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7 Days in San José: Unveiling the Hidden Gems

Kathleen Vogel

26 Nov 2023

0

Embark on a thrilling journey through the vibrant streets of San José, Costa Rica. Discover the rich history, immerse yourself in the local culture, and explore breathtaking parks and museums. Join us as we unveil the hidden gems of this captivating city.

Trip to San José

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1Parks and History Extravaganza

+

$20

·

$ 6

Parque de las Garantías Sociales (Parque de la Caja)

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Parque España

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

•

Free

4 - 5 min

~

Directions

CENAC

Cultural center with theaters & a museum housed in a 19th-century former liquor factory.

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

14 - 21 min

~

Directions

Parque Francia

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

•

Free

4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Historical Museum Dr. Rafael Angel Calderon Guardia

Museum since 1991 with tours & a permanent exhibit on former Costa Rican President Calderón Guardia.

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

•

$20

16 - 20 min

~

Directions

Parque del Este

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

•

Free

Day 2Wildlife Wonders and Nature's Beauty

+

$25

Simón Bolívar Zoo and Botanical Garden

Long-running botanical garden & zoo with fish, amphibians & reptiles, plus birds & mammals.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$25

12 - 17 min

~

Directions

Parque Nacional

Established in 1895, this iconic park features the bronze National Monument of Costa Rica.

11:30 AM - 3:30 PM

•

Free

Day 3Jade Treasures and Inspiring Museums

+

$75

·

$ 6

Museo del Jade

Museum displaying anthropological, geological & archeological objects & a large jade collection.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

$30

9 - 14 min

~

Directions

MADC

Indoor-outdoor museum showcasing contemporary art & design from Central America & around the world.

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

•

$13

6 - 8 min

~

Directions

Children's Museum

Playful children's museum offering hands-on exhibitions in a castle-style structure.

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$25

4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Costa Rican Center of Science and Culture

Set in a former penitentiary, this complex features a children's museum, auditorium & art galleries.

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

•

$8

Day 4Adventure and Fun in the City Parks

+

$38

·

$ 22

Parque La Libertad

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

9 - 11 min

~

Directions

Parque Okayama

Featuring a statue from San José's Japanese twin city, this park offers sports fields & gardens.

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Parque de la Paz

Large public green space featuring play equipment, trails, lakes & a variety of sports facilities.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

10 - 12 min

~

Directions

Parque De Alajuelita

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

•

Free

19 - 23 min

~

Directions

Parque Acuático Los Sueños

3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

•

$38

Day 5Market Marvels and Cultural Delights

+

$38

San José Central Market

Lively, mazelike market with vendors for produce, fish, coffee, hot snacks & traditional crafts.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Parque Central de San José

Busy square & meeting spot with park benches & occasional fairs, concerts & other events.

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Plaza de la Cultura

Popular public square with a fountain & some greenery sitting atop the Museum of Pre-Columbian Gold.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

1 - 2 min

~

Directions

Pre-Columbian Gold Museum

Museum featuring historic gold artifacts, including figures & coins, in a modern, underground space.

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

•

$38

Day 6Cultural Immersion and Thrilling Rides

+

$50

·

$ 11

Centro Cultural Herediano Omar Dengo

Cultural center in a restored 1800s building offering concerts, lectures, workshops & more.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

22 - 27 min

~

Directions

Parque Diversiones

This amusement park with rides for adults & kids gives its profits to a children's hospital.

10:30 AM - 2:30 PM

•

$50

24 - 29 min

~

Directions

Centro de Conservación de Santa Ana

Small protected area with native forest, plants & birds, plus a historic farm museum with animals.

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

•

Free

Day 7Artistic Delights and Animal Encounters

+

$38

·

$ 11

Museum of Costa Rican Art

Indoor-outdoor museum in a historic building showcasing the works of Latin American artists.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$15

6 - 8 min

~

Directions

Natural Science Museum La Salle

Natural history museum with animal dioramas, dinosaur replicas & mounted butterflies.

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

$10

15 - 18 min

~

Directions

Refugio Animal de Costa Rica

Rehabilitation center offering tours with crocodiles, turtles, snakes, monkeys & other animals.

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$13

Budget breakdown: $338 In total

Activities & Food:$283

Transport:$55