Most Popular Destinations in Costa Rica: San José

Update, November 2026: We've rechecked this guide. Hotel Grano de Oro and the Adventure Inn are still open. We couldn't confirm the Mansión del Parque Bolívar or the Tropical Bungee jump on the old Colorado River bridge are still operating, so we've taken them out; check locally if you're interested.

San José is Costa Rica's capital and largest city, set in the Central Valley at about 1,170 meters (3,800 feet). It's the country's political, business and cultural center, and the wider metro area is home to a large share of the population. The city grew fast in the 20th century, so it has fewer colonial buildings than many Latin American capitals, but it has good museums, a beautiful theater, lively markets and an easy, mild climate.

Most international visitors fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), which is in Alajuela, about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown depending on traffic. Many people stay a night near the airport or in the city before heading to the coast.

Where to stay

Hotel Grano de Oro. A boutique hotel in a converted mansion off Paseo Colón, west of downtown, known for its restaurant and quiet, homely feel. It's listed on the major booking sites.

Adventure Inn. A family-run hotel near the airport, which says it's usually 10 to 15 minutes from SJO and offers a free airport shuttle and breakfast. It's handy for a first or last night. Website: adventure-inn.com.

For more on these hotels, see our article on hotels in San José.

Things to do in the city

National Theatre (Teatro Nacional). Opened in 1897, it's the city's grandest building, with a neoclassical front, marble staircases and painted ceilings. You can take a tour, have coffee in its café, or see a concert or play. Website: teatronacional.go.cr.

Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. Underground beneath the Plaza de la Cultura, next to the theater, the Central Bank's museums hold more than 1,500 pre-Columbian gold objects, along with coins and Costa Rican art. Website: museosdelbancocentral.org.

Yoga. San José and its suburbs have plenty of yoga studios with drop-in classes. Yoga Mandir in San Pedro teaches classes and a Spanish-language teacher training. For retreats outside the city, see our guide to where to do yoga in Costa Rica.

Day trips

Poás Volcano National Park. About an hour or so from the city, Poás has a viewing platform over a huge active crater, which sometimes holds a turquoise acid lake. The park has closed and reopened several times in recent years because of volcanic activity, so check its status and buy tickets online from SINAC, the national parks service, before you go.

Braulio Carrillo National Park. A large, steep, rainforest-covered park on the highway between San José and the Caribbean, named after a 19th-century Costa Rican president. It includes Barva Volcano and its crater lakes and has hiking trails through cloud forest.

Irazú Volcano National Park. Near Cartago, Irazú is Costa Rica's highest active volcano, at about 3,432 meters (11,260 feet). From the top you look into several craters, and on a clear morning you may see both the Pacific and the Caribbean. Go early, before the clouds roll in.

Also nearby: La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and the coffee farms and towns of the Central Highlands.

Frequently asked questions

How far is the airport from downtown San José?

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) is in Alajuela, about 20 to 30 minutes' drive from downtown, longer at rush hour.

Is San José worth visiting?

For a day or two, yes. The National Theatre, the Gold Museum and day trips to volcanoes and waterfalls make it a good stop before or after the coast.

Is Poás Volcano open?

It has closed and reopened several times in recent years because of volcanic activity. Check SINAC's website for its current status and buy tickets online before you go.

Can I do yoga in San José?

Yes. The city and suburbs have many studios with drop-in classes, and Yoga Mandir in San Pedro runs a Spanish-language teacher training.

[Updated on: 4 November 2026]