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 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
English
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FromAED 146.92
1-day tour to Poas volcano + coffee farm + waterfall from San Jose, Costa Rica from 1 person
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FromAED 489.90
Full-day 1-day tour to Tortuga Island from San Jose, Costa Rica
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Duration: 9 hrs
English
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FromAED 665.83
1-day tour to Poas volcano coffee farm and La Paz waterfall gardens from San Jose, Costa Rica
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FromAED 875.22
1-day tour in Costa Rica - Poas volcano + Doka coffee estate + La Paz waterfall
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FromAED 887.77
Costa Rica San Jose: Manuel Antonio National Park 1-day tour
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FromAED 1,033.63
Costa Rica San Jose round-trip Monteverde cloud forest 1-day tour
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FromAED 1,522.91

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
Free cancellation
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5% off
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FromAED 139.58AED 146.93
2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara
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5.0/5
· 66 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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66 consecutive positive reviews
FromAED 238.75
Poas Coffee tour, La Paz Waterfall and Poas Volcano
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 10 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromAED 329.78AED 347.14
Coffee Farm tour, Poas Volcano Park and La Paz Waterfall
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5% off
Limited-time sale
FromAED 329.78AED 347.14
San Jose: Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour including Markets
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4.9/5
· 912 reviews
Duration: 210 mins
Free cancellation
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97.6% of travelers recommend
FromAED 128.56
San José: Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall & Coffee Tasting
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4.7/5
· 17 reviews
Duration: 1 day
Free cancellation
5% off
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FromAED 366.41AED 385.7
San Jose: Tortuguero Park Day Tour with Breakfast & Lunch
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Duration: 12 hrs
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FromAED 1,151.53AED 1,212.14

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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FromAED 330.57
San José Highlights Audio Tour: Cultural Treasures and Historical Landmarks
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
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20% off
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FromAED 26.28AED 32.85
San José: Guided Historical & Cultural Walking Tour
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2.5 hrs
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FromAED 87.25AED 91.85
BarCrawl in Downtown San Jose
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Duration: 3 hrs
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FromAED 139.58AED 146.93
Small Group Cultural Walking Tour in San Jose
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 3 hrs
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FromAED 174.45AED 183.64
San José: Hacienda La Chimba Coffee Experience Tour
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Duration: 1 hr
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FromAED 182.35AED 191.95
San José Exclusive Bar Pub Crawl with Drinks and Club Entries
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FromAED 125.99AED 132.63
San Jose: Central Market Bites and Sights Walking Tour
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4.9/5
· 42 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
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97.6% of travelers recommend
5% off
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FromAED 109.94AED 115.73

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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 Day tours, try 2 Hour Coffee & Chocolate Tour in Playas del Coco. If you enjoy Food & drink, try San Jose: Cacao & Chocolate Workshop.

You can give San Jose: Cacao & Chocolate Workshop and 2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara 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, 1-day tour to Poas volcano + coffee farm + waterfall from San Jose, Costa Rica from 1 person, and Full-day 1-day tour to Tortuga Island from San Jose, Costa Rica. 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 AED 146.92 – AED 1,522.91. 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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