San José travel guide
San José, Costa Rica: where to stay, eat and play
Costa Rica’s capital, and our home since 2016. Honestly, it’s not a place you need to spend a lot of time, but it’s a great jumping-off point for volcanoes, coffee farms and day trips.
By Sarah & Thomas, calling San José home since 2016
Best Time
Dec to Apr
From the airport
20 min to 1+ hr
Best Airport
SJO
Temperature
63 to 84°F
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Our take
Who San José is for
We live here, so this one is personal. We moved here mostly for Thomas’s job, and we live on the outskirts. The city isn’t our favorite. There’s plenty to do, but it’s not a gem of a city. We love living here because it’s so central. We can get almost anywhere easily for weekend trips, and the weather is about the best in the country year-round.
Our take: If we were just visiting Costa Rica, we wouldn’t come to San José. Many people think they need a hotel here when they fly in or out. You don’t. The airport is actually in Alajuela, so stay near the airport instead.
How long to stay: One night is usually enough, if any. The best thing to do here is explore the surrounding area.
First or last night?
Stay in San José if…
You want a taste of the city. Head to Barrio Escalante for restaurants and craft beer, or downtown for the National Theater and museums.
Stay near the airport if…
You have an early flight or arrive late. Downtown Alajuela is close to the airport and saves you San José traffic.
Good to know
Traffic between the airport and downtown San José can take anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour.
Getting there
Getting to San José
From the airport
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) is technically in Alajuela, 20 minutes to over an hour from downtown San José depending on traffic. The highway has small tolls, payable in colones or US dollars.
Official taxis are red or orange with a yellow or green triangle on the doors. Many hotels also offer airport shuttles, and you can filter for it on Booking.com.
For more info:
Rental car
Driving in downtown San José is pure madness, and we strongly suggest avoiding it. A rental car is great for day trips, though. Adobe gives our readers 10% off and can deliver your car free within 12 miles of their downtown office.
Shuttles
For shared or private shuttles to the rest of the country, use Bookaway with code SARAHMC5 for 5% off.
Where it is
San José is in the Central Valley, near the middle of the country between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, surrounded by hills, mountains and volcanoes. Alajuela is to the west and Cartago to the east.
Good to know: Never leave valuables in a parked car anywhere in the city.
Weather
San José weather and best time to visit
Temperature and rain by month
Swipe to see all months →
Average daytime highs and rainfall in San José. Bars show relative rainfall. Sunrise and sunset are for the 15th of each month.
Dry season (Dec: Apr)
Sunny and dry, especially January to March, with temperatures around 70 to 84°F. It can get windy.
Rainy season (May: Nov)
Usually sunny mornings and afternoon showers, around 63 to 80°F. July often brings a short dry spell (the veranillo), and September and October are the rainiest.
Temperature
63 to 84°F
Sunrise / Sunset
about 5:30 AM / about 5:30 PM
Rainiest months
Sep and Oct
Our tip
Our tip: We like May to the end of July, when everything is green, prices are lower and the rain usually waits until the afternoon.
Where to stay
Where to stay in San José
Which neighborhood should you stay in?
Barrio Escalante
Restaurants · Craft beer · Street art
The hipster neighborhood, full of restaurants, cafés, bars and street art. This is where we’d stay downtown.
Escazú
Upscale · Malls · Medical tourism
The most upscale part of San José, with restaurants, malls and luxury hotels, close to CIMA hospital. It isn’t walkable, so plan on taxis or a car.
Near the airport
Early flights · Alajuela
Just here for a night before or after a flight? Don’t book San José. Stay by the airport: AC Hotel by Marriott (high-end), Casa Garitas (mid-range) or Alexander B&B (budget).
Grano de Oro Hotel
Luxury · Downtown · Pool
Luxury in downtown San José. It’s absolutely stunning, with a great restaurant and a pool.
AC Hotel by Marriott
High-end · Escazú · Modern
Modern and beautiful, with a Spanish restaurant and a gym, in upscale Escazú.
Hilton San José La Sabana
High-end · City views
Reliable and consistent, with epic views over San José and right across from the National Stadium.
Casa de las Tías
Mid-range · Santa Ana · Charming
An amazing old cedarwood house that once belonged to a Minister of Labor, with delightful owners.
Also worth considering: BEE Suites Escalante (thoughtfully designed apartments in Barrio Escalante), Chillout Hostel Barrio Escalante (great for solo travelers and backpackers) and XIN Bed & Breakfast (comfortable and budget-friendly).
For more options, we suggest VRBO. Browse San José rentals on VRBO →
See our favorite hotels in San José →
Our pick
Rent an apartment or house
Renting gives you more space and a kitchen, which is especially handy for longer stays and groups.
A few we like: Casa Britto (8 bedrooms, heated pool, valley views), Casa Cristal (8 bedrooms, pool, hot tub and city views), the Easy Living Apartment (2 bedrooms, central and modern) and Zona Tranquila (budget, sleeps 3, with a balcony).
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Things to do
Things to do in San José
Downtown
National Theater and museums
The National Theater is San José’s most popular theater. Visit the lobby for free during the day or take a guided tour (about $8), and there’s a café inside. Nearby are the Gold Museum under Plaza de la Cultura, the Jade Museum and the National Museum in the old Bellavista Fortress.
Good to know
Exploring downtown on foot is one of the best free things to do in San José. If you want to see a show, pre-book tickets.
Day trips
Volcanoes and coffee farms
Poás Volcano (pre-book tickets, since it sometimes closes due to activity) and Irazú Volcano (about an hour away) are easy day trips. Add a coffee tour at Hacienda Alsacia (Starbucks’ only coffee farm), Doka Estate or Café Britt.
Our pick
The Coffee Experience, Poás Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens tour packs three favorites into one day.
Mercado Central
A big indoor market of tiny alleyways with people selling everything. It feels like a movie set! You can haggle, but keep it friendly.
Food or walking tour
Small-group food, art, bike and walking tours are a fun way to get your bearings and taste local food.
Barrio Escalante
The city’s food neighborhood, with restaurants, cafés, craft beer and street art. San Pedro, by the university, has more bars and clubs.
City parks
La Sabana Metropolitan Park (home to the National Stadium), Parque Central and Parque Morazán with its Templo de la Música bandstand.
Irazú Volcano
About an hour from downtown, with close-up crater views. It’s very high up, so bring layers.
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Where to eat
Where to eat in San José
Grano de Oro Restaurant
Fine dining · Beautiful setting
In the Grano de Oro hotel, with a beautiful setting and excellent fish.
Furca
Fine dining · Steak · Date night
Our go-to dinner date spot for steak, with excellent service, food and presentation.
L’Olivo
Italian · Date night
Great Italian food, and one of our regular date spots.
Árbol de Seda
Vegetarian · Barrio Escalante
Our favorite vegetarian lunch spot, in Barrio Escalante.
Other good options are La Divina Comida in Escazú for Peruvian fusion, La Esquina de Buenos Aires downtown for massive Argentinian portions, Café Rojo for a cheap, healthy lunch and CHOKO for falafel.
Practical stuff
Good to know before you go
Good to know
Packing for San José
Layers
It doesn’t get very hot. Pants and a t-shirt with an extra layer are usually perfect.
Rain jacket
A must in the rainy season (May to November).
Anti-theft bag
An anti-theft backpack or purse is a smart idea in crowded areas.
Travel insurance
Always a good idea. It’s not just for injury, but for theft, trip interruptions, and lost luggage. We use Heymondo.
Good to know
Safety
San José is generally safe, but petty theft like pickpocketing can happen in crowded areas, including around the Coca-Cola bus terminal.
Getting around
Getting around San José
The best way to get around downtown is walking or by taxi. Public buses are extensive, but they’re confusing unless you speak Spanish.
Rental car
Skip driving downtown (it’s pure madness), but a car is great for day trips. Rental cars can drive any day, without the local plate restrictions.
Taxis
Only take official taxis, which are red or orange with a yellow or green triangle on the doors.
FAQ
San José FAQ: your questions
Is San José, Costa Rica worth visiting?
If you’re short on time, skip it and head to nature. But if you have a few days, there are plenty of fun things to do: museums, the Central Market, and day trips to volcanoes and coffee farms.
Is San José safe?
Generally yes, but petty theft happens. Don’t carry lots of cash, keep your belongings secure, use official taxis and avoid walking around at night.
Is San José walkable?
The central downtown area is walkable. For longer distances, take an official taxi.
How many days do you need in San José?
One night is usually enough, often on arrival or before your flight. Stay a couple of days if you want museums, markets and day trips.
Where should I stay in San José?
Barrio Escalante for restaurants and a fun neighborhood feel, Escazú for upscale hotels, or near the airport in Alajuela if you have an early flight.
How do I get from the airport to downtown San José?
Take an official taxi, a hotel shuttle or a rental car. It takes about 20 minutes to over an hour depending on traffic.
When is the best time to visit San José?
The dry season (December to April) is sunniest. We love May to July, when everything is green, prices are lower and rain usually comes in the afternoon.
Can you drink the tap water in San José?
Usually yes, but ask your hotel first.
Every guide
All our San José guides
Keep exploring
More towns in Central Valley
Planning more of the region? See our full Central Valley guide.
