10 Days in San José: A Journey of Culture and Adventure

Gilberto Betancourt

11 Nov 2023

Experience the vibrant city of San José in Costa Rica with this exciting 10-day itinerary. Discover delicious cuisine, explore cultural landmarks, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the city. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

Trip to San José

Get Your Guide

Viator

Day 1

$15

$ 3

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

13 - 20 min

Directions

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

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

11 - 14 min

Directions

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

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

Day 2

$16

$ 6

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$11

13 - 16 min

Directions

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

No time set

•

Free

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

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

15 - 18 min

Directions

This 72-hectare park features the National Stadium & other sports facilities, plus an art museum.

11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

•

Free

15 - 22 min

Directions

Day 3

$17

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

7 - 10 min

Directions

Costa Rican Center of Science and Culture

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

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

•

11 - 16 min

Directions

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

7 - 10 min

Directions

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

No time set

•

Free

4 - 6 min

Directions

This stately cathedral built in 1871 blends Greek orthodox, neoclassical and baroque architecture.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

•

Free

Day 4

$21

$ 3

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

1 - 2 min

Directions

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

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

6 - 8 min

Directions

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

11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

•

$13

Day 5

$48

$ 3

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$10

11 - 16 min

Directions

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

34 - 41 min

Directions

11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

•

$31

Day 6

$19

$ 3

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$12

5 - 8 min

Directions

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

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

23 - 28 min

Directions

Museo Histórico Cultural Juan Santamaría

Exhibits on Costa Rica's military & cultural history housed in a former barracks & prison building.

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

Day 7

$34

$ 3

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

4 - 6 min

Directions

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

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

12 - 15 min

Directions

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

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

•

$15

9 - 14 min

Directions

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

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

Day 8

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

5 - 8 min

Directions

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

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

5 - 8 min

Directions

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

•

Free

Day 9

$23

$ 3

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$10

14 - 21 min

Directions

50+ species of butterflies on view in a park-like environment with waterfalls & greenery.

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

20 - 29 min

Directions

Chietón Morén Museo y Mercadito de Artesanías

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

•

13 - 16 min

Directions

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

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

•

Free

Day 10

$40

Inspirar y nutrir el espíritu humano: una persona, una taza de café y una comunidad a la vez.

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$11

1 - 2 min

Directions

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

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$19

8 - 11 min

Directions

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

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

14 - 21 min

Directions

Historical Museum Dr. Rafael Angel Calderon Guardia

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

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$10

Budget breakdown: $258 In total

Activities & Food:$236

Transport:$22