Known as Chepe by the locals, San José is Costa Rica’s bustling capital. This fairly young city only became capital in 1823, making it one of youngest capital cities in Latin America. Today, it’s a centre for modern Costa Rican life, full of museums, galleries, restaurants and nightlife. We know that the country’s beautiful natural landscape is top of most people’s lists when travelling to Costa Rica, and that San José – with its airport and connections to popular destinations – is often seen as a means to an end. So, bearing all of this in mind, why visit San José? Well, we’ve got a few ideas…
To Learn About Costa Rican History and Culture
If you want to learn more about the country you’re travelling through, San José is a great place to start. The Museo Nacional De Costa Rica is housed in a vibrant yet imposing 19th-century building that used to be army barracks. Here, you can read about the long history of Costa Rica, including its colonisation and the story of its independence. Artifacts such as shining chalices, embroidered clothing and deadly firearms help to paint a detailed picture of how the country became what it is today, and additional information is available in English and Spanish. If you’re interested specifically in Costa Rica before the arrival of Columbus, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum is full of treasures that tell the story of Costa Rica’s native population. This collection includes objects made of gold, ceramic and jade, showcasing the skill and craftsmanship of the country’s indigenous people. Meanwhile, art lovers should head to The Museum of Costa Rican Art (MAC), a free indoor-outdoor museum located in the former control tower of the first international airport in Costa Rica. This museum features a sculpture garden surrounded by a beautiful parkland and is home to the largest collection of state art in Costa Rica.
To Experience Costa Rica’s Natural Beauty
If you’ve come to Costa Rica to chase waterfalls, surround yourself by tropical rainforest and marvel at the country’s abundant wildlife, you may well ask yourself, why visit San José? But Costa Rica is full of surprises, and La Paz Waterfall Gardens is one of them. Just a 45-minute drive from San José airport, you’ll find this verdant 70-acre park with snaking trails leading you through lush cloud and rainforest to five mesmerising waterfalls. It also features various wildlife sanctuaries including an aviary, serpentarium and habitat for old and injured jungle cats who are unable to survive in the wild. La Paz is home to over 100 species of animals along with 2.2 miles of hiking trails through cloud and rainforest. The park is located around one-and-a-half hours from the city centre, but is equipped with restaurants, a gift shop and enough activities to keep you entertained for hours, making it the perfect day-trip destination.
To Marvel at Ornate Architecture
Unlike some of the world’s capital cities, San José isn’t known for stunning architecture or structural beauty, but that’s not to say it doesn’t exist. The Teatro Nacional is one of the most-visited attractions in the city. This elegant theatre opened in 1891, and today its gilded walls, delicate statues and frescoed ceilings continue to evoke the opulence of the 19th century. The city’s Catedral Metropolitana has undergone several reconstructions after being partially destroyed or compromised by earthquakes. Originally built in 1825, it’s a mix of various architectural styles including Greek Orthodox, Neoclassical and Baroque. Inside, impressive columns flank the nave, and colourful stained-glass windows depict religious scenes. And if you like those stained-glass windows, prepare to be wowed by the Iglesia de la Soledad, whose colourful windows were imported from Switzerland. This restored neoclassical building is a haven of peace in the bustling city, the perfect place to do as the locals do and experience the building’s impressive acoustics during mass.
To Read Every Book Published in Costa Rica
Ok, we’re not seriously suggesting that you attempt to read every single book ever published in Costa Rica. But if you were so inclined, you could have a good go at the national library, Biblioteca Nacional ‘Miguel Obregón Lizano’, which houses not one but three copies of every book ever published in the country (in addition to other works). The library was created in 1888 when it absorbed the works of the University of St Thomas, and is named after a pioneer of the Costa Rican education system. Although you can’t check books out here, there’s a reading room where you can use the internet, make photocopies and of course get your nose stuck into a book. Above all, this is a quiet place to while away the hours or even take in local artwork at one of the many temporary exhibitions hosted here.
To Immerse Yourself in Local Life
As much as a third of Costa Rica’s population lives in San José’s greater metropolitan area, with around 333,980 people calling the city home. This makes San José pretty much the best place in the country to live like a local. Sample ice cream at Central Market from the country’s first ice cream vendor, enjoy a great value meal at a traditional eatery (soda), sample a local beer at award-winning Costa Rica Beer Factory in the trendy area of Barrio Escalante, or even head to the thriving neighbourhood of El Pueblo for a night out on the town. San José is full of things to see and do that will help you to connect with local people and get a sense of what Costa Rica is all about.