If you visit Costa Rica, you won't see the point of visiting San Jose since there are lots of other places around to see. But you might actually get surprised to see how much fun this place is!
1. Avenida Central: There is no other way to describe it but as a central street that has been closed off and is filled with shops and decent restaurants. In one end stands the famous Mercado Central, in the middle is the elegant National Theater and at the other end you can ride a bus to San Pedro and other popular spots around San Jose. This is the best place to start exploring San Jose.
2. Mercado Central: This is the oldest and largest central market that you will find in Costa Rica. It is a must see spot. You can lunch while you are shopping for typical souvenirs to bring back home. It is always full of excitement and activity. Hundreds of different products are available here. Caution though, because pick-pockets are quite available here.
3. National Theater: This is one of the most elegant and beautiful buildings there are in San Jose. It hosts a variety of shows such as dance, opera, symphony concerts and much more. If you have kids, a great park filled with hundreds of pigeons is right in front it so that your kid can burn of his extra energy. The ticket price ranges from $2-$30. If you ever have the chance to catch a show, don't miss it!
4. La Sabana Park: Like every city, San Jose has a great central park as well. I usually give my son a horseback ride and then allow him to play in the field. The park has a huge man-made lake with a beautiful cemented trail that takes you around it. But be careful because it gets dangerous when it starts to get dark. So pack up before the sun sets.
5. Museums: You can learn a big amount of culture in them. My favorite one is the children's museum which is so great that my 5 year old couldn't leave it even after 3 to 4 hours! You should also check Jade Museum, Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, and Museo de Oro Precolombino as well.
Marina K. Villatoro, lives in Central America - Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past decade. She has traveled all over these areas with her family and now she loves to organize vacations to Costa Rica and Guatemala. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!
