Top 10 Things to Do in San José, Costa Rica
San José was my final stop in Costa Rica before continuing to Panama. After weeks of beaches, volcanoes, wildlife, and smaller towns, the capital felt completely different—busier, more urban, and full of history hiding between its modern streets.
I only had one full day to explore, but I managed to cover a surprising amount of the city on foot. The museums were easily the highlight for me, especially the National Museum and the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. If you enjoy history, culture, architecture, and learning more about the places you visit, San José deserves at least a full day on your Costa Rica itinerary.
1. National Museum of Costa Rica 🌟 Did This
The National Museum of Costa Rica was one of my favourite places in San José. Located inside the former Bellavista Barracks, the museum covers everything from Indigenous history and Spanish colonization to Costa Rica’s modern development. I especially enjoyed seeing the gold jewellery, the famous Diquís stone spheres, and the peaceful butterfly garden near the entrance.
💡 JD’s Tip: Give yourself enough time to read the exhibits instead of rushing through. There is a lot more inside than the building’s size suggests, and it’s a great introduction to Costa Rican history.
The National Museum of Costa Rica was one of my favourite stops in San José—and the perfect place to learn more about the country beyond its beaches and wildlife.
2. Pre-Columbian Gold Museum 🌟 Did This
The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum was another highlight of my day in San José. Its collection includes hundreds of gold objects created by Costa Rica’s Indigenous communities, along with exhibits explaining what the pieces represented and how they were used. Even if you don’t normally plan your travels around museums, the craftsmanship and history make this one worth visiting.
💡 JD’s Tip: Visit the Gold Museum and National Museum on the same day. They are close enough to combine easily, making them perfect for a museum-focused walking route through central San José.
I’m still in awe of the enormous vault doors guarding the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum—it certainly knows how to make an entrance!
3. Jade Museum ❌ Missed This
The Jade Museum contains the largest collection of pre-Columbian jade in the Americas, along with pottery, ceremonial objects, and other archaeological pieces. Its exhibits explore the spiritual, cultural, and everyday importance of jade to Costa Rica’s Indigenous communities. I walked past the museum during my day in San José, but with only one full day and several museums to choose from, I couldn’t fit it into my itinerary.
💡 JD’s Tip: If you want to visit all three of San José’s major museums, start early and plan your route beforehand. Otherwise, choose the two that interest you most and give yourself time to enjoy them properly.
4. National Theatre of Costa Rica 🌟 Saw This
The National Theatre is one of San José’s most recognizable and elegant buildings. Opened in the late 1800s, it reflects an important period in Costa Rican history when the country’s coffee industry was creating new wealth and cultural development. I saw and photographed the theatre from outside while exploring the historic centre, but I didn’t go inside or take a guided tour.
💡 JD’s Tip: Even if you don’t have time for a tour, stop to admire the exterior and the surrounding Plaza Juan Mora Fernández. If you want to see the theatre’s detailed interior, add the guided tour to your plans in advance.
I only admired the National Theatre from the outside, but its grand architecture still made it one of the most impressive buildings I saw while walking around San José.
5. Explore San José’s Historic Centre 🌟 Did This
Walking through San José’s historic centre allowed me to see a lot of the city in a limited amount of time. Along the way, I passed public squares, churches, monuments, statues, colourful buildings, and historic landmarks such as Castillo Azul and the Central Post Office. San José doesn’t have the same relaxed atmosphere as Costa Rica’s beach towns, but exploring on foot revealed a side of the country that I hadn’t experienced anywhere else.
💡 JD’s Tip: Create a simple walking route connecting the museums and major landmarks. Many of the most interesting sights are relatively close together, so you can accomplish quite a bit during one full day.
The statue of Juan Mora Fernández was one of the many historic monuments I passed while exploring central San José on foot.
6. Metropolitan Cathedral of San José 🌟 Did This
The Metropolitan Cathedral sits in the heart of San José and is one of the city’s most important religious buildings. Its history includes earthquakes, rebuilding, and architectural changes that reflect the city’s development over time. I saw the cathedral while walking through the centre, along with the Church of Our Lady of Solitude and several other historic buildings.
💡 JD’s Tip: Dress respectfully if you plan to enter, and remember that it is an active place of worship rather than only a tourist attraction. The nearby streets and plazas also make this an easy stop during a self-guided walking tour.
The Metropolitan Cathedral was another impressive historic landmark I discovered while walking through the heart of San José.
7. Walk Along Avenida Central 🌟 Did This
Avenida Central is a busy pedestrian street lined with shops, restaurants, historic buildings, and street vendors. I stumbled across it while exploring San José on foot and found it packed with people shopping and going about their day. It wasn’t the Central Market as I originally thought, but it gave me a glimpse of everyday life in the capital and was much livelier than some of the quieter historic streets.
💡 JD’s Tip: Avenida Central connects several major attractions in downtown San José, making it easy to include in a self-guided walking route. Take your time, browse the shops, and watch your belongings when the street gets crowded.
Avenida Central was packed with shops, street vendors, and people—giving me a glimpse of everyday life in the middle of San José.
8. Museum of Costa Rican Art ❌ Missed This
The Museum of Costa Rican Art showcases paintings, sculptures, photography, and other work by Costa Rican artists. It is located in a former airport terminal beside La Sabana Metropolitan Park, slightly outside the cluster of museums I explored in the historic centre. I missed this one, but it would be a worthwhile addition for anyone interested in art or looking for something beyond archaeological and historical exhibits.
💡 JD’s Tip: Combine the museum with a walk through La Sabana Metropolitan Park. Since it is away from the main museum area, plan it as a separate stop instead of trying to squeeze it between the downtown attractions.
9. Explore Barrio Escalante ❌ Missed This
Barrio Escalante is known for its restaurants, bars, breweries, and lively evening atmosphere. It offers a more modern side of San José and has become one of the city’s most popular areas for eating and going out. I didn’t visit during my short stay, but it would be a good place to spend the evening after a day of museums and sightseeing.
💡 JD’s Tip: Come hungry and walk around before choosing somewhere to eat. The neighbourhood has plenty of options, so you don’t need to commit to the first restaurant you see.
10. Take a Day Trip to Poás Volcano ❌ Missed This
Poás Volcano was on my list of things to see while staying in San José, but I didn’t have enough time to fit it into my one full day. The volcano is known for its enormous crater and acidic crater lake, making it one of the most popular day trips from the capital. I chose to spend my limited time exploring San José’s museums and historic centre, but I would have visited Poás if I’d had another day.
💡 JD’s Tip: Reserve your entrance ticket in advance and try to visit early in the morning, when you may have a better chance of seeing the crater before clouds move in. If Poás is high on your list, give yourself at least two full days in San José—one for the city and one for the volcano.
Final Thoughts
San José felt very different from the rest of my Costa Rica trip, but that was part of what made it worth visiting. After weeks spent searching for wildlife, walking beaches, visiting waterfalls, and exploring national parks, my final day was focused on museums, history, architecture, and city streets. The National Museum and Pre-Columbian Gold Museum were the highlights, and I was surprised by how much I could accomplish with only one full day.
I finished my final evening in Costa Rica by going to the cinema—a simple and surprisingly normal ending to a trip filled with wildlife, volcanoes, beaches, and adventure. San José may not be the main reason most people travel to Costa Rica, but I’m glad I gave myself time to explore it rather than treating it only as a place to catch my bus to Panama.
After a full day of museums, monuments, and walking around San José, I ended my final night in Costa Rica with popcorn and a movie.
