San José (Costa Rica)

The capital of the Central Valley, ringed by volcanoes and coffee estates, and the transport hub for trips to the country's national parks.

San José is the capital of Costa Rica, set in the Central Valley at an elevation of about 1,150 m and surrounded by the Poás, Irazú and Barva volcanoes. The climate is mild year-round, with daytime temperatures of about 22–27°C (72–81°F). December–April is the dry season, when the volcano craters are most clearly visible; May–November is the rainy season, with mostly afternoon showers, so mornings are still good for getting out. Sightseeing falls into three areas: the walkable city center (National Theatre, Gold Museum, National Museum, Jade Museum, Central Market and Barrio Amón); Alajuela and Heredia to the north (Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, the Doka and Britt coffee estates, and the oxcart town of Sarchí); and Cartago to the east (Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, Irazú Volcano, Lankester Botanical Garden, the Orosi Valley and the Guayabo ruins). Juan Santamaría International Airport is about 20 km from the city. Attractions in the city can be reached on foot, while for trips out of town we recommend a rental car, a private driver or a day tour; national park tickets must be booked in advance on the SINAC website. We suggest staying 2–3 days before continuing to Arenal, Monteverde or the Pacific coast. Notes: the city center is only so-so for safety at night, so avoid walking alone and keep valuables out of sight; it gets cool in the mountains in the mornings and evenings, so bring a jacket and rain gear.

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Itineraries