San José, Costa Rica
San José is both Costa Rica's capital and the operational hub of its entire tourism industry — virtually every visitor arrives through SJO Airport and most private tours depart from San José hotels in the early morning. The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and the Jade Museum hold two of the finest indigenous collections in Central America. Barrio Escalante's restaurant scene and the 19th-century Teatro Nacional are worth a half-day. San José is also the most practical base for day trips to Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and the Alajuela and Heredia coffee belt.
Highlights
- Hub for all Costa Rica private tours
- Pre-Columbian Gold & Jade Museums
- Day trips: Poás Volcano & La Paz Waterfalls
Tours in San José
- Quetzal Birdwatching at Parque Nacional Los Quetzales — Full Day, from $200
- San José City Food & Culture Tour — 4 Hours, from $65