San Jose

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National Museum of Costa Rica
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Costa Rica

National Museum of Costa Rica

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5.0/5
6 reviews
National Museum of Costa Rica is located in the heart of San Jose, next to Plaza de la Democracia. The yellow fortress-like building is a piece of history in itself: the outer walls still bear bullet marks from the 1948 civil war. On December 1 of that same year, José Figueres Ferrer famously swung a sledgehammer against the western wall of the barracks to announce the abolition of the army. Later, the barracks were officially converted into a museum, transforming from a military fortress into a cultural space. The visit begins at the butterfly garden near the entrance. The central courtyard displays several Diquis stone spheres; these perfectly round prehistoric stone spheres are highly recognizable artifacts of Costa Rica, and their discovery sites were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2014. The museum's exhibitions follow a chronological timeline: the Pre-Columbian hall uses hundreds of artifacts, such as pottery, jade carvings, and grinding stones, to tell the story of the life and beliefs of the inhabitants before the arrival of the Spanish; the Gold Hall displays animal-shaped gold ornaments and miniature shaman figures; the Colonial and Republican History halls use old photographs and artifacts to show how coffee, bananas, and the railway changed the country; in the exhibition area converted from old prison cells, graffiti carved by prisoners in the 1930s and 1940s still remains on the walls. After viewing the exhibitions, you might want to head to the second-floor terrace and the central courtyard to overlook downtown San Jose.San Jose · 1.3 km from downtown

Experiences you can't miss in San Jose

Featured Food & drink in San Jose

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San Jose: Cacao & Chocolate Workshop
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
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2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara
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5.0/5
· 66 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
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66 consecutive positive reviews
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Poas Coffee tour, La Paz Waterfall and Poas Volcano
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 10 hrs
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Coffee Farm tour, Poas Volcano Park and La Paz Waterfall
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San José: Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall & Coffee Tasting
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4.7/5
· 17 reviews
Duration: 1 day
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San Jose: Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour including Markets
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4.9/5
· 912 reviews
Duration: 210 mins
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San Jose: Tortuguero Park Day Tour with Breakfast & Lunch
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Duration: 12 hrs
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Featured Day tours in San Jose

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2 Hour Coffee & Chocolate Tour in Playas del Coco
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Duration: 2 hrs
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1-day tour to Poas volcano + coffee farm + waterfall from San Jose, Costa Rica from 1 person
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Full-day 1-day tour to Tortuga Island from San Jose, Costa Rica
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Duration: 9 hrs
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1-day tour to Poas volcano coffee farm and La Paz waterfall gardens from San Jose, Costa Rica
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1-day tour in Costa Rica - Poas volcano + Doka coffee estate + La Paz waterfall
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Costa Rica San Jose: Manuel Antonio National Park 1-day tour
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Featured Spa & wellness in San Jose

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Arenal : Suspension Bridges + Hot Springs + Falls from San Jose
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4.7/5
· 28 reviews
Duration: 12 hrs
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San José: Arenal Volcano, Waterfalls, Coffee and Hot Springs
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4.7/5
· 287 reviews
Duration: 14 hrs
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Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose
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4.8/5
· 312 reviews
Duration: 14 hrs
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Arenal Volcano and Thermal Hot Springs from San Jose
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4.5/5
· 109 reviews
Duration: 13 hrs
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San José: Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs, & Zip Lining w/ Meals
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4.9/5
· 110 reviews
Duration: 14 hrs
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San Jose: Arenal Volcano and Baldi Hot Springs Day Trip
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· 24 reviews
Duration: 1 day
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Featured Culture & history in San Jose

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Britt Coffee Tour from San José
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4.7/5
· 27 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
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San José Highlights Audio Tour: Cultural Treasures and Historical Landmarks
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
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San José: Guided Historical & Cultural Walking Tour
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2.5 hrs
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BarCrawl in Downtown San Jose
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Duration: 3 hrs
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Small Group Cultural Walking Tour in San Jose
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San José: Hacienda La Chimba Coffee Experience Tour
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Duration: 1 hr
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San José Exclusive Bar Pub Crawl with Drinks and Club Entries
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San Jose: Central Market Bites and Sights Walking Tour
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4.9/5
· 42 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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From€26.74€28.15

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San Jose Today's weatherCloudy 16-24℃
San Jose weather for the next 2 days11/5: 17-25℃, 11/6: 17-26℃

What travelers say about San Jose

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099***50August 14, 2022
5.0
The overall environment is good, the facilities are complete, and it also meets the epidemic prevention standards. It's good

National Museum of Costa Rica

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YoYo_1I8Q7O5ODecember 1, 2025
5.0
Stepping into the marble hall of the Costa Rica National Theatre, I was immediately struck by the mural "A Harvest of Coffee and Bananas" on the ceiling—the smiles of the peasant women carrying fruit baskets on their heads made even the gilded crystal chandeliers seem humble. I discreetly touched the cracks in the red velvet seats; the pine frame from 1877 had been deliberately preserved during the renovation. During intermission, I slipped onto the terrace to watch a street performer dance reggae under the theatre's archway, his radio static clashing with the Mozart melodies drifting from inside the hall, echoing between the colonial-era columns. Most unforgettable was discovering a secret hidden in the orchestra pit floor: the conductor had each musician carve their initials, and a century later, those letters remained clear under the lights, like lingering echoes yet to be played.

National Theater of Costa Rica

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What are the must-do things in San Jose?

Don't miss these attractions in San Jose: National Museum of Costa Rica, National Theater of Costa Rica, and Central Avenue. If you like Food & drink, try Costa Rica San Jose Poas volcano coffee plantation and La Paz waterfall 1-day tour. If you enjoy Day tours, try 2 Hour Coffee & Chocolate Tour in Playas del Coco.

You can give Costa Rica San Jose Poas volcano coffee plantation and La Paz waterfall 1-day tour and San Jose: Cacao & Chocolate Workshop a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include 2 Hour Coffee & Chocolate Tour in Playas del Coco, 1-day tour to Poas volcano + coffee farm + waterfall from San Jose, Costa Rica from 1 person, and Full-day 1-day tour to Tortuga Island from San Jose, Costa Rica. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 4, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in San Jose is around EUR 35.74 – EUR 275.24. Rates vary by duration, group size, transportation, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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