Top San Jose How to Get Around

As you explore this enchanting city, you'll discover a perfect blend of old-world charm and modern vibrancy. Our knowledgeable guides will lead you through the streets, sharing captivating histories and transporting you back in time. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the National Theater, a true masterpiece showcasing artistic brilliance. Admire its neoclassical façade, intricate details, and breathtaking murals that bring the culture to life. Prepare to be amazed at the Central Market, a bustling hub where vibrant colors, aromatic scents, and lively sounds come together. Indulge your taste buds with local delicacies and tropical fruits that will transport you to paradise. Allow us to be your guide, your storyteller, and your companion as we unlock the secrets of this mesmerizing destination. Book your tour today. San Jose is waiting to capture your heart!

Sample a wide variety of Costa Rican flavors while learning about the country's cultural heritage on this San Jose walking tour. You'll shop for fruits and veggies at the Mercado Central and Mercado Borbón, visit the National Theater and Morazan Park, and try local treats including traditional picadill, a hands-on cooking class with artisanal chocolate empanadas, and specialty coffee at Mr. Sloth Coffee Shop.

Get a dose of Costa Rica’s signature nature without leaving San Jose or fitting in an extra day trip. Led by a local biologist, you’ll traverse the city looking for tropical birds, slow-moving sloths, exotic plants, wild berries, and more. Just steps from downtown San Jose lies a green world of adventure, if you know where to look—and with this tour, you will.

Explore the Costa Rican capital’s rich history, landmark buildings, and modern culture on a combo bus and walking tour of San Jose. Get a great introduction to city highlights like the National Theater and Art Museum, and stop to walk through bustling markets and public plazas to feel the pulse of this modern Central American metropolis. Get an extra boost of Costa Rican culture by listening to traditional folkloric music onboard the bus.

Switch up your daily routine with this enchanting night walk tour that takes you on a journey into the forest after dark. Discover the vibrant nocturnal wildlife in action during this 2-hour tour through a transitional forest. Led by a private guide, stop to spot a variety of mammals, birds, and insects that exhibit unique behaviors at night. Ideal for families seeking adventure, explore the area and observe everything from sleeping birds to creepy crawlers.

Adventure-loving travelers won’t want to miss this combined zip lining, rappelling, and hiking tour. The Carpintera Hills are close to San Jose and offer the easiest way to go zip lining from the capital. Glide through the forest canopy on steel cables strung between 19 platforms. Rappel from as high as 130 feet. Enjoy the forest views along the way and look out for birds and animals.

Explore San Jose on this guided half-day sightseeing tour. Great for first-time visitors to the city, the tour includes stops at historic and cultural sites such as the Costa Rican Art Museum in La Sabana, the city center, the National Theater, the University of Costa Rica, and the arts and crafts market. Plus, enjoy lunch at a local Costa Rican restaurant.

Take a half-day food and walking tour in San Jose that highlights innovative chefs who are updating traditional Costa Rican recipes with a modern twist. Stroll between four locations in the Escalante district to enjoy a 6-course tasting menu, seven drinks, Costa Rican coffee tastings, and a cocktail mixing demonstration with locally made liquor. Your guide shares insightful commentary along the way on a tour that can be scheduled for lunch or dinner.

Navigate the waters of Lake Gatun, an essential part of the Panama Canal, as enormous ships pass in the distance and the tropical jungle pushes through the islands that emerged after the lake's creation. In Monkey Island we will look for three species of primates: white-faced capuchin monkeys, Geoffroy's tamarins, and howler monkeys, whose powerful calls are often heard through the forest. During the tour we will also be able to find tropical birds, iguanas, crocodiles, and other animals in their natural habitat. But this experience goes far beyond observing monkeys. Your bilingual local guide will help you interpret the landscape and discover how the construction of the Canal transformed ancient valleys of the Chagres River into an extraordinary ecosystem of islands surrounded by the waters of Lake Gatun. Our small groups allow for a more personal, quiet, and close to nature experience. Nature, history, and engineering meet in one place: the Panama Canal.

Remote Tortuguero is difficult to reach independently, meaning some people put it in the “too hard” category. Simplify your trip to this off-the-beaten-track eco-tourism destination during a convenient 3-day tour from San Jose. Two nights’ accommodation in a 4-star lodge plus all meals are included, so you don’t need to make extra bookings. Learn about the local wildlife and ecosystem during a guided tour of Tortuguero National Park.

Enjoy an exciting zipline adventure with incredible views of the Arenal Volcano (if weather permits) at Airtime Zipline Adventure, located just minutes from downtown La Fortuna and next to the famous Sloth Watching Trail. The course features 9 cables (including a practice line) and 10 platforms, built with sustainable and recycled materials. Perfect for families and beginners, this activity offers a thrilling experience without extreme heights children 4 years and older are welcome! Our professional guides will ensure your safety and fun throughout the tour. We operate with all official permits and insurance from the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT), giving you total peace of mind. On clear days, you’ll soar with amazing volcano views while enjoying a memorable experience surrounded by nature. The adventure lasts only a couple of hours, so it’s easy to fit into your La Fortuna itinerary.

San José can sometimes feel overwhelming to first-time visitors. Take the mystery out of your visit by exploring with a local on a private walking tour. This personalized tour allows you to discover the exterior of monuments, including museums, while learning about the city’s history and culture. If you wish to include a museum visit, your guide can adapt the itinerary—just let us know in advance. Your guide contacts you beforehand to understand your interests, ensuring a meaningful experience. Ideal for families, solo travelers, or couples, this tour reveals hidden gems and authentic local life.

Costa Rica’s inland capital is far from the coast but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a day on a white-sand tropical island from San Jose. This full-day guided tour to Tortuga Island simplifies your travel to this Pacific coast island, eliminating the need to stay overnight. After getting there in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, spend several hours at leisure on the beach swimming, snorkeling, and looking out for dolphins.

Explore three levels of lush Costa Rican rainforest from the floor to the canopy on an Aerial Tram tour of Braulio Carrillo National Park. Learn about local flora and fauna as you walk along nature trails, explore specialty gardens, and glide over treetops in an aerial tram for unrivaled views of the natural landscapes.

View several of Costa Rica's top scenic attractions in a single day, and leave all the logistics and planning to someone else, on this hassle-free day trip from San José. Traveling via air-conditioned vehicle, head first to Poás Volcano, an active volcano known for its vast crater and bubbling lake. Then, make a scenic stop at La Paz Falls before enjoying a tour and tasting at a local coffee farm.

Escape from busy San Jose for an action-packed full-day tour in the Jaco Beach region. Stop at the beach, then continue with a zipline tour and ATV tour in the rain forest nearby. You’ll also see crocodiles at the Tarcoles River, and get great views of the Pacific Ocean from the ATV and zipline course. Includes lunch, and all necessary equipment and instruction.

Discover San Jose’s hidden delights with this unique evening tour of the Costa Rican capital. Get up close and personal with the nightlife in San Jose, starting with the Morazán Park where you'll learn post-colonial Costa Rican history. From there, gain an appreciation for San Jose’s historical architecture, with a walk by the Metallic Building, then on to Spain Park for a fantastic view of the Yellow House (now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Continue to charming Barrio Escalante, one of the oldest residential areas in San Jose.  Finish the night with a tasty traditional meal (and wine or beer) at a gourmet Costa Rican restaurant.

Safely immerse yourself in Costa Rican nature and wildlife on an 8- to 9-hour tour to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Leave the busy streets of San Jose behind in comfortable air-conditioned transportation from your hotel. Discover more than 100 species at the sanctuary, including titi monkeys, 2-toed sloths, pumas, and toucans. You can even feed hummingbirds by hand. Have your camera ready for the cloud forest, waterfalls, and aviary.

The lush rainforest and white-sand beaches of Isla Tortuga are part of the Islas Negritos Biological Reserve, and are located along the eastern coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. With this tour, you'll set sail aboard a large cruise ship, admire views of Isla San Lucas and Isla Tortuga from the water, and enjoy time on the island to swim, snorkel, or relax on the beach.

Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of San Jose on an evening bus tour. Starting from your hotel, board a comfortable double-decker bus with a welcome drink. See over 25 of the city’s landmarks as you take a bus tour, and stop for bilingual guided tours at key locations, including the Costa Rican Art Museum. Enjoy an included dinner of local cuisine before drop-off back at your hotel.

Take the stress out of eating and drinking at night in a new city with this fun-filled dinner and nightlife experience. Explore markets, check out neighborhoods you might otherwise miss, and indulge in a delicious three-course gourmet dinner with wine pairings. Learn about local food and culture from your guide throughout the evening.

Poás hides wonderful traditions and stunning landscapes that captivate every visitor. Start your tour with a cup of freshly brewed coffee on an authentic local estate, where you can enjoy panoramic mountain views and experience the warmth of Costa Rican hospitality. A few minutes away, discover the majestic La Paz Fall, a 35-meter waterfall that rushes through a green-covered canyon, in the middle of a cloud forest full of wildlife. Then head to the imposing Poás Volcano. Its huge crater, one of the largest in the world, reveals a turquoise acid lagoon surrounded by steam and volcanic formations. The views are surreal and the atmosphere transmits the living force of nature. Whether you love nature, culture or are looking for a peaceful getaway, Poás offers the perfect combination of adventure and serenity. Come and explore a place where tradition meets natural wonder.

Turn exploring San Jose into an ultra-rich cultural experience with this guided “bites and sights” tour. You’ll start at the city’s best markets—Central and Borbon markets—tasting empanadas, fresh fruits, coffees, and more, plus learning all about local goods and handicrafts. You’ll also get a guided exploration of the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, diving even deeper into the city’s gilded history.