San José Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
San José

Where to stay in San José

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La California

4/5(1 area review)

Check out the restaurants, shopping and museums while spending some time in La California. Though there might not be many attractions in the neighbourhood, you won't need to go far to find top spots like National Park or National Museum of Costa Rica.

La California
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Carmen

While visiting Carmen, you might make a stop by sights like Morazan Park and National Park.

Carmen
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Barrio Escalante

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Barrio Escalante and surrounding area, you can visit San Pedro Mall and National Museum of Costa Rica.

Barrio Escalante
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Mata Redonda

While visiting Mata Redonda, you might make a stop by sights like National Stadium of Costa Rica and Estadio Nacional.

Mata Redonda
San Jose featuring forests and mountains

Hospital

3.5/5(6 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Hospital, Central Park and Chirripo National Park are top sights worth seeing.

Hospital
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Catedral

If you're spending some time in Catedral, National Museum of Costa Rica and National Theater are top sights worth seeing.

Catedral
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto, Costa Rica
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto, Costa Rica
3.5 out of 5
Sobre Autopista General Cañas, Ulloa, Heredia
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is 2.563.748 ₫ per night from 15 Nov to 16 Nov
2.563.748 ₫
2.897.035 ₫ total
includes taxes & fees
15 Nov - 16 Nov
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly hotel in Ulloa. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,860 reviews)
"Its a bit rundown, but a great value"

Reviewed on 12 Nov 2024

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto, Costa Rica
Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport
Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport
3 out of 5
Hwy 1 Airport Blvd, Rio Segundo
The price is 2.994.630 ₫ per night from 8 Dec to 9 Dec
2.994.630 ₫
3.383.932 ₫ total
includes taxes & fees
8 Dec - 9 Dec
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Rio Segundo. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,195 reviews)
"Nice size rooms, very clean, great proximity to the airport and food onsite."

Reviewed on 9 Nov 2024

Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport
Hilton Garden Inn San Jose Airport City Mall
Hilton Garden Inn San Jose Airport City Mall
3.5 out of 5
Francisco J. Orlich Road, Alajuela, Alajuela
The price is 2.556.801 ₫ per night from 25 Nov to 26 Nov
2.556.801 ₫
2.889.185 ₫ total
includes taxes & fees
25 Nov - 26 Nov
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Alajuela. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (695 reviews)
"Great property pretty new and near from airport"

Reviewed on 11 Nov 2024

Hilton Garden Inn San Jose Airport City Mall
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Apartotel & Suites Villas del Rio
Apartotel & Suites Villas del Rio
3.5 out of 5
East side of Costa Rica Country Club, San Rafael, San Rafael
Stay at this family-friendly aparthotel in San Rafael. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (773 reviews)
"Villas del Rio is very well managed--I can't say enough about how good their staff is and the facilities are really nice as well. I've seldom been this satisfied with a hotel stay, but they were outstanding! I just had the basic one-bedroom booking, but still it was like a small apartment. Don't ..."

Reviewed on 3 Nov 2024

Apartotel & Suites Villas del Rio
BEE Suites Escalante
BEE Suites Escalante
3.5 out of 5
San José, Barrio Escalante., San José, San José
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in San José. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (148 reviews)
"This property was amazing , beautiful setup . Street that it was on was very empty not much traffic. Police do casual just stroll pass but it makes you feel really safe!!! Only downside is reception doesn’t speak English , they are very kind but you will need translation app if you or your group ..."

Reviewed on 11 Nov 2024

BEE Suites Escalante
Hotel Residence Inn Suites Cristina
Hotel Residence Inn Suites Cristina
3.5 out of 5
300 meters north ICE building, Sabana Norte, San José, San Jose
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly aparthotel in San José. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (651 reviews)
"I like the free breakfast and cleanliness of the hotel and I also feel safe the hotel. Like our two room like an apartment."

Reviewed on 7 Sep 2024

Hotel Residence Inn Suites Cristina
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of San José

3.8
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
5
" "5 - Excellent 20.833333333333332%
4 - Good
9
" "4 - Good 37.5%
3 - Okay
9
" "3 - Okay 37.5%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 4.166666666666667%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The Theatre was an amazing place to visit and eat and finished of with a fab Irish coffee, great staff too. Beautiful church and buzzing square. Didn't really have any more time to explore more, very friendly people. Apart from the taxi driver lol

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Really busy traffic. Driving is not for the faint hearted.

2/5 - Disappointing

Mikolaj

Not a city I would recommend you visit. Costa Rica is all about nature. San Jose is not pretty, does not have any proper cultural bits to visit. Don't waste your time!!!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

I love Costa Rica for the amazing abundance and diversity of its nature, and for the warmth of its people. But traffic choked and uninspiring architecture make San Jose far from my favorite Latin American capital city.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

We mostly used San Hose as a hub whilst travelling to see other parts of Costa Rica. The city may be up and coming but it is still very much a locals place. Some nice restaurants but you have to seek them out.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We stayed three times for five days in total as we used it as a central hub during our tour of Costa Rica, visiting six other locations. It has some great coffee shops and great little cafes. Go to the 1147 Cafe, Hotel Aranjuez, outstanding food.

Cities near San José