and a half drive from San Jose city center. It’s characterized by its acid-blue lake crater, which is one of the world’s biggest craters. Seeing this huge crater with your own eyes is mesmerizing, and understandably, it’s one of the most popular day trips from San Jose.
If you want to get a nice view of the crater, pick a sunny day to go and get there as early as possible to avoid clouds that typically cover the volcano by late afternoon. This is very important because the clouds can completely obstruct your view of the volcano – believe me on this, I once went and saw nothing but clouds!
The easiest way to get to Poas Volcano is on an organized tour such as this 6-hour experience, which takes care of the transportation and even lets you skip lines at the volcano – which is a huge benefit! On top of that, you’ll also get breakfast, and your entrance fee is included in the $110 USD price.
Another great thing about a tour like this is that you’ll be able to learn about the geology and the crops grown in the area from your local guide. This makes it so much more interesting than if you were just to rent a car and visit on your own!
Read all of the 5-star reviews and secure your spot here!
Tip: For more info, check out our full guide on the best ways to get from San Jose to Poas Volcano!
3. Go Whitewater Rafting on the Pacuare River
If you feel adventurous and love water sports, you just have to go whitewater rafting while in Costa Rica! Pacuare River has its source in the province of Limón and flows into the Atlantic Sea while crossing a tropical forest. It 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 where you will go down class III and IV rapids. It costs $115 USD per person which includes round-trip transportation, breakfast, lunch, safety equipment, 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!
Check availability and book this tour online here!
4. 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. It really helps me feel immersed in the culture and way of life. Plus, San Jose has an emerging food scene and boasts a variety of unique restaurants and delicious foods just waiting to be tried!
Last time we were in San Jose we decided to try 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 tamal 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 $34 USD per person, including your awesome guide and all the food and drink samples. It runs 4 times daily at 9 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm making it super easy to fit into your schedule.
This tour has hundreds of 5-star reviews, so make sure to secure your spot in advance here!
5. Explore La Paz Waterfall Gardens
La Paz Waterfalls Gardens makes for a great day trip from San Jose because it is one of the biggest private wildlife sanctuaries in the country and is located only a 45-minute drive from San José airport. It also hosts five stunning waterfalls which are accessible via paved trails.
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!
If you cast a line or two at their Trout Lake and catch something you can enjoy a fresh-caught fish for lunch (which they will cook for you of course!).
The entrance ticket is $50 USD for adults and $34 USD for kids aged 3-12 years old, and the park is open from 8 am to 5 pm. If you don’t have a rental car, consider joining this full-day organized day tour from San Jose. The tour includes transport to and from La Paz from San Jose, as well as lunch and a guided walk to some amazing waterfalls and the hummingbird gallery, serpentarium, bird house, butterfly garden, and frog exhibit. You’ll see a lot more with your guide and learn a ton!
Check prices and availability for this tour online here!
Related Read: Choose one of the amazing hotels located close to SJO airport for a convenient stay!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
6. Visit a Local Coffee Farm
No trip to Costa Rica is complete without trying their worldwide renowned coffee! There are literally hundreds of coffee farms around Costa Rica, but some of the most famous are located only a short drive from San Jose.
Just a one-hour drive from San José you can go visit Doka Estate. You can book an organized tour if you’d like. Lunch is not included, but the farm has a butterfly garden, hundreds of bonsai trees, and also offers a sugar cane tour.
Another tour option that’s a popular day trip from San Jose is the Britt Coffee tour, in the province of Heredia, which is half an hour drive from San José. This tour includes transportation, lunch, and, of course, a coffee and chocolate tasting (which are some of my favorite chocolates in the world!).
If you are only staying a few days in San José, you can also book this tour which includes a coffee experience plus a visit to the Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens – that’s three of the best things to do in one! For all it includes, the price is very affordable at just $165 USD.
Check availabilty and book this combo tour online here!
7. Visit the Wildlife Rescue Center
Attention animal lovers! If you’re visiting San Jose, a trip out to the Toucan Rescue Ranch is something you must add to your itinerary! is an amazing way to see rare wildlife and make a difference by supporting a wildlife rescue center.
Located about 20 minutes north of San Jose, it is easy to get to and a great place for the whole family. You can drive yourself or take a bus or taxi, but keep in mind that reservations are required to visit.
Alternatively, you can book an all-inclusive tour of the sanctuary that includes both transportation and a ticket to the ranch for around $150 USD.
We love the convenience of the tour since you don’t have to worry about planning anything. Plus you get private transportation and a guided tour of the center, where you’ll see a variety of animals including toucans, sloths, monkeys, parrots, and owls.
You will also get to learn all about these amazing animals, as well as the sanctuary’s conservation and rehabilitation efforts. Not only is this a fun day out, but you will leave feeling as though you helped to make a difference by supporting the rescue center!
If you’re ready to get up close to some cool animals, check availability here!
8. Relax at Jacó Beach
One of the closest beaches to San Jose is Jaco Beach. It is a beautiful beach that is perfect for relaxing in the sand. The waterfront resorts reach right up to where the tide washes in and the skyline is breathtaking! The water is the perfect temperature for jumping in the waves and clear enough to see the fish swimming around.
Jaco Beach is also the perfect place to learn to surf.
It really is everything you would want on a beach and only about a 90-minute trip from San Jose. There is no entrance fee and there are multiple restaurants and hotels along the beach as well.
The cheapest way to get there is to take the bus. You have to buy tickets from San Jose the day of, but they are only $5 to $10 USD, so it is worth the effort to get in line early. You can also get there by taxi, but it is a more expensive route at around $100 USD. Shared shuttles are also readily available at $50 USD per person.
Another really great option is to schedule this private tour. This tour will get you there and back in comfortable private transportation and even includes day access to a beach club and food. It also includes a stop on the bridge over the Tarcoles River where you will get to see the famous river crocodiles!
Check prices and availability for this tour online here!
9. Hike Irazu Volcano
In the province of Cartago, to the east of San José, you will find the Irazu Volcano. This is Costa Rica’s highest volcano, and it’s still active!
It’s very easy to get there, and you can rent a car or take a bus. If you enjoy hiking, this is also a great place since the volcano has its own national park with trails and amenities like a cafeteria, parking, toilets, and picnic areas. The entrance of the national park is $15 USD and its opening hours are from 8 am to 3:30 pm.
You can also book this half-day tour for $99 USD to visit the volcano which includes transportation and snacks!
We love that the tour stays at the volcano for 3 hours, giving you tons of time to hike around and explore with your knowledgeable guide. Plus on the way back, you will get to tour the beautiful Basilica de Los Angeles, in Cartago, the Costa Rican Cathedral of la “virgencita”, the patron saint of Costa Rica to whom the Costa Ricans pay homage every August during its pilgrimage.
Check out all of the glowing 5-star reviews here!
10. 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.
In order to get to the island, you will need to take a 90-minute bus ride from San Jose (or drive yourself) to the coast at either Jaco or Puntarenas. From one of these locations, you can then book a boat to take you to the island.
Another option is this Tortuga Island day tour. Though it’s a long day (12-18 hours!), there’s a high 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 some native Costa Rican 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 the experience you get – just check out some of the great reviews here!
Secure your spot here and get FREE 24-hour cancellation!
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.
Getting Around Costa Rica
How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind.
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
5 BEST Poas Volcano Tours in Costa Rica
Where to stay in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica – BEST hotels in Santa Teresa & nearby