Historic yellow kiosk in a Costa Rican city park
All day tours

San José City Tour

Immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture with a San José City Tour experience. A slow, intentional walk through the museums, markets and churches of the Costa Rican capital since 1823.

At a glance

Pickup
Where you're stayingPickup included wherever you're staying: your hotel, rental or another meeting point you choose.
Duration
~6 hoursTiming depends on your pickup point and is confirmed in your proposal.
Activity level
Easy
Pickup and transportation
Included
Price
Price on requestJesus sends the price for your group with your tour proposal.
Group size
Minimum group size confirmed in your proposal.
Visits
San José

What to expect

The capital city tour is your introduction to the cosmopolitan heart of Costa Rica. We begin at the former Bellavista Fortín — now the National Museum — and walk with you through the downtown streets, past the National Theater and colonial corners that most excursions never show you. At the Central Market we slow down and let the city show us: handmade souvenirs, street artisans, traditional drip coffee (café de chorreador), corn tortillas and the food stalls that feed San José every day.

Drive by university areas and malls around San José.

This is a private tour. Your guide adapts to your group, whether you're traveling with seniors, food lovers or first-time visitors.

Shopping time at the Municipal Souvenir Market.

Lunch optional.

Step by step

  1. National Museum & Downtown Walk

    ~2 hours

    Guided tour at the National Museum or Gold Museum (one option), and a walk along Avenida Central: visit the National Theater (entrance optional), the Central Cathedral, Central Park and the historic plazas that tell the story of modern Costa Rica.

    Recommendations Comfortable walking shoes · Umbrella (just in case) in rainy season

  2. Central Market walk

    ~2 hours

    Explore authentic flavors at the Mercado Central: try corn tortillas, traditional drip coffee, handmade sorbet and the typical dishes that locals eat every day at one of the San José markets.

    Recommendations Come hungry · Cash for extra purchases

  3. Shopping – Lunch

    ~2 hours

    Time to have lunch or shop at the Artisans Market (Mercado Municipal de Artesanías).

What's included

  • Transportation
  • Tour guide
  • Water
  • One option: Museum entrance (Gold or National Museum) / National Theater
  • Lunch optional

Where we meet

Pickup where you're staying. Exact time confirmed in your proposal.

Before you request

  • Activity level: Easy.
  • Minimum group size confirmed in your proposal.

Read cancellation terms

Your guide

Jesus Mora Urbina. I guide in English and Spanish, and I specialize in wildlife, natural history, adventure, national parks and city tours.

Jesus guides your tour himself. If he isn't available on your date, he may suggest another guide he trusts. He'll tell you who before anything is confirmed, and it only goes ahead if you agree.

Meet Jesus

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