San Jose attractions

The Lankester Botanical Garden (Jadín Botánico Lankester), in the outskirts of Cartago, is a research center operated by the University of Costa Rica—and a fabulous place to see orchids. The garden is a center for botanical research and is also open to visitors who want to get out into nature and see tropical flowers and plants.

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.

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.

Spread over 36 acres (14.6 hectares) near San José, Rescate Animal Zooave is a conservation park that primarily houses rescued animals that wouldn't be able to survive in the wild on their own. The focus here is on conservation, and park tickets help fund other initiatives, including a rescue center and breeding programs.

Long lines of coffee plants soak up Costa Rican sunshine at Doka Estate, a family-owned plantation founded in 1940 at the base of Poas Volcano. Tours of the coffee estate go from bean to cup, taking visitors for a flavorful trip through the farm’s coffee cultivation as well as harvesting, processing, fermenting, and roasting.

Home to Costa Rica’s highest peak, Cerro Chirripó Grande, the rugged Chirripó National Park is an excellent introduction to the country’s diverse ecosystems. From tropical jungle with emerald green vegetation and waterfalls to cloud forest with giant oak trees shadowing ferns and bamboo, this national park is a lush refuge for hundreds of species of exotic birds and animals.

A well-heeled suburb of San José, Escazú often draws comparisons to Beverly Hills, with sprawling mansions and hotels dotted around the hills. Though there is little in the way of traditional tourist attractions here, there are lots of draws, including upscale malls, chic boutiques and restaurants, and views of the Central Valley.

Housed inside a bright yellow castle, the Children’s Museum (Museo de los Niños) in San Jose, Costa Rica, is designed to delight little ones. With interactive displays across 40 rooms, children (and the adults accompanying them) can learn about the human body, plants and animals, space exploration, and much more.

The elegant metal facade of this San José landmark was made in Belgium and then shipped piece by piece to Costa Rica. Now an elementary school, the 1896 Metallic Building (Edificio Metálico) is a recognizable San José landmark on some San Jose walking tours, along with nearby Parque España and Morazan Park.

A sunshine-bright facade makes the 1916 Yellow House (Casa Amarilla) a cheerful landmark in San Jose’s Otoya neighborhood. Home to Costa Rica’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, the building is closed to the public but still merits a quick detour, especially since the Yellow House is strolling-distance away from a handful of other sites.