Fun things to do in San Jose?

Question

My boyfriend and I are spending 2 days in San Jose before we make our way to Manuel Antonio in August. Any recommendations on cool things to do? The Arenal Volcano tour sounds fun....

Answer 1

Don't listen to the above posters - San Jose is awesome! People really give San Jose a bad rap but I thought it was great. I guess if you come from small town, USA you might be intimidated by all the people but it was a cakewalk compared to NYC. Maybe since I live in a city in a Latino neighborhood I felt pretty comfortable walking around. I’d definitely go back to San José again.

Cool places to visit are:

The Central Mercado

Museo de Oro (Gold museum) under the Plaza de la Cultura

Teatero Nacional (national theater)

Museum of Contemporary Art (my favorite!)

The open air crafts market in the Plaza de la Democracia

I dont know if I'd spend two night there but it's defiantely worth a visit for a day.

Also keep in mind that Arenal Volcano is a 4 hour drive from San Jose and is a destination in itself

Answer 2

well, there are quite few things you can do here... there is a tour called the 4-in-1 tour that takes you to the poas volcano, la paz waterfall garden, to see some crocodiles and i don't quite remember the other place but it is nice. to the arenal, is the other choice, but quite exhausted. the other is to go water rafting or to cartago to see the basilica and other amazing things around... even to the orozi valley. at night you can go dancing at different clubs but i recomend to crab a taxi at night so you don't get jumped or something else. san jose is like any other city. need to be careful and try not to show much your things there, as money, camera or other valuble things. take care'

Answer 3

Well, I used to live in Costa Rica for basically most of my life and im only 14.. and right now im thinking if are you serious?

San Jose is a dirty and very dangerous place.

Im sorry to tell you, but if you really want to have fun there, maybe you should go to Central Park and watch the birds, or maybe even go to a symphony. Their symphonies are great.

Plus, good lunches there, and many casinos.

You could also try some of the malls there.

San Pedro Mall

A nice decent place you would want to go to is maybe Cartago or Heredia where it's nice and simple, keeps you entertained, and not dangerous at all.

Have fun! =]

Answer 4

I would recommend the Britt coffee tours.  The tour to Poas and the La Paz water falls and butterfly gardens is wonderful.  The Jade museum is interesting.  The volcano is best seen at night so i wouldn't recommend it as a day trip.   I think the Calypso cruise in the gulf of Nicoya is a better long day trip.  In addition, you can go white water rafting--the best rafting rivers are near to San Jose.  The national museum is small but worth an hour too.  Like all Latin american cities, you have to be careful at night.  It is dangerous--but it is still the safest capital city in Latin America after Santiago Chile (and roughly on a par with Buenos Aires and La Paz).

Answer 5

Are you serious? San Jose is the WORST place to be in Costa Rica. Try to go on a tour out of the city-the butterfly tour, a canopy tour, etc. Check with your hotel-they'll have some suggestions. The volcanoes--forget it. they are covered in mist in the rainy season and most other times of the year. The hotels around the volcanoes are overpriced as well. I go to Costa Rica at least once a year and have been there at least 15 times. The northwest area-Guanacaste-is the nicest. Next time fly into Liberia and stay up there. The coast is very beautiful. Its clean, the people are friendly and the beaches are nearly deserted. There is plenty to do but, one more thing, stay out of Tamarindo-its like San Jose-only smaller. There are many unsavory people who will steal what ever is not nailed down. Its dirty and corrupted, many druggies-the dangerous kind,and the water situation leaves alot to be desired. Try Flaming Beach or Nosara if you're looking for a nice time and a pleasant experience. Have fun! Be REALLY CAREFUL in San Jose! Take it from one who knows.