San Jose

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National Museum of Costa Rica
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Costa Rica

National Museum of Costa Rica

6.1
5.0/5
6 reviews
National Museum of Costa Rica is located in the heart of San Jose, next to Plaza de la Democracia. The yellow fortress-like building is a piece of history in itself: the outer walls still bear bullet marks from the 1948 civil war. On December 1 of that same year, José Figueres Ferrer famously swung a sledgehammer against the western wall of the barracks to announce the abolition of the army. Later, the barracks were officially converted into a museum, transforming from a military fortress into a cultural space. The visit begins at the butterfly garden near the entrance. The central courtyard displays several Diquis stone spheres; these perfectly round prehistoric stone spheres are highly recognizable artifacts of Costa Rica, and their discovery sites were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2014. The museum's exhibitions follow a chronological timeline: the Pre-Columbian hall uses hundreds of artifacts, such as pottery, jade carvings, and grinding stones, to tell the story of the life and beliefs of the inhabitants before the arrival of the Spanish; the Gold Hall displays animal-shaped gold ornaments and miniature shaman figures; the Colonial and Republican History halls use old photographs and artifacts to show how coffee, bananas, and the railway changed the country; in the exhibition area converted from old prison cells, graffiti carved by prisoners in the 1930s and 1940s still remains on the walls. After viewing the exhibitions, you might want to head to the second-floor terrace and the central courtyard to overlook downtown San Jose.San Jose · 1.3km from downtown

Experiences you can't miss in San Jose

Featured Food & drink in San Jose

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San Jose: Cacao & Chocolate Workshop
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
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FromAU$ 54.51AU$ 57.38
2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara
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5.0/5
· 66 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
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66 consecutive positive reviews
FromAU$ 93.23
Between Wheels and Flavors of San Jose
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Duration: 3 hrs
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FromAU$ 79.07AU$ 83.24
Coffee Farm tour, Poas Volcano Park and La Paz Waterfall
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Poas Coffee tour, La Paz Waterfall and Poas Volcano
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 10 hrs
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FromAU$ 128.78AU$ 135.56
San José: Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall & Coffee Tasting
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4.7/5
· 17 reviews
Duration: 1 day
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FromAU$ 143.14AU$ 150.68
San José: Gastronomy of Costa Rica & Folk Dance
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Duration: 2 hrs
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Featured Culture & history in San Jose

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Britt Coffee Tour from San José
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4.7/5
· 27 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
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San José Highlights Audio Tour: Cultural Treasures and Historical Landmarks
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
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San José: Guided Historical & Cultural Walking Tour
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2.5 hrs
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BarCrawl in Downtown San Jose
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Duration: 3 hrs
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San José Exclusive Bar Pub Crawl with Drinks and Club Entries
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San José: Hacienda La Chimba Coffee Experience Tour
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Duration: 1 hr
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Small Group Cultural Walking Tour in San Jose
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 3 hrs
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San Jose: Central Market Bites and Sights Walking Tour
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4.9/5
· 42 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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FromAU$ 42.94AU$ 45.2

Featured Outdoor & sports in San Jose

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Rafting Pacuare River One Day from Turrialba
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4.9/5
· 181 reviews
Duration: 6 hrs
English
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FromAU$ 142.00
Full-day 1-day tour to Tortuga Island from San Jose, Costa Rica
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Duration: 9 hrs
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Costa Rica San Jose: Manuel Antonio National Park 1-day tour
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Zip Line, Rappel, Hiking La Carpintera Tour in San Jose
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4.9/5
· 360 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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From San José: Monteverde Hanging Bridges Day Trip
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Day trip to Monteverde from San José with hanging bridges
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 14 hrs
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FromAU$ 158.20AU$ 166.53

Featured Day tours in San Jose

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2 Hour Coffee & Chocolate Tour in Playas del Coco
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Duration: 2 hrs
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Palo Verde Boat Tours, Ortega
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4.9/5
· 279 reviews
Duration: 190 mins
English
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98.2% of travelers recommend
FromAU$ 129.09
1-day tour to Poas volcano + coffee farm + waterfall from San Jose, Costa Rica from 1 person
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FromAU$ 191.31
Turtle Watching Tour
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4.3/5
· 50 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
English
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FromAU$ 107.58

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San Jose Today's weatherCloudy 16-22℃
San Jose weather for the next 2 days11/5: 17-24℃, 11/6: 17-26℃

What travellers say about San Jose

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099***5014 August 2022
5.0
The overall environment is good, the facilities are complete, and it also meets the epidemic prevention standards. It's good

National Museum of Costa Rica

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YoYo_1I8Q7O5O1 December 2025
5.0
Stepping into the marble hall of the Costa Rica National Theatre, I was immediately struck by the mural "A Harvest of Coffee and Bananas" on the ceiling—the smiles of the peasant women carrying fruit baskets on their heads made even the gilded crystal chandeliers seem humble. I discreetly touched the cracks in the red velvet seats; the pine frame from 1877 had been deliberately preserved during the renovation. During intermission, I slipped onto the terrace to watch a street performer dance reggae under the theatre's archway, his radio static clashing with the Mozart melodies drifting from inside the hall, echoing between the colonial-era columns. Most unforgettable was discovering a secret hidden in the orchestra pit floor: the conductor had each musician carve their initials, and a century later, those letters remained clear under the lights, like lingering echoes yet to be played.

National Theater of Costa Rica

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in San Jose?

Don't miss these attractions in San Jose: National Museum of Costa Rica, National Theater of Costa Rica, and Central Avenue. If you like Food & drink, try San Jose: Cacao & Chocolate Workshop. If you enjoy Culture & history, try Britt Coffee Tour from San José.

You can give San Jose: Cacao & Chocolate Workshop and Costa Rica San Jose Poas volcano coffee plantation and La Paz waterfall 1-day tour a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include 2 Hour Coffee & Chocolate Tour in Playas del Coco, Palo Verde Boat Tours, Ortega, and 1-day tour to Poas volcano + coffee farm + waterfall from San Jose, Costa Rica from 1 person. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 4 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in San Jose is around AUD 57.38 – AUD 191.31. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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