Costa Rica’s capital, San José, is amazing for travelers because it’s not too big and almost all the important attractions are right in the center. Plus, you don’t even have to pay to see them– which means if you’re looking to save money for other activities like canopy tours or scuba lessons, this could be a good spot for your budget. It’s also filled with lots of interesting Tico history and culture!
If you’re visiting Costa Rica, San José is the perfect place to start your trip. Although it may look a bit messy from the outside, there are so many cool things to do here and all for free! You can explore museums, take a look at some shops, or stroll through public spaces without spending any money. That way, you can enjoy your trip without digging too deep into your pocket. So don’t just pass by San José – stay and have fun while you’re here!
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Exploring the Colorful Avenida Central
Avenida Central is the core of San José and it’s a mile-long area. You will come across plenty of shops and fast-food places, as well as vendors selling souvenirs on the sidewalk. It’s a fantastic place to observe individuals, try an empanada dish or get yourself a prepaid phone card. Though, be aware of scammers and beggars who might be around.
If you’re visiting San José, you have the option of taking a stroll down two different pedestrian walkways. Avenida 4 is wide and not as crowded as the other one, while Calle 9 is located in an old Chinatown area and it’s much quieter. If you take these routes, you can get away from all the traffic noise and get to know better the city’s vibrant culture.
The city has lots of small parks and places where you can take a break from the busy city life. Some of these spaces, like the Parque Nacional (which is filled with statues) or Plaza de la Democracía (with its modern terraces), offer a lovely view, and provide somewhere to sit down to rest your feet.
“Experience Shopping with a Culture Twist at Mercado Central!”
The Mercado Central is a huge shopping mall with lots of shops inside. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, it’s worth checking out! This place has been around since 1880 and people come here to shop for gifts and groceries. You can find the main entrance right by Avenida Central. There are usually loads of coffee mugs and t-shirts with “Pura Vida” written on them on sale here.
Then, close by is the Mercado Municipal de Artesanías which is a cool building full of stands runned by artists. In this place, you’ll find all kinds of souvenirs and some great bargains in between the colourful shelves. Plus, many things have been made with care by artisans making them look unique.
Every Saturday morning at the Aranjuez neighborhood, people come to the Parque Polideportivo to buy fresh veggies from the local farmers at the Feria Verde. It’s a popular outdoor market with handicrafts and even live music for everyone to enjoy!
Unbelievable Transformation
La Sabana is the most amazing place in San José. Before it was an awesome park, it used to be an airport! All of the old runways have been turned into lawns and forests with different sports and activities you can do – like running, football and volleyball. You don’t need to pay for any of this either; it’s completely free!
The Estadio Nacional is the biggest and best sports stadium in all of Central America. All the games or events there require tickets but anyone (even kids) can take a look around to see the amazing architecture – even when people are not playing games. On game days, it’s really fun outside of the stadium too!
Admire Artistic Masterpieces in San José, Costa Rica!
If you want to find some great artwork, one of the best places would be in San José, Costa Rica. There are plenty of art galleries and exhibitions around there, many of them are free.
The best spot is probably the Museo de Arte Costarricense situated at La Sabana Park, which was the old airport terminal. It’s even worth visiting if you don’t plan on seeing any art since it has a really nice Spanish style architecture. Plus, they have different stuff such as paintings and sculptures every now and then.
In Barrio Amón neighborhood, you can find the amazing and unique TEOR/ética gallery in an old and colorful house. A little bit up the hill is Galería Talentum located inside a big mansion. Downstairs, there’s a restaurant where you can have delicious lunch but upstairs you can check out Talentum’s many exhibitions for free!
Take a nice walk and admire the stunning Teatro Nacional © Mihai-Bogdan Lazar / Shutterstock.
“Explore Costa Rica’s ‘Teatro Nacional’
The Teatro Nacional in Costa Rica is a gorgeous building that’s been around since 1897 and it has 1140 seats. You can enjoy all kinds of shows like operas, symphonies and ballets there for free in the day. You can also explore the museum, treat yourself to something at the bistro or just gaze at the wonderful statues that adorn its ceiling.
Cycling through San José
San José has a bike lane system called ‘ciclovia’ which is popular amongst city goers who enjoy cycling and exploring new places. The lanes begin near La Sabana Park where you can cycle past Barrio Escalante and end up at San Pedro, allowing you to explore various neighborhoods in just one day. Keep in mind that the roads are narrow and quite hilly but with a suitable bike you can navigate them easily.
If you’re in San José and have a bicycle, you can join the ChepeCletas! This organization helps make cycling more fun. They’ll help you explore the city through group bike rides and can even lend you a bike if needed.
Experience the Beauty of San José’s Religious Structures & Easter’s Spectacular Procesiones!
Almost every part of Costa Rica has its own Catholic church. The most impressive of them all is the Catedral Metropolitana located in San José. It stands tall above the people gathering at Parque Central and you can go inside to see its beautiful ceilings that were created back in 1870s.
A few streets away, you can spot Iglesia de la Merced, which features an eye-catching red steeple surrounded by a small park and a very busy bus stop. If you walk eastward, you’ll see Santa Teresita with its tall noticeable red dome; this temple was built in 1940s but it exudes a great charm. Besides, it appears to be the limit of Barrio Escalante.
If you’re in town during Easter, be sure to check out the procesiones. It’s a spectacular event where people dress up like characters to act out the story of Jesus’ last days and death. You can watch them parade around San Jose and even witness a recreation of Jesus’ crucifixion in the Parque Central.
Discovering San José for Free
San José is an amazing city because of how different it is and how many cool places you can go to without having to pay! Lots of cultural centers are located in this area that you can go explore.
The Alianza Francesa is a great place to learn French, and it has a cafe where you can get pastries. The Antigua Aduana is an old building that usually has some kind of festival or event happening. The Edificio de Correos looks like a palace, and people have been sending mail from it since 1917.