There are many activities that you can do within the limits of San José. For those looking for some adventure, try white water rafting down the Pacuare river, one of the best rivers to raft on in the country, and an activity that you just can’t miss. With the rivers Reventazón and Sarapiquí nearby as well, one has plenty of world class rafting options open for them to try out. However, if you do decide to go white water rafting, for your safety, make sure that you go with an experienced and well trained outfitter/guide.

Another popular feature of the San José is an interesting place to visit with many sights and sounds that give this city its unusual appeal. Tour the Jade Museum, Contemporary Art and Design Museum, the National Theatre, and the various city mercados or markets to get a feel for what San José is all about.

Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design inside CENAC or tour the Jade Museum in the Instituto Nacional de Seguros here. If you have kids, a great place to take them would be to the Simon Bolivar National Zoo on 11th Avenue (Avenida 11) or the kids Museum on 4th Street (Calle 4). To get up close and personal with the residents of this city, visit the many local mercados or markets, such as the Mercado Central on Avenida Central.

The best way to experience Costa Rica’s urban culture in San José is by taking a stroll, which can be easily done, since there is a big space and walking streets for pedestrians. Dispersed all throughout the city, San José’s public parks, markets, and courtyards serve as daytime meeting places for the city’s friendly locals (called josefinos).

There are other attractions in San José, which you can not miss:

• Mercado Central: The bustling central market is the perfect place to fill your backpack or suitcase’s empty spaces.
• Avenida Central: Beginning a block beyond the Mercado Central, Central Avenue is a pedestrian friendly epicenter of shops and restaurants.
• El Pueblo: San José’s all-night entertainment and nightlife hub. El Pueblo caters to tourists and locals both with restaurants, discos, galleries, and more.
• Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica: Founded in 1897, San José’s National Theater is one of Costa Rica’s grandest architectural attractions.
• The Simon Bolivar Zoo: While the zoo showcases a whole host of Costa Rica’s endemic animal species, it’s no match to seeing them in the wild.
• The San Pedro Mall: One of the largest malls in Central America. Its nine stories and 260 stores offer quality merchandise of every sort, for a price.

One of the early scenes in the film Jurassic Park features a beachfront conversation scene set in “San José, Costa Rica.” However, there are no Costa Rica beaches in the landlocked capital city! Popular beaches near San José are Jacó Beach (less than two hours away) and Manuel Antonio (a little over four hours away). To get to the Nicoya Peninsula’s southern beaches like Montezuma and Mal País, take a bus to Puntarenas and ferry across.