Barrio Escalante
Food, nightlifeRestaurants and bars east of the centre.
City guide
Things to do in San José
Costa Rica's capital and transport hub, worth more than a transit night: the gold and Jade museums, the Teatro Nacional, the Mercado Central, Barrio Escalante's food scene, and day trips to volcanoes and coffee farms.
23
Hostels in the city
8.0
Average, from 17,273 reviews
1,150 m
Above sea level
1–2
Days
The capital, beyond the bus station
San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, set in the Central Valley at around 1,150 metres, with a mild climate all year. Most visitors only pass through on the way to the coasts and volcanoes, but the city rewards a day or two.
The centre has the Teatro Nacional, a grand 19th-century theatre paid for by coffee exports, the Museo del Oro Precolombino, with its gold pieces, the Museo del Jade, and the Museo Nacional, in a former army barracks still marked by bullet holes from the 1948 civil war, after which Costa Rica abolished its army. The Mercado Central is the place for cheap casados and local life.
Barrio Escalante has the city's best restaurants, craft beer and cafes, and Barrio Amón has colonial mansions and street art. From San José, day trips go to Poás and Irazú volcanoes, coffee farms and white-water rafting. Give it one or two days.
Where to base yourself
Barrio Escalante for food and nightlife, Barrio Amón for historic streets, or near the airport for early flights.
Barrio Amón
History, street artColonial mansions north of the centre.
Near the airport
Early flightsAlajuela, close to the airport.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in San José
Tour the Teatro Nacional, visit the Museo del Oro Precolombino beneath the Plaza de la Cultura, and see the Museo del Jade and the Museo Nacional. Eat a casado at the Mercado Central, and walk the pedestrian Avenida Central.
Explore Barrio Amón's colonial mansions and murals, and spend an evening in Barrio Escalante's restaurants and craft beer bars. Relax in Parque La Sabana.
Take day trips to Poás Volcano, booked online in advance, and Irazú Volcano, visit a coffee farm, or go rafting on the Pacuare River, one of the best rafting rivers in the world.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Walking the centre, Avenida Central, Barrio Amón and Parque La Sabana costs nothing. The Mercado Central is free to explore.
Some museums have free days for residents only; check before going.
Street art in Barrio Amón and Barrio Escalante is free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
San José is the cheapest place to eat well in Costa Rica. The Mercado Central has sodas serving casados, olla de carne stew and chifrijo for €4 to €8. Barrio Escalante has the country's best restaurants, at higher prices.
Costa Rican coffee is excellent, and the city has many specialty cafes.
Restaurant bills add 13 per cent tax and a 10 per cent service charge, so check whether menu prices include them; an extra tip is optional.
Nightlife
Going out
San José has a real local nightlife that few visitors see. Barrio Escalante has craft beer bars and cocktail bars, Barrio La California has dance bars and live music, and San Pedro, near the university, is busy with students.
Take taxis or ride-hailing at night.
Imperial beer costs €2 to €4.
Getting around
Getting around
Juan Santamaría International Airport is about 20 to 40 minutes from the centre, depending on traffic, by taxi or bus. Official taxis are red; ride-hailing apps also work.
Buses to the rest of the country leave from several terminals, not one central station, so check which one your bus uses.
The centre is walkable by day, but traffic is heavy.
Costs
What San José costs
San José is cheaper than the beach towns. Dorm beds start at around €12 to €20 a night. Casados at the Mercado Central cost €4 to €8.
Day trips to volcanoes and rafting cost extra.
US dollars are accepted widely alongside colones.
Safety
Safety and scams
San José has more crime than the rest of the country. Pickpocketing and bag snatching happen in the centre, especially around bus terminals such as the Coca-Cola area. Avoid walking at night in the centre, and take taxis.
Keep valuables hidden, and do not leave anything in cars.
In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Festivals, holidays and the dry season.
December
Festival de la Luz
San José
A night parade of lights.
March
Día de los Boyeros
Escazú
A parade of painted oxcarts.
15 September
Independence Day
Nationwide
Lantern parades on the evening before.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in San José, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
In The Wind Hostel & Guesthouse
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Eco Stay
Dorms from €20 a night
See dates and book
Viajero San Jose Hostel
Dorms from €13 a night
See dates and book
Chillout Hostel Barrio Escalante
Dorms from €21 a night
See dates and book
Nativus Art-Hostel
Dorms from €15 a night
See dates and book
Stray Cat Hostel
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Gaudy's Hostel
Dorms from €19 a night
See dates and book
Costa Rica Guesthouse
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Capital Hostel de Ciudad
Dorms from €18 a night
See dates and book
Costa Rica Backpackers
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Sura
Rooms from €13 a night
See dates and book
Hostel Casa Escalante, Barrio Escalante
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
When to go
December to April is the dry season. The green season, from May to November, brings afternoon rain. San José has a mild climate all year.
Jan
Dry
Feb
Dry
Mar
Dry
Apr
Semana Santa
May
Rain begins
Jun
Afternoon rain
Jul
Short dry spell
Aug
Rain
Sep
Wet
Oct
Wettest
Nov
Rain easing
Dec
Festival de la Luz
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for San José, rounded. Mild all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on San José prices.
Treat these as a guide. Day trips cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
San José questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is San José worth visiting?
Yes, for a day or two: the museums, the Mercado Central and Barrio Escalante.
Is San José safe?
Take care in the centre, especially near bus terminals, and use taxis at night.
How do I get from the airport?
By red taxi, ride-hailing app or bus, in 20 to 40 minutes.
Do I need to book Poás Volcano?
Yes, online in advance. Tickets are not sold at the gate.
Where should I stay in San José?
Barrio Escalante or Barrio Amón, or near the airport for early flights.
Is there one bus station in San José?
No. Buses leave from several terminals, so check which one.
Is the tap water safe?
Yes, in San José.
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