Things to do in  San Jose

Although visitors once flocked to Arenal Volcano for its impressive lava shows, the 5,437-foot (1,657-meter) volcano has stayed quiet since its last eruption in 2010. However, Arenal and the surrounding Arenal Volcano National Park remain a hot spot for visitors to Costa Rica, especially popular among those seeking hiking trails, swimming holes, hot springs, bird- and wildlife-watching, and sweeping views of the tropical rainforest.

Bountiful produce stalls, local-approved cafeterias, and vendor stalls selling everything from coffee beans to cowboy boots give visitors to San Jose’s Central Market (Mercado Central) a taste of real Costa Rican culture. Visit as part of an epic errand run or for a chance to look behind-the-scenes at everyday life in Costa Rica.

While it’s famous for its eponymous waterfalls—a series of five picturesque cascades along the La Paz River—La Paz Waterfall Gardens is much more than its name suggests. Surrounded by dense rainforest and cloud forest, the park is also one of Costa Rica’s most-visited wildlife sanctuaries, where you can spot more than 100 animal species, including jaguars, sloths, capuchin monkeys, hummingbirds, and colorful frogs.

Poas Volcano National Park houses one of the most visited active volcanoes in Costa Rica, a telling superlative for a country that’s world-renowned for its geothermal activity. The gaping Poas Volcano crater is the star attraction, stretching as wide as 15 city blocks and featuring a bright turquoise crater lake, surrounded by ancient lava flows and shrouded in steam. Near the active primary crater, the dormant Botos Lagoon is filled with cold water.

Modelled after the Paris Opera House, the National Theater in San José’s Catedral district is a neo-classical masterpiece representing Costa Rica’s greatest era of extravagance and sophistication. The historic building has been the epicenter of the city’s fine arts scene including opera, symphony, and other performing arts since its inaugural performance by Fausto de Gounod in 1897.

The vast protected forest of Braulio Carrillo National Park is a natural for toucans, eagles, armadillos, sloths, monkeys, and jaguars. Catch a glimpse of its rugged beauty from the comfort of your car, or hike along the trails that lead to thundering waterfalls, towering mountains, and rapid rivers.

Costa Rica is famous for its amazing biodiversity, and Sarapiqui is a place where you can experience the thrill of the rain forest firsthand. Whether that’s ziplining through the trees at high speed, rafting along the river, or wildlife-spotting, the area is packed with natural wonders.

The quaint town of Sarchí is famous throughout Costa Rica for its handicrafts. From the brightly painted oxcarts that were once used in the coffee industry to decorated bowls, handmade jewelry, leather goods, and furniture, visitors looking for memorable souvenirs should plan to visit the town, only an hour’s drive from San José.

Housed in a historic building and managed by the Central Bank of Costa Rica, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum holds one of the largest collections of gold artifacts in Latin America. In total, the museum holds more than 1,600 pre-Columbian items, including Costa Rica’s very first coin, handmade ceramics, jewelry, and religious icons dating from 500 AD to 1500 AD.

Broad pathways wrap an elegant, Versailles-inspired gazebo at Morazon Park, which is a hub of cultural events and activities in San Jose’s El Carmen district. The compact park offers welcome shade and greenery for travelers exploring San Jose, and it’s a short distance away from some of downtown’s most important landmarks.

Housed in the barracks of the Bellavista Fortress, the National Museum (Museo Nacional), displays indigenous and pre-Columbian artifacts, religious artwork, and geological and archaeological pieces linked to Costa Rica’s rich and colorful history since 1950. Separate rooms explore ancient cultures dating back some 12,000 years, as well as collections of ornate jewelry, medallions, and gold statues.

Orosi River Valley is a tranquil, secluded area filled with rural charm and scenic landscapes, not far from the hustle and bustle of San José. With the silhouette of the volcanoes as a backdrop, the mountainous area has green forested hills covered by coffee plantations, natural hot springs, andxa0 colorful colonial towns in the middle of the lush vegetation.

The world’s most extensive collection of Costa Rican artwork is housed in this Spanish-style building, which served as San Jose’s main airport terminal until 1955. With a permanent collection of more than 6,000 pieces, the Costa Rican Art Museum (Museo de Arte Costarricense) is among the country’s top destinations for art lovers.

Built between 1975 and 1983, the Plaza de la Cultura is a square in downtown San Jose. Sitting atop the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, this square is a social gathering spot for locals, though it offers little of a tourism draw. Except for some landmark attractions, the square has largely no historical significance.

Offering scenic views of Volcan Arenal and Lake Arenal, the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges are a series of tall suspension bridges that form meandering trails through the rain forest, providing access to remote areas filled with natural beauty. The bridges immerse you deep into the heart of the forest, close to the extraordinary biodiversity of the jungle.