Make your way to San José! From total tropics to the urban jungle, Costa Rica’s capital serves up true Tico culture with all-day markets and non-stop nightlife. In San José, you're always a short jaunt away from breathtaking beaches, misty cloud forests and volcanic views. This is where your Costa Rican adventure begins, before delving into the endless possibilities of a land draped in greenery.
Visit San José: get started
Start your Costa Rica trip in San José! Admire colonial architecture and visit the best restaurants in San José. Find tours of Monteverde Cloud Forest, Marino Ballena National Park or the Arenal Volcano and other nearby natural wonders. Check out our selection of San José hotels and packages for the perfect vacation.
San José travel guide
Destination facts
Language
Spanish
What to bring back
The staple Lizano sauce (their version of Worcestershire), gorgeous, often animal-shaped Boruca masks and other handmade indigenous crafts found at places like Chíeton Morén, a gallery dedicated to Costa Rica’s indigenous arts.
What to eat
Chifrijos (fried pork, rice and beans, tomato-based salad), sopa de pejibaye (palm fruit soup) or sopa negra (black bean soup), rondón (coconut milk-based fish stew) and tres leches cake for dessert.
Fun fact
The city was built around a chapel in 1736 and named after its chosen patron saint, Saint Joseph of Nazareth. It wasn’t the original capital of Costa Rica—until 1823, that was Cartago in the south, changing not long after Costa Rica gained its independence from Spain in 1821. Costa Ricans (Ticos) celebrate the occasion in San José every September 15!
Important info
For more information on all necessary travel documents, visa, taxes and more, check Air Canada’s Travel Requirements page and the Government of Canada’s Travel and Tourism website.
